Galaxy: October 2008 Archives

David Beckham heads to Milan in January the Galaxy and AC Milan announced today.

Also, from the Galaxy press release:

AC Milan and the LA Galaxy have additionally agreed to a technical partnership that will provide great benefit to both clubs.

Terms of the agreement will remain confidential.

Does this mean Kaka comes on loan?

The Galaxy have scheduled a 2 p.m. conference call with reporters.

Meanwhile, former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid sounds like he's contending for understatement of the year with this comment about the problems at his old club to The New York Times: "Probably too many to name."

Read the whole thing here.

Finally, the Cal State Northridge men (6-6-4, 2-2-3 Big West) lost 3-1 to UC Santa Barbara Wednesday.

Updated:
Perhaps predictably, not many more details of Becks' loan move emerged from GM and Coach Bruce Arena who frankly, as one reporter observed on the call, seemed more than a bit out of the loop.

Arena, for instance, sounded unsure of when Becks would actually head to Italy (why was the Dec. 11 game in Oz canceled if he doesn't leave until January, one reporter inquired?).

Excerpts:
*On when he will return to the Galaxy:

"He's going to be back in March - and we believe it's around March 1 - and he will be available for our opening game." (MLS is likely to begin in the second or third week of March next year).

*On the benefits of the "technical partnership" with AC Milan that's part of the loan deal:

"I'm not going to tell precisely how we're going to benefit from this. ... It's just working with a club of this stature." (So it could mean AC Milan players coming here on loan. Or not).

*Finally, I asked whether Bruce was going to tell Becks not to go for risky 50-50 balls or stay away from attempting one of those rash challenges he's prone to try in an effort to ensure he doesn't get a silly injury:

"When players don't go 100 percent they get hurt," he said. "I'm not going to advise David to pull out of tackles. ... I'm certainly not going to encourage him not to give 100 percent or play 100 percent."

A few items this morning:
*The impending David Beckham loan deal to AC Milan has prompted the Galaxy to postpone its scheduled Dec. 11 game against the Queensland Roar due to the uncertainty of his availability, according to the BBC. Hmmm, it's the Beckham tail clearly wagging the Galaxy dog. Until now, he had supposedly not been leaving for Italy until the New Year.

*MLS officials announced today they have named a new MLS Cup trophy after Galaxy owner Phil Anschutz:

"Phil Anschutz has transformed the face of soccer in America," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "Through his commitment and support, Major League Soccer has become an important part of the American sports landscape and an emerging player in the global soccer scene. Phil's vision and deep love of the game have helped establish a vibrant 'Soccer Nation' in America. We are honored to name the MLS championship trophy the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy."

*The new sterling silver trophy was created by Tiffany & Co., and unveiled at a morning ceremony at the jeweler's New York flagship store on Fifth Avenue. From the MLS press release:

The Philip F. Anschutz championship trophy is 24" tall with an additional seamless base of 4 5/8". The trophy features fluid and dynamic handles that include 11 facets on the front and back, symbolizing the 22 players that participate in a soccer match. The gold star represents the championship club, which often incorporates a star into its team crest for each MLS Cup title it wins. The new trophy inherits select design elements from the previous two trophies, thereby honoring the League's history while moving forward. The bottom of the Philip F. Anschutz trophy features a map of North America, with a star identifying the location of each MLS market.

*The Galaxy's Tristan Bowen and Chivas USA's Jorge Flores were named to a U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team squad that will train in Spain later this month. The most interesting thing about the roster is the number of young Americans with foreign teams. Here's the full squad:

goalkeepers Earl Edwards (San Diego, Calif.), Josh Lambo (FC Dallas); defenders Gale Agbossoumonde (Syracuse, N.Y.), Anthony Arena (Kenmore, Wash.), Kyle Davies (Southampton FC), Zarek Valentin (Lancaster, Pa.), Anthony Wallace (FC Dallas); midfielders Bryan Arguez (Hertha Berlin), Jorge Flores (Chivas USA), Gregory Garza (Sporting Lisbon), Josh Hernandez (Dallas, Texas), Jared Jeffrey (Club Brugge), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Giuseppe Nazzani (Reggio Emilia, Italy); forwards Vincenzo Bernardo (SSC Napoli), Tristan Bowen (Los Angeles Galaxy), Abdusalam Ibrahim (Toronto FC), Jose Torres (Loros de Colima).

*Meanwhile, the Galaxy have knocked someone out of the MLS playoffs - Revolution striker Taylor Twellman. The club announced Tuesday he is out indefinitely after continuing to suffer from concussion-related issues in the wake of Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin punching him on the head Aug. 30. Cronin suffered a broken finger on the play. Twellman missed 14 games through injury this year and his latest set-back couldn't come at a worse time.

*UCLA senior defender Brad Rusin has been named the Pac-10 Player of the Week. He scored his third goal of the year over the weekend in UCLA's 1-0 win over Oregon State.

*Finally, want to win four L.A. Sol season tickets? Click here.

Something for everyone here.

Galaxy fans can console themselves with some great strikes (Brandon McDonald's screamer is not the No. 1 goal in this video); Chivas USA fans can savor these and look forward to the playoffs; U.S. fans can relive Landon Donovan's finest season; and the Columbus Crew's Robbie Rogers today had his effort against New York last month named the team's goal of the season.

Enjoy.

Next for Becks: the bright lights of MilanPhoto by Scott Varley

The dimming of the star power at the Galaxy is the subject of today's column. It's a good thing.

David Beckham and Landon Donovan have already left the building judging by their recent comments:

"I'm ready to take that step (of going to Europe) and I want to," Donovan said Sunday. "Competitively I have that itch and I want to do it and I'll make that very clear to people."

And you don't think Becks needs to play in the off-season? Rest is not what he needs. Minutes on the field are. Or his immobility on the field the Galaxy have seen on several occasions this season will be exacerbated. Beckham was hampered by a quad injury Sunday and one reporter observed he looked like he was running on a treadmill:

"It's just my age, maybe," he said only half joking.

