Recently in Holiday Gift Guide Category

Is this.

It's what any self-respecting Galaxy fan should be wearing at the opening game of the season to make a massive statement to the front office, don'tchathink?

For other soccer related gift ideas click here.

They actually went on sale Friday at Home Depot Center, but I neglected to mention it.

The highly recommended tournament, with doubleheaders at the HDC set for Jan. 8,9 and 10, is fast approaching.

Tournament details here.

Chivas USA is offering a special InterLiga ticket deal starting at $25 that also includes a ticket to the club's MLS opener.

Here are the details from the (edited) press release:

The special offer gives fans three games for the price of two, between seeing four Mexican First Division clubs in a doubleheader, as well as Chivas USA's first match of the 2009 MLS season.

The first InterLiga doubleheader at Home Depot Center kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 8, with Morelia vs. Pachuca at 6 p.m., followed by Toluca vs. UAG (Tecos) at 8:30 p.m. The action continues the next night, on Friday, Jan. 9, with Club América vs. Atlas at 6:30 p.m., and Chivas de Guadalajara vs. UNAL (Tigres) at 9 p.m. The tournament closes on Sunday, Jan. 11 with the two finals being played at 4:00 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m. The two winners will qualify for the prestigious Copa Libertadores 2009.

The InterLiga Pack costs just $25 for the endline seats, and $60 for seats on the sidelines. In addition to any of the three InterLiga doubleheaders at The Home Depot Center, the Pack also includes a ticket to Chivas USA's 2009 Opening Game, which takes place on Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. against the Colorado Rapids. Call 1-877-CHIVAS-1.

But I'm not talking just any old replica jerseys; I'm talking autographed, and, in some cases, game worn jerseys like these.

This is the perfect solution for the soccer fan in your life if, like me, you're having a little trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year. After all, the proceeds benefit U.S. Soccer's charitable foundation, while as of this writing, some of these jerseys in the auction aren't costing much more than a regular replica jersey would anyway sans autographs.

For instance, there's a Chivas USA jersey autographed by their conference semifinal squad for $75; a game worn Eddie Johnson autographed FC Dallas jersey with a starting bid of $85 - those are pretty good prices even given the extra $10 you have to bid. Bidding ends Monday.

Want some other gift ideas that will help you feel a little better about yourself? Then click here.

Give the gift of balls this holiday season.

We're where Palos Verdes Boulevard T's into Torrance Boulevard in Torrance, BTW.

You know the bloom is off the Beckham rose when his Galaxy replica jersey is on sale at a deep discount this holiday season.

I notice these things because I'd guess more than half of my casual wear - clothes I don't wear to work - is soccer-related. (For the record, I do not own a Beckham shirt, although my wife does). That includes free T-shirts the Galaxy and Chivas USA give away at games, promotional items that show up unannounced in my mailbox at work and the like.

In October for my birthday my geeky GIS-infatuated wife thought it appropriate to present me with a massive 3 1/2 foot X 2 1/2 foot satellite shot of all 125-acres of Home Depot Center. It's a pretty stadium to be sure, but who knew I would have a massive photo of suburban Carson on our living room wall.

So I know a thing or two about soccer-related gifts and merchandise.

I thought I'd offer a little 100 Percent Soccer Holiday gift guide on an irregular basis (read: whenever I find time) through Dec. 24 if only to give me motivation to actually look at the stack of review copies of soccer DVDs and books that have accumulated on my coffee table throughout the year.

First up, aptly enough for the Thanksgiving weekend, are tickets for a second annual charity event at Home Depot Center Jan. 17: the Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer Challenge.

Attendees for the event have yet to be announced, but last year the charity soccer game included the likes of Landon Donovan, Chris Albright, Brad Guzan, Alexi Lalas, Cobi Jones, Kyle Martino, Kristine Lilly, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Brandi Chastain.

Tickets, priced at $20, went on sale last week.

More about the charitable cause that will benefit from the game is here.

Check out the highlights of last year's event: