El Reto guila: Club America 4 Guatemala 1 at Home Depot Center

A hardy crowd of 18,362 saw substitute Angel Reyna score one goal and create another as Club America disposed of Guatemala 4-1 Wednesday on a cold and breezy 55-degree night at Carson’s Home Depot Center.

Wonder of wonders, former Galaxy midfielder Guillermo Ramirez (infamous in MLS for his inability to finish) scored the lone response for the Central Americans just before half time.

Matias Vuoso opened the scoring for the Mexicans with a 19th minute spot kick and Maiguel Layun added a second in the 36th minute.

Reyna got the third eight minutes from the end of regulation time, while Daniel Marquez finished things off with a fourth two minutes later.

Guatemala actually out-shot Club America 21 to 18.

Club America lineup: Francisco Guillermo Ochoa (GK) (Armando Navarrete (GK), 46′), Aquivaldo Mosquera (Diego Cervantes, 46′), Oscar Rojas, Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Patricio Trevino, Pavel Pardo, (Diego Reyes, 67′), Nicolas Olivera, Maiguel Layun (Angel Reyna, 59′), Daniel Montenegro (Jose Israel Martnez, 60′), Vicente Sanchez (Jose Joaquin Martinez, 60′), 30-Matias Vuoso (Daniel Marquez, 67′)

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What Chivas USA fans can expect from new signing Jimmy Conrad

Said Conrad after signing with Chivas USA via the Re-Entry Draft:

“The funny thing is people used to say I was young and slow. Now they’re saying I’m old and slow. At least there’s one thing that’s been constant in my career.”

Somehow, after witnessing the team’s Swiss cheese-like central defense last season, I’m guessing not too many Chivas USA fans are laughing.

Read the entire Kansas City Star article that included Conrad’s comment here.

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More calls to move Qatar World Cup to winter months

i-8199de9567f1ce7b76e83d1d1236026d-soccersnow.jpgWe’re not in Qatar any more: A worker clears snow from the roof of the Veltins-Arena soccer stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, just before Christmas (AP Photo).

It figures that as the East Coast continues to dig out from its winter weather woes (I’m assuming MLS would be done by now, even if it were to move to a fall through spring schedule) and even usually temperate England debates (yet again) a winter break from soccer that there are even more voices suggesting the 2022 World Cup be moved from the scorching summer months in Qatar. There are also some notable opponents, too, however, so perhaps it’s for the best we’ve got a dozen years to figure this one out.

Here’s more from the Associated Press:

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The head of the Asian Football Confederation supports moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter months to avoid the desert heat, but European clubs AC Milan and Barcelona oppose the move.

Mohamed bin Hammam, a Qatari national who is also a FIFA executive committee member, said Tuesday a winter tournament would ensure players would be in better shape and wouldn’t be exhausted after completing a grueling season that can run up to 60 games.

Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup this month despite concerns over temperatures which routinely exceed 104 degrees. Soon after it beat out the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea for the competition, a growing list of soccer executives began calling for moving the tournament to January when it is much cooler in Qatar.

FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer was the first to suggest the idea, and he was followed by UEFA president Michel Platini. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said it was worthy studying and FIFPro, which represents professional soccer players worldwide, said the event “must be held in winter.”

But the big soccer clubs remain unconvinced. They’re reluctant to change the international calendar and concerned over a loss of revenue from breaking up the season.

“It would be very difficult today to see the top five European leagues change their calendar in order to accommodate the World Cup in January,” AC Milan director Umberto Gandini said on the sidelines of the two-day Globe Soccer conference in Dubai.

“We have traditions. We have business in place. We have contracts in place,” he said. “It would be complicated. I’m not saying it’s not possible but it would require a lot of
negotiations, a lot of discussions and it would probably affect not only 2022 but 2021 as
well.”

Gandini and Barcelona President Sandro Rosell also downplayed concerns about the heat, noting several previous World Cup tournaments were played in conditions similar to those of Qatar in the summer.

Bin Hammam agreed Qatar would have no problem organizing the 2022 World Cup in July. But moving the tournament to the cooler winter months would be better for the players, he said.

