Thursday Kicks: When You Need Goals, how do you beat the MLS’ Best Counterattacking Team & more?

  • That’s the quandry facing Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid against the Galaxy Sunday in the second leg of the Western Conference final.
  • No Galaxy players were included among the finalists announced today for the MLS season awards. Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is a Goalkeeper of the Year finalist. In addition, veteran Chivas USA defender Ante Jazic (fair play award) and Lawndale’s Kei Kamara (humanitarian) were also named. Former Galaxy and Chivas USA striker Alan Gordon is one of three Comeback Player of the Year finalists.
  • Toronto has released former Galaxy defender Ty Harden, 28, one of a half dozen players released by the worst club in MLS. He was a 2007 Galaxy draft pick, but retired after one season to perform philanthropic work before returning to the game.
  • Three local players was named to a week-long U.S. Under-18 camp at Home Depot Center that opens Saturday ahead of two games next week against their Canadian counterparts: Galaxy players Paul Arriola (Chula Vista) and Justin Dhillon (Rancho Santa Margarita) and Chivas USA midfielder Marco “Marky” Delgado, 17, (Glendora)
  • For the second consecutive year, the UCLA men’s soccer team took home Pac-12 Player and Coach of the Year honors. Senior Ryan Hollingshead was named  Conference Player of the Year and Jorge Salcedo was named Coach of the Year.
  • Big West Conference champions Cal State Northridge (15-6-0) hosts San Diego (11-8-0), champions of the West Coast Conference, at 7 o’clock tonight in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner plays UCLA 5 p.m. Sunday at Drake Stadium. The Matadors are making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2005.
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