Wednesday's Telly

11:30 a.m. ESPN2 Manchester United-Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League Final.

4:30 p.m. Direct Kick Toronto FC-D.C. United.

Bradley's Boys

goalkeepers Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC); defenders Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United); midfielders Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Lewis (Derby County); forwards Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (Out of Contract).

And here's the England squad:

David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan); Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough); Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa); forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Galaxy Gossip

Tidbits on a date with the knife for Gullit, Galaxy UEFA Champions League final picks (c'mon, name names) here.

Under-20 Galaxy Rios forward Tristan Bowen has been named the to the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team for the upcoming Lisbon International Tournament, where the U.S. will take on Norway on May 21, Portugal on May 22 and Sweden on May 24. The team plays at the HDC Saturday in the season opener.

Also named: defender Jose Diaz (Chivas USA Academy) and midfielder Mike Roman (Real So Cal).

Foxy Programming

That includes the F.A. Cup as well as the final, finally back on free TV in the U.S.

Other games include the Community Shield and England internationals.

FSC also snared rights to the CONCACAF Champions League, for four seasons beginning in 2008/2009. FSC airs 56 games this year.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I caught up with former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid in today's column.

Is a Crew-Galaxy MLS final in Carson possible, perhaps?

Posted by Nick Green at 5:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Spent the day working on Tuesday's column about former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid (see next post), but noted these items in passing:

The Galaxy's Edson Buddle, 27, he of the mazy run around/through four Dallas defenders and hat trick was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters. Buddle has 57 career MLS goals.

An alternate view: Anaheim's Jorge Flores get a shout-out from the most comprehensive soccer blog around - DuNord - for his performance this weekend.

Details of the Beckham incident Sunday: Beckham received a yellow card in the 76th minute after he got into a shoving match with Adrian Serioux and Arturo Alvarez of FC Dallas (2-3-3). Serioux, who brought Beckham down with a slide tackle, was given a red card and ejected.

"It was a terrible tackle. I could have broken my leg," Beckham said. "It's not my decision to give out cards. The player [Serioux] was saying, 'Welcome, baby, welcome,' afterward."

It was Beckham's second yellow card in two Texas appearances.

Or as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram put it:

In an effort to avert any misunderstanding in the British Parliament, Serioux hails from Canada. We colonists know Beckham is a museum piece.

And former Chivas USA-UCLA striker Matt Taylor keeps popping up.

From a U.S. Soccer press release:

U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage will bring 27 players to a two-week training camp at Home Depot Center in Carson starting today.

At the end of the camp, Sundhage will choose a 20-player roster to compete in the 2008 Peace Queen Cup in South Korea, where the U.S. will play Australia (June 15), Brazil (June 17) and Italy (June 19).

Two players currently recovering from minor surgery - goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart (knee) and captain Christie Rampone (gall bladder) - will join the camp should they be fit enough to participate. Defender Keeley Dowling and midfielder Angie Woznuk return to camp after missing action while recovering from back injuries.

With Barnhart sidelined, Sundhage has called in 2004 Olympic gold medalist Kristin Luckenbill to join Hope Solo and Briana Scurry in the U.S. net.

Sundhage has also called in one player who has yet to see training camp action, giving a look to uncapped defender Kendall Fletcher, a former UNC star and veteran of the U.S. U-21 Women's National Team.

Defender Ali Krieger, who is currently playing for FFC Frankfurt, the top women's club in Germany and one of the best in Europe, will join camp on May 25 after she is released from club duty.

The roster: goalkeepers Kristin Luckenbill (Paoli, Pa.), Briana Scurry (Dayton, Minn.), Hope Solo (Richland, Wash.); defenders Rachel Buehler (Del Mar, Calif.), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis, Mo.), Stephanie Cox (Elk Grove, Calif.), Keeley Dowling (Carmel, Ind.), Kendall Fletcher (Cary, N.C.), Ali Krieger (Dumfries, Va.), Kate Markgraf (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Heather Mitts (Cincinnati, Ohio), Cat Whitehill (Birmingham, Ala.); midfielders Shannon Boxx (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Angela Hucles (Virginia Beach, Va.), Carli Lloyd (Delran, N.J.), Leslie Osborne (Brookfield, Wis.), Lindsay Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Aly Wagner (San Jose, Calif.), Kacey White (Arlington, Texas), Angie Woznuk (El Cajon, Calif.); forwards Lauren Cheney (Indianapolis, Ind.), Natasha Kai (Kahuku, Hawaii), Heather O'Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.), Amy Rodriguez (Lake Forest, Calif.), India Trotter (Plantation, Fla.), Abby Wambach (Rochester, N.Y.).

Finally, (indulge me) Norwich City fans everywhere are glad to see Darren Huckerby hyped as a possible MLS signing by former Canaries striker Ted MacDougall.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just when it was least expected, the Galaxy put on one of the most devastating offensive performances in recent club history, demolishing FC Dallas by a four goal margin in a 5-1 victory Sunday that included an Edson Buddle hat trick.

It was the sort of game that sent you rushing to the record book:
*This was the Galaxy's biggest MLS victory since a a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay in August 2001.

*This was the first road Galaxy 5-1 MLS victory since a Aug. 5, 2000 win over the Wizards.

*Chris Klein made the 93rd consecutive start of his MLS career, tying him with ex-Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman (Peninsula High) for the most consecutive starts in MLS history.

*Buddle's hat trick was the 14th in Galaxy history and the second this season.

*This was the first time Dallas surrendered five goals in a regular season game since a 5-2 loss at Los Angeles in the last game of the 2006 season. The five goals were the most Dallas has ever surrendered at Pizza Hut Park in a regular season game.

*Today's attendance of 22,331, was the largest regular season crowd for a Dallas game at Pizza Hut Park.

The win propelled the Galaxy up the standings.

Meanwhile, the W-League Pali Blues won their first home game decisively Saturday.

The W-League Ventura County Fusion won, but the PDL men lost.

The W-League standings.

Also In the PDL this weekend:
Lancaster Rattlers 0 Los Angeles Legends 5
Southern California Seahorses 1 Lancaster Rattlers 0
Orange County Blue Star 1 San Francisco Seals 1

The league table.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At noon in Dallas on Prime and Telefutura.

Game preview here.

And the crowd here.

Basics here.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

After United's second half collapse, Coach Tom Soehn kept the locker room doors firmly closed for more than a half hour for the first time this season to conduct an internal postmortem.

When he finally did emerge, he looked grim, spoke tersely and softly and generally looked like an employee awaiting a pink slip anytime now.

"We're all held accountable players, coaches everybody," he said. "We gave away the ball too much. In the end we gave them a lot of confidence about how to put pressure on us."

"We threw caution to the wind after they scored, started taking chances and taking risks and they punished us."

So what did he say to his players in the locker room anyway?

Well, this was a common refrain from several players and Soehn:
"Games aren't won over 60 minutes, they're won over 90 minutes."

Jaime Moreno went with the simplest explanation: "We're making mistakes, very simple. That's what we've got to eliminate."

Putting Jesse Marsch back into midfield at the start of the second half was in part to give the defensive midfield more bit and in part to protect young Dan Paladini from picking up a second yellow, so he was pushed out wide right.

You sensed Preki was relieved to escape with this one: "I wasn't sure who I was going to play in the back."

Marsch sounded similarly relieved: "We needed a break. We got the break," he said. "I've been looking for something to rally around so hopefully this can be a turning point."

Oh, and Sueno was "very happy."

Game details here.

Here's how The Washington Post's Steven Goff saw the game

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two second half goals inside three minutes saved this game for Chivas USA - or in truth two incredibly poor D.C. United errors did.

This game wasn't half as good as the 3-1 scoreline suggest; it was one of those games your mother should have told you never to watch, between two frankly bad teams with a combined record of 3-9-2.

As banged up as Chivas USA is, D.C. was in worse shape.

The equalizer came in the 73rd minute, when substitute Jorge Flores beat Quavas Kirk to the ball, D.C goalkeeper Zach Wells made a hash of things and Jess Marsch redeemed himself with a goal.

Three minutes later, Atiba Harris skipped past Gonzalo Martinez along the sideline and crossed to Sacha Kljestan for what proved the winning goal.

Sueno scored the third eight minutes from time, too, with Wells guilty (again) of some very suspect goalkeeping.

It's the first time Chivas USA has ever - ever - come from behind to win a game and the first time they've ever beaten United.

The biggest question after this game: how long has D.C. Coach Tom Soehn got left?

Dressed in a black suit and crisp white shirt, one press box wit observed he looked like a mortician.

Appropriate, given that United's season already looks all but dead and buried.

Back with more from the locker room later.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It took Jesse Marsch half an hour to make an impression at sweeper.

A bad one.

Marsch was comprehensively beaten by Marcelo Gallardo just outside the top of the box, who put D.C. one up with a sweet move and shot.

Jaime Moreno almost added to his MLS goal total in first half stoppage time, sending a shot skimming over the bar that looked to have been redirected by Brad Guzan.

And that was largely it for on-field highlights.

Chivas USA finished the half without a shot on target; D.C. had a half dozen total, Chivas USA just one.

Razov had a goal disallowed for offside, by the way.

On a side note, Chivas USA has apparently found one way to fill the stands: invite really big high school bands to the game.

Legion 1908 is boycotting their second consecutive home game tonight.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wholesale changes for Chivas USA tonight, with all four of their regular starters in defense out, including Shavar Thomas and Claudio Suarez (both with hamstring problems).

Eric Ebert is dropped from the back line, although Bobby Burling retains his place in defense alongside Jim Curtin and veteran Jesse Marsch (now 10th on the all-time list of top flight games played in the U.S., according to the National Soccer Hall of Fame) assumes a sweeper role for the first time since he was age 13 in Racine, Wisc.

Daniel Paladini makes his first-ever start in midfield, along with Panchito Mendoza (listed as a defender, but he really isn't), Sacha Kljestan and Paulo Nagamura. Justin Braun presumably is playing as a withdrawn striker.

Up front Atiba Harris deputizes for the injured Maykel Galindo and partners Ante Razov.

On the bench is well, virtually no one of note, although Jorge "Sueno" Flores scored a goal and had an assist in two games the U.S. Under-20 team played recently in England.

D.C. United also makes several changes from the team that was shut out for a second consecutive game against the Chicago Fire in their last outing.

Zach Wells is in goal as usual, but Marc Burch moves to defense, Dominic Mediate replaces Gonzalo Peralta and Gonzalo Martinez also starts.

Two changes in midfield for D.C. United with Ryan Cordeiro and Marcelo Gallardo drafted in alongside Santino Quaranta andClyde Sims.

Jaime Moreno partners former New York Red Bull striker Francis Doe, making his first start with D.C., in attack.

Luciano Emilio is on the bench, as is former Galaxy midfielder Quavas Kirk.

The game is on Fox Soccer Channel.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Former Galaxy Coach and South Bay boy Sigi Schmid continued his undefeated streak at the helm of the Columbus Crew today, drawing 0-0 against fast-improving Toronto FC

The league-leading Crew are now undefeated in six games, while Toronto's five-game unbeaten stretch establishes a new club record.

Great atmosphere and competent commentators on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp feed added to the EPL Lite feel (almost half of Toronto's lineup played in the U.K.).

Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers had a shot cleared off the line.

You can almost heart Sigi saying: "Goals change games."

By the way, assuming Sigi answers my e-mail, I'll have more on the Crew and Rogers in my Tuesday column.

Off to the Chivas USA game in a few minutes and you've got to wonder: are these two teams meant for each other?

From this morning's Washington Post:

Chivas USA, crippled by injuries to its back line and next to last in the Western Conference with a 1-4-2 record, might be the perfect opponent for an equally stressed team.

"We are as bad as they are," United midfielder-forward Santino Quaranta said. "They're struggling, and so are we."

Let's hope it's a half-decent game.

Lastly, a reminder the Galaxy PR folks sent out to me this morning: "I wanted to make sure that you know our game will also be on FSN Primeticket on Sunday with pregame show at 11:30am."

Nope, didn't. Thanks.

Posted by Nick Green at 5:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Under normal circumstances, Chivas USA Coach Preki would be licking his lips at the prospect of playing a 2-5 D.C. United.

Not today.

The game is on Fox Soccer Channel at 7:30 p.m. or if you're going don't forget to pick up your Mickey Mouse ears at the gate (try writing that with a straight face).

What's the issue, Jaime Moreno?

"The reason is very simple - we're not playing well. We worked so hard through preseason and got to this point where at the end of the day, it's the players who play. The coaches can do so much. The players who step on the field have to do the job and unfortunately we haven't done our job."

Back later blogging from the game.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With a gorgeous weekend for watching if not playing soccer forecast, here's a preview of the options on tap locally this weekend.

Chivas USA plays D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Home Depot Center and live on Fox Soccer Channel, while the Galaxy is on the road in Dallas for a game that airs at noon Sunday on Telefutura.

It's a big day in England Saturday with the annual finale to the season, the F.A. Cup final. The game begins at 7 a.m. local time on pay-per-view and at your favorite English pub.

In live action, W-League expansion team Pali Blues plays its first-ever game in Pacific Palisades Saturday against the Los Angeles Legends.

In the Pacific Development League, the Lancaster Rattlers plays the Los Angeles Legends at 7:30 tonight at Cougar Stadium in Glendora.

Other PDL games this weekend include:
Ventura County Fusion at San Jose Frogs
Southern California Seahorses at Lancaster Rattlers at 7 p.m. at Pete Knight High.
Orange County Blue Star at San Francisco Seals

Have a great weekend. I'll blog from Carson as usual Saturday and be back later with a game preview.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy's Landon Donovan Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers of the Columbus Crew, Fontana's Maurice Edu of FC Toronto and Chivas USA's Brad Guzan and Sacha Kljestan were among a pool of 33 players U.S. Coach Bob Bradley has selected for consideration for three upcoming friendlies.

Rogers is one of five uncapped players included in the pool. Others looking for their first cap: San Luis Obispo's Chris Seitz, Orange's Michael Orozco, Modesto's Heath Pierce and goalkeepers Troy Perkins and Dominic Cervi.

DaMarcus Beasley returns to the squad after injury.

There is at least one surprise. Or as one colleague so eloquently put it when he saw the pool: (former Galaxy forward) "Nate frikkin Jaqua???"

Prominent names not included: Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, Bobby Convey (injured) and Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein of Los Alamitos, who suffered a serious knee injury last week.

Pool: goalkeepers Dominic Cervi (Out of Contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake); defenders Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Dan Califf (FC Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United); midfielders Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids); forwards Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nate Jaqua (Out of Contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Josh Wolff (1860 Munich).

The U.S., which is on a five-game unbeaten run, plays in England May 28, Spain June 4 and against Argentina in New Jersey June 8. The three games lead up to the June 15 opening World Cup qualifier against Barbados at Home Depot Center.

The 22-man roster for the England game will be announced next week.

Said Bradley: "With the challenging schedule of friendlies we have organized to prepare for World Cup qualifying, this is an excellent opportunity to continue to evaluate our player pool and at the same time balance the workload. Many of our players have just completed seasons in Europe, and the MLS schedule is in full swing, so it is important that we manage the time wisely to give ourselves the best chance to be successful in the important matches this summer."

Posted by Nick Green at 11:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Damaged Goods

OUT - Charles Alamo (R-Knee Surgery)

DOUBTFUL - None

QUESTIONABLE - Ely Allen (R-Hamstring), Edson Buddle (R-Hamstring), Landon Donovan (R-Calf), Alvaro Pires (L-Knee), Carlos Ruiz (R-Knee Surgery), Peter Vagenas (R-Quad)

PROBABLE - Ante Jazic (R-Ankle Surgery)

Jazic played for the first time since December on Tuesday against Vancouver and will continue to train this week. All other injured players, with the exception of Alamo, are schedule to take part in portions of training this week in the lead up to the game against FC Dallas this weekend.

Meanwhile, Alamo continues on the second phase of his rehabilitation process

Barca Back

Barcelona played CD Guadalajara at the Coliseum in 2006, as part of a three-game U.S. tour, drawing 1-1 in front of 92,650.

Olympic Run-In

"It's always good to get great games before you go to the Olympics and what better team to play than Brazil," said U.S. midfielder Shannon Boxx of Torrance, who has started 12 of the 14 games the USA has played this year. "It's always an exciting game playing Brazil so these will be good tests to give us confidence heading into the Olympics. Obviously, we didn't do well against them in the World Cup so it will be beneficial for our team to play them a few times beforehand in case we do meet them in China."

UCLA Schedule

The Bruins will have nine games against teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament a year ago.

Here are the home games at Drake Stadium:
Date Opponent
Aug. 29 Maryland
Aug. 31 UC Riverside
Sept. 12 Indiana
Sept. 20 Santa Clara
Sept. 28 Cal State Northridge
Oct. 1 UC Santa Barbara
Oct. 5 San Diego State*#
Oct. 17 Washington*
Oct. 19 Oregon State*
Oct. 31 California*#
Nov. 2 Stanford*#
Nov. 5 Cal Poly
* Pac-10 Conference game
# Doubleheader with UCLA women's soccer team

Posted by Nick Green at 7:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CONCACAF made official today what was widely expected anyway, naming Chivas USA as one of four U.S. entries in the inaugural Champions League that kicks off this summer.

Chivas USA qualifies by virtue of owning the second highest points total during the MLS regular season.

That slot was originally allocated to the U.S. Open Cup champion (thereby making that neglected competition more meaningful), but winners the New England Revolution qualified anyway by being MLS Cup runners-up, allowing Chivas USA to move into that slot.

The other U.S. qualifiers are MLS champions the Houston Dynamo and D.C. United, who collected the most points during the regular season.

Chivas USA is one of 16 entrants (eight receive a bye in the preliminary stage) that will play home and away games Aug. 26-28 and Sept. 2-4 to qualify for the round robin final 16 stage played Sept. 16-Oct. 30.

Chivas USA will learn its first round opponent June 11 when the draw is conducted.

Also today, voting begins for the MLS All-Star game against West Ham United July 24 at the league Web site.

Robbie Rogers' exploits last weekend earned him a profile here.

Despite what the article says, Rogers grew up in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula as most readers of this blog know by now. We're not going to let Surf City claim him.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy lost to the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in Edmonton Tuesday with David Beckham nursing a sore foot by game's end.

Great.

And where is Peter Vagenas?

A helluva less pointless game is Wednesday's Glasgow Rangers-Zenit St. Petersburg UEFA Cup Final.

Locally, there's a free viewing party for Rangers fans at downtown Torrance's best dive bar The Crest.

Kickoff is at 11:30 a.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

Lastly, UCLA has signed U.S. youth international midfielder/forward Eder Arreola (Chino Hills/Edison Academic Center), forward Prince Lapnet (Silver Spring, Maryland) and defender Victor Yanez (Riverside/Patriot High) to national letters of intent

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For today's column I looked at the imploding Chivas USA defense and the potential consequences for their season.

Meanwhile, David Beckham and the Galaxy arrived in Edmonton Monday for tonight's extraneous game against the Whitecaps where more than 30,000 tickets have been sold.

Longtime injury victim Ante Jazic may return to action tonight for the Galaxy.

Landon Donovan will apparently be absent though, while Canadians are lamenting Beckham's likely non-appearance at the game against FC Toronto at month's end.

Incidentally, the game is televised beginning at 6 p.m. locally on Channel 22.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Coach Peter Nowak named three Galaxy players to an experimental U.S. Under-23 National Team squad for the upcoming Toulon Tournament.

"This tournament will give us an opportunity to have a look at some players we have had in previous camps, and also a look at the new faces," said Nowak. "We don't want to be short-sighted with our selection for the Olympics. We want a whole picture that includes a variety of players, and to make sure we see every option before we make final choices."

Selected were Mike Gavin, Bryan Jordan and Julian Valentin.

The U.S. plays Turkey May 21, Ivory Coast May 23 and Italy May 25.

All games are on Fox Soccer Channel.

The full squad: Goalkeepers Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake), Quentin Westberg (Troyes AC); defenders Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Eric Brunner (out of contract), Kyle Davies (Southampton), Michael Gavin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Jonathan Leathers (Kansas City Wizards), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Julian Valentin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Rob Valentino (New England Revolution), Blake Wagner (FC Dallas) ; midfielders Bryan Arguez (Hertha Berlin), Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), Greg Dalby (SC Charleroi), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Lee Nguyen (Randers FC); forwards Gabe Ferrari (Sampdoria), Bryan Jordan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ellis McLoughlin (Hertha Berlin), Sammy Ochoa (Tecos).

No recall for Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers, but then if Nowak was paying attention over the weekend, he knows what the Columbus Crew midfielder is capable of:

Updated: Rogers' two-goal performance earned him MLS Player of the Week honors (his first such award) Monday from the North American Soccer Reporters.

It's is the Crew's best-ever start to a season and Sigi Schmid's, too.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

It didn't take long for the New England Revolution to begin counting the cost of its first-ever victory over Chivas USA in Southern California.

Striker Taylor Twellman, whose 59th minute winner was his first of the season, was visibly distressed after the game with the severity of an apparent second half ankle injury that almost resulted in him being pulled just 14 minutes after coming on as a half time sub.

"My fingers are crossed for myself," he said. "It doesn't look good, but what are you going to do?

"I can't even walk on it right now, that's what scares the shit out of me" he said, adding he initially believed Chivas USA defender Shavar Thomas had kicked him (he hadn't).

Twellman said he could have had a second at game's end, but for the injury.

"I would have had a second if my ankle was attached to my leg," he said. "That was the most painful shot I've ever taken."

Twellman was initially slated as a starter for the season opener against Houston, but was removed from the lineup after experiencing discomfort in his right knee during warm-ups.
He underwent surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his right knee on April 2, and returned just ahead of the expected six to eight rehab period.

Twellman, fifth on the MLS career goalscoring list, scored his 92nd career goal, his fourth in four games.

Chivas USA Coach Preki was in a fatalistic move after the game.

"We scrambled to put a back line together," he said. "We did a decent job. But we had a couple of break-downs and we got punished."

Preki described it as a "strange game," observing that the early domination of Chivas USA did not result in goals, which "took the wind out of our sails."

"In a lot of ways, I thought it was a little bit of a lop-sided score," he said.

But, he noted, Chivas USA remains just four points out of first place in the Western Conference.

Quote of the day goes to Preki: "It is what it is," he said. "What we have is what we have."

Um, yeah.

Also noted:
*Steve Ralston made MLS history at the 16th minute, becoming the first player in MLS to reach the 30,000-minutes-played mark.