“If the competition were held in June and July, it will perfectly organized by the host,” Bin
Hammam said. “If the competition would be moved to January, it will be a sort of win-win
situation for all the parties.”

Earlier this month, Blatter and general secretary Jerome Valcke said moving the Qatar matches to winter was worth considering. It could protect players from heat and provide flexibility for future bid cities.

Valcke said switching the schedule would make it possible for a wider range of countries to bid for the World Cup — which traditionally takes places in June and July — in the future.

Still, he said it’s “not so easy” to stage a winter World Cup since it would require changing the international calendar — including possibly the year before and after the 2022 tournament — and getting the support of domestic leagues and national federations.

Valcke said Qatar hasn’t formally requested changing the timing of the tournament, and bid officials have not said anything publicly about whether they would support such a move. Until now, Qatar has only promised FIFA that stadiums, training venues and areas for fans to party will be cooled with solar-powered air conditioning.

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Tuesday Kicks: El Reto guila & more

i-21e9dd7aea567924c43c50ba32759b50-HDC_ElReto_111810.jpgI had Monday off so no column today (or next week for that matter as I burn up some mandatory time off), but wanted to play a little catch up and note that:

*Out of contract Galaxy top scorer Edson Buddle, 29, could still join former Galaxy striker Robbie Findley and sign with an English team after trying out with Birmingham City before Christmas.

“He has gone back (to the U.S.) and we will keep the door open,” non-committal Birmingham manager Alex McLeish told the Associated Press. “We are not in the position to make any offers at the moment because we are looking to try and bring a more-experienced player into the club. We’ve not closed the door. He did OK.”

*Club America hosts a fan rally at L.A. Live at 4 p.m. today ahead of Wednesday’s El Reto guila (The Eagle Challenge) against Guatemala at Home Depot Center, which is planned as an annual challenge game in Carson involving the Mexican team and an international opponent.

Several Club America players will pose for photos and sign autographs for fans, while game tickets and team jerseys will be raffled off.

Also, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. today, Club America’s Pavel Pardo, Enrique Esqueda, Rolfi Montenegro, Aquivaldo Mosquera and Memo Ochoa will make an appearance at Warehouse Shoe Store, 13425 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. New Nike club gear will be available for purchase (which guarantees you an autograph, I’m told).

Tickets to the 7 p.m. game start at $20. If you plan to go be prepared for cold, windy and possibly wet weather.

Also, you didn’t read this here, but Club America train today at 11 a.m. at the HDC, while Guatemala will train at 5 p.m.

Here’s the Club America roster for the game Coach Manuel Lapuente has brought wityh him:

GOALKEEPERS: Guillermo Ochoa, Armando Navarrete

DEFENDERS: Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Aquivaldo Mosquera, Oscar Rojas, Patricio Trevio, Renato Gonzlez, Ademar Rodrguez, Diego Reyes

MIDFIELDERS: Angel Reyna, Enrique Esqueda, Pavel Pardo, Nicols Olivera, Miguel Layn, Diego Cervantes, Jos Israel Martnez, Joaqun Martinez

FORWARDS:, Martas Vuoso, Vicente Snchez, Daniel Montenegro, Ivn Gallardo, Daniel Mrquez

And here’s Guatemala’s squad (no Carlos Ruiz you’ll notice):

GOALKEEPERS: Luis Pedro Molina (Marquense), Jaime Carvajal (USAC).

DEFENDERS: Carlos Castrillos y Carlos Gallardo (Comunicaciones), Jaime Vides, Gustavo Cabrera, Jhonyu Flores (Municipal), Edwin Gonzlez (Mictln), y Henry Medina (Suchitepquez).

MIDFIELDERS: Jairo Arreola (Comunicaciones), Guillermo Ramrez (Municipal), Carlos Figueroa, Gregory Ruiz y Marco Tulio Ciani (Xelaj), Manuel Len (USAC), Ricky Murga (Marquense), Wilfred Velsquez (Suchitepquez).

FORWARDS: Trnsito Montepeque (Comunicaciones) y Mario Castellanos (Heredia).

