That’s according to ESPN’s Allen Hopkins who tweeted this morning:
Galaxy’s Juan Pablo Angel & Omar Gonzalez are OUT v. Seattle. Donovan Ricketts & Steve Zakuani are also likely to miss #MLSFirstKick.
Galaxy PR folks declined to confirm the report when I contacted them via e-mail.
However, they didn’t deny it either.
Galaxy guy: Coach Bruce Arena has rebuilt the Galaxy – but can the team win MLS Cup this year ? We’ll begin to find out tonight as the MLS season opens in Seattle with the Sounders playing LA (AP Photo).
*Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN for the 16th MLS season featuring the earliest start date in league history.
*Fan group the LA Riot Squad will host a viewing party at Cheapshot’s, 941 E. 4th St.,
Long Beach. Free pulled pork sandwiches for attendees, apparently, as well as $3 Guinness pints and 15% of sales donated to Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.
*Fan group Angel City Brigade will congregate at the Off-Campus Pub in Carson opposite Home Depot Center.
*Other viewing spots that have come across my radar: Dillon’s Irish Pub at Hollywood & Vine with $3 pints and Gallagher’s Pub & Grill. 2751 E. Broadway, Long Beach with $3 domestic pints, 2-for-1 burgers and Galaxy giveaways.
*Notable: A record six designated players could take the field tonight.
*Quotable: The key to tonight’s game, according to Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena – taking the incredible fan support Seattle enjoys at Qwest Field out of the game. A 33rd consecutive MLS sell-out with a crowd in excess of 36,000 expected –
“It’s a great venue to play in and certainly one that’s real positive for the Seattle team,” he said. “We have to battle the situation, not only on the field, but in the stands as well. So the way we come out on the field is going to help set the tone.”
*Reporter Phil Collin has the game preview.
*The Seattle Times has the Sounders perspective.
*In today’s column I focused on the man most responsible for the rebirth of the Galaxy following the hapless low the team reached as recently as 2008 – Coach Arena.
*Defender and now Assistant Coach Gregg Berhalter said he is gaining new insights into the way Arena operates as a result of his new role:
“It’s an opportunity for me to see how he works,” he said. “You get a sense of that as a player, but to be behind closed doors and to actually see how he operates is fascinating. He’s very organized, he’s thinking ahead. Sometimes as player you don’t really pick up on those things, but as a coach getting to see behind the scenes (you see) he’s really planning things out ahead of time and you can see some moves and some things that might happen really before they happen.
“You have to remain calm in certain situations because it’s a long year and I think he does that well,” Berhalter added. “He understands that. He just takes everything in stride. You see how he adjusts on the fly.”
*While the playing status of midfielder Brad Evans and striker Steve Zakuani are game time decisions for Seattle, the Galaxy has injury concerns of their own when it comes to goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, although I suspect he will play.
*If you missed the coverage here leading up the game check out:
A tactical break-down of the game from a Seattle perspective.
A team by team MLS preview.
A look at the state of the league in 2011.
An update from the final day of training camp in Carson – and a blast from the past.
Enjoy the game.
This is an insightful, thoroughly enjoyable analysis of Tuesday’s Major League Soccer opener. Recommended viewing (albeit from a Seattle perspective) that’s well worth the nine minute time investment to watch:
Here’s a capsule look at the 18 MLS teams as they head into the 2011 season, in
alphabetical order from the Associated Press (with my observations added):
Cascades crazy: This year Seattle fans will be joined by their regional brethren in Portland and Vancouver as the Timbers and Whitecaps respectively join MLS. How nuts are Seattle fans? This photo was taken in Carson (Getty Images).
CHICAGO FIRE
LAST YEAR: 9-12-9 (10th place overall, fourth in Eastern Conference).
WHO’S BACK: Coach Carlos de los Cobos, M Marco Pappa, G Sean Johnson, M Logan Pause, D Gonzalo Segares, F Calen Carr, M Patrick Nyarko, M/D Bratislav Ristic.
WHO’S GONE: F Brian McBride, D C.J. Brown, M Freddie Ljungberg, F Nery Castillo, G Andrew Dykstra, M John Thorrington.
WHO’S NEW: F Gaston Puerari, F Diego Chaves.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Fire need to find the identity and sharpness they lacked in de los Cobos’ first season in Chicago, when they missed the postseason for only the second time in team history. Pappa, an All-Star last year as the Fire’s leading scorer, will have to assume an even bigger role this season with the loss of McBride and Ljungberg. But the Fire hope the addition of Uruguayans Puerari and Chaves will bolster an offense that was anemic despite its huge scoring potential. The defense is young but will get a big boost from Johnson, who has the potential to join the list of standout U.S. goalkeepers and made his first appearance for the national team in a January friendly against Chile. The Fire — and de los Cobos — need a strong start to show they’re not the same lackluster team as last year, a task that will be made more difficult with two of the first four games in the Pacific Northwest, where new teams in Portland and Vancouver have sparked the passionate atmosphere more often seen in Europe.
CHIVAS USA
Van Nuys striker Tristan Bowen will try his luck with Chivas USA after being traded by the Galaxy in the off-season.
LAST YEAR: 8-18-4 (15th overall, eighth in Western Conference).