*Today marked Ralston's first start since the season opener when he dislocated his left shoulder, forcing him to miss the next five games.

*Ralston's assist today was his 34th career game-winning assist, giving him sole possession of first place on MLS' all-time list. He had been tied with former Tampa Bay Mutiny teammate Carlos Valderrama.

* Former Galaxy defender Chris Albright also got his first assist for the club today.
"Those are the best kind, the ones you don't have to work for," he said.

Incidentally, Albright is enjoying his new career in New England.

"The veterans on this team have such a good work ethic," he said. "That's what makes this team go. The best players on this team show up and put in 110 percent every game."

Next up for 1-4-2 Chivas USA: D.C. United at home on Saturday.

Where were all the moms? The attendance today was just 10,927.

Updated: Game details are here.

Posted by Nick Green at 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In retrospect this was a game the Revs had all but sewn up by half time when striker Taylor Twellman was introduced.

He duly scored 14 minutes after coming onto the field to make the final score 2-1, out-running journeyman Jim Curtin and making him look like the ordinary defender that he is while tracking onto a Steve Ralston pass.

Twellman could have had a second four minutes from time, but sent the shot wide.

Chivas USA Coach Preki manfully attempted to stave off what seemed inevitable introducing midfielder Daniel Paladini for his first MLS game (and promptly collecting a yellow card after an awful challenge on Larentowicz).

Preki also sent on strikers Atiba Harris and Justin Braun.

Braun actually tapped in his first MLS goal from Galindo in second half stoppage time, but it was too little too late.

More from the locker rooms later.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It didn't take long for the makeshift Chivas USA back line to become the story of the opening 45 minutes, the Revs taking a 1-0 lead on a Kenny Mansally strike, his second of the season.

But Chivas USA spurned a couple of early chances to allow the Revs to take the advantage.

MLS debutant Bobby Burling (LMU) put a chance over the bar in the third minute, while Jesse Marsch, with acres of space alone in front of the net, somehow shanked an Ante Razov cross wide.

The Revs countered in the 18th minute, easily breaching the Chivas USA rearguard when Jeff Larentowicz threaded a ball through a porous defense to find Mansally, who slotted home the ball past a helpless Brad Guzan. Former Galaxy defender Chris Albright initiated the sequence.

It could have been worse.

Guzan tipped a dangerous Mauricio Castro shot over the bar shortly before half time to ensure the Revs didn't double their lead.

Moreover, Eric Ebert almost gifted the Revs a goal in the 16th minute, an errant back pass to Guzan picked off by Mansally, who was stopped by an approaching Guzan.

Two notes: apparently Cary Talley was signed from Real Salt Lake already injured, which pretty much sums up the plight of Chivas USA.

Also, after the Galaxy game a member of Legion 1908 committed an "act of violence" against a Galaxy fan and was suspended for two games.

In solidarity, members of Legion 1908 decided to boycott today's game.

The team has adoped a no violence no tolerance toward violence policy in the wake of several reported instances of fan problems, including a stabbing of a Chivas USA fan in Houston, club officials said.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

It's not just the stands that are bare this morning, so is the Chivas USA (1-3-2) squad.

It's virtually an all new back four for Chivas USA against the Revs (3-3-1).

Shavar Thomas is the lone holdover, with Eric Ebert making his first MLS start and Bobby Burling of Loyola Marymount his MLS debut, alongside veteran Jim Curtin.

The rest of the starting XI is the same as the one that began the scoreless draw against the Dynamo last weekend.

Brad Guzan mans the net, Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura and Panchito Mendoza are the midfielders, while Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo are the attackers.

New signing Carey Talley isn't even on the bench.

Chivas USA are seeking their first win in four games.

The Revs are in similar disarray, looking to halt a run of one victory in the last four games.

Coach Steve Nichol reverts to a three-man back line from the team that lost 3-0 to Chicago last weekend.

Former Galaxy favorite Chris Albright, Jay Heaps and Michael Parkhurt line up in front of goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

In midfield, it's Steve Ralston, Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz and Mauricio Castro.

Kenny Manselly and Khano Smith are up front.

Chivas USA will undoubtedly be relieved that striker Taylor Twellman, who is not fully
fit, starts on the bench although he's expected to see action around the 70th minute or so.

Twellman must relish his chances against the inexperienced Chivas USA defense.

Before I forget, as expected Manchester United pipped Chelsea for the EPL crown today.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good morning to all the mothers who will be whisked off to a futbol game in a couple of hours, injury-stricken Chivas USA taking on the inconsistent New England Revolution at noon at Home Depot Center.

Chivas USA points out how they're going to make the game worth mom's time in their press release:

Mom gets free admission to the game, a complimentary flower (in Chivas colors of Red and White) and a '#1 Mom' Appreciation Certificate upon arrival at the gate. In-stadium, Mary Kay will be on-hand providing complimentary makeovers to all Moms at the popular ChivaTown fan zone, while Donna Karan and Avon will also be distributing complementary perfume and cosmetics samples.

For those who are unable able to bring Mom to the game, Chivas USA's Official Wireless Provider, Sprint, will give fans the opportunity to 'Make a Call to Mom on Us' with special call centers, offering free phone calls within the United States and Mexico, inside the stadium. (Limit one five-minute call per person.)

Meanwhile, on the field, Chivas USA invites Moms to get involved in the action, as a 'Parade of Moms' processes around the playing surface before kickoff; 'Dream Moms' and 'High-Five Moms' accompany the 22 players onto the pitch; and 'Ball Moms' keep the soccer action going on corner kicks, throw-ins and goal kicks.

As for the actual game, there are previews here and here.

In other local action, the S.F. Quakes surrendered a two-goal lead against the Ventura Fusion Saturday.

In the opening game of a doubleheader, the W-League Pali Blues won their first-ever game 5-0 over the Fusion.

In other local PDL scores Saturday:
Fresno Fuego 2 Southern California Seahorses 1
San Jose Frogs 2 Lancaster Rattlers 0
Los Angeles Legends 0 Bakersfield Brigade 0

Former MLS star Eric Wynalda was subbed out by the Brigade in the scoreless draw.

Meanwhile, the U.S. women went on a tear Saturday against Canada.

Happy Mother's Day.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If this were a London tabloid, the headline would read "Reeling Ruud Rips Becks."

In actuality, of course, the criticism of David Beckham by the Galaxy coach was couched in more eloquent terms than that, but it was criticism nevertheless.

"He played too far up," Gullit said. "Mikey and David, they played themselves out of the game."

Credit in part goes to Dave van den Bergh, said Red Bull Coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who credited the former Dutch international with "very effectively" playing against Beckham and visibly frustrating him.

Beckham almost conceded he had met his match in the experienced former Ajax midfielder.

"It's always nice to have a battle on the field," he said, acknowledging a "couple of clashes" that were "nothing out of the ordinary."

Incidentally, Beckham agreed with Gullit's assessment of his performance.

"There were certain times I may have been too forward," he said adding that he was perhaps a little too preoccupied looking for a "killer pass" to split the New York defense.

He acknowledged too, the more than a hint of fragility that cloaks a Galaxy team so dependent on himself and Landon Donovan, who was largely invisible in the second half especially.

"People can't rely too much on Landon scoring every week," he said. "We have to find ways of beating teams when some players aren't scoring and others aren't assisting."

Quote of the Night from Becks, commenting on the team's inexperience: "We're still young - some of us."

Ruud didn't sound in the mood to use youth as an excuse and obliquely criticized his veteran players.

"Sometimes in a game, I don't know what it is, we switch off," he said. "We think we can do it with talent. That's not the case, we have to work hard."

"We battled well, I don't think we played well," Gullit said. "It cost this team a lot of energy to come from a goal down."

In contrast, Osorio was pleased with a "massive" three points and going undefeated three games in a row now.

"We have gotten results with different systems," he said, adding the team had been successful both with three at the back and four at the back. "The team seems very solid and we have allowed teams very few chances."

A handwritten sign left behind in the stands after the game perhaps summed things up: "We want more goals, Landon," it read.

Game story here..

Almost forgot: Sorely-missed striker Carlos Ruiz is expected back from injury perhaps as soon as the May 24 game against Kansas City.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not mentioning that Galaxy Equipment Coordinator Jose Vega worked his last game with the team Saturday before starting work as equipment manager with the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Wilmington resident had been with the Galaxy since 1998.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Both goals in this 2-1 Red Bull victory came within a two minute second half span.

The Galaxy (briefly) equalized, Alan Gordon spinning onto a Mike Randolph cross to squeeze off a shot between two New York defenders in the 77th minute.

But the Galaxy immediately fell asleep and New York regained the lead a minute later, Juan Pablo Angel sprinting past a static defense and getting off a shot that gave goalkeeper Steve Cronin no chance.

Jozy Altidore was largely invisible for New York, Landon Donovan wasn't much more visible for large chunks of the second half for the Galaxy, while Beckham worked his butt off to little effect.

He did get booked in the 67th minute for what appeared a deliberately late challenge on Dave van den Bergh that a press box colleague observed looked a lot like payback.

Beckham and van den Bergh had gone at it in New York last season.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A goal by New York's Danleigh Borman in only his second MLS start separates the teams in Carson.

It was a closely contested affair in the opening half with both teams, perhaps aware of their defensive liabilities, determined not to give much away.

Clear cut attacks were a relative rarity for both teams, who are tied 3-3 in shots.

Alan Gordon actually had the ball in the net for the Galaxy in the third minute, but was clearly offside.

The goal came 21 minutes in, Hunter Freeman's long throw being met by Juan Pablo Angel who sent the ball into the path of Josy Altidore. His shot was blocked, but Borman was there to pick up the rebound.

New York arguably could have had a penalty as well after Troy Roberts appeared to pull down Altidore, but the referee rejected any claim.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With striker Edson Buddle out with a hamstring problem, Alan Gordon constitutes the sole change for the Galaxy.

Coach Ruud Gullit's starting 11: goalkeeper Steve Cronin; defenders Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Troy Roberts, Greg Vanney; midfielders David Beckham, Joe Franchino, Brandon McDonald, Mike Randolph; forwards Landon Donovan and Gordon.

New York makes two changes with playmaker Claudio Reyna out injured with a calf strain suffered in the warm up before the Red Bull-Toronto 1-1 tie 10 days ago. Seth Stammler is also missing.

The New York line-up: goalkeeper Jon Conway; defenders Hunter Freeman, Jeff Parke, Kevin Goldthwaite; midfielders Dane Richards, Danleigh Borman, Luke Sassano and Dave van den bergh; forwards Jozy Altidore, Mike Magee and Juan Pablo Angel.

The Galaxy (2-2-2) record against (2-1-2) New York: 12-13-4.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Galaxy Preview

But more importantly, it's BritWeek (more on that later).

Game preview here.

As usual, Red Bull Claudio Reyna is out injured for this one, proving yet again he's not New York's answer to David Beckham.

Speaking of Becks, the folks over at StubHub sent over these stats that show average Galaxy ticket prices on their site have almost tripled, while the volume of ticket sales has soared compared with 2007.

1st home game $26 (2007) Vs. $55 (2008). Sales volume increase: 450%.
2nd home game $28 Vs. $51. Up 60%
3rd home game $18 Vs. $46. Up 2000%
4th home game $32 4/26 Vs. $55. Up 400%

The Becks effect?

Meanwhile, the Galaxy, late in getting their youth development program going, have belatedly made a commitment.

From the press release:

Galaxy Rios, the official youth development program of the LA Galaxy, will enter a team in the USL Super-20 League for the 2008 season.

The LA Galaxy, who are one of three MLS teams to have a club placed in the Super-20 League, will be one of six teams in the Pacific Southern California League.

The coach: Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo.

The roster includes UCLA products David Estrada, Kyle Nakazawa of Palos Verdes Estates, Brian Perk and Michael Stephans; Rafael Garcia and Camillo Rojas of Cal State Northridge; Amani Walker of UC-Irvine; and U.S. Under-18 National Team player Tristan Bowen, the first player ever signed to the Galaxy Rios, and his brother Travis Bowen.

Wonder what the S.F. Quakes think about Nakazawa's departure from their squad?

Galaxy Rios opens their season 5 p.m. Sunday against the Ventura County Fusion at Ventura College.

Here's the complete season schedule:
May 24 vs. Poway Vaqueros 1:30 p.m. Home Depot Center
June 4 at Riverside MGFM (Kickoff TBD)
June 8 at Lancaster Rattlers 4 p.m. Lancaster National Soccer Center
June 15 at Poway Vaqueros 2 p.m. Poway High School
June 22 vs. Bakersfield Brigade 1 p.m. Home Depot Center
June 29 vs. Ventura County Fusion 5 p.m. Home Depot Center
July 5 at Bakersfield Brigade 5 p.m. Bakersfield Christian High School
July 12 vs. Lancaster Rattlers 1 p.m. Home Depot Center
July 13 vs. Riverside MGFM Kickoff TBD Home Depot Center

Chivas Deals

Over in England, Chivas USA midfielder Jorge Flores scored a goal and an assist in the first two friendlies for the U.S. Under-20 National Team on its short tour there.

Flores scored the game-winner on a penalty kick Wednesday in a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers Reserves and grabbed an assist a day later in a 2-1 win over Manchester United Reserves by a score of 2-1. The team plays Liverpool Reserves today.

The Chivas USA U-18 and U-16 teams both play Pateadores in away games this Saturday at Cal-State Fullerton.

The U-16 team, with two consecutive wins against conference opponents, plays at noon against first-place Pateadores team, with the U-18 game following at 2:30 p.m.

U.S. Women

The match in Sweden marks the return of U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage to her native country where she will face her home country for the first time as U.S. coach.

Local Games This Weekend

The Fusion's PDL team hosts the San Fernando Valley Quakes at 7:30 p.m. in the nightcap.

Other games include:
Fresno Fuego at Southern California Seahorses 7 p.m. La Mirada High
San Jose Frogs at Lancaster Rattlers 7 p.m. Pete Knight High.

BritWeek

Missed the earlier videos?

Click here and here and here.

Those who want to delve more deeply into the genre could do worse than checking out this box set (although I could quibble with a few tracks on the last disc).

Posted by Nick Green at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

*U.S. Soccer has announced that tickets for the first U.S. World Cup qualifying match June 15 in Carson against Barbados go on sale at noon Sunday.

Tickets are $19-$66. Call (213)-480-3232.

*The TV schedule for Euro 2008 is out.

There will be five games on ESPN Classic, 17 on ESPN2 and seven on ESPN. ABC will broadcast two matches - a quarterfinal June 21 and the Euro 2008 title match June 29.

Games are generally at 8:50 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. daily. Time to take the month off?

The title game will be preceded by the noon Galaxy-D.C. United game.

*Fox Soccer Channel will show all 16 games over the 10-day Toulon International Tournament May 20-29 including the three U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team games.

The U.S. games:
6:30 a.m. May 21 Vs. Turkey
9:30 a.m. May 23 Vs. Ivory Coast
9 a.m. May 25 Vs. Italy

With their final game of the season sadly only available on the pricey Setanta channel, American soccer fans will still be pulling for Fulhamerica to make an unlikely escape from relegation. The team will ensure their safety with a win Saturday over Portsmouth. Here's a preview.

Loyola Marymount announced the signing of three more players: defender Adam Jackson (Palos Verdes High); goalkeeper Max Young (South Torrance High); and midfielder Fernando Barba (Animo).

Finally, W-League expansion team Pali Blues have announced the signing of 2006 Big East Defender of the Year Carrie Dew (Notre Dame).

The Blues open their season Saturday in Ventura.

I'll have more later today on all the local soccer action in an around LA this weekend.

Plus, more Britpop!

Posted by Nick Green at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Palos Verdes' John Thorrington of the Chicago Fire is the man of the hour in MLS.

Here's another take on the twists and turns of his career ahead of tonight's nationally televised game between the Fire and D. C. United including why he didn't come back to Southern California to play with the Galaxy.

More on Chivas USA defender Lawson Vaughn and his horrific facial injury, a preview of tonight's game and a look ahead at the two MLS games on tap this weekend at the HDC is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Nothing earth-shattering here, but the Galaxy's Chris Klein spoke with The Kansas City Star about what its like to play with David Beckham.

Also, U.S. Soccer announced all the Under-23 Men's National Team games at the annual tournament in Toulon, France will be aired on Fox Soccer Channel.

The nine-day, eight-team tournament runs from May 20-29

The U.S. opens against Turkey on May 21 before facing two Olympic-bound teams in Italy on May 23 and the Ivory Coast on May 25.

Closer to home, the U.S. boys Under-14 team is currently in camp at the HDC in Carson.

Locals participating include goalkeeper Josh McNeely (Hidden Hills), midfielders Eric Gonzales (Corona), Alejandro Guido (Chula Vista), Aldo Magana (Ontario), Oscar Ortega (San Ysidro), and forwards Esteban Rodriguez (Bell Gardens) and Sebastian Velasquez (Los Angeles).

Lots of Latino surnames in a sign U.S. Soccer is belatedly tapping that demographic group for talent.

Cal State Dominguez Hills has honored Sandy Lloyd (Fountain Valley) with the Hal Charnofsky CSUDH Memorial Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

And how's this for the stat of the week: Through 39 contests in 2008, no MLS team has lost after scoring the first goal. Teams that score first have gone 32-0-7. Last year, the teams that scored first went 134-21-34 overall.

Finally, the 100 Percent Soccer blog continues its salute to BritWeek, which culminates with the Galaxy game Saturday, with the following two little-known Britpop gems.

First up is the aptly-named Lush with its minor U.S. hit "For Love" from the early 1990s.

And as a bonus, here's England's Sunscreem, a band that predated Britpop, but nonetheless earned props for managing to find a word in the English language that rhymes with "purple".

On a completely unrelated note, the chronic technical glitches that have plagued this blog for months are now history or so I'm told. Those whose comments have been lost into the ether should feel free to resubmit them. Or not.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So BritWeek is actually a BritMonth.

But before we get to that it's worth noting:
*That today's column provoked a lively debate here.
*Chivas USA defender Lawson Vaughn underwent surgery over the weekend at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance. The procedure, performed by Dr. Jay W. Granzow included a surgical repair of Vaughn's nose, which was broken in several places, as well as repair to a laceration on his right cheek, which required 32 stitches.
*This was Chivas USA's Monday.

Back to BritWeek, otherwise known as an excuse to highlight obscure Britpop bands. Such as Ride who had a hit with this song.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Blogging 101 says post lists.

It stimulates debate, gets hits and prompts angry e-mails.

Let's see how I do with this.

The news last weekend of the predicament of D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen prompted the topic.

As one reader already observed this morning via e-mail, it was good that I didn't have to consider Chicago Fire midfielder John Thorrington of Palos Verdes for inclusion given his recent unexpected career resurgence. For the same reason former Galaxy midfielder Santino Quaranta, once the youngest player ever signed by MLS you'll recall, didn't get a mention either.

Sadly though Playa del Rey's John O'Brien did.

Incidentally, a colleague who recently interviewed the usually media-shy O'Brien over a couple of beers at a Santa Monica bar, said that he's taking things easy trying to decide what to do with his life.

O'Brien did briefly resurface into the public eye this past weekend though, scoring the winning goal at a beach soccer tournament.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

And so shall 100 Percent Soccer.

This is BritWeek.

The Galaxy announced the celebs today who will play in a showbiz game Saturday before the main event against NYRB: (from the press release)

film and television stars Julian Sands, Michael Sheen, and Anthony LaPaglia; TV personality Ross King; soap stars from General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, and Days of Our Lives; music stars Rivers Cuomo from Weezer, and the Marley brothers; not to mention soccer legends Alexi Lalas, Cobi Jones, and Frank LeBoeuf.

Two British bands play after the 4:30 p.m. celebs game: I-94and Delta Fiasco.

Things to know:
*There's an aptly named Pasadena joint named the Beckham Grill.
*BritWeek is the brainchild of Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol), celebrates British influence in the Los Angeles entertainment industry, together with 50 years of the British Consul having permanent official residence here.
*The first 4,000 fans entering the stadium will receive the second of three Galaxy collector series T-Shirts to be given away this season.
*The musical contribution to this event apparently consists of Duran Duran and Joss Stone.

So since BritWeek screams Britpop I couldn't resist making my own contribution. Look for more all week long.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

PDL team the San Fernando Quakes won their home opener Sunday before a crowd of about 300 at Calabasas High, beating the Southern California Seahorses 3-1.

Game details here.

Other scores from this weekend's local PDL games:
Los Angeles Legends 1 Orange County Blue Star 0
Bakersfield Brigade 2 Lancaster Rattlers 2

The standings after the first round of games.

Meanwhile, South (Torrance) High product Jack Stewart, punted by Real Salt Lake after a series of horrendous defensive miscues, has resurfaced - in Norway.

He has yet to play a game, but former RSL exec Steve Pastorino caught up with him and briefly blogged:

Stewart checked in from Moss FK, where the team has four ties and a win in its first five games. "The transition to European football hasn't been that tough," he wrote in an e-mail. "The biggest change has been in myself, trying to find the form I had before I entered MLS and coaches tried to change how I play. It's all about confidence in self and they preach that a lot over here."

Posted by Nick Green at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

David Beckham scored a brace and Landon Donovan nabbed an assist to pace the Galaxy to a 2-2 road tie with Real Salt Lake Saturday (who was that prescient columnist who talked about the Becks and Donovan Road Show earlier this week?).

Game details here.

Chivas USA (1-3-2), meanwhile, snapped a three-game losing streak by grinding out a scoreless draw Saturday at Houston, remaining tied with the Galaxy's opponents on the evening for fourth in the Western Conference.

"We knew it was going to be a tight game," said Chivas USA Coach Preki. "I'm proud of the way we played, the way we defended as a group, finally. We played like we played last year."

Noteworthy:
* Chivas USA's veteran defender Claudio Suárez, earned a red for a foul on Houston's Brian Mullan in the 82nd minute.

*Chivas USA defender Lawson Vaughn exited the match in the 13th minute with a broken nose and a gash on his right cheek, after being struck in the face by Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario's during a thwarted bicycle kick attempt.

*Referee Jozef Batko showed nine cards during the match (eight yellow and one red), an MLS high so far this season.

*Chivas USA's first choice strike force of Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo made their first start together since last September.

*Goalkeeper Brad Guzan earned his first clean sheet of the season, a week after conceding a career-high five goals against the Galaxy.

The Chivas USA lineup: Brad Guzan, Lawson Vaughn (Chris Pozniak 13), Claudio Suarez, Shavar Thomas (Jim Curtin 62), Jonathan Bornstein, Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza, Maykel Galindo, Ante Razov (Justin Braun 78).