By the way, in the wake of Beckham's first full MLS season, I asked him Sunday about some of his impressions of players and teams so far:

*Toughest opponent: - None (he didn't want to single anyone out, perhaps knowing anyone he didn't name might want to make more of an, er, impression on him next time out).

*Best team to play against - "Every time we play against Chivas, for me it's a tough game. I always enjoy that game. It's obviously a huge rivalry, but that's the game I personally enjoy playing in."

*Best opposing player in MLS - "One of the best players in this league is (New York's Juan Pablo) Angel. He's obviously played in top flight football and you can see the quality of the player and how hard he works. He's older now, but still a threat to many teams."

And finally:

*The Houston Dynamo reserves (9-1-2) captured the MLS Reserve Division title Sunday with a 3-0 win over the Chivas USA reserves (4-5-3) at Home Depot Center, claiming a $20,000 first prize. Roberto Nurse was the Chivas USA leading goalscorer with four goals and one assist in six games.

*The Galaxy reserves (1-8-3) finished their season with a 2-0 loss Sunday to their FC Dallas counterparts at the HDC.

*The Chivas USA Under-18 team (5-1) won 5-2 over the San Diego Surf on Saturday keeping them in first place in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy's SoCal Division. Polo Morales had his second hat-trick of the season, and Victor Sanchez, playing his first full game of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, added two more.

*The Galaxy Under-18 team (2-4) lost 3-2 to Nomads FC at the HDC.

*The Chivas USA Under-16 team fell 2-1 to the Surf on Saturday. The loss dropped the U-16's to third in their division with a 2-3-1 record (W-L-T).

*The Galaxy Under-16 team (5-1) beat Nomads 1-0 at the HDC and lead the SoCal Division.

Galaxy 2 FC Dallas 2
Edson Buddle scores the Galaxy's first goal
Photo by Scott Varley

Game story.

There was a lot to talk about in the post-game press conference.

Retiring Dallas midfielder Bobby Rhine (captain for the day) and retiring Galaxy defender Greg Vanney (captain at game's end) both spoke and summed up their respective careers

The two opposing coaches, the Galaxy's Bruce Arena and Dallas' Schellas Hyndman, spoke about their massive respective off-season rebuilding jobs.

And Landon Donovan and David Beckham addressed the next phases of their careers.

Below is just a sampling of what they had to say. I'll update with more later.

Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena on the strides the team has made since he took over:

"As the season ends, am I pleased competitively where we are right now? No, not at all. The work starts immediately now to improve this roster, improve this team. To improve the philosophy, to improve the leadership, to improve the commitment and make everything better.

On how the team has improved and how it can get better:

"We have, oddly enough, improved defensively. However we're not good enough positionally in a lot of spots on the field. ...I know this roster very well now. And I know what needs to be done. ... It's pretty obvious the kind of changes we need to make to get better. And I think we can accomplish most of that, although it's going top take a little bit of good bookkeeping. We have to deal with issues with salary cap.

On Beckham's performance:

Those of you who might doubt the commitment of David Beckham - he played hurt today. We weren't sure he'd be able to play. I applaud David for his effort on the field today because he was not 100 percent."

Greg Vanney on receiving the captain's armband from Beckham when he came on (very) late:

"David's decision to give me the armband was just spur of the moment - he did it. I don't think there was any premeditation or anything on that level so I think (it was) just a very respectful move by him. We've gotten to be fairly close this year. I think it was a great move, I was touched by it. That was one of the highlights of my day, actually.

On when he decided to retire:

"I've been considering it for, who knows, throughout the year. I've had a difficult run the past few years. I've moved probably four or five times the last two years alone, the last 18 months probably. That type of thing, along with non-guaranteed contracts as well as the difficulty every off-season with MLS and the uncertainty - this club probably rebuilding anew a little bit. I tried to make the decision that was best for me. I kind of came to that conclusion in the last few weeks.'

David Beckham on his quad injury and his immobility the last few games:

"It's just my age maybe. I've had it three days; I haven't been able to train the last two days. My quads were burning, but I got through the game."

On the quality of MLS officiating:

"As a professional, it's frustrating because we try and do our jobs and we expect other people to do their's as well and do it in the right way. And the majority of the time it's so inconsistent. It's simple plays that are affecting the game - and ruining the game. ... I'm fed up with sitting up here and talking about that. ... It can only get better. It can't get any worse."

The game ended 2-2, Eddie Lewis drawing a clumsy challenge from Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala to win a penalty kick in the 79th minute.

Landon Donovan converted for his 20th goal of the year and finish the season as MLS' top scorer.

Edson Buddle could of and probably should of scored with a 83rd minute header that flashed wide.

Dallas played with 10 men from the 50th minute when Aaron Pitchkolan was sent off.

Greg Vanney made his final MLS appearance, but Coach Bruce Arena didn't bring him on until stoppage time (there's respect for you).

Becks gave Vanney - a Galaxy original in 1996 and former Bruin - the captain's arm band when he came on in a classy gesture.

Oh, and the Galaxy are still tied for last (on points) in MLS.

More later

Ill-disciplined, ill-timed and generally inept, the first half essentially summed up the Galaxy's season: Dallas scored two consecutive goals in five minutes, Brazilian Alvaro Pires received a straight red for a studs up challenge just before half time and David Beckham earned a yellow card for mouthing off/having one of his increasingly tiresome petulant little meltdowns.

Things had started brightly for the Galaxy.

Eddie Lewis slung a long ball the width of the field over to Beckham and he crossed to Edson Buddle, standing unmarked right in front of the goal, who headed in his 15th of the season.

It was Becks' first assist since the 5-2 win over Dallas on Sept. 20.

Drew Moor and Victor Sikora scored for Dallas.

The first goal was a gift from Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Wicks, who failed to catch a ball from a corner kick.

The second was presented by the Galaxy defense who froze when confronted by a long ball out of the back from Dallas left back Duilio Davino and allowed Sikora to wander through alone for his first MLS goal.