WHO’S BACK: M Blair Gavin, F Justin Braun, D Mariano Trujillo, D Michael Umana, M Michael Lahoud, M Ben Zemanski, D Ante Jazic, G Dan Kennedy, G Zach Thornton, M Paulo Nagamura.
WHO’S GONE: D Jonathan Bornstein, F Alan Gordon, F Giancarlo Maldonado, M Jesus Padilla, M Marcelo Saragosa, D Dario Delgado.
WHO’S NEW: Coach Robin Fraser, F Tristan Bowen, F Alejandro Moreno, M Nick LaBrocca, D Jimmy Conrad, D Zarek Valentin, F Victor Estupinan, M Andrew Boyens, M Simon Elliott, D Heath Pearce.
WHAT’S AHEAD: Chivas is starting over following last season’s last-place finish in the Western Conference, which resulted in a clear-out of the coaching staff and front office. New coach Robin Fraser has installed an unorthodox 1-4-1-4 formation while attempting to change the culture around a club that has declined precipitously since winning the regular-season Western Conference title in 2007. Chivas still hasn’t advanced in the playoffs in six MLS seasons. Leading scorer Justin Braun is back to try and improve on his nine-goal season, although he has missed the entire preseason with an ankle injury. The attacking cupboard is even barer now Alan Gordon was shipped to Canada on Friday, although Nick LaBrocca who comes in the opposite direction from Toronto at least provides a little experience in midfield. Midfielder Blair Gavin could be important to Chivas’ attack, but he also has battled injuries. Veteran Jimmy Conrad, slowing down in Kansas who bid him farewell, has arrived to attempt to stabilize the defense, but the Goats are still an inexperienced collection of talent playing in the shadow of the star-studded Galaxy — and Chivas’ preseason has been discouraging, including a loss to UCLA last weekend. And where will the goals come from?
COLORADO RAPIDS
LAST YEAR: 12-8-10 (seventh overall, fifth in West); won MLS Cup.
WHO’s BACK: Coach Gary Smith, D Drew Moor, M Jeff Larentowicz, D Anthony
Wallace, F Conor Casey, F Macoumba Kandji, M Brian Mullan, F Quincy Amarikwa, F Omar Cummings, M Wells Thompson, M Ross LaBauex, GK Ian Joyce, GK Matt Pickens, F Andre Akpan, M Jamie Smith, D Marvell Wynne, M Pablo Mastroeni, D Kosuke Kimura, M Davy Armstrong, D Scott Palguta, GK Steward Ceus, D Mike Holody.
WHO’S GONE: D Julien Baudet, D Danny Earls, M Claudio Lopez, M Ciaran O’Brien, F Ross Schunk.
WHO’S NEW: M Steven Emory, D Tyrone Marshall, M Joseph Nane, M Sanna Nyassi.
WHAT’S AHEAD: Colorado begins the 2011 season in unfamiliar territory as the reigning MLS Cup champion. The team has kept the core together to make a run at defending to its title. Two key elements returning, forwards Conor Casey and Omar Cummings, helped the Rapids become the second-highest scoring team in MLS a year ago. The pair was the league’s most productive duo the last two years. The Rapids will be challenged with new expectations and more competitions as they will play in CONCACAF Champions League games.
COLUMBUS CREW
LAST YEAR: 14-8-8 (fourth overall, second in East); lost to Colorado in the conference
semifinals.
WHO’S BACK: Coach Robert Warzycha, M Kevin Burns, M Eddie Gaven, G William Hesmer, D Andy Iro, D Chad Marshall, F Andres Mendoza, M Danny O’Rourke, F Emilio Renteria, M Robbie Rogers.
WHO’S GONE: D Eric Brunner, M Brian Carroll, F Jason Garey, D Frankie Hejduk, F Steven Lenhart, M Adam Moffat, D Gino Padula, M Duncan Oughton, F Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
WHO’S NEW: D Rich Balchan, F Jeff Cunningham, D Josh Gardner, M Cole Grossman, D Julius James, F Justin Meram, D Sebastian Miranda.
WHAT’S AHEAD: After winning the MLS Cup in 2008 and having the best regular season record that year and the next, the Crew slipped a bit in 2010 to precipitate a major overhaul. Captain Hejduk and Schelotto, the team’s top scorer the past three seasons, were among four players in their 30’s whose contracts were not renewed. In all, the Crew will be without players who accounted for 21 of their 40 goals last year. In Schelotto’s absence, Rolling Hills Estates’ Robbie Rogers must start showing on a consistent basis some of that potential he flashed while his midfield mentor was running the show. The addition of Cunningham (11 goals for FC Dallas in 2010) should help. His 132 career goals are one behind record-holder Jaime Moreno. He may have the chance to tie or break the mark at Moreno’s former club, D.C. United, in the season opener Saturday. Miranda, 31, will provide relief at Hejduk’s former right back spot but the club will have to rely on young players, including rookie Balchan, to match or better its 2010 record.
D.C. UNITED
LAST YEAR: 6-20-4 (16th overall, eighth in East).
WHO’S BACK: M Andy Najar, G Bill Hamid, F Chris Pontius, F Santino Quaranta,
M Clyde Simms, D Dejan Jakovic, D Devon McTavish.
WHO’S GONE: F Jaime Moreno, G Troy Perkins, M Rodney Wallace.
WHO’S NEW: F Charlie Davies, M Dax McCarty, F Josh Wolff, G Pat Onstad, G Steve Cronin, D Perry Kitchen, F Joseph Ngwenya.
Bonjour D.C.: Charlie Davies returns from France in an effort to revitalize his career. Will he be the same player he was before his almost fatal car accident? (AP Photo).
WHAT’S AHEAD: United has turned to one of the most popular and charismatic figures in
franchise history — Ben Olsen — in hopes of turning around a team that suffered through one of the worst seasons in MLS history. The former United and U.S. national team
midfielder was promoted to interim head coach late last season after Curt Onalfo was fired, but the 33-year-old was initially considered by management to be too young and too
inexperienced to take the permanent job. Then came the change of heart, putting Olsen in
charge of a club that scored only 21 goals last season and had one legitimate bright spot — MLS rookie of the year Najar, who scored five goals and is still a teenager. Davies, trying to complete a comeback from an automobile accident that nearly took his life in October 2009, and a healthy Pontius (hamstring issues last season) should give United more scoring punch. United is so banged up in goal that 40-something Pat Onstad, hired as an assistant coach, has come out of retirement to man the net until either Hamid (shoulder surgery) or Cronin (broken wrist) is healthy.
FC DALLAS
LAST YEAR: 12-4-14 (fifth overall, third in West); lost to Colorado in MLS Cup.
WHO’S BACK: F David Ferreira, GK Kevin Hartman, M Daniel Hernandez, F-M Brek Shea, D Jair Benitez, D George John, Coach Schellas Hyndman.
WHO’S GONE: D Heath Pearce, F Jeff Cunningham, M Atiba Harris, M Dax McCarty.
WHO’S NEW: M-D Andrew Jacobson, D Alexis Pradie.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The club is so confident about its group of defenders (John, Jacobson, Benitez and Jackson Goncalves) that it traded 2010 MLS All-Star Heath Pearce to Chivas USA on Feb. 15th for allocation money. During the team’s run to the finals last year, Goncalves started in Pearce’s place after Pearce suffered a hamstring injury. The club also let go F Jeff Cunningham, who led the team in goals scored last season and is second on the MLS career list. Cunningham was primarily a substitute last season and the club will look for young players such as Eric Alexander and Shea to replace his production. FC Dallas has a chance to get off to a good start with three of its first four games at home followed by road games at expansion teams Portland and Vancouver. Despite all the young talent on the team, the 36-year old Hartman may again be the key to success. Last year the former Galaxy goalkeeper out of UCLA had nine shutouts in only 20 games and made several key saves in the team’s 3-0 road win over Los Angeles in the Western Conference championship game. Former Chivas USA striker Maykel Galindo did not make the roster and was released last week.
HOUSTON DYNAMO
LAST YEAR: 9-15-6 (12th overall, seventh in West).
WHO’S BACK: Coach Dominic Kinnear, F Brian Ching, M Brad Davis, M Geoff Cameron, M Corey Ashe, D Bobby Boswell, D Mike Chabala, M Danny Cruz, GK Tyler Deric, D Andrew Hainault, GK Tally Hall, F Dominic Oduro, M Lovel Palmer, D Eddie Robinson, F Cam Weaver.
WHO’S GONE: GK Pat Onstad, M Sammy Appiah, D Ryan Cochrane, F Joseph Ngwenya, M Richard Mulrooney, D Adrian Serioux.
WHO’S NEW: F Will Bruin, D Hunter Freeman, F Jason Garey, D Jordan Graye, GK
Evan Newton, D Kofi Sardokie, D Jermaine Taylor.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The two-time MLS Cup champions missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in 2010, mostly due to the league’s second-worst defense (49 goals allowed). The Dynamo retooled the roster, adding four defenders. Sardokie helped Akron
win the 2010 College Cup and was the No. 7 pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Taylor has
played for the Jamaican national team since 2005. The Dynamo are also looking for a
full-time replacement for Onstad, who retired in December as the league’s all-time leader in goals-against average (1.05). Tally Hall backed up Onstad last year and allowed eight goals in five starts, and Tyler Deric started two games. All-time franchise scoring leader Brian Ching started only 16 games last year because of a left hamstring injury, and midfielder Geoff Cameron missed time with a torn knee ligament. Assists leader Brad Davis returns, and Houston is hoping for another productive season out of Oduro, who had five goals in 19 starts in 2010.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY
LAST YEAR: 11-13-6 (ninth overall, third in East).
WHO’S BACK: Coach Peter Vermes, M Davy Arnaud, M Stephane Auvray, D Matt Besler, F Teal Bunbury, M Roger Espinoza, D-M Michael Harrington, F Kei Kamara, GK Jimmy Nielsen, M Ryan Smith, M Craig Rocastle, D Shavar Thomas.
WHO’S GONE: D Jimmy Conrad, F Josh Wolff, M Jack Jewsbury.
WHO’S NEW: F Omar Bravo, M Konrad Warzycha.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The departure of Conrad, who elected to go into the re-entry draft when his contract expired, leaves Sporting Kansas City without its most experienced defender. It
shouldn’t matter as this team is configured for offense. Lawndale’s Kamara scored 10 goals last year, Arnaud (six goals in 2010) is a threat to score from distance, and Bunbury
and successful reclamation project Birahim Diop both played well late in the season. Add
Mexican national Omar Bravo to the list, and scoring goals shouldn’t be a problem. The
defense is a question mark, but Nielsen is solid in goal (1.17 goals per game in 2010).
GALAXY
Becks is back: Is it five years and out for David Beckham in Los Angeles? (AP Photo).
LAST YEAR: 18-7-5 (first overall, first in West); lost to FC Dallas in conference final.
WHO’S BACK: Coach Bruce Arena, M Landon Donovan, M David Beckham, G Donovan
Ricketts, M Jovan Kirovski, M Juninho, D A.J. DeLaGarza, M Chris Birchall, D Sean Franklin, M Michael Stephens, D Omar Gonzalez, D Todd Dunivant, D Gregg Berhalter, F Mike Magee, D Leonardo, F Bryan Jordan, G Josh Saunders.
WHO’S GONE: F Edson Buddle, F Tristan Bowen, M Eddie Lewis, M Chris Klein, M Dema Kovalenko, D Yohance Marshall.
WHO’S NEW: F Juan Pablo Angel, F Chad Barrett, M Paolo Cardozo, F Adam Cristman, D Frankie Hejduk, M Liguel Lopez.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Galaxy were atop the MLS standings nearly all season in 2010, winning the Supporters’ Shield with the best regular-season record. None of it mattered
when Los Angeles lost 3-0 to FC Dallas in the conference final, falling apart with a defensive collapse several weeks in the making. The retooled Galaxy now must replace the 17 goals lost by the departure of Edson Buddle, the U.S. national team forward and MLS’ second-leading scorer last season. Buddle signed with Ingolstadt in Germany’s second division. Landon Donovan is the most obvious solution, and he’s locked in after taking the winter off following his draining World Cup year. Ex-Red Bull star Juan Pablo Angel should help, and fellow 35-year-old David Beckham also could reinvigorate the Galaxy with a healthy, less-distracted effort in the final season of his MLS contract. Veteran defender Frankie Hejduk arrived to shore up Los Angeles’ back end, but the Galaxy must develop solid depth for a long season that will include six CONCACAF
Champions League games in early fall. Central defender Gregg berhalter is now also an assistant coach and will slowly ease himself out of full time playing duties. After two near misses there’s a feeling this is a championship year in Los Angeles with veteran Coach Bruce Arena loose, quietly confident and focused.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
LAST YEAR: 9-16-5 (13th overall, sixth in East).
WHO’S BACK: Coach Steve Nicol, M Shalrie Joseph, D Kevin Alston, M Marko Perovic, M Pat Phelan, F Ilija Stolica, F Zak Boggs, F Kheli Dube, M Kenny Mansally, M Sainey
Nyassi, G Matt Reis.
WHO’S GONE: F Taylor Twellman, F Edgaras Jankauskas, G Preston Burpo, D Cory
Gibbs, D Emmanuel Osei, M Khano Smith, D Darrius Barnes.
WHO’S NEW: M Michael Augustine, D Franco Coria, M Ousmane Dabo, D Didier Domi, D A.J. Soares.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Revolution scored 32 goals last season, the second-fewest among the eight teams in the Eastern Conference and surrendered the most goals (50) of any
team in MLS. To change that, New England brought in four new defenders: 32-year old Domi (Olympiacos, Greece), 22-year old Coria (Chacarita Juniors), 18-year old Augustine (FC Abuja) and Soares (1st round draft pick), while also adding 34-year old midfielder Dabo (Lazio, Italy). Rookie Zach Schilawski (five goals) led the team in goals last season, while MLS All-Star Joseph (four goals, five assists) was the most influential playmaker. Serbian imports Marko Perovic and Ilija Stolica will benefit from getting adjusted to MLS after a season, while New England awaits its trio of African players, Kheli Dube, Kenny Mansally and Sainey Nyassi to have breakthrough seasons. Also to be decided is the fallout from a preseason training camp altercation between Joseph and Alston at a hotel in Florida that led to both being dismissed from workouts and sent back to Boston.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
LAST YEAR: 15-9-6 (third overall, first in East); lost to San Jose in conference semifinals.
WHO’S BACK: Coach Hans Backe, F Thierry Henry, D Rafa Marquez, F Dane Richards, F Juan Agudelo, M Joel Lindpere, M Medhi Ballouchy, D Tim Ream, D Carlos Mendes, D
Roy Miller, G Buona Coundoul.
WHO’S GONE: F Juan Pablo Angel, MF Seth Stammler, D Mike Petke.
WHO’S NEW: F Luke Rodgers, M Jan Gunnar Solli, M Marcos Paullo, M John Rooney, MF-D Teemu Tainio.
WHAT’S AHEAD: Playing in their new $200 million stadium, the Red Bulls went from last in the East to a conference regular season title under new coach Hans Backe. Despite the midseason additions of French striker Thierry Henry and Mexican national team captain
Rafa Marquez, they were ousted by San Jose in the conference semifinals. The Red Bulls let all-time leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel walk west to the Galaxy after last season (13 goals). They hope a healthy Henry and youngster Juan Agudelo can provide scoring. Lindpere was outstanding in his first season and should improve, while Marquez and Tim Ream, coming an excellent rookie season, are the defensive cornerstones.