Substitutes Not Used: Atiba Harris, Dan Kennedy, Daniel Paladini, Keith Savage

Oh, and hold the Mickey Mouse jokes: Chivas USA take its official 2008 team photograph Monday at Disney's California Adventure.

In other games Saturday, the career of Palos Verdes' John Thorrington continues to sustain a second wind; he scored one and also got an assist in the Chicago Fire's comfortable 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution. Thorrington now has three goals on the season.

Also getting his third of the year was the Columbus Crew's Robbie Rogers of Rolling Hills Estates in his teams' 2-1 win over the Kansas City Wizards.

Not surprisingly, longtime South Bay resident Sigi Schmid sounds like he's thoroughly enjoying the vindication that goes along with being the coach of the in-form team in MLS.

On a contrasting note, Lawndale's Kei Kamara didn't have an evening to remember Saturday as his San Jose Earthquakes played their inaugural game at Santa Clara's Buck Shaw Stadium where yours truly had the pleasure of being on hand for the occasion.

He missed on five shots, including at least one he should have tucked away, as the Earthquakes drew 1-1 against FC Dallas.

That continued what has already been a season of futility for the youngster; he came into the game ranked eighth in shots in the league with 12 attempts, but has just one goal to show for it.

Kamara (who seems as if he has grown yet a little more every time I see him) had to think long and hard when I asked what he needed to do differently.

"I've just got to focus a little more when I get inside the box," he finally said after a long pause. "Next time one of them has got to go in. It's up to me now."

Earthquakes Coach Frank Yallop wasn't about to criticize the youngster.

"He's given me everything he's got - he's been unlucky," Yallop said. "He's a young, raw player. It's the most (games) he's ever played in a row."

Well, OK, maybe a little.

"The one he blazed over (the bar), I couldn't believe it," Yallop said

A vociferous crowd of 10,515 watched the action (seating capacity is 10,300, but the Earthquakes sold some standing room only seats) in one of the better 0-0 games I've seen in a while and were chanting and singing throughout.

"The crowd was huge," Kamara said. "They were a huge part of the game."

In fact, all that was missing was new Bakersfield Brigade striker Eric Wynalda (see more below); longtime MLS fans will remember it was the former U.S. international who broke the deadlock in the first-ever MLS game when the then San Jose Clash beat D.C. United 1-0.

The Earthquakes' tight little stadium will be a treat to watch games at (the sight lines cannot be beat) and none other than MLS Commish Don Garber came away suitably impressed.

"It's great to be back," he said, alluding to the Earthquakes returning to their neighborhood (the team has just two other games at the Oakland Coliseum this season both against you know who and the Galaxy). "It's very intimate. The environment is electric."

By the way, Garber also made some interesting comments regarding how soccer fans are increasingly communicating on the Internet, something that only adds to their fervor.

Against that backdrop, I counted a mere six print reporters in the main press box.

Still, Yallop doesn't think his team are too far away from playing much better.

"We did everything right, but score," he said of the performance. "We're not anticipating very well. The final touch is just out of reach.

Former Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon (who pointed out he got a shutout) said he believes the team needs a player (or two) "with bite" and the ability to win 50-50 balls to improve.

Still, Cannon sounded positively dizzy about the team and Yallop's new lease on his career.

"Him and (General Manager) John (Doyle) have a much better relationship than he has with others in the past," a not so oblique reference to Alexi Lalas. "He's a guy all of us want to die for."

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Wynalda made his PDL debut Saturday against the Ventura County Fusion.

Finally, the U.S. Women beat Australia in a thriller for the second successive game.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With both the Galaxy and Chivas USA on the road, it seemed only logical I should do the same and head north to the Bay Area for the inaugural San Jose Earthquakes (1-3-0) game against FC Dallas (2-1-2) at Santa Clara Univerisity's Buck Shaw Stadium.

Gorgeous weather, quaint stadium, a rocking atmosphere, yes, they sell beer (it's apparently dry for collegiate events) and free press box food (are you listening Galaxy?).

What's not to like?

As for the game, a brief preview is here, which notes ex-Chivas USA defender Jason Hernandez is starting, while the full magnitude of the event is explained here.

Back later with more.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Even though the Galaxy and Chivas USA are on the road this weekend, there's still plenty of live soccer on tap in the Southland this weekend.

And Becks is excited anyway.

The Ventura County Fusion open their season tonight against the Bakersfield Brigade, who include Eric Wynalda in their squad.

The San Fernando Valley Quakes play their home opener Sunday in Calabasas against the Southern California Seahorses

The Earth Quakes feature the likes of Palos Verdes Estates' UCLA playmaker Kyle Nakazawa and former Galaxy player Benjamin Benditson.

Meanwhile, the PDL Los Angeles Legends play Orange County Blue Star

Posted by Nick Green at 1:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While the Galaxy continues to negotiate a game against Iran, at least one Australian newspaper is reporting today that LA will return to Oz this fall.

Meanwhile, in the least surprising news of the day, the Galaxy's Landon Donovan was named the MLS Player of the Month for April, after scoring a blistering eight goals and earning a pair of assists in just five games. It's the third career Player of the Month award for the native of Redlands.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chicago Fire midfielder John Thorrington was acknowledged as one of the finest soccer products to emerge from the South Bay when he joined England's storied Manchester United out of the Palos Verdes Peninsula's Chadwick School.

His pro career hasn't quite had the expected trajectory, however, with injuries stifling his anticipated progress.

But Thorrington persevered, scoring two goals for the Fire last weekend to beat the Colorado Rapids.

Here's a concise profile that traces the challenges he has faced.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Guess we'll soon find out whether the Galaxy Ambassadors have any clout.

A worthy, if perhaps ultimately futile, effort is here (caution strong language and opinions).

Food, generally, at the HDC from the press box and stadium club to the concessions is virtually indigestible.

Cardboard churros. Servers who regard a food order as a completely alien experience and apparently have never seen a cash register before you order. Few concourse televisions to assuage the paralyzed concession lines.

Makes you pine for the day of King Taco. And why can't we have some local flavor if we're drinking over-priced beer?
(It's the best pub nearest to the HDC and where the Riot Squad meets before games).

Of course, there's always the ubiquitous bacon-wrapped hot dog outside the stadium anyway.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I get paid to worry.

As in today's column, which takes a look at the dominance of David Beckham and Landon Donovan and the implications for the Galaxy's season.

For those who haven't seen it yet, here are the highlights of Becks and Donovan dismantling Chivas USA.

Not surprisingly after that performance, Galaxy forward Landon Donovan was named the MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters, for the second consecutive week.

Elsewhere, Long Beach State has announced its 2008 recruiting class including defender Nicole Hubbard (Lakewood/Mayfair High) and U.S. Under-17 international midfielder Shawna Gordon (Rancho Cucamonga/Los Osos High) as freshmen, while Marissa "Bo" Rael (Rancho Cucamonga/Los Osos High), who played last semester at the University of Oregon, is at LBSU.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Alan Gordon scored two goals and an assist within eight minutes, after coming on as a sub.

Landon Donovan scored the first Galaxy hat trick in four years.

And Wayne Gretzky, Tom Cruise, a rumored Luis Figo and Gawd knows who else put in appearances on a memorable night where the action matched the hype (what hype?).

This was a glorious night for the sport that seemed to catch just about everyone by surprise.

"Gordo did an excellent job when he came in," Gullit said. "He changed the game."

Or as Sigi Schmid was fond of saying: goals change games.

Gullit was effusive, too, about the play of rookie defender Sean Franklin in the center of defense.

"He's made huge progress and that makes me happy," he said, adding that he needed speed at the position to counter the Chivas USA forward line. Gullit made no mention of Franklin partner Abel Xavier, by the way.

Landon Donovan, one of the few players to stick around and answer questions (as usual), said his pre-game preparations have been key to his on-field performance.

"I'm raising every aspect of my game preparations very, very seriously," he said. "I feel like I'm being more assertive and more aggressive and I'm reaping the benefits of that."

And he had encouraging words for Gordon, too.

"He adds a different dimension so we can play more direct at times," Donovan said. "I'm just happy for Gordo because he works so hard."

Not surprisingly, Chivas USA players didn't hang around for the post-game inquest.

No matter.

There are games that are turning points in a season and games that are exclamation points. This was the latter. There were no complaints tonight (at least from the Galaxy).

Check out the game in pictures.

Next for the Galaxy: May 3 at Real Salt Lake.

Next for Chivas USA: May 3 at Houston.

Notable local: John Thorrington (Chadwick School) of the Fire who scored two goals Saturday to lead Chicago to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Galaxy overwhelmed Chivas USA with four second half goals en route to a resounding 5-2 triumph.

In truth, the Galaxy put this game out of Chivas USA's reach in a two-minute second half span, Alan Gordon capitalizing on a Brad Guzan error to snatch the go ahead goal five minutes after coming on as a sub and then setting up Donovan's third of the night a minute later.

Donovan's hat trick was the first by a Galaxy player since Alejandro Moreno scored three on May 19, 2004.

Chivas USA had started the second half promisingly, Panchito Mendoza sending a stinging drive off the Galaxy's far post after just three minutes.

But Donovan put the Galaxy 2-1 up 10 minutes later, stripping the ball away from Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez after Mike Randolph had pulled the ball back.

A wide open Ante Razov clinically finished to pull Chivas USA level after 62 minutes before the Galaxy onslaught gave their opponents no way back into the game.

Gordon added the fifth six minutes from time, stabbing home a Beckham pass.

More after the press conference.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A packed house saw Landon Donovan continue his torrid scoring streak, grabbing his sixth goal in five games.

It was a fortuitous goal: Brandon McDonald clearly handled the ball in poking it through to Donovan, who connected nicely with a 20-yard left-footed half-volley.

Chivas USA has never won an MLS game after conceding the first goal, but apparently Sacha Kljestan didn't get the memo. He victimized Galaxy defender Abel Xavier for the equalizer, unleashing a lovely 17-yard shot into the top corner as the former Portuguese international backed up and gave the Chivas USA midfielder way too much space.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lovely evening to watch, if not play soccer at the HDC, with the temperature at kickoff hovering around 86 degrees.

The Galaxy and Chivas USA come into the game tied at four points and know that only once in the history of the series has the team that scores first gone on to lose the game.

Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit has made two changes from the starting 11 that drew with Houston last weekend, with Josh Tudela sitting out and Abel Xavier coming in for his second start of the year in the center of defense. Joey Franchino replaces Alan Gordon in midfield, while Mike Randolph moves to midfield from the back four.

Steve Cronin is in goal as usual, with Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Xavier and Greg Vanney in front of him.

David Beckham, tied for the MLS lead in assists with three, is in midfield alongside Franchino, Brandon McDonald and Randolph. Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan, who needs one more goal to become the 12th player in the league to score 70 goals in a career, are up front.

Chivas USA Coach Preki has made two changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Dallas last weekend, Panchito Mendoza and Sacha Kljestan both returning from suspension in midfield.

That prompts Lawson Vaughn to drop to the back four with Claudio Suarez, Shavar Thomas and Jonathan Bornstein and Brad Guzan between the posts.

Jesse Marsch and Paulo Nagamura line up in midfield with Kljestan and Mendoza, while Maykel Galindo and Justin Braun are up front. Ante Razov, still struggling with an injury, is on the bench.

Forgot to mention: Stevie "2 Pounds" Forbes (33-5, Nine KO's), prepping to fight Oscar de la Hoya May 3
at the HDC, will make the ceremonial coin toss at the start of the game.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bumped into fellow Galaxy fan Mike Adams at my local watering hole Friday where conversation inevitably turned to soccer and today's game.

Mike made some good points I've been dismayed to hear more often of late and I asked him to put his thoughts down on paper (as it were). Hopefully, Home Depot Center management is taking note:

Today is the big intercity rivalry between the Galaxy and Chivas USA.

Though I'm excited about the match and the Home Depot Center is only 10 minutes away from my house, I will also be sure to watch it from my couch or at my local pub.

The crowd that attends the Galaxy-Chivas USA game too often crosses the line with their conduct.

I'm a sports fan raised in Torrance, and have long enjoyed taking in local live events

I've had Lakers season tickets for 10 years, and attend Dodgers games regularly.

I was raised on football and baseball, but my wife, Michelle, and I have discovered that nothing beats sitting back at Home Depot Center with a cold beer and enjoying a good soccer match.

The atmosphere in the stadium is great, and there are people of all ages rooting on their team with intensity.

We've had Galaxy seats for the past couple of years, and have seen some great games. The excitement and fan banter was second to none when the Galaxy played Chelsea and Scotland's Rangers last year, and also during many of the hard fought matches during SuperLiga.

Unfortunately, there have been a few matches that have erased our good feelings about the experience, namely Galaxy-Chivas USA games, as well as the Galaxy-Pachuca match.

We have found that there is group of fans that attend these matches that want to take their fanship to another level and take it as a personal affront if you root against their team.

Last year we took two friends to their first live soccer match vs Pachuca after telling them how family friendly the Galaxy games were, and encouraged them to take their kids to future matches.

But then the pro-Pachuca fans in the crowd were in their faces screaming insults within 10 minutes of taking our seats.

We were challenged to fights multiple times, and when we didn't get involved, they would fight amongst themselves.

I believe we witnessed more than five ejections from our seating area.

The Chivas USA matches were the same.

Drunken fans, with their insulting comments, exhibited generally aggressive behavior.

There were too many fights with too many people throwing things.

Wearing a Galaxy jersey to the games makes you a mark for a challenge to fight or as a target of beer and other flying items.

I am all for being a diehard fan for your team and mixing it up respectfully with those around you, but I don't attend the matches to get in fights or have things thrown at me.

So here's to enjoying this great rivalry with a cold beer in hand - from my couch.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hostilities resume today between intra-stadium rivals Chivas USA and the Galaxy, although that term may be a tad extreme in a city that barely notices the rivalry.

Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit, who during his career as a player, coach and match commentator with the likes of Newcastle, Sunderland, Chelsea, Arsenal, AC Milan, Spurs, et al has really experienced some intense derbies, tried to be diplomatic this morning about the still-budding contest.

"The big difference (compared to) other places like Milan, is the city is not as involved," said Gullit, the Galaxy's coach. "You don't know about it so much, like in Milan or any other city. It's a little bit odd, I must say. You don't have that same feeling. For us, of course, it's important."

A game preview is here.

Just to set the stage further: Chivas USA trails in the 12-game series overall with a 3-7-2 record, although the club won the last two games by 3-0 margins including a Sept. 13 contest that (among other things) cruelly exposed the shortcomings of aging Galaxy defender Abel Xavier.

Highlights (lowlights?) of that encounter below.

The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel. A sellout is expected, although tickets were still available this morning.

In related news, defender Dan Gargan, who played in last week's Chivas USA reserve game, has signed with the club. From the Chivas USA press release:

A three-year veteran of Major League Soccer and native of Philadelphia, Pa., Gargan, 25, made 49 appearances for the Colorado Rapids from 2005-2007 (31 starts), mainly as right-sided defender, following a standout four-year career at Georgetown University. Gargan joins Chivas USA as a disabled list replacement for defender Alex Zotinca, who was placed on Chivas USA’s disabled list prior to the season after undergoing ACL reconstruction on his right knee.

“Dan is both young and has good experience in the league, and will bring depth to our squad, particularly on the right side,” said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. “He’s got a good mind for the game and we’re happy to bring him into the team.”

Originally selected in the third round of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft, Dan Gargan recorded three assists in his 49 games with the Rapids, and also appeared in a number of Reserve Team matches for the two-time defending Reserve Division champions. Prior to joining MLS, Gargan played at Georgetown , where he was a starter all four years for the Hoyas and served as the team’s captain in his senior year. Though primarily used as a defender or defensive midfielder, Gargan scored a total of 11 goals and added 18 assists in his collegiate career.

In addition to his experience in MLS, Gargan spent two weeks training with Pachuca of the Mexican First Division in January of 2007. He was awarded the ‘Rapids Most Improved Player’ award after a breakout season in 2006 in which he started 18 of the team’s final 20 matches of the season.

Also, Chivas USA defender-midfielder Jorge Flores has been called into the U.S. Under-20 National Team for three friendlies against the Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Liverpool reserve teams.

Finally, Chivas USA will hold a "Practice in the Community" at 10 a.m. Sunday at Rio de Los Angeles State Park.

The squad will sign autographs until about noon afterward.

Rio de Los Angeles State Park is at 1900 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, just off the Golden State (I-5) and Glendale (SR-2) Freeways.

I'll blog from the game as usual.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Virtually no local reporters bothered to show up for Thursday's presser advancing Saturday's Chivas USA-Galaxy derby, so we leave it to this scribe to do the job for us.

Meanwhile, the legacy of David Beckham's visit to Hawaii continues with this pathetic little tale.

On a happier note, former Galaxy coach and longtime South bay resident Sigi Schmid, currently in exile in Ohio, is nearing a milestone.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

David Beckham, apparently too chicken to chat with Stephen Colbert, shows up at 4 p.m. on KNBC on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Expect plenty of fawning from the host. Promo clip here.

In completely unrelated news, the Galaxy have relaunched their Kids Club. The $15 membership fee includes, well, not very much: a free poster, a password for the club Web site, a club card, a "special" Galaxy gift and a discounted ticket to a game. Sign up at the Galaxy Web site.

Meanwhile, the, um, hype begins for Saturday's Galaxy-Chivas USA derby with a Thursday press conference with the Galaxy's Chris Klein and Ruud Gullit and Chivas USA's Maykel Galindo and Preki.

Whether anyone will say anything remotely interesting is quite another thing. Bet they won't top Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan at any rate who recently said:

"I always think about the Galaxy because I always feel that I have my good games when I play against the Galaxy. I don't enjoy beating anybody else better than I enjoy beating the Galaxy."

Read the whole thing here.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Didja remember to TiVo the 11:30 a.m. Manchester United-Barcelona UEFA Champions League semifinal game live on ESPN2?

Good.

(Very) briefly: Rolling Hills Estates' trigger happy midfielder Robbie Rogers of the Columbus Crew will answer questions from fans at 11 a.m. at TheCrew.com

And GolTV, fresh off securing the rights to German National Team games, will now also air Italy's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign as well as some friendlies, starting May 30 with the game against Belgium.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This is likely the final MLS season for Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez, one of the true gentlemen in the league.

Suarez graciously sat down for an in-depth interview Monday, spending about an hour reminiscing about his career.

Left out for space reasons were the following nuggets:
*Best moment of his career - lifting the Confederation's Cup in 1999 as Mexico's captain.
*Worst moment - being accused of doping in 1997 during the same tournament. Suarez was eventually exonerated completely by FIFA.
*Toughest opponent in MLS: New York Red Bull striker Juan Pablo Angel.
*Toughest opponent he's ever faced: Argentina's Gabriel Batistuta.

Incidentally, while I was chatting with Suarez, the Chivas USA reserves were beating their FC Dallas counterparts 3-0 Monday, with Ante Razov getting two goals.

The Galaxy reserves, by the way, lost 2-1 to Houston Sunday, despite a Bryan Jordan goal. The Galaxy reserves fell to 0-2-1 with the loss.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not surprisingly, Chivas USA officials and coaches had little to say after that dour performance.

But Preki rejected the idea this was a game to forget.

"I'm going to look at the video, see what's going on," he said.

Always quotable veteran Jesse Marsch had the strongest words.

"As a team we couldn't get a goal and we couldn't find a rhythm," he said. I'll take responsibility for the way we played tonight. I'm embarrassed for us."

In contrast, Dallas Coach Steve Morrow said it was his team's best performance of the season.

"It was a real team effort tonight," he said, pointing out it was the team's second consecutive shutout. "We want to build on good, strong defensive displays."

Game story here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dallas assumed sole possession of the Western Conference lead after scoring the game's second goal 10 minutes from time on a breakaway from Abe Thompson who outran two defenders to put this one of the reach of Chivas USA, which fell to 1-2-1.

Dallas kept Chivas USA in check pretty much the entire game, controlling without dominating the flow and tempo of the game and performing well enough to deserve the win.

Chivas USA attempted to rustle up the firepower to break down the Dallas defense, sending on strikers Ante Razov and Atiba Harris around the hour mark, but it wasn't enough.

In a move that summed up the evening for Chivas USA, Razov almost collected a consolation goal in the 90th minute, connecting with a zipping little left-footed half volley from just seven yards out, but the shot rattled off the post.

There were 10,237 on hand to watch this one, incidentally. The two teams' reserve units play at 10 a.m. Monday at the Home Depot Center's Track & Field Stadium. Admission is free.

I'll be back with more from the respective locker rooms.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dallas took a one-goal lead after five minutes to provide one of the few noteworthy moments in an otherwise undistinguished first half largely played in the middle third of the field.

Dax McCarty crossed and Ricardinho headed the ball down into the path of Kenny Cooper who swept it into the net from close range for his fourth goal in four games, good for second on the MLS goal scoring chart behind Landon Donovan.

And that, frankly, was largely it until Kraig Chiles tested Dario Sala with a stiff shot a minute before the end of regulation in the first half.

Posted by Nick Green at 5:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lovely late spring afternoon in Carson for soccer.

Unfortunately for (1-1-1) Chivas USA there are negligible lines, no parking hassles and few fans.

Nice and mellow for the rest of us.

To the lineups: Chivas USA Coach Preki makes five changes to the eleven that lost 4-3 to the Columbus Crew last weekend.

Brad Guzan starts in goal as usual, while Claudio Suarez returns in the center of defense for his first MLS start of the campaign. Chris Pozniak, Shavar Thomas and Jonathan Bornstein also feature in the back.

Lawson Vaughn returns to start in midfield, alongside Jesse Marsch and Paulo Nagamura, while Kraig Chiles makes his MLS debut.

Justin Braun starts up front in place of Atiba Harris, relegated to the bench, and Maykel Galindo returns.

Jim Curtin and Keith Savage lose their places and drop to the bench.

Both Panchito Mendoza and Sacha Kljestan are suspended.

Dallas (1-0-2), the lone undefeated team in MLS after Chicago's loss to the Wizards earlier today, makes two changes to the team that beat Red Bull New York 2-0 last weekend. Juan Toja and Pablo Richetti are both out through injury and Marcelo Saragosa and Ricardinho get the starts in their stead.

Otherwise, its Dario Sala in goal, Drew Moor, Dulio Davino, Adrian Serioux and Blake Wagner in the back, Dax McCarty, Andre Rocha, Arturo Alvarez and the aforementioned Saragosa in midfield. Kenny Cooper partners Ricardinho up front.