His legs and a once blistering shot clearly gone as Galaxy fans have seen this season, defender Greg Vanney called time on a 13-year professional career today, announcing his retirement before the game.

Vanney spent 10 years in MLS, including seven in two stints for the Galaxy, and played another three seasons in France.

"While it is a bittersweet feeling to be ending my career today, I'm happy that I am able to do so with the Galaxy where I started my career," he said.

He also played 37 times with the U.S. National Team.

But the post-Vanney era clearly can't come soon enough for Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena - Vanney doesn't get the start in the last game of his career; Julian Valentin, making his MLS debut, is preferred in central defense.

Josh Wicks in back in goal, with Steve Cronin on the bench, behind a defense that also sees Mike Randolph make his first second start under Arena, with defender Sean Franklin (Galaxy defender of the year, it was announced before the game) the third of three defenders listed on the team sheet.

The midfield: Chris Klein, Alvaro Pires, David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Eddie Lewis.

Up front: Edson Buddle and Alan Gordon.

Vanney is, at least, on the bench.

The Galaxy award winners announced this morning includes Donovan, who needs one goal and one assist to become the first MLS player ever with 20 goals and 10 assists, not surprisingly named MVP.

The L.A. Riot Squad named Chris Klein as their player of the year award and will present him with it at game's end.

Dallas has Jeff Cunningham and Kenny Cooper up front, who is one behind Donovan in the MLS scoring race.

This is it.

The final Galaxy game. Team awards will be handed out. And players will shuffle off into the sunset.

So we'll keep this simple.

Game preview.

Notable: There should be a bigger discount at the Team LA Store. All Galaxy merchandise is off 40 percent today - but they've been off far more than that this season.

Quotable:

"It's certainly a team that needs to be reconstructed, if you want to use that word," said Coach Bruce Arena. "We have an odd balance on our team on the field. We have an odd balance age-wise. And we certainly have some issues that need to be resolved with the salary cap."

Here's Arena on what a great job Anschutz Entertainment Group has done as owners (ahem):

"They're passionate. They put their money where their mouths are. Phil Anschutz has carred this league on his back .Tim Lieweke has done a passionate job in the process. Hey, they've done a fabulous job. Where we've screwed up is we in management and the front office in getting this team better and the players. That's where the problem lies - we've got to get it better. That's my job and the players job - that's why I'm here. It hasn't been good enough. If you're grading just on ownership we won the league a long time ago. ... We're not getting it done on the field. Let's be fair about that. I wish I could blame our performances on ownership."

Let's leave it on that surreal note.

The game begins at noon on FSN.

With reporters from Italy, England, Holland and the usual local contingent present, David Beckham spoke for the first time today on the proposed two-month loan deal to AC Milan aimed at maintaining his fitness for England.

Beckham said he is "95 percent sure" it will be completed in the next two weeks, but repeatedly reiterated there was no chance of a permanent deal when he was asked point blank if Sunday could be his last game for the Galaxy:

"No, it won't be. I made that clear. I've said my commitment is still to be with the Galaxy and that's not changed.

"I'm not leaving the Galaxy," he added later. "I'll be back. I'm a Galaxy player."

Beckham, who acknowledged he had initiated the possible deal, suggested the loan was beneficial not only for him, but the Galaxy as well:

"If you know footballers, they don't have four months off in any league in the world except for here," he said. "This is my second season in the league and I'm not prepared to have four or five months off without training.

"I don't agree with the amount of time that we have off here," he added. "I need to play. My body is programmed not to have so much time off. I'm not prepared to do that again."

Beckham said AC Milan was the Italian team he most wanted to play for:

"I'm honored that I've been given a chance to actually join up with a team like Milan, specially with the players they've got. They've got some of the best players in the world on their team - Ronaldhino, Seedorf, Gatuso, Kaka and, of course, Maldini."

And Shevchenko. Bit different than playing alongside the likes of Franklin, Roberts, Gordon and Jordan anyway.

Can he keep up with the improved caliber of player in Italy? I asked if he was in Serie A form. His response: "You always ask negative questions."

He later copped to his underwhelming play this season:

"Its been on and off. I've had good games, I've had bad games ... Its been OK in spells and maybe in other games it's not been."

When it was suggested to Becks he might need to go on loan again in the winter of 2009-2010 ahead of the World Cup, if you follow his logic of needing to play this January, he smiled and declined to look that far ahead.

And for the fashionistas among you, Becks was dressed ultra-casually on a scorching day in white flip flops, burgandy fashionably-worn cargo shorts and an acid-washed t-shirt.

Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena was considerably more vague about what he knew about the deal and when he knew it, the suspicion among the assembled press corps being that like his predecessors he knew little in advance about the proposal:

"I have information. In my view since the league is the one that handles the contractual matters I think it's crucial they are involved in the process.

"This has been something that's come on recently. I'm not of the belief this thing has been in the works for months."

On the risk of Beckham getting injured in Italy as he did at Real Madrid right before he got here:

"Injury is a part of the game. You could get injured going in the weight room."

Beckham Update?
David Beckham wasn't talking today, but Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena did on the possibility of him going on loan to AC Milan:

"I haven't spent a second of my day even thinking about it to be honest. For me personally and with this team, I don't think we would loan any player out for six months. That's how long you have to loan him out for until the next transfer window, which would be June. On the surface, it sounds like an odd proposition. I don't see where that benefits MLS or the Galaxy. "

Who said anything about six months?

Here's Chris Klein on Beckham's pending loan move:

"He wants to win. He made it known when he came over here he wasn't coming here to sell T-shirts. I'm sure he's disappointed in the production of the team in the last year and a half. Does that fall on his shoulders? No. We all take responsibility for the results of this team of late. I'm sure there's that disappointment inside of him, though."