PHILADELPHIA UNION
LAST YEAR: 8-15-7 (14th overall, seventh in East).
WHO’S BACK: Coach Peter Nowak, C Danny Califf, F Jordan Harvey, D Juan Diego
Gonzalez-Alzate, F Sebastien Le Toux, M Brian Carroll, F Alejandro Moreno, M Kyle Nakazawa.
WHO’S GONE: G Chris Seitz, G Brad Knighton, G Brian Perk.
WHO’S NEW: G Faryd Mondragon, G Thorne Holder G Zac MacMath, D Carlos Valdes.
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Union attracted fans to PPL Park in their debut season but failed to earn a spot in the playoffs. They made a late push that showed they can become a contender for a postseason spot this year. The Union hope forward Sebastien Le Toux can lead them to the postseason and break out as an MLS MVP candidate. He led the team with 14 goals and will need to lead the offensive charge again. The Union struggled in the net last year and hope the additon of Faryd Mondragon can keep out so many of the easy goals let in last season. It could be another lon season for the Union, however.
PORTLAND TIMBERS
LAST YEAR: This is first season in MLS. (Will play in West)
WHO’S BACK: M Ryan Pore, F Bright Dike.
WHO’S GONE: Only Dike and Pore remain from Portland’s USSF D-II Pro League team.
WHO’S NEW: Coach John Spencer, M Sal Zizzo, M Peter Lowry, G Troy Perkins, F Kenny Cooper, D Rodney Wallace, D David Horst, M Kalif Alhassan, F Eddie Johnson, D Eric Brunner, F Darlington Nagbe, D Kevin Goldthwaite, D Kerrea Gilbert, M James Marcelin, F Jorge Perlaza, M Adam Moffat, M Jeremy Hall, G Jake Gleeson, G Adin Brown, D Steve Purdy, M Freddie Braun, D Mamadou Danso, F Brian Umony.
WHAT’S AHEAD: Portland opens its inaugural MLS season at Colorado on Saturday. The Timbers are joined this season by the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps, which creates a
three-way Pacific Northwest rivalry with the Seattle Sounders. Portland is retrofitting its
downtown stadium, PGE Park (sadly yet another faketurf field), to make it soccer specific, and more than 12,000 season tickets have been sold. Midfielder-forward Darlington Nagbe, taken second overall in the MLS SuperDraft, will miss the opening of the season while he recovers from sports hernia surgery. Forward Jorge Perlaza, from Colombian first-division club Deportes Tolima, was recently signed after working out with the team during preseason training. Notable additions include F Kenny Cooper, who had 40 goals in 90 games for FC Dallas from 2006-09 and was an MLS All-Star in 2008. Midfielder Peter Lowry spent two seasons with Chicago and defender Rodney Wallace was acquired in a trade with D.C. United. Troy Perkins, also from D.C. United, is projected to be Portland’s starting goalkeeper.
REAL SALT LAKE
LAST YEAR: 15-4-11 (second overall, second in West); lost to FC Dallas in conference
semifinals.
WHO’S BACK: Coach Jason Kreis, F Alvaro Saborio, F Fabian Espindola, M Will Johnson, M Andy Williams, M Javier Morales, D Jamison Olave, D Nat Borchers, M Kyle
Beckerman, D Robbie Russell, D Chris Wingert, G Nick Rimando.
WHO’S GONE: F Robbie Findley, F David Horst, M Alex Nimo, F Pablo Campos.
WHO’S NEW: M Arturo Alvarez, F Cody Amoux, M Jarad VanSchaik (2011 draft).
WHAT’S AHEAD: Players believe they had the talent last season to repeat as MLS Cup champions only to let it slip away with a first-round loss to FC Dallas. The bar is set high again, with many pegging Real Salt Lake to win the Western Conference. They have 2010
MLS Newcomer of the Year Alvaro Saborio signed through 2014, arguably the best defense in the league and a Goalkeeper of the Year candidate in Nick Rimando. They also have confidence after becoming the first team from Major League Soccer to reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
LAST YEAR: 13-10-7 (eighth overall, sixth in West); lost to Colorado in conference final.
WHO’S BACK: Coach Frank Yallop, F Chris Wondolowski, M Bobby Convey, M Joey
Gjertsen, G Jon Busch, M Sam Cronin, F-M Ryan Johnson, D Ramiro Corrales, D Jason Hernandez, D-M Brandon McDonald, D Tim Ward, D Ike Opara, M Khari Stephenson.
WHO’S GONE: G Joe Cannon, M Geovanni, M-F Auturo Alvarez, F Cornell Glen.
WHO’S NEW: M Anthony Ampaipitakwong, F Steve Lenhart, M Tony Donatelli .
WHAT’S AHEAD: After earning the final playoff spot a year ago, the Earthquakes upset New York in the first round before losing the conference final to eventual champion
Colorado. San Jose will once again be led by MLS leading-scorer Wondolowski, who scored 18 of the team’s 34 goals last season. The key this season will be giving Wondolowski more help. San Jose acquired Lenhart from Columbus in the offseason for that purpose but he underwent surgery on his right knee and will miss the start of the season. Convey, Gjertsen and Stephenson will provide help from the midfield. With Joe Cannon lost in the expansion draft, Busch will have to handle the majority of the goalkeeping duties.