Posted by Nick Green at 4:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Let's start with the draw for the men's and women's Olympic soccer tournament made this morning in Switzerland.

Here's the reaction from U.S. players to the men's team drawing Holland, Nigeria and Japan.

Women's Coach Pia Sundhage had this to say about the women's draw:

“I’m very excited about the challenge of the draw overall. Group F is certainly the strongest of the three groups, but our group will be very good as well. We will play three very different teams with very different styles of play, which will test our ability to adapt in a world championship tournament with just a few days rest between games.”

Also noted: the U.S. roster for upcoming friendlies against Australia and Canada.

Meanwhile, Chivas USA will test the depth of their squad this afternoon (5 p.m. Fox Sports) at Home Depot Center against FC Dallas, who have similar issues.

Dallas is out for revenge, while Chivas USA seems likely to welcome veteran Mexican defender Claudio Suarez back for his first game of the season.

Finally, condolences to notable local Kei Kamara of Lawndale, who scored in San Jose's 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids Saturday to help the expansion team to their first MLS win, but lost an older brother a few days ago who died in Africa - after getting some teeth pulled.

Puts a mere game in perspective, doesn't it?

I'll blog from the HDC this afternoon as usual. See you then.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First, lets break down the half time personnel moves by Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit that changed the nature of this game.

Gullit inserted new Galaxy signing Joey Franchino - a player he had seen only on video - into the middle of the park in place of the ineffective Alan Gordon. Josh Tudela also came out, with left back Mike Randolph slotting into left midfield and Sean Franklin moving over into his position. Abel Xavier came in for Franklin in central defense.

"I had to have a little bit more power in midfield," Gullit said, adding that Franchino was valuable because of his left foot.

"We didn't have control of midfield (in the first half)," Gullit added. "There were too many gaps."

Goalkeeper Steve Cronin also credited Franchino for restoring order - and perhaps intimidating the Dynamo a little, too.

"He's a presence there," Cronin said. "He's a hard-nosed guy."

David Beckham lamented the lack of "fight" and "urgency" the Galaxy demonstrated in the opening 45 minutes.

"A few words were spoken at half time by players and management," he said.

But Beckham rejected the notion he and Donovan had essentially played the role of white knights for the Galaxy.

"It's more about the fight that went on before it," he said. "That's what got us back into the game."

Dynamo Coach Dominic Kinnear conceded that on the balance of play the draw constituted a "fair result," considering how the momentum "came and went" for his team after outplaying the Galaxy in the opening 45 minutes.

"We just couldn't hold onto the ball as well as we did in the first half and it hurt us a little bit," he said.

But just in case the importance (over reliance?) of Donovan for the Galaxy needed emphasizing, it's worth pointing out he now has five goals in four games and has scored all but one of the Galaxy's goals so far in this young season (Becks has the other).

Game details here.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

David Beckham and Landon Donovan combined on two second half goals to pull LA into a 2-2 tie with the Dynamo, essentially rescuing a Galaxy team that had trailed by a goal and appeared headed for the Western Conference basement with just six minutes in regulation time left to go.

Both goals illustrated the gulf in class that separate Donovan and Beckham from the rest of the Galaxy team or most of MLS for that matter.

The first equalizing Galaxy goal was a thing of beauty, Beckham curling over a cross that was met by a spectacularly diving Landon Donovan at the near post, who beat Dynamo defender Patrick Ianni to the ball and let the UCLA product know it. Just minutes earlier Ianni had gone shoulder to shoulder with Donovan chasing a ball with a perfectly legitimate challenge, but one that visibly annoyed both Beckham and Donovan.

The Dynamo scored what they thought was likely the winning goal 10 minutes later, Brian Ching hitting the bar and Franco Caraccio following up to slot it into the net from close range.

But Beckham and Donovan combined again to pull the Galaxy back from the precipice, Donovan beating a Houston defender to the ball to poke it into the net.

The Galaxy almost notched a winner in second half stoppage time, Ianni capping an eventful evening by clearing an Edson Buddle header off the line.

It's a fine line between success or failure at this stage of the season for the 2-2-0 Galaxy.

More after the press conference, including the unusual personnel switches Coach Ruud Gullit made at half time (Joey Franchino: playmaker!?).

Posted by Nick Green at 9:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sean Franklin, the rookie defender who has been so impressive for the Galaxy so far this term, was well and truly beaten by the Dynamo's Brian Mullan on the opening goal by Houston about 10 minutes before half time.

Mullan beat Franklin by the touchline, then crossed the ball to Argentine Franco Caraccio who headed it down to Brian Ching. He whiffed on it, but the ball fell to Brad Davis who tucked it away.

Houston thoroughly deserved the lead having dominated possession and strung together the more impressive attacking opportunities in the opening half.

The Galaxy needed Josh Tudela to clear off the goal line to prevent a goal in the seventh minute, while Steve Cronin pushed a Davis free kick onto the bar in the 26th minute.

Galaxy attacks were largely restricted to a well-worked third minute move slickly begun by David Beckham and an Edson Buddle header that went wide in first half stoppage time.

The Dynamo ended the half with 10 shots to the Galaxy's five.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Good evening from Victoria Street where the green paint is gone from the field and the turf looks vastly improved over the Toronto game last weekend.

Injuries have enforced changes for the (1-2-0) Galaxy tonight, Although goalkeeper Steve Cronin, suffering from a left groin strain, passed a late fitness test, denying Josh Wicks the opportunity to make his MLS debut.

The back line remains the same: Sean Franklin and Greg Vanney in the center of defense with Mike Randolph expected to overlap from left back and Chris Klein playing on the right.

Josh Tudela replaces Ely Allen (right hamstring strain) wide on the left, with David Beckham on the right and Brandon McDonald in the middle alongside Alan Gordon, who drops into midfield to deputize for Brazilian Alvaro Pires, out with a left knee issue. Incidentally, Gordon hasn't played in midfield since the first game of the Galaxy's preseason Asian tour, when he scored from the deep lying position.

New signing Joey Franchino is on the bench.

The (0-1-2) Dynamo, winless on the road so far this season, will see former Gretna goalkeeper Tony Kaig, 34, continue to deputize for veteran Pat Onstad (shoulder) in goal.

Wade Barrett, (201 MLS starts as of tonight and counting), Bobby Boswell, Patrick Ianni and Richard Mulrooney are arrayed across the back line, while Ricardo Clark (done with his lengthy suspension) makes his second successive start in midfield, behind Dwayne De Rosario. Brad Davis and Brian Mullan patrol the flanks, with Bring Ching and 21-year-old Argentine striker Franco Caraccio providing the one-two punch up front.

Defender Eddie Robinson is out, missing the first game of a three match suspension, while Craig Waibel (hamstring) is also absent.

The game is on Fox Sports West, by the way.

I'll be back at half time.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After facing two expansion teams in their last two games, the Galaxy come down to earth with a dynamic bump, hosting MLS Cup holders Houston at 7:30 p.m. at Home Depot Center live on Fox Sports.

Fortunately, Houston sports an unstable back line the Galaxy should be able to exploit.

Right?

Posted by Nick Green at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Literally.

And.

Most recently, Franchino was rumored to be one of two Revs players dressed in Yankees gear who went to a Red Sox game between the teams, got drunk and was thrown out of the stadium.

Perhaps his most impressive stats: 52 yellow cards, two red cards in 210 regular season games.

Fighter. Drinker. Enforcer.

Like a character out of The Sopranos, 31-year-old Joey is back for a second go-around (you got a problem with that?) for the Galaxy in exchange for a 2009 second round draft pick.

From the Galaxy press release:

Franchino was selected by the Galaxy in the third round of the 1998 MLS College Draft and played 49 games for the club, helping the Galaxy reach the 1999 MLS Cup. In May 2000, he was selected by the Revolution in a special draft that followed the Galaxy’s acquisition of forward Luis Hernandez. Franchino would go on to play in 162 games for the Revs during his eight years with the club, placing him second in New England history in all-time games played

To make room, defender Michael Gavin was moved to the Galaxy's developmental roster.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There's a full slate of soccer this weekend in Southern California, with both the Galaxy and Chivas USA playing home games at Home Depot Center in Carson.

The Galaxy are up first, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against defending MLS champions, the Houston Dynamo. With the Beckham buzz apparently wearing off, tickets are discounted 35 percent, a free Galaxy hat is on offer and pop-punk band The Burning Tree Project play a pre-game concert.

Check out the band below.

Want to see the Galaxy free? The reserve team plays at 1 p.m. Sunday against their Houston counterparts at the HDC.

Injury-riddled Chivas USA, meanwhile plays FC Dallas at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Want to see Chivas USA for free? The club's Under-16 and Under-18 teams play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday against Real So Cal at Agoura High School in Agoura Hills.

Incidentally, the Galaxy, which has been slow to get its youth programs going as required by MLS, launches two teams in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program this fall.

Also progressing at a glacial pace has been the Galaxy's entry into the new Women's Professional Soccer league that aims to start play next year. Rumors a month ago that Galaxy parent company Anschutz Entertainment Group was looking to sell the unnamed team before it even starts play are apparently false. The team is accepting $25 deposits for season tickets.

In other women's soccer news, Loyola Marymount University Thursday announced the signing of two more players: Midfielder Jaide Timm-Garcia (Desert Christian High, Lancaster) and goalkeeper Katie Graul (Santiago Canyon College).

Finally, MLS Commissioner Don Garber belatedly joins the blogging party, penning "The Commissioner Speaks" every other Friday beginning at noon today. But will he actually say anything?

And, if you only watch one game this weekend, check out Manchester United against Brad Friedel's Blackburn Rovers at 9 a.m. Saturday on Fox Soccer Channel.

I'll be blogging from the HDC at both MLS games this weekend, as usual, by the way.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Mexico beat China 1-0 in Seattle Wednesday night in a largely meaningless game rendered even more inconsequential by this irrelevant story in today's Seattle Times apparently written by the only Latino guy in the nation to never see a soccer game involving Mexico.

From José Miguel Romero we learn that Mexico has really loud fans just like the Seahawks (can we get through a soccer story without an unnecessary American sports reference, please) and that they even (gasp) throw plastic bottles (in Mexico those bottles are usually filled with a recycled liquid).

Sadly, patronizing stories like this written for non-soccer fans are not a thing of the past and just reinforce how out of touch many newspapers are with their readers, most of whom do not regard soccer as some alien novelty act. You need to get out of Renton more Romero.

While I'm on a rant, things don't get much better over at USA Today, which manages to suck the life out of today's D.C. United-Columbus Crew game (live at 5 p.m. on ESPN2) with the following soulless slab of stats-laden sterility that passes for a game preview:

Playing their third match in eight days and seventh since March 12 - including a CONCACAF Champions Cup game - United (1-2-0) lost 4-0 at Real Salt Lake on Saturday to drop to 0-2 on the road.

United went 6-5-4 on the road in 2007 en route to finishing with an MLS-best 55 points, but they've been outscored 6-0 away from home this year.

D.C.'s lone win came 4-1 over Toronto FC on April 5 at RFK Stadium.

(snip)

Though United went 10-2-3 at home in 2007, they'll be facing a Columbus team that was 2-1-0 against them in 2007. The Crew won 3-2 at RFK Stadium on Oct. 20 in the most recent meeting.

United had just three shots on goal and six total shots against Salt Lake. D.C. will be looking to avoid being shut out in a third straight road match for the first time since going scoreless in five straight away from home from April 15-June 12, 2005.

They couldn't cram another number in?

For perspective and context (and a reporter who uses numbers for actual journalistic effect), let's turn to the excellent Steven Goff over at The Washington Post.

Meanwhile, perhaps the most candid interview I've seen so far with former Galaxy midfielder Santino Quaranta (now back at D.C.) includes this excerpt:

I never really did the right things just in life, I couldn’t really deal with life in life’s terms you know what I mean? I was trying to juggle being a father, being a husband, being the guy that everybody looks at to go out and party. It was a lot of fear. I knew that things were going bad and I knew that everything was slipping away from me and that I couldn’t control that. It was out of my control, that was the best I could do at that point.

Read the whole thing here.

Finally, perhaps the best reason to check in on tonight's MLS game for Los Angeles-area fans is to monitor the continuing progress of Rolling Hillls Estates' Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers
who has 15 shots in just three games, more than any other player in the league. Rogers scored two goals, including the game-winner, in the Crew’s 4-3 victory over Chivas USA last weekend and is rapidly maturing into a dangerous, creative player. In sum, he has five MLS goals in 13 games.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good morning class.

Today's topic: geography.

Being married to map geek (known professionally as a geographic information systems analyst) means acquiring an appreciation for the world of cartography.

MLS recently issued an interesting map showing the cosmopolitan origins of its players, which makes even more interesting reading when compared to last year's version.

The most striking difference: the number of Argentines in MLS (10 as of March 26) has now exceeded the number of Brazilians (9); last year there were only five Argentines compared to eight Brazilians in the league.

The importation of foreign talent means more competition for Americans to make MLS rosters. This year 229 Americans found places on MLS rosters, compared to 218 last year. And that's with an additional team in the league.

That's raised the quality of play, most observers agree, but it also has repercussions for the development of young American talent.

Still, attendance is up.

Finally, with the 39th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon approaching, here's a fun map that puts his lunar journey into perspective for soccer fans.

Class dismissed.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Here's Tuesday column on why American soccer fans should be backing EPL team Fulham.

Also:
*The Galaxy signed two developmental players Monday - defenders Vardan Adzemian (Ventura County Fusion) and Scott Bolkan (Stanford) - and promptly shipped both to the USL Portland Timbers to gain experience.
*Former Cuban Under-23 National Team players Yordany Alvarez, Yenier Bermudez and Jose Manuel Miranda, will continue to train with the Galaxy through the end of this week at least after impressing the coaching staff.
*The San Jose Earthquakes signed Loyola Marymount University senior defender Adam Sloustcher to a developmental deal after watching him play in a reserve game against the Galaxy earlier this month.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had a choice: listen to a droning lawnmower in the outdoor HDC press box while blogging.

Or opt for the Wi-Fi at the air-conditioned Red Car microbrewery in Old Torrance (and watch the game again on delay).

No contest.

Just watch out for the Turbo Porter.

Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit lamented the "sloppy" defending, "unnecessary" goals and generally crappy finishing that led to the 3-2 defeat he described as a "huge disappointment."

"It was just one of those days," he said.

But he insisted the Galaxy were the superior team for most of the game and observed that Toronto had three chances and successfully converted all of them.

Landon Donovan was contrite.

"I'm disappointed in myself because having three chances like that would have changed the game," he said. "If we were a little better in front of both goals we probably would have had a comfortable victory."

David Beckham was in a bit of a combative mood in the post-game press conference, but then for the second consecutive home game was subjected to a annoying question from one of the assembled media. Last game it was about the relationship between Beckham's kids and Tom Cruise's child (?); this time a radio reporter took an unnecessarily adversarial position regarding Beckham's midfield contribution (marginal at best, but then Beckham undoubtedly recognized that).

Then, in somewhat of a contradiction, Beckham laid out what had gone wrong today:

"When you don't keep the ball and you don't pass the ball well, it brings all sorts of problems and we lost our shape in the second half.

Um, so pretty much everything went wrong, huh?

Then he ripped the media for over-reacting to the results so far.

"We're three games into the season and maybe people are starting to panic too much."

Hmm, let's take stock.

The Galaxy got destroyed by a weakened Colorado Rapids, squeak by the expansion Earthquakes and lose to last year's worst team in MLS.

Who us? Panic?

One diversion was Beckham's cameo as a central defender in the 70th minute, when he brought down Jeff Cunningham as the last man back. That's a red card offense.

"It was definitely a foul," Cunningham said. "I think it would have been quite harsh to give him a red card to be honest."

Gullit knew Becks was fortunate though.

"We were lucky there," he said. "It was the only luck we had today."

And so did Beckham.

"Thankfully, we got away with that one," he said.

Quote of the Day comes from Cunningham regarding the trade rumors (again?) surrounding him.

"My career has always been on the move," he said. "I pack light."

Game details from a Canadian perspective here.

And here's the Daily Breeze/Daily News version.

Posted by Nick Green at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This was one of those games that wasn't as good as the 3-2 score suggests.

And the 20,426 allegedly in attendance let the Galaxy know about their insipid performance, boos cascading down from the stands at game's end.

The Galaxy did indeed pay the price for squandering chances, with Toronto's Jeff Cunningham scoring an 88th minute-winner, turning a hapless Greg Vanney around 180 degrees to rifle it home. Hopefully Ely Allen, who missed a golden opportunity three minutes from time when he took an unnecessary second touch a couple of yards from goal and had the ball poked off his foot, will take note.

The Galaxy were forced to play catch-up for much of the half, Toronto's New Zealand striker Jarrod Smith collecting his first MLS goal in the 53rd minute, when Steve Cronin could only parry a bullet of a free kick from Fontana's Maurice Edu. Vanney, continuing to show his age, had given away the free kick, incidentally.

The Galaxy evened the game when Toronto's Marco Velez handled in the box in the 57th minute and Landon Donovan scored from the resulting penalty kick.

More after the press conference.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Good afternoon from Victoria Street where the former Newcastle United coaching team of Ruud Gullit and John Carver will pit wits from the opposing benches.

It's hot even in the shade in Carson so expect a slow game as Toronto's collection of English blokes swoon in the Southern California sun. They're watering the field; let's hope that green paint on the field doesn't run.

With Brazilian Alvaro Pires apparently recovered from his foot injury Gullit names the same lineup that brought the Galaxy victory last Thursday against San Jose.

For the Galaxy: Steve Cronin, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Mike Randolph, Greg Vanney, David Beckham, Pires, Brandon McDonald, Ely Allen, Landon Donovan and Alan Gordon.

Former Chivas USA midfielder Amado Guevara slots into the Toronto midfield, while Kevin Harmse sits out after collecting a red card in the 4-1 loss to D.C. United in their last outing.

For Toronto: Greg Sutton, Marvell Wynne, Tyrone Marshall, Marco Velez, Jim Brennan, Carl Robinson, Maurice Edu, Amado Guevara, Jarrod Smith, Laurent Robert, Danny Dichio.

It will be interesting to see how Robert and Guevara link up in midfield for winless Toronto.

Trivia time: Exactly 12 years ago today, the Galaxy played its first MLS game against the then MetroStars.

Leading the Galaxy's front line: Harut Karapetyan and Eduardo Hurtado.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good weekend in MLS so far for LA-area soccer products with Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers starring for the Crew with a game-winning brace against Chivas USA, former Cal State Dominguez Hills goalkeeper Kevin Hartman snatching his 69th career shutout in the Wizards scoreless tie with the Houston Dynamo and UCLA product Chad Barrett halting an Earthquake (or two) in Chicago's 1-0 win over San Jose.

Next up: Fontana's Maurice Edu who faces David Beckham for the first time in his career at noon today in Carson as FC Toronto plays the Galaxy (the game is live on Telefutura).

Toronto (0-2) will have a new-look midfield, while it seems Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit will stick with his youth movement.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Two goals by Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers led the Columbus Crew past Chivas USA 4-3 Saturday, while the U.S. women beat Canada on penalties in Olympic qualifying.

Columbus Coach Sigi Schmid summed up the game when he talked to the Columbus Dispatch: "I don't know if my heart can take all of them like this," he said. "Everybody should be made to watch this on TV and then say soccer is not exciting."

Too bad it was played before the smallest crowd (6,733) ever to see a Crew game in frigid temperatures.

Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, to blame for the winning goal, had better hope scouts from Aston Villa etc., weren't watching.

More game details here.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A weakened Chivas USA takes on former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid and the Columbus Crew on the road live at 4:30 p.m. on Prime today in chilly Ohio.

Game previews are here and here. Who knew Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers, the Crew midfielder, was leading MLS in shots at this early stage of the season?

Meanwhile, former Chivas USA CEO Javier Leon has temporarily turned up in Chicago with the Fire.

Finally, the Galaxy play Sunday in Carson against Toronto, but David Beckham and Ruud Gullit are rivals in one respect.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The most notable local soccer news this morning: Chivas USA taking a bus to LAX enroute to Saturday's game in Columbus (I kid you not).

That being the case, far more interesting was the recent arrival of a box from MLS containing media guides for all 14 teams.

Filled with facts and figures, the media guides are indispensable aids to covering the league, but the books also inadvertently tell much about the identity of individual teams.

For instance, only one club - the Columbus Crew - put an actual player in action (in this case Argentine Guillermo Barros Schelotto) on the cover, while most of the rest opt largely for stylized logos that emphasize the team is the thing rather than select star players.

That includes the Galaxy, which could have put David Beckham on the cover, but chose not to do so.

Exceptions: the defending champion Houston Dynamo, which opted for a picture of Dwayne De Rosario lifting the MLS Cup; the Colorado Rapids, which went with a shot of their new stadium; and D.C. United, which chose to acknowledge their especially fervent fan base with a crowd shot. Logical covers in each case.

Only the Kansas City Wizards bravely chose to illustrate their coach, Curt Onalfo, on the cover. That hopefully does not mean the kiss of death for him in the job before the season is out.

For a couple seasons, the Wizards media guide was among the flimsiest in MLS, perhaps indicative of the previous owners lack of commitment (and cash) to the franchise; now it is among the heftiest in the league.

Among the longest guides in MLS this season is the one for Red Bull New York, a tome that checks in at 330 pages (one of the shortest is for the Dyanamo at just 140 pages, thereby illustrating it's what you do on the field that really counts). Thankfully long gone is the season when the then-MetroStars issued a CD-ROM rather than an actual book for their media guide, an unwieldy format that reminded one of the poorly-performing team a little too much.

And while we're looking for analogies, I always appreciate those guides that come with a coil to hold pages in place (which I'm guessing are more expensive to print and the reason we don't see more of them). Does it mean anything that I've already cracked the spine of the Real Salt Lake guide and some pages are falling out?

FC Dallas continues to salute the far-reaching influence of late owner Lamar Hunt on the sport and league, placing his bio on page six of their guide. In contrast, (and as usual) the Galaxy somehow managed to keep the name of reclusive owner Phillip Anschutz out of their guide entirely, even though the league would likely have collapsed a few years ago without his backing.

Some things are just plain weird.

Why, for instance, does RSL give us both English- and Spanish-language biographies of such executives as Chief Financial Officer Gary Reimer, but doesn't do the same for a single member of the playing roster? Much more important for Spanish-speaking journalists to learn about the details of Mr. Reimer's career (he's the former CFO of Capri Sun!) than, say, that of goalkeeper Nick Rimando, I guess.

The crown jewel of the guides, however, is the 588-page MLS Fact and Record Book (last year's edition was "only" 554 pages long) pictured above.

The league resumed printing these three years ago (if memory serves) after what was presumably a money-saving hiatus. Only a few thousand are printed annually, so if you can get your hands on one it's an excellent way to wile away a boring 0-0 game.

The book contains the career record or every player to ever grace an MLS field, a season by season record for every team and even the past and present logos of every club (remember LA's Twizzle thingie that was supposed to represent a spinning galaxy?).

But it also contains essential information the league itself appears to gloss over.

For example, at the bottom of page 8 the reader learns the MLS format this year will be the top three teams in each conference and then the two with the most points regardless of conference.

That compares to last year's playoff structure of the top two teams in each conference plus the remaining four regardless of conference.

I can't recall the league ever announcing the change though, so I guess it pays to read the fine print.

The book contains a dizzying amount of information only a soccer geek would love (can you name the 13 sets of brothers who have played in MLS?) including how many teams have opened a season with scoreless draws in consecutive games (the Fire and Crew in 2004 and 2007 respectively).

And in what is surely some sort of commentary on the growth of MLS, the size of the media guides has outgrown the stiff cardboard "book case" to house them all in the league provided a few years ago.

The best thing about the books though?

That new media guide smell, all plastic-like and crisp.

Just don't breath too deep.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The trio of Cubans who defected during Olympic qualifiers last month have turned up at the Galaxy. Guess LA doesn't want another Maykel Galindo to get away.

David Beckham, meanwhile, offers his insiders view (ahem) of the Galaxy season so far in his latest blog post.

The ramifications of a potential all-England UEFA Champions League final when it comes to playing EPL games overseas (remember that proposal?) are explored here.

Finally, the Long Beach State Women play the U.S.Under-20 National Women's Team in a scrimmage that's free to watch at 11 a.m. Saturday at Home Depot Center.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chivas USA finally severed ties with expensive flop Amado Guevara today, dumping him on Toronto for unspecified draft picks in 2009 and 2010

“This trade was made in the best interests of our club,” said Preki. “We feel good about our group right now, and since the player in question did not fit into our plans, we made the best available deal for his rights. We hope that these additional SuperDraft picks will help Chivas USA as we continue to build our team moving forward."

The 31-year-old Honduran played all of four games for Chivas before being loaned back home to Motagua.

Naturally, Toronto employed a different spin in their press (edited) release:

Toronto GM Mo Johnston is reunited with Guevara whom he coached while with the New York Red Bulls in 2006. The midfielder signed with the then- Metrostars in 2003 (from Motagua) and was named MVP after scoring eight goals and adding five assists. He was the 2004 MLS MVP and played 103 times for New York.

By the way, Guevara could make his MLS debut against the Galaxy Sunday at Home Depot Center. Tickets are being discounted up to 35 percent for the game. I don't think there's a connection.

Chivas USA also acquired goalkeeper Dan Kennedy - three years after the team drafted him - from second division Chilean club Municipal Iquique.

Kennedy, 25, figures to be Brad Guzan's backup - and maybe the starter if Guzan ends up in England in the summer - is from Yorba Linda and played for UC Santa Barbara. He led the Chilean second division in goals against average last year and played with the USL Puerto Rico Islanders for two years before that.

“We are happy to acquire a goalkeeper of Dan Kennedy’s quality and international experience, as we continue to deepen our squad ahead of a busy summer,” said Coach Preki.

That schedule includes SuperLiga games July 13 against Pachuca and July 16 against Santos at the HDC and New England July 20 (at a LA-area stadium to be determined), sandwiched in between a July 10 derby against the Galaxy and the July 24 All-Star game. There's a $1 million prize for the winner.

Lastly, word of today's Guevara deal after weeks of rumors gives extra resonance to today's Toronto Sun story on the subject, which I reprint here only because I couldn't find it on their Web site:

Honduran international Amado Guevara said yesterday that he has a long-term contract to play for Toronto FC, and that he could join the team tomorrow.

But the one-time league rookie of the year may be bringing more to the table than just his ability to score from the right side.

Guevara is serving a 30-day suspension from Motagua of the Central American Football League after an altercation with Mario Moncada, the league's top referee.

And it's not the first time the 31-year-old right side midfielder has been in trouble with soccer authorities.

During his first stint in MLS -- after being traded from New York Red Bulls to Chivas USA in 2005 -- Guevara was also punished for pushing an assistant referee there.

It was shortly after that he told Chivas coach Predrag Radosavljevic (Preki) that he was done with the team and was moving back to Honduras.

"I have a vision of where the club is going and [I'm] not part of it," he told Preki.

At that point Guevara became something of a pariah in the MLS with several attempts by Chivas to trade him falling through.

Now, however, TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston seems convinced he can get Guevara back to the form that made him MVP material in the 2003 season with New York.

While TFC offficials would not talk about the his status yesterday, Guevara had no such reticience when he told the Honduran newspaper La Tribuna he has a four-year deal with Toronto.

"I don't know if in four years when my contract with Toronto expires if I will still want to play," Guevara told the paper.

Guevara's recent play with Motagua -- other than his referee bashing -- has been stellar, according to sources in the league.

He led Motagua to the Central American club championship last season, when Montagua beat Costa Rican giant Saprissa 2-1 on aggregate.

It's his temper, however, that keeps getting him in trouble on the pitch.

In the most recent incident, Guevara lashed out at his homeland's soccer bosses, alleging he was being "persecuted" and that's the reason he signed with TFC.

"I am going because I fear that I do not want to continue (shortening) my career by playing here," he said. "What happened (suspension) was unbearable.''

For all his faults, however, Guevara still has many fans who marvel at his skills when he is on top of his game.

ESPN soccer columnist Ives Galarcep is one, and he said that Guevara could help TFC with its goal scoring production.

"I will readily admit to being one of Guevara's harshest critics when he had his lapses, but there has never been any doubt about his ability to be an impact player when he is on his game," he said. "Considering Toronto won't give up anything to acquire Guevara and will likely land him for a salary in the $250K to $300K range, it is a gamble worth taking considering the team's need for a playmaker."

It would also give TFC a balanced attack with its recent acquisition of Laurent Robert on the other side of the pitch and last season's rookie of the year Maurice Edu in the centre.

Rookie of the Year?

Posted by Nick Green at 7:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Crunch Time in Mexico

The U.S. plays Costa Rica, a nation that has never beaten the Americans in four tries, at 6 p.m. while Mexico faces Canada in the nightcap.

Costa Rica features Torrance's Vanessa Rojas on its squad, while the U.S. has Torrance's Shannon Boxx.

“We haven’t played them since 2004, but it looks like they have improved," said U.S. defender Kate Markgraf. "They have really technical players and they look more athletic then they have in the past. We will have to see how much they try to attack or if they sit back, but we can adapt and play our style according to the flow of the game.”

The Americans handily beat Costa Rica 4-0 the last time the nations met.

There's no TV coverage.

Chivas USA Youngsters with USA

Flores played in all five U-20 games in January, including three as captain; Mayen, who signed with Chivas USA on March 27, will be with the U.S. U-20 squad for the first time.

Milestone for Matt

Reis, who has has started 72 consecutive regular season games for the Revolution, the longest current active streak in MLS, has played the last 6,480 minutes for the club, just shy of Pat Onstad's record 6,648 minute stretch set from 2005-2007.

Hamilton Honored

Hamilton, a former Torrance resident, was Galaxy GM when he died in March 2006 from heart complications at the age of 43. He is also the brother of Chivas USA Vice President of Soccer Operations Stephen Hamilton. Proceeds from the game benefit Hamilton's son Aedan.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For Tuesday's column I took a look at the locals in MLS.

Read it here.

One correction to the column: Mike Caso was waived by the Galaxy, not Chivas USA.

Here's a list of the other Californians in MLS who weren't listed in the column for space reasons with their hometown and college affiliation:

Chicago Fire - C.J. Brown, Hayward, UCLA; Calen Carr, Berkeley, Cal; Peter Lowry, Fair Oaks, Santa Clara.

Chivas USA - Anthony Hamilton, Grand Terrace, UC Irvine; Sacha Kljestan, Huntington Beach, Seton Hall; Kraig Chiles, San Diego, San Diego State; Eric Ebert, Irvine, Cal.

Columbus Crew - Steven Lenhart, Yorba Linda, Azusa Pacific.

Colorado Rapids - Jordan Harvey, Mission Viejo, UCLA; Jovan Kirovski, Escondido.

FC Dallas - Eric Avila, San Diego, UC Santa Barbara.

Houston Dynamo - Johnny Alcavez, Santa Barbara, UC Santa Barbara & Westmont College; Patrick Ianni, Lodi, UCLA; Chris Wondolowski, Danville, Chico State; Nick Hatzke, San Jose, Cal; Stephen Wondolowski, Danville, UC Santa Cruz.

Kansas City Wizards - Eric Kronberg, Santa Rosa, Cal; Tyson Wahl, Newport Beach, Cal; Matt Marquess, Palo Alto, UC Santa Cruz & UC Santa Barbara.

Galaxy - Troy Roberts, Fremont, Cal.

New England Revolution - Amaechi Igwe, Belmont, Santa Clara; Matt Reis, Mission Viejo, UCLA.

New York Red Bulls - Kevin Goldthwaite, Sacramento, Notre Dame; Luke Sassano, Orinda, Cal.

Real Salt Lake - Chris Seitz, San Luis Obispo, Maryland; Brennan Tennelle, San Diego, UC Santa Barbara; Ian Joy, San Diego, Nick Rimando, Montclair, UCLA.

San Jose Earthquakes - Ramiro Corrales, Salinas; Eric Denton, Manteca, Santa Clara; Matt Hatzke, San Jose, Santa Clara; Jamil Roberts, Fremont, Santa Clara.

Toronto - Marvell Wynne, Poway, UCLA.

Who did I miss?

Posted by Nick Green at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spent much of today researching Tuesday's column, but noted these items in passing:
*David Beckham was named MLS Player of the Week today by the North American Soccer Reporters for his goal and assist in the Galaxy’s 2-0 win Thursday over the Earthquakes. It's his first Player of the Week honor and the first for a Galaxy player since Landon Donovan was recognized four weeks into the season last year.

*In reserve games, Chivas USA drew 1-1 with Real Salt Lake Sunday in the track and field stadium at Home Depot Center, with midfielder Kraig Chiles scoring in the 14th minute. Real Salt lake equalized in second half stoppage time. The Galaxy and Earthquakes traded first half penalties Friday, but San Jose won 2-1 on a 72nd minute Adam Smarte goal. Edson Buddle scored for the Galaxy.

*The Galaxy acquired a fourth round pick in next year's supplemental draft for the rights to midfielder Matt Hatzke last week, who was selected in this year’s draft, but not offered a contract by the club. The former Santa Clara player signed with the Earthquakes last week and played against the Galaxy in Friday’s reserve game.

*The Galaxy's Brazilian midfielder Alvaro Pires will see a foot specialist this week and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Toronto.

*Missed this article about new Chivas USA signing Justin Braun.

Finally, as a former resident of Seattle I should note (with much relief) that the suits finally gave into reality and today named the 2009 MLS expansion team the Seattle Sounders, the name it should have been all along. They've tacked a FC on the end, but that's irrelevant given that football teams the world over employ that acronym and it's widely ignored. Good riddance Seattle Alliance and Seattle Republic.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An exacting move was clinically concluded by Atiba Harris for his first Chivas USA goal after 55 minutes, giving the home team the go ahead goal en route to an eventual 3-1 victory Saturday night in Carson and sole possession of the Western Conference lead after all of two games. Panchito Mendoza had sent a ball wide to Sacha Klejsten to begin the move, whose cross was met perfectly by Harris for the goal.

Chivas USA received a scare after Real Salt Lake pulled one back seconds later via their Scottish striker dubbed "Dr. Goals" - Kenny Deuchar - a real life physician, but it wasn't enough.

Alecko Eskandarian sealed the victory in second half stoppage time with an individual effort on a breakaway as RSL pushed unsuccessfully forward in search of a late equalizer.

It was a justly deserved victory in a game Chivas USA largely controlled, if not dominated.

Updated:

Almost to a man, Chivas USA players repeated the mantra that they should have played better, but would happily take the three points at this stage of the season.

A sampling:
*"I don't think we played our best," said Coach Preki. "I think we can play a lot better."

*"It wasn't pretty, it wasn't our best game by any means, but we had chances and put them away," said goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

*"We're happy with the three points, but we're not happy with the way we controlled the game," said midfielder Sacha Kljesten.

You get the idea.

Next for Chivas USA: Sigi Schmid and the Columbus Crew next Saturday on the road.

Game details here.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's Chivas USA 1 Real Salt Lake 0 in the opening 45 minutes.

After neutralizing each other for the first half hour, the two sides discovered the difference between them: Chivas USA can finish, RSL apparently can't.

Chivas USA struck in the 32nd minute, when Panchito Mendoza unleashed a galloping Maykel Galindo who evaded a tackle and pushed a through ball into the path of Sacha Kljsten, who beat goalkeeper Nick Rimando to slide the ball into the net.

RSL countered with a similar break three minutes later, but Kenny Deuchar somehow contrived to miss Robbie Findley's pin-point cross at the far post when it was surely harder to avoid the net than score.

In truth, Chivas USA should probably have led after Mendoza failed to latch on to a Galindo cross at the far post with about 15 minutes gone, sending a ball across the face of the goal that skimmed out of the reach of four Real Salt Lake defenders as well as Panchito

Chivas USA appeared to cope well with the absence of veteran Mexican defender Claudio Suarez for the second consecutive game, who was watching from the stands with his family after returning Friday from Mexico in the wake of his father's death.

Chivas USA is playing four in defense rather than three though, with Chris Pozniak essentially playing at right back.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chivas USA meets fellow 2005 expansion team Real Salt Lake on a slightly chilly night at Home Depot Center.

Chivas USA are unbeaten in their last seven games over RSL, although both teams are coming off identical 1-1 ties in their respective season openers.

Chivas will switch to a 3-5-2 formation with Jim Curtin, Shavar Thomas and Jonathan Bornstein retaining their places in defense and leaving Lawson Vaughn the odd man out.

New signing Chris Pozniak makes his Chivas USA debut in midfield with Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura and Panchito Mendoza all returning for the second consecutive game in the middle of the park.

Last year's top scorer Maykel Galindo makes his first start, but with Ante Razov out injured former RSL forward Atiba Harris moves into his slot.

Alecko Eskandarian is on the bench.

Real Salt Lake sees Nick Rimando in goal with Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Argentine Matias Mantilla and Ian Joy starting in the same back four formation as in the opening game.

Kyle Beckerman, playmaker Javier Morales, Carey Talley and 10-year MLS veteran Dema Kovalenko comprise the midfield.

Up front it's former Galaxy striker Robbie Findley partnered with Kenny Deuchar, formerly with Scotland's Gretna.

Another fairly sparse crowd for Chivas USA, illustrating how much work they have ahead of them.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two days after the Galaxy started their MLS season in Carson, Chivas USA plays their home opener at 7:30 tonight against perennial MLS bottom dwellers Real Salt Lake at Home Depot Center live on Prime.

Plenty of tickets are available including a $50 package to five Chivas USA home games that includes tonight's match, the June 19 visit of Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire and the Aug. 14 derby against the Galaxy.

Tonight also marks the start of Chivas USA's "The shirts off their backs" campaign when the 11 players that finish the game will throw their jerseys into the crowd after the final whistle. Temperatures will be in the high 50s by the look of it. Brrr.

A game preview is here, while the two Salt Lake City newspapers give a historical perspective about Real Salt Lake's lack of success at the HDC here and here.

Chivas USA striker Ante Razov is listed as probable for today's game after suffering a calf strain in the match against FC Dallas, by the way.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As it has for the past several years, the MLS Players Union has revealed its members' annual salaries, in part to show the pittance many earn.

Sports Illustrated has an overview here with links to the complete list for the last two years.

Below are the guaranteed salaries for Galaxy and Chivas USA players with their 2007 pay packet in parentheses where applicable.

So who's overpaid? Underpaid?

The numbers:

Chivas USA
Jonathan Bornstein $77,500 ($57,500)
Justin Braun $12,900
Bobby Burling $17,700 ($12,900)
Kraig Chiles $12,900
Jim Curtin $104,004 ($120,750)
Eric Ebert $12,900
Alecko Eskandarian $131,041 ($175,500)
Jorge Flores $17,700.00
Maykel Galindo $79,750
Brad Guzan $103,974.38
Anthony Hamilton $17,700.00
Atiba Harris $60,000.00
Sacha Kljestan $128,000 ($103,000)
Jesse Marsch $159,375 ($109,375)
Francisco Mendoza $105,000 ($93,750)
Paulo Nagamura $93,712.50 ($89,250)
Daniel Paladini $12,900
Lance Parker $12,900
Chris Pozniak $101,000
Ante Razov $258,750 ($248,750)
Keith Savage $12,900
Shavar Thomas $98,750
Lawson Vaughn $33,000 ($30,000)
Raphael Wicky $210,000
Alex Zotinca $72,125.00

Galaxy
Charles Alamo $12,900
Ely Allen Ely $44,750
David Beckham $6.5 million ($6.5 million)
Edson Buddle $157,000
Steve Cronin $75,000 ($42,228.75)
Landon Donovan $900,000 ($900,000)
Sean Franklin $48,500
Michael Gavin $33,000
Alan Gordon $72,504 ($30,870)
Ante Jazic $120,250.00 ($114,250)
Chris Klein $190,000 ($187,250)
Brandon McDonald $12,900
Michael Randolph $33,000.00
Troy Roberts $33,000 ($30,000)
Carlos Ruiz $460,000 ($435,000)
Izzy Sesay $57,083.33
Pete Vagenas $138,437.50 ($131,875)
Greg Vanney $91,800.00
Abel Xavier $156,000

Posted by Nick Green at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Galaxy may have lucked out when San Jose's early strike was disallowed (it was certainly a close offside call), took full advantage of a defensive gaffe for the first goal and caught the Earthquakes out with an excellently worked break for the second.

But no-one used words like luck after the game.

"It allows us to write off the Colorado game," said relieved midfielder Chris Klein.

Coach Ruud Gullit was perhaps the most voluble I've seen him after the game, uncharacteristically heaping praise on such young players as Ely Allen and Palmdale's Sean Franklin.

"I was extremely happy with Sean," Gullit said. "He was really, really good. He has composure on the ball, he's quick and he checks forward."

Gullit also defended the work rate of Alan Gordon, who was the subject of unhappiness from the crowd for his finishing (or lack thereof).

David Beckham scored his first MLS goal - his free kick last season came in SuperLiga - but was more interested in talking about the improved team performance.

"What changed is our positional play," he said. "In the first game we were all over the place."

Landon Donovan clearly relished playing with someone like Beckham who has the same speed of thought and touch he does on the ball.

"We understand the game the same way and we see the game the same way so it makes it easier," he said.

Finally, Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon and Donovan may be good friends, but not on the field.

"(I was) bummed out for Joe," Donovan said of the goal. "But stay on his line next time."

Updated:
Game details here.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Galaxy 2 San Jose Earthquakes 0

An enthralling opening 45 minutes was followed by an undistinguished second half that saw the Earthquakes tighten up on defense and the Galaxy largely held in check as a result.

David Beckham, seeking space on the right, essentially succeeded only in taking himself out of the game, as his Galaxy teammates were either incapable or unwilling to find him.

That left Becks shaking his head midway through the half and stalking back into position clearly disgruntled.

A Beckham-Landon Donovan break a minute from time provided what little excitement there was, although the move broke down when Donovan unselfishly (too unselfishly) attempted to involve Alan Gordon.

Taking stock, the question becomes what sort of Galaxy team do we have here? Apparently one that can't beat a weakened Rapids, but can overcome an expansion team (without a strike force) playing its first game.

We'll see what Gullit says in the press conference.

Stay tuned.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Fluid, creative and dangerous - in short all the things the Galaxy weren't last weekend - were hallmarks of the L.A. offense in the first half, yielding two goals without reply.

And it could have been more.

With Ely Allen proving a handful up the left flank, the Earthquakes defense has showed it can't handle the Galaxy's speed and anticipation so far.

After a shaky start that saw an Earthquakes goal disallowed after just two minutes (presumably for offside), the first goal came just seven minutes later.

A Ryan Cochrane error was seized upon by Landon Donovan who delivered a pass David Beckham side-footed into the net.

The second came eight minutes before half time when Alan Gordon fed Beckham, who slipped a wonderfully weighted pass to Donovan who beat Joe Cannon to the ball for the goal.

The Galaxy could have had a third just before the break when Alvaro Pires missed from point blank range from a Beckham free kick.

Overall, this was a completely different Galaxy team from the one we saw in Colorado with L.A. out-shooting the Earthquakes 11-2.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Welcome from Home Depot Center where the opening home game of the season features a team without a defense of note (the Galaxy) against an expansion team (the Earthquakes) sans much of any respectable attack.

Still, the field is immaculate, a sense of anticipation (or is that foreboding?) is in the air and the stands are um, half full (they're supposed to fill up).

Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit has made four changes from the team that got murdered 4-0 in Colorado last weekend.

Cal State Northridge defender Sean Franklin makes his home debut in central defense, while Mike Randolph returns to the starting line-up as left back for the suspended Abel Xavier and the dropped Michael Gavin, who is on the bench.

Brandon McDonald comes in for Peter Vagenas (also on the bench) in midfield, while Alan Gordon replaces the injured Carlos Ruiz and partners Landon Donovan in attack.

Steve Cronin is in goal, with Chris Klein and Greg Vanney retaining their spots in the back four.

Also in midfield, it's captain David Beckham, Brazilian Alvaro Pires and Ely Allen.

For the Earthquakes: former Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon is in the net and former Chivas USA defender Jason Hernandez, Ryan Cochrane, Nick Garcia and James Riley are arrayed across the back.

The four man midfield consists of recent acquisition from Toronto FC Ronnie O'Brien, (out to prove his injury woes are behind him), former 'Quake Ramiro Corrales, ex-Galaxy player Ned Grabavoy and Ivan Guerrero.

Up front: Lawndale's Kei Kamara and draft pick Shea Salinas.

Ex-Chivas USA men Preston Burpo and John Cunliffe are on the bench for the Earthquakes as is former Galaxy super sub Gavin Glinton.

Incidentally, the Chicago Fire walloped the New England Revolution 4-0 earlier this evening, with UCLA product Chad Barrett getting a goal and an assist on a Cuatuhtemoc Blanco strike.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Daily Breeze today named Banning's Guillermo Beltran as its Boys Player of the Year and Banning Coach Frank Sandoval as its Boys Coach of the Year.

Mira Costa's Julia Barrow was named Girls Player of the Year on Tuesday along with Girls Coach of the Year, South Torrance's Brad Gomez.

In other high school related soccer news, Chivas USA has launched an internship program at Carson High dubbed "Imagine More. Be More!"

More details here.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One game into the season and the Galaxy are already seeking to rebound from last weekend's humiliating 4-0 loss to Colorado, taking on former Coach Frank Yallop and the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. live on ESPN2 from Home Depot Center.

The Galaxy are usually cagey about revealing ticket sales in advance, but commonly (and gleefully) announce sell outs and that hasn't happened yet, leaving one to wonder whether skeptical fans are taking a wait and see approach to David Beckham et al.

Expect Coach Ruud Gullit to juggle his line-up in the wake of that debacle with central defender Abel Xavier suspended after his red card against the Rapids.

The defense has looked suspect for much of preseason and in the Rapids the Galaxy simply found a team ready to take advantage, but this was apparently news to Gullit.

"The strangest thing is it doesn't happen in the preseason, all of a sudden it occurred," Gullit said of the poor defensive performance.

A game preview from a Galaxy perspective is here, comments from Yallop on his return to L.A. are here and a season preview of the 'Quakes is here.

Are the 'Quakes the Galaxy's biggest rival in MLS? San Jose fans think so judging by the results of a poll on the Earthquakes' Web site.

Finally, sports media critic and fellow blogger Tom Hoffarth talked to ESPN commentator Julie Foudy about the Galaxy and tonight's game.

I'll blog from the stadium tonight, providing regular updates.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

New Seattle MLS team co-owner, Libertarian-minded game show host and (former?) Galaxy fan Drew Carey manages to equate the two in the latest video he's done for Reason.tv.

It's called "Immigration: The Beckham Factor."

An excerpt:

“Americans, especially, L.A. Galaxy fans were very excited and greeted David Beckham with open arms when he came here to play in Los Angeles, even though he took the roster spot away from some poor, hard-working American kid,” Carey says in the Reason.tv video. “So I guess we’re very welcoming when it comes to rich famous Brits. And we love our Beatles. But are we as welcoming when it comes to people from other countries?”

Watch it here.

If you liked that you'll probably like Carey's take on medical marijuana, poker bans and middle-class America.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's tempting to say Abel Xavier was fined for going AWOL on defense Saturday against the Rapids, but alas that's not true.

Colorado Rapids midfielder Ciaran O'Brien was also fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee today and received an additional one-game ban for putting Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz in hospital.

From the MLS press release:

Xavier was fined a total of $1,600 and receives an automatic one-game red card suspension for his actions in Saturday night’s game versus the Rapids, while O’Brien was fined a total of $500 and is suspended two games for dangerous conduct in the same game.

Xavier was fined $750 for excessive dissent and $250 for failure to leave field following a red card that was given in the 89th minute of the game. He was also fined $250 for post-game public criticism of officiating. These fines come on top of a $250 automatic fine and one-game suspension for a red card and a $100 automatic fine for a yellow card caution for dissent received earlier in the game.

Xavier will serve his one-game suspension on Thursday when the Galaxy host the San Jose Earthquakes.

O’Brien received a red card in the 90th minute of the Rapids versus Galaxy game on Saturday for a dangerous foul committed against Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz that caused Ruiz injury. The League has suspended O’Brien one additional game and fined him and additional $250 for his actions in Saturday night’s game. O’Brien will serve his two-game suspension in consecutive weekends when the Rapids travel to face the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday and travel to play the New England Revolution on Saturday, April 12.

Videom of the foul on Ruiz (and its aftermath) is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One game into the season and the Galaticos are already falling. From the Galaxy press release:

LA Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz underwent arthroscopic surgery this morning to repair a slight tear of the meniscus in his right knee. Ruiz suffered the injury, as well as a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL), late in Saturday night’s loss to the Colorado Rapids in the Galaxy’s season opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Galaxy team doctor Dr. Bert Mandelbaum performed the surgery today in Santa Monica and Ruiz is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks.

Ruiz, who is the second leading scorer in club history, returned to Los Angeles in January via a trade with FC Dallas. The 28-year old Galaxy forward led the club in goals this preseason with three while playing in all three games of the club’s Asia Tour 2008. He suffered a team-high four fouls in Saturday’s game, the last of which knocked Ruiz out of the game and led to a red card for Colorado midfielder Ciaran O’Brien.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just in case any reminder was needed regarding the peripheral role MLS plays in the sports mainstream in this country, a trip to Las Vegas on the opening weekend of the season provided it.

Avoiding news about MLS (so I could watch TiVo'd Galaxy and Chivas USA games Monday night and this morning respectively) was disconcertingly easy.

No mention of MLS on the ESPN bottom of the screen crawl during March madness on the ubiquitous televisions in casinos (and this is the league's alleged broadcast partner?).

Most sports books don't take bets on MLS games (the Station Casino chain is an exception).

And Fox Soccer Channel and others that carry the game simply aren't one of the options at the gazillions of television choices at sports books.

So it wasn't until Monday night I learned the Galaxy's new look team looked a lot like their old ones in a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the Colorado Rapids. That was L.A.'s worst loss since the waning days of the Steve Sampson era (May 6, 2006 to be precise). Exactly a month later, Sampson was fired.

Are you listening Ruud Gullit?

Perhaps even more drastic action needs to be taken in the case of increasingly embarrassing cart horse defender Abel Xavier, who is slowing down almost visibly with every game and was to blame on several of the goals. And I wasn't thinking he needs to be put out to pasture.

Let's see David Beckham laugh that one off at 11:35 p.m. this evening with Leno on "The Tonight Show."

Meanwhile, the Galaxy announced today they will host a U.S. Open Cup qualifying game Tuesday May 27 against those same Rapids. Let's hope Colorado doesn't play another (ahem) "weakened" line-up. Tickets are on sale now for the 7:30 p.m. game.

Good thing Maykel Galindo and Chivas USA are likely to be a lot more diverting than the Galaxy again this year, the Cuban saving the point against Dallas Sunday with a late equalizer.

Condolences to classy Mexican veteran defender Claudio Suarez, a resident of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, who missed the game due to the death of his father.

Congrats to Downey High junior Briant Reyes, 16, named the winner of the Los Angeles portion of "Sueño MLS 2008: The Dream Continues." The Salvadorian-American joins the Under-16 Chivas USA team.

And farewell to reserve Chivas USA forward John Cunliffe who got shipped off to San Jose for Canadian defensive midfielder Chris Pozniak.

Lastly, Shannon Boxx of Torrance, USC's Amy Rodriguez and UCLA's Lauren Cheney were all named Monday to the U.S. Olympic qualifying squad.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Game preview. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

A (very) little more background on Brazilian midfielder lvaro Pires, signed as expected by the Galaxy Friday in time for today's game, from the team press release:

The 23-year old has trained with the Galaxy for most of the preseason and started all six of the club’s preseason matches, playing 472 minutes in those games, collecting one assist and one caution.

“Alvaro is a player that has been on our radar for some time now and we’re glad to finally have him as a member of the Galaxy,” Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo said. “He has done well so far in our preseason and we feel that he will be a tremendous asset to our club.”

A native of Jardinopolis, Brazil, just outside of Sao Paulo, Pires signed his first professional contract at the age of 16 with Brazilian side Internacional and broke into the first team at the age of 19. He spent three years there, appearing in a handful of games with the First Division team before trying his luck abroad. He signed with Spartak Nalchik, a club in the Russian First Division.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For me, it's already here.

With both the Galaxy and Chivas USA on the road this weekend, it seemed the perfect opportunity to head to Vegas with the soccer widow before weekends become a thing of the past. I don't intend to do too much staring at a computer screen.

So blogging will be minimal to nonexistent, depending on the vagaries of finding Wi-Fi in hotel lobbies or whether a sports book is foolhardy enough during March Madness to show the 6:30 p.m. Galaxy game Saturday from Colorado on Fox Soccer Channel or the noon Sunday Chivas USA opener at Dallas on Telefutura. Regular blogging resumes Tuesday, although I'll have no column this week.

While you await the return of MLS (Houston plays New England in the first nationally televised game in a rematch of MLS Cup at 4 p.m. Saturday on Fox Soccer Channel), enjoy the best of Chivas USA's goals from last season and Galaxy highlights from 2007 (such as they are).

Posted by Nick Green at 7:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Galaxy made official today what was reported here Monday, when forward Bryan Jordan and goalkeeper Josh Wicks joined from the USL Portland Timbers.

The two appeared regularly in preseason games.

“Bryan and Josh have impressed the coaching staff since the beginning of the preseason and have earned the right to be on our roster,” said Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo. “We believe that both players will add depth and quality to our group."

A 22-year old California native, Jordan, 22 scored five times in 26 games for Portland last year after four years at Oregon State.

Wicks, 24, spent the last three years in the USL with Portland and the Vancouver Whitecaps and played four years at Cal State Bakersfield. After winning the 2006 USL Championship with the Whitecaps, he was the USL Goalkeeper of the Year in Portland in 2007 with a 0.60 goals against average.

“Josh came in and has opened a lot of eyes with his play,” Galaxy goalkeeper coach Ian Feuer said. “We knew that we needed someone who could push Steve (Cronin) for the No. 1 spot and he has certainly done that. Not only that, but he has a great attitude, works hard and always livens up the locker room. He will be a tremendous asset to the club.”

Meanwhile, Chivas USA announced the signing of former San Diego State midfielder Kraig Chiles to a developmental contract. He was the club's first draft pick in the supplemental draft.

Finally, those who plan their soccer-viewing at Home Depot Center around the freebies at the gate should know the Galaxy have announced their 2008 loot grab, sorry, promotional schedule.

The opener sees the first 4,000 fans get the latest limited edition "collectible" T-shirt, while 10,000 magnetic Galaxy schedules (always mandatory for the fridge door) will also be given away.

The rest of the incentives:
*April 19 vs. Houston - Galaxy hat.
*May 10 vs. New York - Collector’s series T-Shirt No. 2.
*June 21 vs. Columbus - Galaxy soccer ball No. 1.
*Sept. 6 vs. Real Salt Lake - Collector’s series T-Shirt No. 3.
*Oct. 12 vs. Colorado - Galaxy soccer ball No. 2.

Still no $2 brat and beer night.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For today's column in the Daily News and Daily Breeze I riffed on the return of a changed Carlos Ruiz to the Galaxy.

Omitted from the column for space reasons was Ruiz' penchant for on-field dramatics:

Fans loathe it to such an extent that on Saturday when Lalas addressed season ticket holders and mentioned Ruiz, one fan bluntly asked: “Did you tell him to quit diving?”

The short answer is no (although Lalas acknowledged he cringes on occasion too when Ruiz dives and jokingly suggested acting lessons may be in order).

And the reason why isn’t hard to understand. As Lalas pointed out, the Galaxy come equipped with the world’s best dead ball specialist in Beckham, who can be expected to swerve in a free kick or two stemming from a Fish flop.

The questions remains, though, can Ruiz replicate the form he showed with the Galaxy the first time around?

At least he hooked up well with David Beckham on the Galaxy's recent Asian tour as the video of his hat trick in China showed.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The best deal in MLS - the reserve division - begins play this weekend, too, with the Galaxy's second string facing Colorado.

Until now it's been free admission, free parking and a generally relaxed attitude that enables fans to mingle with established stars returning from injury and up and coming youngsters.

Here's the details on the six home games (10 a.m. at Home Depot Center except where specified) of the 12-game schedule:
Fri., April 4 San Jose Earthquakes.
Sun., June 8 Colorado Rapids.
Fri., July 11 Chivas USA.
2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 San Jose Earthquakes. (UC-SC Training Field).
Fri., Aug. 15 Chivas USA.
Sun., Sept. 7 Real Salt Lake.
2:30 p.m. Sun., Oct. 26 FC Dallas.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just got back from Galaxy training and thought I'd pass along a couple of items.

On the injury front, defender Julian Valentin is doubtful for this weekend's MLS season opener in Colorado with a right ankle injury he suffered last Thursday; striker Alan Gordon and veteran midfielder Pete Vagenas are listed as probable with a right ankle injury and right quad problem respectively; goalkeeper Charles Alamo and defender Ante Jazic are both out with long-term injuries as most readers already know.

Incidentally, striker Edson Buddle returned to full training today (and was being driven hard by Coach Ruud Gullit in practice) and looked fairly sharp.

Expect a bunch of fairly routine roster moves for the Galaxy this week, which as of today has 19 senior players (and must get down to 18).

No one will be cut, but midfielder Brandon McDonald, defender Michael Gavin and striker Bryan Jordan will all be signed to developmental contracts this week that don't count against the salary cap or senior roster limit.

Backup goalkeeper Josh Wicks of San Bernandino has won a senior roster spot, while Brazilian midfielder Alvaro Pires (technically still a trialist) is awaiting a work visa any day now.

Lastly, striker Carlos Ruiz, held out of the recent game as a precaution when he felt a slight twinge in his hamstring, is good to go this weekend.

I'll have more on the return of Ruiz in Tuesday's column, which I'd better go write.

Posted by Nick Green at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Busy over the Easter weekend?

Here's a recap.

David Beckham is looking at cap No. 100 - and beyond - for England against France Wednesday, Landon Donovan is eying cap No. 99 - and beyond - for the U.S. against Poland the same night, while the U.S. fell to Honduras 1-0 Sunday in a meaningless end to Olympic qualifying in Nashville, Tenn.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The U.S. has already qualified for the Olympics, but plays at 2 p.m. live on Fox Soccer Channel against Honduras in Nashville for the Under-23 CONCACAF championship.

Not that there's a great deal of cachet in that: Freddy Adu, Charlie Davies, Jonathan Spector and Sal Zizzo flew out Friday to return to their European teams.

Both teams have only conceded one goal in four qualifying games so far and you've got to wonder how interested either will be in breaking an honorable draw.

Chivas USA beat Honduras' Real Espana 4-1 Saturday in Fullerton. And no, ex-Galaxy striker Carlos Pavon did not score for Real Espana.

Details from the Chivas USA press release:

In a match played in Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton, Francisco Mendoza and Alecko Eskandarian both marked returns to the Chivas USA lineup after injuries by scoring in the win.

Atiba Harris gave the Red-and-White the 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute when he headed in a perfectly placed Ante Razov cross, sent from almost 40 yards. The goal was the only tally in the first half, and Chivas USA could not break through the Real España defense again until the 68th minute. It was then that Chivas USA’s only selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, Keith Savage, dribbled through the defense before hammering home a shot to the near post to give the Red-and-White a 2-0 lead.

Francisco Mendoza, in his first action in a preseason match for Chivas USA in 2008, finished a short pass from Harris in the 72nd minute to add to the lead before Alecko Eskandarian, also recently returning from injury, closed the scoring for the Red-and-White in minute 78. Real España striker Douglas Caetano knocked home a penalty in the 89th minute for a consolation goal.

Chivas USA lineup: (4-4-2): Brad Guzan; Lawson Vaughn, Shavar Thomas, Claudio Suárez, Jonathan Bornstein (Eric Ebert 57); Keith Savage, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza; Atiba Harris (Justin Braun 73), Ante Razov (Alecko Eskandarian 59)

Posted by Nick Green at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More than 4,000 people attended the Galaxy's annual fan fest Saturday at the Home Depot Center.

The free event included a 3-1 Galaxy win over PDL outfit the San Fernando Quakes, with Carlos Ruiz, Michael Gavin and Landon Donovan scoring.

Donovan headed to LAX before the event had even finished to catch an airplane for the U.S. game Wednesday against Poland, while David Beckham was similarly scheduled to fly out to join up with the England squad.

I missed the "fan with biggest Galaxy tattoo" contest unfortunately, but heard Alexi Lalas' address to season ticket holders in the Stadium Club.

Last season was a "hell of a year" Lalas told the crowd , while acknowledging that in their "zeal' to promote the brand with Beckham the Galaxy had overlooked "the product on the field."

He pledged that would be different this year although he again acknowledged the "calculated risk" in tying up much of the salary cap in just three players; Becks, Ruiz and Donovan.

Lalas expanded on the reason for releasing former Newcastle United defender Celestine Babayaro, conceding that his was a "perfect example" of a playing style that didn't fit the team.

"It's difficult, but I'd much rather make that decision now than four or five months down the road," Lalas said.

Posted by Nick Green at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Living up to the hype, Freddy Adu, apparently benefiting from playing in Europe with Portugal's Benfica, led the U.S. to an Olympics berth in a 3-0 win Thursday over out-classed Canada with two goals from set pieces, while Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan added the third.

A reminder: the Galaxy hosts its Fan Fest Saturday.

David Beckham, who will talk to the local media today before jetting off to England, was busy handing out awards this week. Galaxy owner Phil Anschutz was also honored for his contributions to the sport at the event.

Chivas USA has resigned fan favorite 22-year-old Panchito Mendoza, the leader in games and minutes played for the club, and acquired Irvine native and defender Eric Ebert from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a supplemental draft pick.

The U.S. women have scheduled games April 27 and May 3 against Australia in the first domestic dates of the year in North Carolina and Alabama respectively.

In one of the best bargains in televised sport, the MLS Direct Kick package that gives armchair fans 115 games for $79, is back.

Finally, if you watch just one game this weekend, check out the Chelsea-Arsenal London derby at 9 a.m. Sunday on Fox Soccer Channel.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

David Beckham and manager Simon Fuller of "American Idol" fame have an option to buy an MLS team in 2011 when his Galaxy contract expires, according to a "60 Minutes" report scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS.

Neither MLS nor the Galaxy would comment.

Beckham receives a salary of $5.5 million annually and a "large share" of Galaxy ticket, merchandise, and concession sales and Tim Leiweke, president of AEG, the Galaxy's corporate parent, said that despite injuries and limited playing time, Beckham beat financial expectations.

"When we set down on a piece of paper and said to David, 'Here's what we think you can make here,' he did better than that," he said.

Becks also demonstrates his trademark bending free kick and gives a guided tour of his tattoos, for those who care.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Qualification for the Olympics is at stake at 6 p.m. tonight live on Fox Soccer Channel for the U.S. and Canada.

As expected, David Beckham was recalled to the England squad, while the U.S. game against England May 28 in London has been confirmed.

Closer to home, Chivas USA defender Alex Zotinca may be out for the season and the Red & White Wednesday thumped Cal State Fullerton.

Lastly, the Galaxy announced that AM 570 KLAC (home of the Lakers) will broadcast at least 24 games this season.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not strictly LA-soccer related, but a touching piece of journalism that was selected as the winner of the new North American Soccer Reporters group feature story of the year.

Read it here.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Several different English media reports indicate David Beckham will win a recall to the England team Thursday when Fabio Capello names his squad for next Wednesday's game in Paris against France. Becks is widely expected to notch his ton of caps in that game and as an added bonus for Galaxy fans will be nice and rested for the MLS season opener that weekend (ahem).

Incidentally, for those who like to get a head start planning this coming weekend, the Galaxy follows last weekend's ChivaFest with their own open house on Saturday.

MLS rivals Chivas USA have launched a new blog called "Inside the Flock," which reports that first-choice goalkeeper Brad Guzan returned to training Tuesday after his injury. Actual information in a blog (Galaxy take note)!

Finally, new Pacific Palisades-based W-League franchise Pali Blues have announced the signings of three more players including former Trojan midfielder Rosie Tantillo.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For Tuesday's column I looked at the on-going struggle of Chivas USA to achieve some sort of critical mass in drawing a fan base.

One point left out of the column for space reasons was whether Chivas USA should own and operate its own stadium. Team President Shawn Hunter indicated that leaving Home Depot Center was a long way down the road for Chivas USA.

"Every team wants to own its own venue," he said. "My first task is to fill this one."

On the player signing front, MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis told reporters on a teleconference call Monday that teams in general are still looking to sign players and he expects more acquisitions.

"We're still early in the cycle for imports," he said, observing MLS has signed 21 foreign recruits since MLS Cup, including 18 from Latin America, where players are technically adept yet relatively inexpensive.

The largest foreign contingent in MLS: Argentines (17) whose physical style of play suits MLS (there are also 10 Brazilians).

Posted by Nick Green at 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, not really, but if I called it reheated weekend left-overs you may not be reading.

While Mexico was getting dumped out of the Olympics by Guatemala (who played as big a role in the proceedings as Canada at Home Depot Center) Chivas USA was shutting out minor league team the Fresno Fuego Sunday night 4-0 in a game that saw striker Maykel Galindo sent off.

On target for Chivas USA: Jesse Marsch, Atiba Harris, draft pick Keith Savage and Shavar Thomas.

The Chivas USA line-up: (4-4-2): Sam Reynolds; Jon Bornstein, Shavar Thomas, Claudio Suárez (Bobby Burling 57), Lawson Vaughn; Raphael Wicky (Eric Ebert 69), Jesse Marsch (Jim Curtin 84), Paulo Nagamura, Keith Savage; Atiba Harris (Justin Braun 76), Maykel Galindo.

Meanwhile, the five finalists for "Sueño MLS 2008: The Dream Continues" who will train with Chivas USA Under-16 team for the next two weeks were named Sunday and include a 17-year-old midfielder out of Compton named Juan Moreno.

The Galaxy, meanwhile, apparently spent the weekend trying to control time.

Coming full circle, West Ham United's Jonathan Spector joined the U.S. Under-23 team Sunday ahead of Thursday's Olympic qualifying semifinal with Canada. The winner, of course, goes to China.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy played to a dull scoreless draw in Dallas Saturday, the U.S. made it through to the Olympic qualifying semifinals with a very late goal over Honduras the difference, while Mexico is seeking to ensure it doesn't make an ignominious exit from the competition today at Home Depot Center.

Meanwhile, protests in Tibet against Chinese rule are growing although no one is yet suggesting the Olympics are at risk.

Finally, Chivas USA beat San Diego State 2-1 Saturday in a scrimmage at Home Depot Center.

From the Chivas USA press release:

Chukwudi Chijindu put the Red-and-White ahead just seven minutes into the game when he received a ball from Ante Razov and hammered home a shot to the near post from 12 yards. Chivas USA continued pushing up for goals throughout the first half, and were caught on a quick counter attack by San Diego State in the 27th minute, when Steven Beitashour’s shot was deflected to Daniel Ortega, who finished for the Aztecs to tie the game.

The match went into the half tied at one, but Chivas USA quickly took the lead once the second session started. Razov’s free kick from 25 yards was saved by the Aztec goalkeeper, but the rebound fell to Erasmo Solórzano, who finished easily. The Red-and-White had a number of chances in the rest of the half, with forward Anthony Hamilton hitting the post and Solórzano seeing his header bounce over the net, but the game ended with the 2-1 scoreline.

Chivas USA lineup (4-4-2): Lance Parker; Eric Ebert (Arnaldo Salazar 46), Jim Curtin, Bobby Burling, Gerson Mayen; Chukwudi Chijindu (Erasmo Solórzano 46), Daniel Paladini, John Cunliffe, Anthony Hamilton; Ante Razov, Justin Braun (Jorge Flores 46).

Chivas is in Fresno today playing PDL team the Fuego.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Briefly:
*The U.S. plays its final Olympic qualifier live at 4 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel against Honduras.

*A reminder that the Galaxy preseason game against FC Dallas will be shown live on the team's Web site at 5:30 p.m. Link is over to the right.

*Chivas has announced one final preaseason game at 6 p.m. next Saturday at Titan Stadium at Cal State Fullerton against ex-Galaxy striker (I use the term loosely) Carlos Pavon and his new team Honduran First Division side Real España.

From the Chivas USA press release:

The match will feature a ceremony prior to the match honoring three members of Honduras ’ 1982 FIFA World Cup team: Gilberto German Yearwood, Jaime Enrique Villegas y Roberto “Macho” Figueroa.

Real España is one of Honduras ’ most popular and successful clubs, having captured the league championship nine times in their history, most recently in 2006-2007. The España roster features forward Carlos Pavón, who was with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 and has 78 appearances and 47 goals with the Honduran National Team. ‘Los Aurinegros,’ or the Gold-and-Black, are currently in second place in the league, with a record of 5-3-3 (W-L-T).

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 dollars at the gate. More info: (310) 467-6637.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It wasn't a thing of a beauty and a Freddy Adu penalty kick was all that separated the teams in the 1-0 win over Panama Thursday, but Coach Peter Nowak's revamped line-up showed more initiative in attack and more resilience in defense in the second Olympic qualifier.

Nowak summed up the difference between the Cuba and Panama games:

“I think we learned from what happened last Tuesday. Everyone was over anxious. I think we were pushing too much just to score goals. I think today the combinations (we’re better) and we just played faster and found the right people at the right time. The timing was good. The build-ups were very effective, so it’s not only the patience. You can be patient, but still develop your game in the right moment at the right speed.”

The U.S. must merely avoid losing Saturday against Honduras to advance to the semifinals.

Honduras, by the way, beat 10-man (yes, you read that right) Cuba.

In Carson tonight, it's Canada vs. Haiti (at 5:30 p.m.) and Mexico vs. Guatemala (at 8 p.m.).

The Galaxy plays in Dallas Saturday with English scouts watching David Beckham and Chivas USA plays San Diego State University at 10 a.m. at Home Depot Center before heading to Fresno Sunday to play the Fuego.

The 5:30 p.m. Galaxy game will be shown on the team's Web site, incidentally.

Also, from noon to 4 p.m. in Carson Saturday, it's ChivaFest.

Finally, the dumb quote of the week award goes to noted ESPN soccer-hater Jim Rome, who oblivious to the sell-out crowds, Beckham jersey sales and general Beckhamania, declares his signing a bust:

"Soccer may be the world sport, but here it ranks right behind darts and just ahead of foosball. It doesn't matter now and it never will. The fact the greatest footballer of them all came here and didn't move the needle at all proves that once again."

Posted by Nick Green at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The second annual version of SuperLiga, the eight-team competition featuring MLS and Mexican teams, has just unveiled its schedule at a Home Depot Center press conference.

Last year, the Galaxy lost in a thrilling final and this version will feature Western Conference champions Chivas USA.

The relevant dates for games in Carson (except where noted):

Sunday July 13 - Chivas USA vs. defending champions Pachuca CF.
Wednesday July 16 - Chivas USA vs. Santos.
Sunday July 20 Chivas USA vs. New England Revolution. (Venue TBD).

Full competition details here.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The crowds are already waiting for the gates to open at Home Depot Center for the first of two Olympic qualifiers there tonight, Guatemala against Haiti.

Top billing though goes to the 8 p.m. game between Mexico and Canada.

The San Diego Union-Tribune caught up with Mexico while the team trained in that city while The Toronto Star provides the Canadian perspective.

The Star is also reporting on the opponent for the MLS All-Star Game in Toronto - England's West Ham United.

I'll have more tonight from Carson.

Posted by Nick Green at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The U.S. Women's National Team lifted the Algarve Cup after winning 2-1 over Denmark in Portugal today with Abby Wambach scoring the game winner.

CONCACAF has released the rosters for Mexico and the three other Group B teams in Olympic qualifying that open play tonight at Home Depot Center.

In other women's soccer news, the new Pacific Palisades-based W-League franchise Pali Blues signed a trio of Australian national team players.

The Galaxy announced an 18-game Fox Sports broadcast schedule meaning every Galaxy game this season will be televised.

Finally, sign ups open today for the seventh annual MLS Fantasy Challenge.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Starting Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan received confirmation from doctors Monday he had sustained a mild sprain of the MCL in his left knee, which he suffered in training the previous Monday before the team left for a pre-season tournament in Texas.

With an expected recovery time of two to four weeks, if will be touch and go whether Guzan is fit for the Chivas USA MLS opener March 30 away to Dallas, which is less than three weeks away. But Chivas USA officials said Tuesday they were "cautiously optimistic" Guzan will be fit to start.

In his absence, Chivas USA will fill the void at the goalkeeping position - Guzan was the only netminder on the roster - with 22-year-old goalkeeper Lance Parker out of Missouri State.

Parker was signed to a developmental contract Monday, a move the team will formally announce later this afternoon.

Guzan's injury occurred as he attempted to stop a shot with his legs, but the ball struck him awkwardly, causing the sprain.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CONCACAF Olympic qualifying begins tonight with two games including the U.S. against Cuba and I offered a primer in today's column.

CONCACAF has released the rosters for the teams in Group A.

Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan and his role on the U-23 team is profiled here, although Fontana's Maurice Edu was on Monday named team captain for the tournament.

Lastly, Andrew Sakura, 17, the starting goalkeeper for Palos Verdes High died last weekend after crashing his father's Corvette while speeding. He would have turned 18 later this month.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Already a busy day in soccer so let's get to it:

The U.S. Women's National Team decisively defeated Norway 4-0 Monday to reach Wednesday's Algarve Cup final in Portugal against Denmark.

Former U.S. star Hugo Perez and former U.S. women's Coach Anson Dorrance were elected to the veteran and builder categories respectively, the National Soccer Hall of Fame announced today. Palos Verdes' Joy Fawcett was yet again denied entrance, though.

Chivas USA's striking duo of Maykel Galindo and Ante Razov (who scored a goal) started for the first time this preseason, but that wasn't enough to prevent Toronto FC winning 3-2 Sunday in San Antonio, Texas.

Finally, Chivas USA put their single-game tickets on sale today, with seats starting at $14.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Coach Peter Nowak named his 20-man Olympic qualifying roster this afternoon, omitting Rolling Hills Estates' midfielder Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Galaxy defender Mike Randolph, goalkeeper Tally Hall, Derby County midfielder Bennie Feilhaber and FC Dallas' Arturo Alvarez, who were all in the 24-player pre-Olympic qualifying training camp.

Lots of locals on the roster though: Fontana's Maurice Edu, Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan and UCLA products Patrick Ianni, Kamani Hill, Marvell Wynne, Chad Barrett and Sal Zizzo as well as former Galaxy player Robbie Findley.

As expected, West Ham United's Jonathan Spector was also drafted in.

Here's the roster and the (edited) U.S. Soccer press release: goalkeepers Dominic Cervi (unattached), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake); Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC); midfielders Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas) Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96); forwards Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake).

The roster features 10 players who have earned full international caps with the senior team led by Jonathan Spector, who has 11 caps.

The U.S. plays Cuba Tuesday, Panama Thursday and Honduras Saturday. All games are at 4 p.m. live on Fox Soccer Channel.

Canada, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico play Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at Home Depot Center in Carson.

The top two teams qualify for the Olympics.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy wrapped up their Asian tour with a 2-2 draw (in regulation) against a Hong Kong selection in a game that started Saturday and ended Sunday our time.

For the second time on their three-game tour of Asia, the Galaxy lost on a penalty kick shootout. THe Galaxy's blog has an interesting note on that, by the way.

Coach Ruud Gullit likely won't be as concerned about the loss as he will the total defensive breakdown that led to the only Hong Kong goal from the run of play.

A Brad Guzan-less Chivas USA (the goalkeeper was sent home with an injury) wraps up the tournament in San Antonio today against Toronto FC.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chivas USA lost 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo in San Antonio on Friday, the Galaxy play the next game of their Asia tour at 11 tonight live on Fox Soccer Channel from Hong Kong where ticket sales have reportedly been poor, the U.S. Women triumphed again in Portugal while the high school soccer season is over.

And so is my posting on a gorgeous day in Southern California. Enjoy the weekend.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chivas USA plays the Houston Dynamo tonight in San Antonio (although due to the state of the field there it's reportedly the reserve squads that will play) and the Galaxy plays the third and final game of its Asian tour live on Fox Soccer Channel at 11 p.m. Saturday (that's a time that screams TiVo).

Still, if you only watch one game this weekend make it Brad Friedel's Blackburn Rovers against FulhamAmerica at 7 a.m. Saturday on FSC as the London team with a large contingent of Americans fights for EPL survival.

The David Beckham Academy in Carson has redesigned its Web site.

And as of Monday, Fox Football Fone-In has moved to a new night and time (the show begins at 5 p.m.).

Finally, prep action from the Daily Breeze is here and here, the Daily News here and the Long Beach Press-Telegram here.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here we go again.

Reports out of England suggest David Beckham's landmark 100th England appearance could come against France March 26, just three days before the Galaxy's first MLS game of the season in Colorado. More here.

Mexico's Under-23 team, which will play its Olympic qualifiers in Carson, turns out for its final warmup game against Finland tonight in Dallas and hasn't looked good.

Lastly, preps news from the Daily Breeze is here, the Daily News here and the Long Beach Press-Telegram here.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Back after a self-imposed radio silence on (most) of a day off.

Three typically opportunistic Carlos Ruiz strikes saw a largely listless Galaxy beat an "all-star" Chinese squad 3-0 today, the U.S. senior women's team ripped China and Chivas USA lost to D.C. United in Texas two times on what sounded like one unusual day.

Updated: Anaheim's Jorge Flores opened the scoring for Chivas USA with a line-up of largely reserves in the 2-1 loss to D.C. United in San Antonio, Texas.

The Chivas line-up: (4-4-2): Lance Parker; Gerson Mayen, Shavar Thomas, Bobby Burling, Eric Ebert; Jorge Flores, Daniel Paladini, Kraig Chiles , Keith Savage (Chukwudi Chijindu 62); Justin Braun, Anthony Hamilton (Arnaldo Salazar 84).

Posted by Nick Green at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just got off the phone a couple of hours ago with Galaxy staff in China and they tell me they have a 17-man senior roster set that's pretty much the one listed on their (surprise) Web site.

Izzy Sesay though is a developmental player and does not count toward the "cap" or roster.

Injured goalkeeper Charles Alamo is also signed to a developmental deal as previously reported, by the way.

The status of these three is uncertain: goalkeeper Josh Wicks, striker Bryan Jordan and Brazilian midfielder Alvaro Pires.

Expect more deals in the next month. The Galaxy are not done yet.

The Galaxy kick-off their game against the all-star Shanghai Hong Kong United (hopefully they all don't know each other to well) at 8 p.m. Wednesday in China, which is 4 a.m. our time. The game is televised at 8 p.m. here on Fox Soccer Channel.

So I'm going to avoid contact with electronic devices until after the game.

Perhaps not professional blogging behavior, but I'm off work tomorrow anyway and can enjoy the game.

By the way, Pires apparently has no idea why he's called "the buffalo," especially since he's never been called that anywhere before.

My question: if he's Brazilian why does he have two names?

Posted by Nick Green at 9:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Today's column looks at Monday's roster and salary budget compliance day in MLS, but it wasn't until this morning that we learned the Galaxy has waived Celestene Babayaro, Kyle Martino and Kelly Gray.

The latter two aren't much of a surprise as the column points out, but Babayaro getting cut is. At age 29, the former Newcastle United defender can't make an MLS team? Salary was undoubtedly an issue, but he hasn't shown an awful lot anyway and the Galaxy don't seem to have room for him on the back line (he played in midfield last weekend).

Here's the (edited) Galaxy release:

The LA Galaxy waived three players on Monday, the day that all teams must be roster and salary budget compliant in accordance with MLS rules. The club has waived midfielders Kelly Gray and Kyle Martino, as well as defender Celestine Babayaro. All three, as well as players waived by each of the other 13 MLS clubs, will be available in an MLS Waiver Draft, which will be held at noon today.

A native of Kaduna, Nigeria, Babayaro had spent the last month training with the Galaxy, playing once in last weekend’s match against FC Seoul. The 29-year old Nigerian had spent time with Belgian club Anderlecht, as well as English sides Chelsea and Newcastle United prior to training with the Galaxy. A Gold Medal winner at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Babayaro also represented his country at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.

Gray originally joined the Galaxy on July 3, 2007 in a trade that sent Nate Jaqua to the Houston Dynamo. A six-year MLS veteran, he appeared in six regular season games, as well as three SuperLiga matches and one Open Cup game for the Galaxy last year, but missed most of the final two months of the year with a pair of calf injuries.

Martino played in 35 games in a year and a half with the Galaxy, scoring three goals and adding two assists. The 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year with the Columbus Crew, Martino led all Galaxy field players with 26 appearances for the club in the 2007 regular season, as well as playing three times in SuperLiga and three times in the Open Cup, where he scored once.

Meanwhile, over in China it really is Beckhamania.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

MLS teams grappling with today's roster and salary budget compliance deadline didn't generate much news, with few teams actually announcing their cuts (including the Galaxy).

I'll have more on that in Tuesday's column, but I can tell you that Chivas USA didn't have to make any cuts since they have just 17 senior players on their roster. (Defender Bobby Burling, striker Anthony Hamilton and Jorge "Sueno" Flores - who has been playing at left back during preseason - are developmental players who don't count toward the 18-player senior roster).

Presumably, Chivas USA will add another goalkeeper, a critical need if starter Brad Guzan can secure a work permit in England during the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, Chivas USA left today for a preseason tournament in Texas.

From the Chivas USA press release:

Chivas USA Head Coach Preki has selected 28 players to travel to San Antonio this week for the Texas Pro Soccer Festival. Chivas USA departed today for San Antonio, where it will play three games, against Major League Soccer opponents D.C. United Wednesday, the Houston Dynamo Friday and Toronto FC Sunday.

The roster: goalkeepers Brad Guzan, Lance Parker, Sam Reynolds; defenders Jonathan Bornstein, Bobby Burling, Jim Curtin, Jorge Flores, Claudio Suárez, Shavar Thomas, Lawson Vaughn, Alex Zotinca; midfielders Kraig Chiles, John Cunliffe, Eric Ebert, Luciano Fusco, Jesse Marsch, Gerson Mayen, Paulo Nagamura, Daniel Paladini, Keith Savage, Raphaël Wicky; forwards Justin Braun, Chukwudi Chijindu, Maykel Galindo, Anthony Hamilton, Atiba Harris, Arnaldo Salazar, Ante Razov.

Chivas USA midfielder Francisco Mendoza (groin strain) and forward Alecko Eskandarian (groin strain) will stay behind in Southern California as they continue their respective rehabs. Also absent: midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who is currently with the United States Under-23 National Team in Florida as it prepares for Olympic qualifying.

By the way, for those who keep track of these things "Sueño MLS 2008: The Dream Continues" is down to its final 18 players, who will play at Home Depot Center March 13.

Over in Galaxyland, Coach Ruud Gullit is reportedly upset with the state of the pitch the Galaxy will play on Wednesday.

"The pitch is in bad shape and dangerous, there were stones and bones, shells, everything was on the pitch. It is pretty difficult to play on it, so I hope they can clean it," he said.

Finally, Fox Soccer Channel will show all of the U.S. men's Olympic qualifying games.

From the press release:

Fox Soccer Channel will show a total of seven qualifying matches, including all three of the USA’s first-round matches, semifinals, third-place and championship match.

All three U.S. matches in Group A will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., with the U.S. taking on Cuba at 5 p.m. March 11, Panama at 5 p.m. March 13 and Honduras at 4 p.m. March 15.

Group B features Canada, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico facing off on March 12, 14 and 16 at Home Depot Center.

Fox Soccer Channel will broadcast both semifinal games at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 20, along with the third-place match at 11 a.m. and the final at 2 p.m. March 23.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If you watched the 11:30 p.m. Galaxy-FC Seoul game on Fox Soccer Channel last night you know LA salvaged a rather uninspiring 1-1 tie in regulation time to kick off their Asian Tour.

Yet if you read this story you know the Galaxy actually lost on penalty kicks, something neither alluded to or shown on FSC.

More than a little strange.

Also, preps coverage from the Daily Breeze is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When Canadian midfielder Kevin Harmse returned back to the U.S. from Hawaii and was not included in the Galaxy's Asian tour it seemed likely he was on the trading block.

On Friday, the 23-year-old Harmse was duly sent back home to Toronto FC in exchange for a fourth round 2009 draft pick.

“We are looking forward to getting Kevin here with us, he’s a tough young Canadian player, and he adds some quality depth to the team,” said Toronto Manager Mo Johnston. “His versatility will certainly help the squad this season.”

From the (edited) Galaxy press release:

In his first year with the Galaxy in 2007, Harmse appeared in 17 regular season games, making 13 starts and scoring one goal. He officially signed with the club on April 12 and made his debut that evening against FC Dallas. He scored his only league goal in his next MLS appearance, scoring the game-winning goal in the 3-1 win over Chivas USA in the Honda SuperClasico. Harmse, who has six caps for Canada, also appeared in four SuperLiga matches, scoring once in the 6-5 win at FC Dallas, as well as two U.S. Open Cup games for the Galaxy

Harmse, who has six caps for Canada, spent the 2006 season in Europe with FC Nitra in Slovakia. The Vancouver native played for his hometown Whitecaps in 2004 and 2005.

Meanwhile, the trade gives the Galaxy five draft picks next year, including one picked up earlier from Chivas USA.

And speaking of Chivas USA, Maykel Galindo returned to score in one of two scrimmages the team had today with college teams at Home Depot Center.

From the Chivas USA press release:

In the first game of the morning, Chivas USA earned a 1-0 victory over UC Riverside, thanks to a goal from Claudio Suárez. The Red-and-White used goals from Maykel Galindo and Kraig Chiles in the second game to take a 2-1 win over UC Irvine.

The first game, which ran for two 35 minute halves, featured the return to competitive play of a number of Chivas USA players. Jonathan Bornstein started at left back for the Red-and-White, Paulo Nagamura was in the center of the midfield, and was replaced in the second half by Lawson Vaughn. It was the first taste of game action in 2008 for all three.

The only goal of the first game came in the 59th minute, when a rebound from Ante Razov’s free kick fell to the feet of Claudio Suárez, who had charged in on goal after the initial shot. The team’s captain finished from close range to give Chivas USA the win.

The Red-and-White used a different group of players in the second game, and was able to come away with another one-goal win. After going into the half down a goal, Maykel Galindo and Kraig Chiles each scored to give Chivas USA the 2-1 victory. Chiles also played an excellent ball to Galindo on the first goal, and Jorge Flores notched the assist on Chiles’ goal. The match was played with two 40-minute halves.

Chivas USA will soon head to San Antonio for next week’s Texas Pro Soccer Festival, where the team will face off against D.C. United, the Houston Dynamo, and Toronto FC.

Chivas USA lineup for game one:

Chivas USA (4-4-2): Brad Guzan; Alex Zotinca, Claudio Suárez, Jim Curtin, Jonathan Bornstein; Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura (Lawson Vaughn 46), Raphaël Wicky (Luciano Fusco 46); Ante Razov, Atiba Harris.

Game two: Chivas USA (4-4-2): Sam Reynolds (Lance Parker 40); José Antonio Patlán, Daniel Carlos Montes, Bobby Burling, Jorge Flores; John Cunliffe, Eric Ebert, Lawson Vaughn (Kraig Chiles 40), Luciano Fusco (Gerson Mayen 40); Maykel Galindo (Justin Braun 47), Chukwudi Chijinju.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy plays live at 11:30 tonight on Fox Soccer Channel against FC Seoul in the first game of their Asia tour.

The Daily Telegraph in England has more on the David Beckham buzz in South Korea.

Galaxy PR folks reminded me that the team has four players (and one coach) who particpated in the 2002 World Cup in Korea: Becks, Landon Donovan (who is back here in the U.S. for treatment and won't play tonight), Abel Xavier, Celestine Babayaro and now Assistant Coach Cobi Jones. Strangely, they all played against each other in the first round of that World Cup - Jones and Donovan beat Xavier and Portugal 3-2 while Beckham and England drew Babayaro's Nigeria 1-1.

Here at home, last year's Big West Goalkeeper of the Year, Galaxy draft pick Charles Alamo (UC Riverside) goes under the knife today, a week after tearing his ACL, a team spokesman e-mailed from Korea. Alamo is out for the year, but remains with the team after the Galaxy offered him a contract the same day the injury happened.

Injured defender Ante Jazic, remains in Korea to continue his rehab work with trainers Armando Rivas and Cecelia Gutierrez, as suspected, team officials confirmed.

Meanwhile, former Galaxy prospect Dan Paladini has resurfaced with Chivas USA. Former Galaxy midfielder Santino Quaranta has returned to D.C. United in an effort to resucitate his career. And, yes, Landon Donovan is the U.S. leading scorer after all FIFA confirmed today.

Finally, there's preps news from the Daily Breeze here.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

When you start the day with a 7 a.m. talk to Rotarians, things just go downhill from there.

So, to bring us up to speed, the Galaxy have announced their 21-player roster for their Asian tour: goalkeepers Steve Cronin, Josh Wicks; defenders Celestine Babayaro, Sean Franklin, Michael Gavin, Ante Jazic, Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Julian Valentin, Greg Vanney, Abel Xavier; midfielder Ely Allen, Alvaro, David Beckham, Chris Klein, Brandon McDonald, Josh Tudela, Peter Vagenas; forwards Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Carlos Ruiz.