In other Galaxy news:
*Former President and General Manager Doug Hamilton, as well as former midfielders Mauricio Cienfuegos and Cobi Jones are the first honorees of a Wall of Legends intended to "honor individuals or groups who have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the club." Inauguration of the first members is 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the Southwest Concourse of Home Depot Center.

In Chivas USA news:
*Fox Soccer Channel will air both Chivas USA games of its Western Conference semifinal series against either Real Salt Lake or the Colorado Rapids. Game 1 is set for Nov. 1, while game 2 of the series is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Home Depot Center.
* Brad Guzan update.

In college soccer:
*Cal State Northridge men (6-5-3), down one player for the majority of the match, lost 3-2 Wednesday to Cal State Irvine.
*No. 9 USC (12-2-1) meets No. 3 UCLA (13-0-2) 7 p.m. Friday in a rematch of the 2007 NCAA semifinal at the Coliseum. Organizers are trying to set an NCAA attendance record, which stands at 14,410. USC, unbeaten in a program record 19 home games, wants a crowd of 15,000.
Check out the promo.

Lastly, in youth soccer news:
*Lancaster and Cal South will host the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV Championships June 15-21 drawing nearly 4,500 players and an estimated 10,000 spectators at the Lancaster National Soccer Complex The 35-field facility will see 248 boys and girls teams, ages Under-12 through Under-19, from the 14 western U.S. Youth Soccer State Associations that make up US Youth Soccer Region IV (Alaska, Arizona, California North, California South, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming). Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships.

Although a small media horde has gathered in Carson this morning, I understand from David Beckham's publicist on this side of the Atlantic that Becks will not speak after the Galaxy's practice.

But Glenn Lehrman confirmed that talks are on-going for a two-month loan deal and released this statement:

"At this moment discussions are going on with AC Milan - nothing has been confirmed at the moment. He's considering a proposal from them to go on loan for the start of the year to maintain his level of fitness and make himself available for England selection. He remains an L.A. Galaxy player and would report as normal to the start of the 2009 MLS season."

England coach Fabio Capello had reportedly told English media that Beckham would be axed from England's next World Cup qualifying squad in February if he were not playing regularly.

Updated: Beckham did not, as previously reported, talk to reporters today after practice, although Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena and other players did.

There will be a complete story in Thursday's Daily News, Daily Breeze, Long Beach Press-Telegram and other MediaNews newspapers.

I was told by reporter Phil Collin, who was out at practice today, that Arena made a reference to a six-month loan deal, although he did not cite a source or rule for that length of time, which contradicts what we've heard so far.

Beckham will apparently wait until Saturday before addressing the media, his publicist said. Presumably by then the A.C. Milan deal will be confirmed.

CNN confirmed with David Beckham's agent today that the Galaxy midfielder will head to Italy's AC Milan on a two-month loan in the wake of the club's tour Down Under after the MLS season concludes so he can retain his fitness for England.

It does not sound like he's going to miss much, if any, of the MLS preseason, according to this quote in England's Daily Mail from Beckham agent Simon Oliveira:

"Nothing is confirmed yet, but the intention is to go to AC Milan on loan for January and February. He would be going there with the view to keeping fit and being available for selection for England.

"The idea is he then goes back to the Galaxy to join up with their pre-season in March. He will not be joining AC Milan permanently. He had a five-year contract with the Galaxy
and has three years left and every intention of fulfilling that."

AC Milan are currently sitting fifth in the league.

Updated 10:28 a.m. Got off the phone a few minutes ago with the Galaxy PR folks who tell me his Beckhamness will not be addressing the media on the issue after training today (he usually only deigns to speak to reporters once a week). We'll see. But that would be par for the course: a global news story, Beckham in our back yard and he's not talking.

In other Beckham-related news, he's agreed to do his bit for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Speaking of the World Cup, there's much gnashing of teeth south of the border over Mexico's World Cup qualifying status - or lack thereof.

Finally, this just in from the "I live in a glass house" department - North Korean nutjob Kim Jong Il is not at all pleased with the nation's hairy soccer players.

Because, of course, that rich, famine-free and non-authoritarian nation doesn't have more pressing issues than a "follicular clampdown".

The Galaxy's obituary.

The two charts above show the Galaxy's record in the Sigi Schmid (bottom) and post Sigi Schmid era in comparison with other MLS teams that played all those seasons (I excluded expansion teams and used the old Earthquakes' final season combined with the Dynamo's record since it was essentially the same team with a new name slapped on in the upper chart).

Graphic evidence of the Galaxy's decline since Schmid left.

And thanks to KLF for technical assistance with the spreadsheet.

Clarification: The Galaxy "elevated Doug Hamilton to president and general manager" Jan. 1, 2004; he was, of course, appointed vice president and general manager Jan. 14, 2002. So he had been eight months on the job as president when he fired Sigi.

Story.

Quotable:

"At least since I've been here, it seems like in every game within 15 minutes, the other team has two or three or four chances," Eddie Lewis told MLSnet.com. "Whether the other team scores or not is different every game, but the amount of chances that we allow early on in games, is almost suicidal."

"There were segments in the first half where we were just physically manhandled," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena told MLSnet.com. "It wasn't as much about the soccer as it was about running harder, competing better. ... They were more alert, more physical, more aggressive."

BTW, if you were unlucky enough to watch the game, was that not one of the most uncomfortable in-game interviews (with Pete Vagenas) you've ever seen? And the quality of some of the questions didn't help.

Sample (paraphrased) question: "Do you you think there will be a lot of changes for the Galaxy next year?"

Paraphrased answer: Um, yeah."

Ya think?

Lowlights:

That's the sound of the Galaxy's season imploding.

Needing to win to stay alive this season, the Galaxy naturally went down by three goals within the first 25 minutes Saturday to the Houston Dynamo.

Ah well, at least Houston look like they will clinch the Western Conference over Chivas USA. Way to stick it to the Goats, Gals.

Have you ever seen a more disgusted look on Bruce Arena's face?

Greg Vanney just missed making it four!

Good thing Houston are tired after facing the Earthquakes in midweek or it could be worse.