Sounders Sigi: Can long-time South Bay resident Sigi Schmid beat his former club, a Galaxy team fast becoming his nemesis (AP Photo).
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
LAST YEAR: 14-10-6 (sixth overall, fourth in West), lost to the Galaxy in conference
semifinals.
WHO’S BACK: Coach Sigi Schmid, F Fredy Montero, F Steve Zakuani, F Blaise Nkufo, M Osvaldo Alonso, M Alvaro Fernandez, M Brad Evans, D Jeff Parke, D James Riley, D
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, D Leo Gonzalez, GK Kasey Keller.
WHO’S GONE: M Sanna Nyassi.
WHO’S NEW: M Erik Friberg, F O’Brien White, M Michael Tetteh.
WHAT’S AHEAD: In just two years, Seattle already has two championships in its trophy case, having won two straight U.S. Open Cup titles. But its failures in the MLS Cup playoffs have Seattle talking openly about Year 3 of the Sounders being a determining
season of how the franchise goes forward. Seattle has the talent to be among the best in the league, but find themselves in the loaded Western Conference. Led by Alonso and Fernandez, Seattle should be very strong in the midfield, but needs to find scoring consistency from its strikers. Montero became a complete player as 2010 progressed realizing he needed to do more than just try and score. His growth coincided with Seattle’s late season charge and he was rewarded by becoming the Sounders third designated player in the offseason. Seattle’s top five defenders are solid, but depth is a concern beyond that. Keller and Nkufo are hoping to go out with titles in their final years playing professionally. Seattle’s start is brutal — home vs. Los Angeles, at New
York and home for Houston in a 10-day span. Former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid is under pressure to get his team over the playoff hump; can he respond?
TORONTO FC
LAST YEAR: 9-13-8 (11th place, 5th in East)
WHO’S BACK: G Stefan Frei, G Milos Kocic, D Nana Attakora, D Adrian Cann, D Dan Gargan, D Ty Harden, D Doneil Henry, M Julian de Guzman, M Dwayne De Rosario, M Nick LaBrocca, M Jacob Peterson, M Nathan Sturgis, F Nicholas Lindsay, F Maicon Santos.
WHO’S GONE: Coach Preki Radosavljevic, director of soccer Mo Johnston, D Nick Garcia, DEmmanuel Gomez (waived), D Raivis Hscanovics, D Maxim Usanov, D-M Gabe Gala, D-M Amadou Sanyang, M Joseph Nane, M Martin Saric, F Mista, F Chad Barrett, F Fuad Ibrahim, F O’Brian White.
WHO’S NEW: Coach Aron Winter, Director of Player Development Paul Mariner, M
Elbekay Bouchiba, M Nick Soolsma, M Nathan Sturgis, F Javier Martina, F Alan Gordon.
WHAT’S AHEAD: Preki and Johnston were fired in mid-September with the team
7-10-7; Nick Dasovic finished as interim coach. Juergen Klinsmann was hired as a
consultant to find a new coach and Winter, the former Dutch star, joined in January with his first job as a first-team coach. Mariner came in for the front office. Expects a rivalry with
expansion Vancouver and Montreal, which joins MLS in 2012. It appears the turnover has just begun. Toronto has great fans, abysmal management and virtually no scoring threats. Yikes!
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
LAST YEAR: This is first season in MLS (will play in West).
WHO’S NEW: Coach Teitur Thordarson, Director of Operations Tom Soehn, D Jay DeMerit (right), G Joe Cannon, G Jay Nolly, D Greg Janicki, D Wes Knight, D Jonathan Leathers, D Alain Rochat, M Davide Chiumiento, M Philippe Davies, M Terry Dunfield, M Nizar Khalfan, M Gershon Koffie, M Michael Nanchoff, M Shea Salinas, M John Thorrington, F Atiba Harris, F Eric Hassli, F Omar Salgado.
WHAT’S AHEAD: Omar Salgado, an American taken with the top pick in the MLS draft, is
ineligible to play until Sept. 10 under a FIFA rules that bars international transfers before
a player’s 18th birthday. Hassli, a 29-year-old Frenchman signed as a designated player and Chiumiento, a 26-year-old who made his debut for Switzerland’s national team
last year, were added in March. DeMerit, arriving from Watford of England’s League
Championship, hasn’t played a competitive match since the U.S. exited the World Cup on June 26. Whitecaps will play most or all of this season at temporary Empire Stadium while BC Place Stadium is reconstructed with a retractable roof. With Seattle and fellow expansion team Portland, will form a northwest Cascadia rivalry. Vancouver are expected to struggle to score.
Scoring threat? Former Chivas USA player Atiba Harris is considered one of Vancouver’s chief sources of goals. Good luck with that ‘Caps. (AP Photo).
*U.S. Soccer has announced that more than 50,000 tickets have been sold for the 4 p.m. March 26 visit of Argentina to New York’s New Meadowlands (live on ESPN2 and Univision). Ticket holders can expect to see Lionel Messi, but no Carlos Tevez after the South Americans announced their roster for the game.
The U.S. roster for the match will be announced later this week.
*Chivas USA announced their local broadcast schedule today. Local broadcasts include 17 games on Prime, five on Fox Sports West and another five on local channel KDOC. With the national television broadcasts previously announced, that means only the television details surrounding the Aug. 6 game against the Revs in New England are uncertain. Christian Miles and Allen Hopkins man the booth for the second season in a row.