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Friday Kicks

*Chivas USA is reportedly expected to announce former New York Red Bulls Coach Juan Carlos Osorio as the club’s next coach after Christmas, sources said.

*Chivas USA has signed UCLA product Jimmy Conrad, 33, of Arcadia to an MLS contract after acquiring the rights to the 2005 MLS Defender of the Year from the former Kansas City Wizards in the Re-Entry Draft.

*The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan filed for divorce from actress wife Bianca Kajlich after three years of marriage citing “irreconcilable differences.”

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Tuesday Kicks

*I have 10 words: Chivas USA’s Justin Braun is in a national team camp.

* No European loan for Beckham?

*The Los Angeles Blues of USL Pro signed center back Gareth Evans Tuesday as their fourth player in preparation for their 2011 debut season. Evans, 23, has played for Wales’ Wrexham, as well as the Austin Aztex and, most recently, Real Maryland Monarchs of the USL2.

Updated

*The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan isn’t going anywhere either. More here.

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Monday Kicks: MLS home openers announced

*The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan has won the U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year Award for a record fourth time. Yes, I voted for him. Hermosa Beach resident Abby Wambach won the female athlete award

*The Galaxy visit Seattle to open the MLS season, then host New England. Chivas USA hosts Kansas City apparently on the theory if they’re not worth seeing then Sporting’s Omar Bravo is (talk about rubbing a missed opportunity in fans’ faces) in his MLS debut. Details.

*David Beckham’s latest loan rumor. Yawn.

*And look at all the Southern Californians on Pia Sundhage’s January camp roster (especially up front) at Home Depot Center.

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On furcation: No column Tuesday

i-e69724350d8620f5442ee5b8183ae316-jesussoccer.jpgI’m burning up some vacation time with an extended midwinter nap on required furlough, so they’ll be no column Tuesday (or next week for that matter) and blogging over the holidays will be minimal unless events warrant.

The weekend’s EPL action, including Sunday’s big game between Manchester United and Chelsea, was frozen out, but today’s Manchester City-Everton game (noon ESPN2) is on. It’s the last EPL game until Boxing Day (that’s Sunday for those of you who don’t speak Anglophile), so enjoy.

A belated congratulations to the Galaxy’s David Beckham (it’s not often you see his name and the word “personality” in the same sentence). And with that last shot I’m out of here.

No matter how you celebrate, enjoy the holiday season while we await the next MLS season.

And yes, in case you’re wondering you can still score your soccer playing Jesus in time for Christmas (shouldn’t he be wearing a No. 10 jersey?) if you order here today.

Peace.

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Chivas USA Seize the Day

i-288816875c3fe1a7a21a82b88e0a311b-donate.jpgFrom left, Chivas USA players Mariano Trujillo, Chukwudi Chijindu, and Michael Lahoud pose with an organ donor family member Saturday at this year’s Donate Life Rose Parade Float in Pasadena (Photos courtesy Chivas USA).

For the third successive year Chivas USA and Donate Life have joined forces to create awareness for organ and tissue donation in Southern California and today players from the club joined members of the nonprofit group in helping decorate its Rose Bowl Parade float.

It’s titled “Seize the Day.”

“I’m happy to help those who help other people,” said defender Mariano Trujillo, who assisted volunteers early in the morning Saturday, along with many Chivas USA staff members.

i-eb78e50ea379b1047721f9f122bd57d1-floooat.jpgThe float features colorful kites representing the deceased donors whose legacies soar and the hopes of those in need of transplants.

The 55-feet-long and 35-feet-high float features 30 riders (each a transplant recipient, living donor, or family member of an organ donor), 60 memorial floragraph portraits honoring deceased organ donors and thousands of roses from all 50 states and around the world.

Aptly for Chivas USA, the logos on each side of the seventh Donate Life float will again be in English and Spanish (“Done Vida”).

“It’s a great honor to be here,” said midfielder Michael Lahoud. “It’s great to see people giving their time for a noble cause.”

i-f0a577aa5036125b25967f43d44b821c-Lahoud.jpgComing up roses: Chivas USA midfielder Michael Lahoud and other volunteers from the club put in hours from early Saturday building the float.

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