Now we know the answer to the question how do you make Nate Jaqua look world class? Have him play against the Galaxy rather than with them.

I hope the defense calls home after the season is over. I'm worried. I haven't seen them in so long.

How bad are the Galaxy? They're looking at Alan Gordan, who came in just before half time, to be the Galaxy's savior. And he just hit the bar.

It's half time.

The Dynamo had a 5-1 shot advantage in the first 45 minutes.

The Galaxy have 45 minutes left in their season.

Think I'll go do something productive like wash my hair.

Staff writer Phil Collin succinctly summarizes the Galaxy's plight here.

New York plays the Columbus Crew, Kansas City faces San Jose and Real Salt Lake takes on Dallas, BTW.

Here's the Houston perspective.

Question: If you're a Chivas USA fan, are you rooting for the Galaxy? (A Dynamo win means Chivas USA has no chance of winning the Western Conference, remember).

Actually, two.

David Beckham is interested in joining an EPL club in the MLS off-season.

Or he is heading to Italy's AC Milan - and a permanent deal is possible.

And the MLS season isn't even over yet (well, OK, the Galaxy's probably is).

For what it's worth, neither of these two sources are infamous tabloids, but then respected papers need to sell copies, too.

The game of the weekend - for Chivas USA and Galaxy fans alike - is the L.A.-Houston Dynamo game at 5:30 p.m. Saturday live on Prime.

With a win, the Dynamo can clinch the Western Conference and eliminate any lingering Chivas USA hopes of the regional title.

The Galaxy are four points out of the last of the two MLS wild card playoff spots - currently occupied by Kansas City - but no longer have control over their own destiny even with a win.

Complicating matters is that incredibly the home team has won just once - the Dynamo did so in 2006 - in the all-time series between the two clubs. The Galaxy have two wins and a tie in their last three trips to Houston. A loss, then, is on the cards as any fatalistic soccer fan would agree.

The Wizards, BTW, play San Jose, statistically the worst team in MLS.

Chivas USA play at noon Sunday (live on Telefutura) at Home Depot Center against the desperate Colorado Rapids, losers in Carson last weekend to the Galaxy. Chivas USA are finishing strongly, riding a club-record four-game winning streak.

Swag alert: The first 7, 500 fans through the stadium gates get a Chivas USA hat. The team also has a $10 Internet ticket special. Check it out here.

The pick of the weekend's games include:
*7 a.m. Saturday Fox Soccer Channel Arsenal-Everton
*9:30 a.m. Saturday FSC Manchester United-West Bromwich Albion
*5 p.m. Satuday KAZA Indios-Club America
*5 p.m. Saturday KVEA CD Guadalajara-Atlante
*8 a.m. Sunday FSC Stoke City-Tottenham Hotspur
*1:30 p.m. Sunday FSC (delayed) River Plate-Boca Juniors

Among the local college games in Southern California this weekend:
*7 tonight UCLA men-Washington at Drake Stadium
*2:30 p.m. today Cal State Northridge women-UC Davis at Matador Field
*1 p.m. Sunday UCLA men-Oregon State at Drake Stadium
*2:30 p.m. Sunday Cal State Northridge women-Pacific at Matador Field

A young U.S. team lost 2-1 to Trinidad & Tobago in World Cup qualifying on a penalty scored by an experienced Dwight Yorke, Mexico tied Canada 2-2 meaning qualifying for the next round for El Tri goes down to the final game and Croatia and England won.

Meanwhile, Frank Yallop's chances of returning to MLS Cup at Home Depot Center are all but gone after the San Jose Earthquakes tied 1-1 lost 2-1 Wednesday to a 10-man Houston Dynamo (Lawndale's Kei Kamara was sent off early in the affair).

The Galaxy have officially announced as expected that they will return Down Under in the post-season and play two games, including one Dec. 11 against the Queensland Roar. They also play an all-star team in New Zealand Dec. 6.

And in case you're wondering why the Anschutz Entertainment Group-owned Galaxy decided to play this particular team - why, because they just happen to play in an AEG-owned stadium that needs a bit of a boost. Shocker, huh?

Luckily the Roar aren't much better than the Galaxy. They currently sit fifth in the eight-team A-League with a record of 2-2-3.

Finally, the Cal State Northridge men drew 0-0 with UC Irvine Wednesday and the Cal State Dominguez Hills men beat UC San Diego 2-0, while their female counterparts lost 2-1 to the same school.

Things I should have noted earlier, but didn't:
* It's so hard to find good help these days - even if you're David Beckham.

*Landon Donovan has 19 goals and nine assists on the season with two games to go; no MLS player has ever recorded 20 goals and 10 assists in a single season.

*Further explanation on why Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers is not with the U.S. team Wednesday because of injury - he leads MLS in fouls suffered with 72. Ouch.

*The answer to the Galaxy trivia question, which team is worse than their senior squad? How about their reserve team? The Galaxy reserves lost to their Colorado counterparts Sunday 1-0 to go to 1-6-2 on the season. Steve Cronin was in goal. Chivas USA reserves, meanwhile, beat San Jose Earthquakes reserves Sunday, 3-1. Roberto Nurse scored two goals. Go figure.

*Player of the Week honors went to former (Torrance) West High star Jessica Murphy who was named Brine California Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer Player of the Week after the freshman scored three goals in two games this past weekend - 60 percent of the team's output, mind you - in two CSUDH wins. Also: UCLA junior midfielder Michael Stephens was named the Pac-10 Men's Soccer Player of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime as UCLA upset sixth-ranked California, 3-2, on the road.

*Southern Californians named to the U.S. Women's Under-17 national team that will participate in the 2008 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup Oct. 28-Nov. 16 in New Zealand are: forward Samantha Johnson (Palmdale) and midfielder Elizabeth Eddy (Costa Mesa).