*Finally, do you think they are getting psyched in Seattle for Tuesday’s MLS season curtain raiser between the Sounders and the Galaxy. Oh, yeah.
Incidentally, I’ll have a run-down on every MLS team in a comprehensive preview a little later today, so check back here for more.
Updated
MLS unveiled the terms of its Direct Kick package today. A total of 221 games will be shown – that’s 61 more games than last year, an increase of 38% – for $79, the same price as last year.
There will be a free preview Saturday when there is a slate of eight games. The MLS schedule is available at top right.
The season begins: Galaxy teammates Omar Gonzalez and David Beckham hope to do a lot of celebrating this season, starting with the MLS opener Tuesday in Seattle against the Sounders (AP Photos).
Associated Press Sports Writer Tim Booth has an overview of the upcoming MLS season:
SEATTLE (AP) — As it enters its 16th season, Major League Soccer has a chance to create the kind of buzz it hasn’t enjoyed since its inception in the mid-90s, even with the likelihood of 2011 being David Beckham’s final year as his five-year contract expires.
Look what the final week of pre-season camp dragged in.
How long has it been since we saw Pete Vagenas in a Galaxy uniform?
The former Galaxy midfielder has spent the last week training with his former team as he aims to keep fit after being traded by Seattle to Colorado last year. The Rapids did not pick up his option in the off-season.
Pete was part of a chatty Galaxy team that included Kevin Hartman and Chris Albright who were always good for a great quote or two and as a journalist you can’t ask for more than that.
I’ll have more from Pete below, including his insights into the MLS opener between his two former teams Tuesday in Seattle (6:30 p.m. ESPN).
It was the final day of preseason training for the Galaxy in Carson today in a loose, but spirited session that saw the full 29-man roster in camp.
The most recent addition to fill out the squad is former UCLA center back Sean Alvarado, who was not drafted after his senior year in 2009. He trained with Tottenham until last spring then worked out with Chivas USA.
I didn’t see Donovan Ricketts between the posts today, but he’s still projected as the starter on Tuesday against the Sounders.
The rest of the starting XI according to Galaxy PR (who did not consult with Arena) that will appear in the game notes has Sean Franklin at right back, Todd Dunivant out left and Omar Gonzalez and Leonardo in the middle of defense.
Gregg Berhalter, still working his way back to fitness, will not make the trip and will head up training in his assistant coaches role with the likes of Jack McBean and the other nine players or so that will not trek northward.
Landon Donovan and David Beckham are projected starters on the flanks with Juninho and Chris Birchall in the middle. Juan Pablo Angel and Chad Barrett provide the attacking punch.
The team is mostly based on the one that started in San Diego.
The Galaxy fly to Seattle Monday and will train at Qwest Field in the afternoon.
*Chivas USA lost their final pre-season game in Dallas Saturday 2-0 before a crowd of 6,015 exactly one week before their home opener against Sporting Kansas City at Home Depot Center.
The first goal came from a spot kick after Zarek Valentin handled just outside the box in the 23rd minute, the second from another defensive error. Details here.
Defender Jimmy Conrad was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a matter of seconds.
Chivas USA lineup: Chivas USA: Zach Thornton, Heath Pearce, Zarek Valentin, Jimmy Conrad, Ante Jazic, Ben Zemanski, LaBrocca, Francisco Mendoza (Mariano Trujillo 76), Marcos Mondaini (Jorge Flores 84), Justin Braun, Alejandro Moreno (Tristan Bowen 76)
Chivas USA players Heath Pearce and Nick LaBrocca sound like their bracing for a long season in the aftermath of the loss:
*Here, as promised is that Q&A with an accommodating Pete Vagenas.
Question: What the heck are you doing here?
Answer: Bruce has been kind enough to come let me train for a little bit. I have to be in California for a little while. And it just works out – I can stay fit.
Q: How does it feel to wear that jersey again?
A: It’s OK. The group has obviously changed. They’ve got a good group here – its obviously been very successful. Everyone knows the Galaxy is at the core of my heart. It’s a club I care about deeply.
Q: I hear you have an iron or two in the fire in terms of MLS
A: That’s what I’ve been told. I’m still waiting to hear. It’s taking longer than I would have anticipated at this point. But, so be it. He doesn’t like sharing the spotlight (Pete is referring to a passing David Beckham as we chat) but he’s got to (laughs).
Q: You’ve trained with both Seattle and the Galaxy in recent months, so you’re a good person to ask. Who is going to win Tuesday?
A: It will be a good game. The atmosphere is going to be electric number one. I know Seattle has been waiting for this because this is the team that knocked them out (of the playoffs) last year.
They can expect a team that’s hungry and that’s going to fight and give them hell. But at the same time I think LA has proven they can go into Qwest stadium and get results. I can’t think of a better way for the MLS season to start to be honest with you. I’m considering flying up to the game (with Cobi Jones) to be part of this one. So it’s going to be exciting.
Q: Have both these teams improved over last year?
A: The squads are deeper now, I think, by six (players). Maybe the talent is a bit more dispersed. But you cannot replace the experience that LA has.
