Friday Football: Chivas USA in talks to move from Carson & more

*Chivas USA have confirmed for the first time that the club is studying "three or four" options to move elsewhere in Los Angeles County and out of Home Depot Center.

The news doesn't come as much of a surprise. The only way for an MLS club to turn a profit is to have complete control of all revenue streams at the facility it plays in and right now as a tenant of Anschutz Entertainment Group in Carson that's not the case for Chivas USA.

Chivas USA's problems at drawing fans were on full display Wednesday against the San Jose Earthquakes in a game both coaches admitted was pretty terrible to watch at times. Fewer than 10,000 were on hand to watch the mediocre 5-7-6 club and many of them appeared to be kids getting in on discounted tickets offered to AYSO clubs.

Hard-core, dedicated adult Chivas USA fans are very thin on the ground at the HDC these days and a move inland closer to its core Latino fan base would seem likely.

Chivas USA plays Sporting Kansas City at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Galavision. There is no English-language television coverage of the game.

*The Galaxy, meanwhile, plays the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. at the HDC (live on Fox Soccer Channel). I'm finding it hare to work up much enthusiasm for this game either, frankly.

The Fire have been pretty dreary to watch of late and the Galaxy not much better. The Fire's 1-1 draw with Chivas USA last Saturday - a ghastly game to watch - meant Chicago equalled the all-time franchise record for draws - a dozen.

The Galaxy aren't too far off that pace themselves - they have nine ties so far this season - and have four draws in their last five games, including two consecutive goalless stalemates.

Yawn.

One reason to go to the game: The Galaxy will collect new or gently used soccer gear before Saturday's game at booths set up outside each entrance to the stadium.

Donated jerseys, shorts, shoes, balls and shin guards will be distributed to needy children and organizations.

The first 200 donors get a player card signed by defender Sean Franklin and all donors receive a buy one ticket, get one free voucher for the Galaxy's July 20 game against the Columbus Crew.

*Good thing there are actually some games worth watching on TV this weekend.

At 8:30 a.m. Saturday on ESPN England meets France in the first of the Women's World Cup quarterfinals, followed at 11:15 a.m. by Germany-Japan, while on Sunday at 8 a.m. it's U.S.-Brazil.

If the Americans lose it will be the worst U.S. showing at a Women's World Cup ever.

Oh, the truly fanatical can find the other quarterfinal, Sweden-Australia, at 3:30 a.m. Sunday on ESPN.

Prefer Copa America? At 11:30 a.m. Saturday it's Brazil-Paraguay on KMEX.

And at 12:45 a.m. Sunday on ESPNU, the Brazilian and German stars of the future are on display at the U-17 World Cup third place game; the final between Mexico and Uruguay follows at 3:30 p.m. on the same channel.

*Lastly, the PDL Ventura County Fusion has announced it will host Argentina's Independiente at 6 p.m. Friday July 22. Tickets are on sale to see the 14-time Argentine champions for $15 adults, $8 children.

Details here.

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