*Finally, no late night soccer report would be complete without the Soccer Collies (I think). They will perform Sunday at half time of the noon Chivas USA-Colorado Rapids game. From the Chivas USA press release:

The two collies, Ms. Z and BEK, each have unique soccer skills; Ms. Z can catch the ball between her paws, and BEK charges up the field while dribbling the ball with his nose. The dogs will also be available before the game in ChivaTown for photos and to play with fans.

Well, OK. To me they look like two mutts you see in any park playing with a ball. My wife thinks otherwise. Invest a minute of your life and you decide:

Borrowed time, baby, borrowed time.

The Galaxy's season remains on life support, but their 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids Sunday ensures the season ain't over (just) yet, although there was a sense of fatalism in the relatively buoyant locker room after the game.

"We're still breathing for a week," said Chris Klein on the relevance of the win. "That's what we wanted to do. Our playoffs have already started. So for us it was win or think (about) next year. And we won tonight. We get to prepare this week with the objective of going down and trying to beat Houston."

BTW, on the Galaxy chalkboard in the locker room after the game were detailed, updated MLS standings. And Arena had just said in the press conference: "We have to win games. I've said all along I've not concerned myself with standings. For us, we have to win games. For us, even if we win out we may fall short. But at least we know what we have to do. We're not going into any game looking for a point. We have to try to win."

Highlights are here (and do not miss McDonald's strike):

Game story from the DailyNews/Daily Breeze is here.

Game story from The Denver Post is here.

Bonus quotes:
Rapids goalkeeper Preston Burpo on the loss:

"We came down here, we had a game plan, it didn't work."

On Ugo's own goal:

"Ball came in. Made a decision to get it. Didn't get it. ... Yeah, that was a big turning point."

A man of few words after a tough loss is Burpo.

Galaxy midfielder Brandon McDonald on his stunning goal from 35 yards (or so):

"I'll shoot from further. In college my grandmother used to say shoot from half field."

Glad he listens to gramma.

Rapids Coach Gary Smith (who unfortunately has a tendency to speak in sentence fragments) on an opportunity squandered:

"I was certainly disappointed. A very good opportunity I thought for us to come up against a Galaxy team not in the greatest run of form with two very influential players missing."

On the "very damaging" loss (especially as he believed four or five points were needed from the last three games) and the pressure that brings:

"Some players can deal with it, others can't and it affects their performances. Tonight, I thought, there were two or three of our lads, at least, that underperformed. Left us in a difficult spot. And we're not a side that are going to score lots of goals. The New York game (where the Rapids ran out 5-4 winners) was a one-off. We need to keep clean sheets.

There were too many players in our team that suffered with the pressure they're under to get points. ... Maybe some of our more inexperienced players have felt life difficult."

Bruce Arena on Donovan's generally sparkling performance where he came on as a sub for the critical last few minutes:

"To expect more out of him is insane. To get as much out of him as we did today, we're very fortunate."

On McDonald's blistering goal:

"We kind of laughed when he hit that ball. We've seen that before. It's not a once in a lifetime (thing). We've seen him hit a couple of those shots in training."

On the team's work rate:

"Right now we're not the most experienced and gifted team and we need guys working in the middle of the field. And tonight we came closer to getting that accomplished than we have recently."

Klein again on the team under Arena:

"We're building as a team. say what you (will) about where we are. But we're improving as a team. Bruce is starting to instill his philosophies and the guys are responding well to that."

On the Galaxy's 4-0 loss to the Rapids on opening day:

"That feels like two years ago. To think of all the changes we've had since then, it seems forever ago. I didn't even think about that until you said it. Nobody else is on our minds except for us right now. Colorado, Houston next week, it doesn't really matter who we play, we just have to win games."

Galaxy 3 Rapids 2

The Galaxy remain (barely) alive in the playoff hunt with 32 points, while the slumping Rapids remain on 34 with two consecutive defeats.

An own goal by former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu and a 35-yard screamer from Brandon McDonald settled the matter. A late and dubious Tom McManus PK in the 88th minute wasn't enough to give the Rapids hope.

On deadline with a game story tonight. More later

The Galaxy and Rapids exchanged goals in the opening 45 minutes, with the Galaxy's Edson Buddle scoring and Colorado's Cory Gibbs equalizing with his first-ever MLS goal.

The first half took a familiar path with the Galaxy applying much of the pressure - albeit creating few clear-cut chances along the way - and the Rapids soaking it up.

The Rapids' Tom McManus almost opened the scoring inside the first minute, Sean Franklin clearing off the line.

Former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu, making his first start since Aug. 9, performed almost exactly the same duty at the other end for Colorado 22 minutes later, preventing an Alan Gordon header from counting after goalkeeper Preston Burpo had failed to hold the ball under pressure from Alan Gordon.

Franklin got his first-ever MLS assist in the 36th minute, carving a path through the Rapids defense and slipping the ball to Buddle who scored from about 15 yards for his 14th of the season.

Colorado's tying goal was a beauty, former Manchester United midfielder Terry Cooke sending a pinpoint corner to an unmarked Cory Gibbs, whose glancing, angled header gave Josh Saunders no chance. It was Cooke's 11th assist of the season, the third most in the league.

Brandon McDonald replaced captain Pete Vagenas in the 38th minute, when the Galaxy captain suffered a recurrence of his right quad injury that left him sidelined for weeks earlier in the season.

With a loss the Galaxy are out of playoff contention, while a third consecutive Rapids road win will vault Colorado back into the third and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Coach Bruce Arena makes just two enforced changes from the team that lost 1-0 last Saturday to the Crew.

Bryan Jordan replaces David Beckham, who is on international duty with England, while Alan Gordon deputizes for Landon Donovan, who has returned from Washington and is on the bench.

Galaxy lineup: Josh Saunders, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Troy Roberts, Greg Vanney, Jordan, Joe Franchino, Pete Vagenas, Eddie Lewis. Edson Buddle, Gordon.

Colorado has top scorer Conor Casey suspended, so Tom McManus will play as the lone forward. Former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu replaces Mike Petke in the starting XI.