And for me it’s sort of a tale of two teams. You have a team in LA that’s got all the experience in the world. Their starting XI has seen it all, done it all, been through it all, have won the big ones, have lost the big ones. Nothing is going to rattle them.
On the other side you have Seattle and their core group – great guys I can’t say enough about them. But they are trying to get there. They have to sort of get by this group, I think, to sort of know they have achieved. Because whatever they have done in the past two years, I can assure you, it’s a hungry group and they are not satisfied.
Chivas USA Coach Robin Fraser became the latest coach to give up on former Galaxy striker Alan “goalless” Gordon when the club traded the Long Beach native to Toronto for midfielder Nick LaBrocca.
“Nick is an extremely intelligent, efficient player who will give us options and depth in the midfield,” Fraser said. “He’s proven himself in this league, and we’re excited to welcome him into the team.”
Here’s more on LaBrocca from the Chivas USA press release:
LaBrocca, 26, has played 89 games (81 starts) in his MLS career, scoring five goals and adding six assists, and will meet the team in Texas ahead of tomorrow’s exhibition with FC Dallas.
LaBrocca has established himself as a durable central midfielder in the past three seasons in MLS, and set a career high in assists in 2010 with Toronto FC, notching six helpers in his 28 matches (24 starts). Prior to 2010, he was with the Colorado Rapids, where he played 59 of the team’s 60 MLS games in 2008 and 2009, scoring twice in each season. He joined the Rapids in 2007, playing two MLS matches and helping the club’s reserve squad to a league championship, after a standout four-year career at Rutgers University.
In addition, Chivas USA announced today that the club has declined its contract option on Jess Padilla, a forward from San Jose who had been on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara since Aug. 2009. Padilla scored seven goals in 24 starts for the club.
He was the second-highest scorer for the club last year behind Justin Braun, perhaps prompting fans to wonder just where the goals will come from this year.
Gordon, however, was never likely to provide many.
He had one goal in nine games for Chivas USA after signing from the Galaxy, where he had just 16 goals in 99 games over seven seasons.
It doesn’t sound like even Toronto expects to see Gordon on the scoresheet much.
“Alan is a good, strong striker and can be a leader on the pitch. He is a player that wants to win,” said Toronto Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter.
Doh! Seattle Sounders’ Osvaldo Alonso, right, and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, react during Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids (AP Photo).
*Seattle midfielder Brad Evans will miss the MLS season-opener against the Galaxy Tuesday after suffering an injury Wednesday in the Sounders’ final preseason game. Fredy Montero had two of Seattle’s goals. Game story here.
Check out the highlights:
*UCLA product Chad Barrett has already found a very different Galaxy team from the side he left behind in Toronto. Reporter Phil Collin talked to the UCLA product Wednesday and filed this story.
*U.S. soccer great Mia Hamm has downplayed the influence David Beckham has had on the soccer scene here because his continued commitment to England has affected his appeal. Hamm told the The Associated Press that change has come “to some degree” but “it’s still evolving.”
*JP Dellacamera will work Fox Soccer Channel’s 14 Friday night telecasts and 17 Saturday games after moving from ESPN, Fox confirmed Thursday night.
Former U.S. national team star Eric Wynalda will host the pregame, halftime and postgame shows with Christopher Sullivan, his teammate on the 1990 U.S. World Cup team. Former Galaxy midfielder Kyle Martino succeeds Sullivan as the color commentator, while Brian Dunseth becomes sideline reporter.
*The Chicago Fire have signed 6-2, 190-pound striker Orr Barouch, 19, of Woodland Hills, a former Chivas USA youth player.
From the Chicago Fire press release:
Born in Haifa, Israel and raised in Woodland Hills, Barouch began his professional career at the age of 17 with the Tigres UANL youth system. After graduating from El Camino Real High School and entertaining options with Belgian side Club Brugge, the former Chivas USA youth product joined the Mexican club’s reserves in September of 2009. While with the Monterey, Mexico based club, Barouch appeared in 24 matches, scoring one goal, primarily as a left winger, while helping Tigres to a first place finish in the Mexican U20 Apertura tournament. Barouch joined the Fire on trial during the club’s Florida phase of preseason camp.
*The Galaxy beat UCLA 2-1 in Carson today, Juninho and Landon Donovan getting the goals, although Coach Bruce Arena said his side could have had four or five.
“Juninho is a much better player this year,” Arena said when asked what player had most impressed him over last year. “He’s grown into this league and into this team.”
First choice goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts did not play after picking up a knock in the friendly last week in San Diego, but the injury is “not serious,” Arena said.
More details here.
*As expected, Chivas USA announced Wednesday the signing of midfielder “Panchito” Mendoza and goalkeeper Sergio Arias, a star of Mexico’s U-17 World Cup winning team in 2005, on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara. The popular Mendoza returns after making 111 appearances for the MLS club between 2005 and 2009. The pair have been with the club virtually all of preseason and their signings were widely anticipated.
*However, time may be running out for another CD Guadalajara product Jesus “Gringo” Panchito, who is from San Jose. More here.
*ESPN announced today that the erudite Adrian Healey, a play-by-play commentator at the 2010 World Cup, will be its primary voice for MLS telecasts this season. That’s the good news.
The bad news is John “Brilliant!” Harkes returns with his blindingly obvious analytical observations, too.
*The USWNT won the Algarve Cup today.