*Galaxy fan group LA Riot Squad is hosting a “Passback” event this Sunday the Galaxy opener in Carson collecting gently used soccer equipment for “kids who have probably never seen a soccer cleat or shin guard in their life,” according to member Kevin FitzSimmons.
Donate from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. at the Riot Squad PreGame Tailgate before Sunday’s season opener on the grass in Lot 13 of the Home Depot Center under the scoreboard near the Northeast entrance.
*As expected the Galaxy announced today they had signed forward Charlie Rugg (Boston College) and midfielder Greg Cochrane (Louisville), both selected in the SuperDraft.
So excited to officially be part of the team. There’s no place id rather be and no organization I’d rather be a part of! #ThisIsLA
— Charlie Rugg (@CharlesNosike) March 2, 2013
*New signing Chandler Hoffman spoke with reporters today for the first time since arriving from considerably cooler Philadelphia, which the former UCLA Bruin felt he needed to leave to jump start his career. Hoffman said coach Bruce Arena is looking at using him both out wide left — where he made his MLS debut against Vancouver last year — or up top.
Hoffman said he saw the writing on the wall when Union coach John Hackworth brought in experienced forwards to lead the charge:
“This is his first full preseason so he brought in Conor Casey and Sebastien Le Toux, which are two big signings for them and that’s the direction he wanted to go in. And obviously with Jack (McInerney) having the year that he did last year and with Antoine (Hopenot) kind of being his supersub off the bench it was kind of hard to see where I fit in the picture. And so we felt this was a great opportunity for me to progress in my career and kind of get a fresh start.
“I had an honest conversation with Hackworth and kind of felt where I stood on the team and we both decided it would be in my best interests to move me. Obviously I knew (coach) Bruce (Arena) from training here and at UCLA so I think it’s an incredible opportunity here with more matches in the (CONCACAF) Champions League, obviously learning from Robbie (Keane) and when Landon (Donovan) comes back just being in a great environment. I’m very excited about the opportunity.
I actually played with Brian Rowe, Brian Perk and Mikey Stephens (at UCLA) so there’s some familiarity here and I think that’s going to go along way.”