Rapids lineup: Preston Burpo, Kosuke Kimura, Cory Gibbs, Ihemelu, Jordan Harvey, Terry Cooke, Mehdi Ballouchy, Colin Clark, Nick LaBrocca, Pablo Mastroeni, McManus.

Chivas USA qualified for the playoffs Saturday with a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, while the Galaxy try to stave off elimination (again) today when they face the Colorado Rapids at 5 p.m. at Home Depot Center.

Fans can get and give at today's game: the first 5,000 fans in attendance receive a special collector's series soccer ball, while the Galaxy Foundation is holding a clothing drive for the Union Rescue Mission. All fans who contribute clothes or make a cash donation receive a $5 off voucher for the Galaxy's regular season finale Oct. 26 against FC Dallas and will be entered into a drawing for a soccer ball signed by the team.

Are the Rapids more motivated than the Galaxy? Well, they're the team with the uplifting video:

Saturday college score:
Loyola Marymount 1 (6-4-3) Pepperdine 0 (4-7-2)

I don't know about you, but the weekend can't quick enough for me after the less than cheery news this week about what one newsroom wit described as our 301.K plans.

And there's plenty of soccer on TV and live locally to distract us.

I'll be back with a Chivas USA preview Saturday and a Galaxy one Sunday, but the bottom line is although the 1-1 draw last night between Real Salt Lake and the Red Bulls did little to clarify the playoff picture Chivas USA can still qualify for the playoffs while the Galaxy can put themselves (and us) out of their misery and be eliminated from the post-season.

Oh, and the U.S. can make the next round of WCQ by defeating Cuba Saturday.

For now here's your basic list of games just so you don't forget to set up the TiVo.

World Cup qualifying games on TV Saturday include:
9 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel England-Kazakhstan
11:30 a.m. FSC Spain-Estonia
4 p.m. ESPN Classic Cuba-U.S.
5 p.m. KVEA Mexico-Jamaica

MLS games on TV this weekend include:
5:30 p.m. Saturday FSC Toronto FC-FC Dallas
7 p.m. Saturday KAZA Chivas USA-San Jose Earthquakes (or delayed at 9:30 p.m. on FSN)
Noon Sunday KFTR Columbus Crew-Chicago Fire
9 p.m. Sunday Prime (delayed) Galaxy-Colorado Rapids

Mexican league games on TV include:
3 p.m. Saturday KMEX CD Guadalajara-San Luis
5 p.m. Saturday KAZA Santos Laguna-Pachuca
2 p.m. Sunday KMEX Puebla-Club America

Local college games this weekend include:
3 p.m. today at McAlister Field No. 5 USC-No. 16 Washington
1 p.m. Sunday at McAlister Field No. 5 USC-No. 25 Washington State
7 tonight at Drake Stadium UCLA women-Washington State
1 p.m. Sunday at Drake Stadium UCLA women-Washington
4 p.m. today at Sullivan Field LMU men-Portland
2 p.m. Sunday at Sullivan Field LMU men-Gonzaga
1 p.m. Saturday at Sullivan Field LMU-Pepperdine

This is an excellent SI article that while not specifically about MLS (in fact the article doesn't even mention soccer) has resonance for Galaxy fans.

This season especially has seen many of these, um, symptoms appear in Carson.

Beatlemania like screams every time David Beckham touches the ball. Flash bulbs exploding around Home Depot Center like so many LSD flashbacks. And generally uneducated fans who don't appear to appreciate they are watching a godawful team.

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane once complained about the lack of atmosphere at Old Trafford caused by a surfeit of the prawn sandwich eating crowd - read ignorant corporate types - sitting on their hands rather than supporting their team.

I don't mind rich guys subsidizing the masses (thanks Uncle Phil). I just don't want them taking over to the extent a sporting event becomes like a night at the opera. (It's depressing when fans tell me the nitwits behind them complain about them standing up - after a Galaxy goal has been scored!).

Of course, the Galaxy has been so abysmal this season there's been precious little to shout about, although the likes of the Riot Squad are doing their utmost (thanks guys).

But in the main it's a stadium full of people so thrilled to watch a global superduper star like Becks they can't see beyond to the quality of football on display. Which has, generally speaking, been crap.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy have increased their ticket prices each year despite missing the playoffs three years in a row (there's a prediction in there).

Season ticket holders reportedly dropped 15 percent this season. And are likely to fall again in the coming one. I'm getting more and more anecdotal reports via e-mail, on this blog and in person of fans who say to me: "I can't bring myself to watch this lot anymore. It's a waste of money."

That's telling me the knowledgeable fans who understand the game know what product they are seeing: a bland corporate one unlikely to get the most ardent soccer fans to return. They'll sit home and watch Stoke City play Hull City (no disrespect to Hull, unexpectedly lighting up the EPL this season so far) rather than support MLS.

The game is being undermined by the suits.That's not what the sport is about. The casual fan - such as families - who understand the democracy of soccer are endangered.

And if that's the case, so is the authenticity of the game itself.

Two to talk about.

The three finalists for Honda Player of the Year (given to the best player for the U.S. MNT) are last year's winner Landon Donovan, (who this year became the U.S. all-time leading goalscorer with 36 goals); 2006 winner Clint Dempsey (who has four World Cup qualifying goals so far); and goalkeeper Tim Howard (with five shutouts so far in qualifying).

That's the same three I picked and again my vote went to LD.

Yes, I know Howard has looked a mountain of strength and reliability (with some great saves thrown in for good measure) behind a sometimes shaky defense.

Yes, I know Dempsey has been crucial because gawd knows Eddie Johnson (and others) have fired mainly blanks.

But without Donovan the U.S. just doesn't go. Period. He's the creative force, the attacking fulcrum, who is unafraid to run at defenders unlike so many American players.

It's why Klinsey wants him at Bayern Munich in January (assuming he lasts that long in what is turning out to be a bad season already).

Yeah, he's worth a record fifth award.

The winner will be announced Nov. 11 in downtown L.A.

Donovan haters: feel free to rip away.

The other award is for the top 11 players (and one coach) for the NCAA 50th anniversary team. Voting began Monday and runs until Oct. 15.

Among the finalists: Former Bruins Paul Caligiuri, Brad Friedel and Sigi Schmid and current Galaxy coach Bruce Arena.

Vote here.

The new Women's Professional Soccer league conducted its third draft Monday, this one for American players not allocated when U.S. Women's National Team players were divvied up or international players not previously allocated.

Here are the complete draft results.

The as yet unnamed L.A. franchise (its nick name and colors will be announced later this month) chose Canadian National Team goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, defender Kendall Fletcher, U.S. Women's National Team forward Christie Welsh and former Pac-10 Player of the Year Manya Makoski.

They join such players as Marta, Shannon Boxx, Stephanie Cox, Aly Wagner, Japanese midfielder Aya Miyama and and Chinese striker Han Duan who were allocated previously.

"The goal was to have a team that could keep the ball, play a poss style, but have a little bit of flair to them and I feel we've definitely gone in the right direction," said Coach Abner Rogers.

Also today, the WPS announced a broadcast agreement with Fox Soccer Channel that covers 20 regular-season games and the all-star game, as well as the two semifinals and the final on Fox Sports Net.

I'll have more on the WPS and the L.A. team in Tuesday's column, which I had better get on with writing.

A couple of quick notes:
*David Beckham may be out of form for the Galaxy, but he was still picked for England's next two World Cup qualifiers. Consequently, he'll miss Sunday's Galaxy game against Colorado.

*Chivas USA defender Shavar Thomas was also called up by Jamaica for WCQ.

In Sunday's college games it was:
UCLA men 3 (2-3-5) SDSU 3 (2-5-1)
UCLA women 3 SDSU 0
USC 2 (10-1) Cal State Northridge 1 (5-5-1)
CSUDH men 1 (11-1-1) Sonoma State 0
CSUDH women 6 (8-5) Sonoma State 2
LMU women 0 (5-4-3) San Diego State 0 (4-6-2)
St. Mary's 2 (2-6-1) LMU men 1 (2-3-4)
Cal State Northridge men 1 (5-4-1) UC Riverside 0

Finally, Cal State Dominguez Hills junior defender Kevin Gallaugher was named the Brine California Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Soccer Player of the Week after the Toros posted a pair of shutouts over the weekend, limiting opponents to a combined seven shots on target.

The Galaxy were blacked out:

Chivas USA weren't:

Chivas USA lineup: Dan Kennedy, Alex Zotinca, Claudio Suarez, Shavar Thomas, Francisco Mendoza (Jonathan Bornstein 54), Jesse Marsch, Sasha Victorine, Atiba Harris, Sacha Kljestan (Justin Braun 82), Alecko Eskandarian, Dejair (Jorge Flores 75),

Two teams, two games, same broadcast time.

MLS' two highest-scoring teams clash when L.A. play in Columbus at 4:30 p.m. live on Prime where the crowd are encouraged to wear black and "black out the Galaxy," (who are quite capable of doing that themselves, thank you) while at the same time on Fox Soccer Channel Chivas USA take on D.C. United before what will be the one of the home team's largest crowds of the season. Of course, the Crew's defense is just a tad better than the Galaxy's. Columbus is unbeaten in their last seven games.

The basics on both games are here.

Excellent update on Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers - increasingly impressive for the Crew this season - is here, while David Beckham gets the contrary treatment from an English newspaper that eloquently makes a brutal point - Becks is playing like crap.

How much does Crew Coach Sigi Schmid want to deliver the knockout blow to the Galaxy's season? Can you say Supporter's Shield?

You've got to figure Chivas USA has much more of a chance against United who are without Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio.

Saturday's college scores:
No. 4 UCLA 1 (8-0-2) Pepperdine 0 (4-6-2).
It was the Bruins' ninth straight shutout; Lauren Cheney got the goal.

Loyola Marymount women 1 Cal State Northridge 0 (5-4-1).
Lily Sorentino scored the winner in the 90trh minute.

Cal State Dominguez Hills women 2 (7-5) Humboldt State 0
CSUDH wins its third consecutive game to move atop the CCAA South standings.

Cal State Dominguez Hills men 2 (10-1-1) Humboldt State 0
No. 14 CSUDH outshot Humboldt 29-6

Finally, LMU junior goalkeeper Patrick Sampson (Lake Oswego, Ore.) became just the second player from the program to win the West Coast Conference's Player of the Month award. His accomplishments included a pair of shutouts against ranked opponents and a conference-low goals-against-average of 0.45 while allowing just two goals and making 24 saves over 400 minutes.

A few soccer nuggets to get your day started:
*There's a crucial game in the tight Western Conference tonight when MLS Player of the Month Darren Huckerby and the San Jose Earthquakes face Kenny Cooper (second in scoring in MLS) and Dallas at 6 tonight on ESPN2 in a game both the Galaxy and Chivas USA will watch closely.

The suddenly hot Earthquakes (one loss in their last 10 games) are tied with the Galaxy for last place with 29 points; Dallas (which has two consecutive wins) has 33 points, three behind Chivas USA.

Both Carson-based teams are on the road Saturday: the Galaxy are in Columbus facing Sigi Schmid and the MLS-leading Crew; Chivas USA are in D.C. playing United, which lost yet again in the CONCACAF Champions League Wednesday 1-0 against Cruz Azul while resting most of their regulars.

Chivas USA defender Shavar Thomas, goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and former DC United forward Alecko Eskandarian preview Saturday's game below:

David Beckham blogs here.

*The third (!) Women's Professional Soccer draft is set for Monday.

L.A. picks fifth, 10th, 12th and 19th in the four-round draft.

*Finally, in college games Wednesday night it was:
UCLA men 2 (2-3-4) UCSB 2 (5-3-1)
No. 5 Creighton 1 (7-1-0) Cal State Northridge men 0 (4-4-1)