Goalkeeper Charles Alamo, forwards Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan and Israel Sesay and midfielders Kelly Gray and Kevin Harmse have all returned to Los Angeles.

Donovan has patella tendonitis in his right knee, although he's expected to be fit for the start of the MLS season; Buddle is expected to miss approximately six weeks after suffering a dislocation of his right collarbone during the second half of the Galaxy’s 2-1 win over Sydney FC; and as previously reported Alamo is out six months after suffering a serious knee injury in a scrimmage against the Dyanamo.

Are Izzy, Gray and Harmse all on the outs with new Coach Ruud Gullit? No reason was given for their early flight home.

Galaxy single game tickets go on sale Friday, incidentally.

By the way, MLS Commish Don Garber is expected to formally announce Thursday that Philadelphia will snag the next MLS team.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Beckham and the Galaxy (in that order) arrived in Korea and spoke at a press conference Wednesday managing to say nothing we haven't heard before, although at least fashion is number two for Becks behind soccer.

Back in the U.S., Men's Under-23 National Team Coach Peter Nowak has named camp selections for the Olympic qualifying roster, although it's widely expected he'll add the European-based likes of Jonathan Spector and Michael Bradley for the games in March.

Local interest: Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers, Fontana's Maurice Edu, the Galaxy's Mike Randolph, Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan and UCLA products Sal Zizzo, Marvell Wynne, Patrick Ianni and Chad Barrett are all on the roster.

The full roster: goalkeepers Dominic Cervi (Chicago Fire), Tally Hall (Esbjerg fB), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake); defenders Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hil (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Mike Randolph (LA Galaxy), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC); midfielders Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96); forwards Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake).

Ten players on the roster have earned caps with the U.S. National Team.

Finally, Pacific Palisades-based W-League team Pali Blues announced the signing of UCLA goalkeeper Valerie Henderson and English Under-19 Team goalkeeper Karen Bardsley from Chino Hills.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

With Fidel Castro stepping down, it seemed like a good time to check in on Chivas USA's Cuban defector Maykel Galindo who resumes scrimmaging with the team today after off-season sugery.

The column is here.

Galindo had a league-leading five games in which he scored multiple goals last season including these typical strikes against the Galaxy.

Incidentally, while I was out at Home Depot Center Monday chatting with Maykel (the sort of guy it would be fun to hang with for a mojito or two, by the way), former Chivas USA assistant coach Martin Vazquez, who joins Bayern Munich in the same role in July, was spotted heading into the team's offices. Vazquez, inundated by interview requests from around the world, according to team officials, wisely isn't talking to the media until he begins work.

Meanwhile, Galaxy goalkeeper Charles Alamo is out for the season.

The Galaxy's parent company, Anschutz Entertainment Group, looks to make a nice profit by selling an interest in the Houston Dynamo to boxer Oscar de la Hoya. It's a move that can only be good for MLS, as the league looks to diversify its investor groups.

Finally, it's Tuesday and that means preps coverage from the Daily Breeze here and the Daily News.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Light and late blogging, let's play catch-up:

All three games - another against a Hong Kong team was added today - on the Galaxy's Asian tour are televised on Fox Soccer Channel.

From the Galaxy's press release:

The LA Galaxy announced today that they will play a preseason friendly 11 p.m. March 9 against the Hong Kong Union in Hong Kong in the third and final match of the club’s Asia Tour 2008.

Fox Soccer Channel begins coverage 11:30 p.m. Saturday with the Galaxy-FC Seoul match, followed four days later by an 8 p.m. tape delayed broadcast of the game against Shanghai-Hong Kong United.

Also, former Galaxy flop Santino Quaranta has resurfaced in D.C.

Fontana's Maurice Edu is profiled.

The Women's Olympic Qualifying groups are set, although you don't really need to pay attention (read the last graf). From the U.S. Soccer press release:

The U.S. has been drawn into Group A along with Jamaica and Mexico for 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying from April 2-12 in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

The U.S. will open the tournament April 4 against Jamaica before facing Mexico April 6. Both games will be played in the Estadio Olímpico Benito Juarez, which will host all 10 games during the qualifying tournament.

The top two teams from Group A will advance to the semifinals, where they will cross over to face the top two teams from Group B, which includes Canada, Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago. The winners of the April 9 semifinals will qualify for the 2008 Olympics.

The U.S. has only faced Jamaica once previously, a 10-0 victory 14 years ago in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying match in Montreal, Canada. Mexico is a more familiar opponent for the U.S., with the teams having faced each other 22 times previously. The U.S. has dominated the rivalry with the qualifying hosts, winning the first 21 meetings before Mexico earned a 1-1 tie on Oct. 20, 2007.

Finally, (and this is sorta old, but so is the rest of this post) from this link you've gotta wonder who is getting traded next.

Tuesday's column: Chivas USA Cuban defector Maykel Galindo and the departure of Castro.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Galaxy wins, Chivas USA loses and Long Beach State cancels.

Back Monday.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Galaxy-Sydney

The island newspapers are avoiding much mention of the event and even the increasingly secretive Galaxy seem uninterested; no press releases or updates to the club blog. Deep discounts on tickets too.

Here's a preview (such as it is).

Chivas USA-Crew

From the Chivas USA press release:

All proceeds from the match will benefit the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, a non-profit which provides financial and emotional support to children and their families facing childhood cancer in Santa Clarita and the surrounding area.

The match will be played in Cougar Stadium at the College of the Canyons in Valencia, and tickets are available at prices of $20 for adults and $15 for children.

Fans should note that, due to the Tour of California cycling race, there will be a number of road closures and detours in the area near the College of the Canyons. These will occur mostly prior to game-time, but full information can be found on the City of Santa Clarita’s Web site.

The Crew played Friday night against the San Jose Earthquakes in San Luis Obispo and so are likely to rest Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers and Argentine Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Coach Sigi Schmid said via e-mail. He expects to mix and match different combinations tonight.

Sigi recommends fans keep an eye out for newcomer Nigerian attacking midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo who is on trial with the club.

The long-time South Bay resident and former Galaxy coach has also offered to blog occasionally this season and so I thought I'd get that into print and hold him to it.

The Crew also plays the Ventura County Fusion Monday in Ventura.

Preps Update

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new Upper Deck Retail Store opened today in Huntington Beach, which if not actual cause for excitement on a slow news day at least gives me an excuse to blog about the the company's newest set of MLS cards. Issued after the end of the season (so we get a now-retired Eddie Pope in action, for instance on card 88), the cards have some (usually incomplete) stats, pallid text and reasonable photography.

The 200-plus set includes the David Beckham "rookie" card pictured below as well as the likes of Freddy Adu and the now-retired Chris Armas. There's 10 cards a pack and they retail for around $2.

Upper Deck has periodically issued MLS cards over the years (the ones from 1996 serve mainly to remind one how damn ugly those first-year team jerseys were).

A sampling is below. Kevin Hartman is reportedly much sleeker now, by the way.

Becks' "rookie" card	That's the best they could do?

A tubby Kevin Hartman	Pasadena City College's Yuri Movsisyan

More info on the cards here.

And this this guy sounds like he knows more about the hobby than I do.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The USC women play Mexico tonight at the Coliseum, while up the coast in San Luis Obispo the Earthquakes play the Columbus Crew in the MLS Central Coast Showcase.

Mexico also plays Cal State Long Beach Sunday.

Swiss international Raphaël Wicky has started training with Chivas USA after off-season ankle surgery, while they're down to the last 60 players for Sueño MLS: The Dream Continues.

Plenty of high school soccer on tap from the Daily Breeze here and here, the Daily News and Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Finally, if you've got $10,000 (or so) to burn all this could be yours. Bucks for Becks, I guess.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's only a preseason tournament with a grand name, but both games of the Pan-Pacific Championship are live on ESPN Classic tonight (the Galaxy game against Japanese team Gamba Osaka airs at 8 o'clock) and it's the first chance to see what a Ruud Gullit Galaxy team looks like.

Landon Donovan is out with an (achilles?) tendon injury according to the preview on the tournament's Web site and, of course, midfielder Kyle Martino was left off the Galaxy roster.

Gamba Osaka is reportedly missing seven players through injury, but Gullit conceded last weekend he knows nothing about the Japanese team. Still, he said a win is not the most important thing about the game anyway.

I spoke with Donovan and a couple of other players last weekend before the team left the state.

Donovan said that at least the attacking half of the team looked good in scrimmages last week against two college teams even without striker Carlos Ruiz:

"Attacking-wise we look pretty good because we have a lot of talented players," Donovan said. "We still don’t have Fish on the field and that’s going to help too (when he returns). Defensively is where we’re going to need to get better and that’s just because you don’t know the guy next to you. You don’t know how he moves. It’s a new coach so you don ‘t know completely what style he wants to play. Those things you have to figure out. And unfortunately, you can get away with a lot playing against college teams."

Newly-anointed starting goalkeeper Steve Cronin sounded eager to get between the posts, too:

"Since I've been with the national team I've basically been practicing, doing fitness and stuff like that for a month and a half now so I'm real anxious to play a competitive game," he said. "I want to solidify my spot on the team, gain the players' confidence."

It's a tough game so early in preseason, but midfielder Pete Vagenas welcomes the challenge:

"They're quality opponents so there’s going to be tough matches," he said. "It's important we schedule games in preseason where you're going to face adversity. It’s a waste of time where you go out and face college teams all the time and don’t face any type of adversity, don’t even lose. Sometimes it's good to see your team and players struggle to see how they come out of that because we all know MLS is a grueling season and everything is not going to always go great. So for me the most important thing is to schedule the toughest games you can. And if that means you're going to have to lose and take something in the behind because your team is not exactly ready, so be it. I think in the long run it benefits us."

The Galaxy Web site has pictures of the players working out Monday and tonight's weather looks ideal for a soccer game, which could encourage reportedly tepid ticket sales (only 10,000 or so sold was the word Tuesday). All sorts of discounts are on offer.

Here at home Chivas USA continue to prepare for Saturday's benefit game in Santa Clarita against the Columbus Crew.

Finally, high school playoffs are in full swing and there's prep news from the Daily Breeze here, the Daily News here and the Long Beach Press-Telegram here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It took long enough, but here are the 27 players in Hawaii for the preseason tournament that starts Wednesday night:

Goalkeepers Charles Alamo, Steve Cronin, Josh Wicks; defenders Celestine Babayaro, Sean Franklin, Michael Gavin, Ante Jazic, Brandon McDonald, Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Julian Valentin, Greg Vanney, Abel Xavier; midfielders Ely Allen, Alvaro, David Beckham, Kelly Gray, Kevin Harmse, Chris Klein, Josh Tudela, Pete Vaganas; forwards Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Carlos Ruiz, Israel Sesay.

The missing: Galaxy draft picks Daniel DeGeer and Matt Hatzke, open tryout selection Vito Higgins (who is from Hawaii) and midfielder Kyle Martino.

Martino told me last weekend that's he's healthy and recovered from offseason surgery, so the question arises: Is the relatively high-paid veteran trade bait as the Galaxy look both to reduce their wage bill and log-jam in midfield?

I have no idea whether Ruiz is healthy enough to play; he didn't feature in either of the Galaxy's two closed-door scrimmages last week. Similarly, it's unclear whether Babayara has yet secured a work permit.

And I bet Higgins is crushed.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Galaxy have landed in Hawaii for the Pan-Pacific Championship amid the requisite scenes of Beckham hysteria and the typically bland press conference. Best line at the press event went to Dynamo Coach Dominic Kinnear, who quipped: "I am surprised the tickets only cost $10. I had a Pina Colada last night – and that was $10. So if people just hold off on one Pina Colada then they can come down and see some great soccer."

18 February 2008: Brian Ching of the Houston Dynamo and David Beckham of the LA Galaxy pose with the Pan-Pacific Championship trophy during a press conference for the inaugural event at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, HI.

Perhaps this new set of squad photos provides a clue and signifies who is likely to win a spot on Coach Rudd (sic) Gullit's team.

Check out the uncomfortable looking Alexi Lalas and defender Abel Xavier, who appears to be striving to look like one of those little plastic trolls that were a fad in the '70s.

Finally, Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz has more on who will return from the Galaxy's trip to Hawaii and Asia still on the team.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The last week has seen a heated global debate over a proposal to play regular season English Premier League games overseas, including the U.S.

Read this week's column for my take and the opinion of local players, then take the poll.

Comments welcome.

Updated: And the debate rolls on.

Good set of links with reaction, etc., on that page, too.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Defender Shavar Thomas remains stranded in Jamaica with visa problems, Chivas USA still has a dozen or so injured players and yet they looked good going forward in a 1-0 win today against D.C. United at Home Depot Center.

Preki played a lot of youngsters in the second half, yet was pleased with what he saw.
"They stepped on the field in the second half and played pretty good," he said. "We're making progress every day."

Defensive midfielder Jesse Marsch took exception to a tough challenge from Luciano Emilio and left the game in the first half to apply ice to his right ankle (the one he always ices after games), but it's not believed he will add to the Chivas USA ranks of the walking wounded.

Former Galaxy midfielder Quavas Kirk played for D.C.

Incidentally, reality TV show winner Jorge Flores' nick name: Sueño (Dream).

Here are the match details from Chivas USA.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Quickly: Chivas USA lost 4-0 to the Japanese Under-23 team Saturday at Home Depot Center and supposedly had 13 players missing because of injury. Sounds like a great way to start the season.

Chivas USA line-ups: (first half; 4-4-2): Brad Guzan, Omar Becerra, Alex Zotinca, Jorge Flores, Jim Curtin, Keith Savage, John Cunliffe, Jesse Marsch, Sasha Kljestan, Arnolfo Salazar, Atiba Harris.

(second half; 4-4-2): Brad Guzan, Omar Becerra, Gerson Mayen, Trey Lee, Darren Spicer, Chukwudi Chinjiju, Kraig Chiles, Dan Paladini, Steven Kaufman, Eric Ebert, Justin Braun.

Chivas USA plays D.C. United Monday at Home Depot Center in a game I plan to attend.

Also: Fontana's Maurice Edu put two shots past Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman (Peninsula High) as Toronto FC disposed of the Wizards 2-0 over the weekend.

Long Beach State women's soccer hosts the Mexican National Team Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. at George Allen Field, two days after the Mexicans play USC at the Coliseum. Tickets are $7 adults, $5 kids.

Plenty of prep soccer from the Daily Breeze is here and here; from the Daily News here and here; and the Long Beach Press-Telegram here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some 22 Galaxy players trained Saturday morning (Greg Vanney was not there) at Home Depot Center.

The Galaxy played two games against college opponents this week beating Loyola Marymount 6-0 or 7-0 Tuesday (no-one could quite remember the exact score by Saturday) and UCLA 4-1 Friday with the Bruins' moms and dads allowed in the stands, but warned not to bring any cameras in.

The games were divided into thirds and goalkeeper Steve Cronin played the first 30 minutes of each game.

He only faced one shot (against LMU).

"We were just trying to figure some things out," said Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit, saying he couldn't remember who scored. "It's not about the score."

Midfielder Pete Vagenas sounded like he was looking forward to Hawaii, comparing this camp to the early Sigi Schmid years: "I'm exhausted," he said, adding that coaches usually slack off the double days - but Ruud and Cobi Jones haven't. "Its been unique. ... We're licking our wounds so to speak."

On the Greg Vanney trade: "I thought I'd stepped into a time machine or something."

For those playing catch-up, here's the report from today's dead tree edition (to steal a phrase).

Posted by Nick Green at 8:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Defender Jay Needham was cut from training camp today, Galaxy officials said. Although he plays in the USL his MLS rights were owned by D.C. United and the Galaxy obviously didn't feel he was much of an upgrade.

Brazilian defensive midfielder Alvaro, last seen playing in Russia, is in camp. Aussie goalkeeper Chris Sharpe, who played in Denmark and for the Vermont Voltage (is that a great name or what?), was let go earlier in the week.

Excellent camp update is here.

The Galaxy also announced today they have entered into a multi-year broadcasting agreement with ESPN Deportes Radio KWKW 1330 AM to provide coverage of all 30 Galaxy games this season including a weekly program Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Over at Chivas USA, draft pick El-Hadj Cisse (North Carolina State University) picked up a knock on Tuesday against the Red Bulls and hasn't trained the last couple of days. Chivas USA plays Saturday against the Japanese Under-23 National Team in a game in the main Home Depot Center stadium that's only open to the media.

U.S. Women's National Team update (such as it is) is here.

Mexican Olympic Team head coach Hugo Sánchez announced the roster for 2008 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifiying today as well as warm-up games against Australia March 2 in Oakland and against Finland March 6 at Pizza Hut Park.

The squad: goalkeepers Guillermo Ochoa (Club América), Jorge Villalpando (Puebla) y Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey); defenders Omar Esparza (Chivas), Luis Robles (Atlas), Julio César Domínguez (Cruz Azul), Rodrigo Iñigo (Club América), Luis Omar Hernández (Necaxa), Hugo Ayala (Atlas), Francisco Gamboa (Toluca) y Efraín Velarde (Pumas); midfielders Jorge Hernández (Atlas), Patricio Araujo (Chivas), Alan Zamora (Atlante), Gerardo Rodríguez (Pachuca), Juan Carlos Silva (Club América), Edgar Castillo (Santos), César Villaluz (Cruz Azul) Sergio Ávila (Chivas); forwards Enrique Esqueda (Club América), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Edgar Andrade (Cruz Azul), Santiago Fernández (Toluca), Luis Ángel Landín (Morelia) y Omar Arellano (Chivas).

Finally, UCLA men's soccer coach Jorge Salcedo today signed seven players to national letters of intent: goalkeeper Joseph Scachetti (West Torrance High), midfielder/defender Chris Cummings (Chatsworth/Crespi High), midfielder Daren Flitcroft (Great Falls, Va.), defender Oscar Reyes (Santa Ana, Saddleback High), midfielder/defender Andrew Rose (Bristol City) and midfielder Christian Vazquez and defender Zach Zerrenner (both Santa Barbara High). In addition, striker Fernando Monge (Bellevue, Wash.) graduated from high school early and will join the 2008 freshman class.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

From the Galaxy press release on the trade:

The LA Galaxy has confirmed today acquired defender Greg Vanney from D.C. United in exchange for midfielder Quavas Kirk. Vanney, who began his MLS career with the Galaxy in 1996, returns to Los Angeles after previous stops at FC Dallas, Colorado and D.C. United, as well as a three year stint with Bastia in France’s Ligue 1. A native of Tempe, Ariz. and a graduate of UCLA, Vanney was out of contract with United but has signed a new deal with the Galaxy. Per league and team policy, details of the contract were not disclosed.

“Ruud and the entire coaching staff are pleased to be acquiring a true professional such as Greg, who is coming off a great season with D.C. United in which he helped the club capture the Supporters’ Shield,” said Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo. “Greg is coming back to our club a stronger and more experienced player, who will be able to play multiple positions in the backline.”

The 33-year old Vanney has played in 245 career regular season games during his first nine years of MLS, scoring 22 goals and adding 22 assists, as well as five goals and six assists in 32 postseason matches. During his six seasons with the Galaxy (1996-2001), Vanney helped LA reach the MLS Cup three times, as well as leading the club to the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup and the 2001 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championship.

“It’s great; I am excited to be back. I left six or seven years ago and I always felt like this was where I belonged,” said Vanney. “Though I have been through several experiences, my heart has always been with this club. I am looking forward to bringing trophies and championships back to LA.”

After leaving the Galaxy following the 2001 campaign, Vanney signed with Bastia of France’s Ligue 1, appearing in more than 50 games, mostly at right back, during his time at the club. He returned to MLS for the 2005 season, joining FC Dallas, with whom he played two seasons, appearing in 54 games before being traded to Colorado prior to the start of the 2007 season. He split time last season between Colorado and D.C. United, appearing in a total of 24 games, making 23 starts at both center and left back.

Vanney made 37 appearances for the U.S. during his 10-year National Team career, helping the Red, White and Blue qualify for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. Vanney was named as an alternate for the U.S. squad at the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea and was briefly added to the 23-man roster following a pre-tournament injury to Chris Armas, only to suffer a knee injury himself, ruling him out of the tournament.

Entering his fourth season in MLS, Kirk joins United after appearing in 33 games for the Galaxy, making 15 starts in his three seasons with the club. Kirk scored his only ever goal for the Galaxy in their 2-0 win over Roma FC in the Fourth Round of the 2006 U.S. Open Cup. The 20-year old Illinois native battled foot injuries for most of last season, limiting him to just 16 games in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Harden's exit was indeed so he can concentrate on "philanthropic endeavors away from professional soccer."

The (edited) Galaxy press release:

The Galaxy’s 2007 Visa Defender of the Year, Harden made 24 appearances, all starts, and played 2,086 minutes with the club.

"While it's difficult to lose such a talented young player, we recognize that there is much more to life than soccer,” said LA Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. “We respect Ty's decision and are happy that he will have the opportunity to fully pursue his mission of helping others. He remains a member of the Galaxy family and the door is always open for his return."

A native of Junction City, Oregon, Harden made a big splash in 2007, his rookie season. Despite missing playing time in the second half of the season with hip and calf injuries, Harden, 23, provided stability in the heart of the Galaxy defense after being selected by the club in the second round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. Tough and strong in the air, Harden battled some of the league’s top forwards game after game last year.

"My parents have worked for Goodwill for over 25 years, so it has been ingrained in me that helping others is something that we have been put on earth to do. It has always been part of my life and something that I wanted to do,” said Harden. “I have loved soccer for a long time, but I have always loved helping people and doing things for others. I just got to the point where I felt there is more that I can do than just playing soccer.”

Posted by Nick Green at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Both Steven Goff's Soccer Insider and Soccer By Ives are reporting this morning that former Galaxy defender Greg Vanney will return to the Galaxy today in a deal with D.C. United, which owns his rights.

In a related story, young central defender Ty Harden has unexpectedly retired.

With rookie Sean Franklin and EPL veteran Celestine Babayaro installed as the de facto Galaxy full backs could this spell the end for central defender Abel Xavier? The Galaxy won't need (or can afford) two aging and expensive central defenders. And who will play alongside Vanney? Troy Roberts?

No confirmation from the Galaxy's blog, which apparently busied itself Wednesday moving San Luis Obispo from the state's Central Coast to Southern California. Must have comes as a shock to the folks up there.

Updated:
The exodus of young players may be continuing for the Galaxy this morning.

Now Goff is reporting that classy young Galaxy prospect Quavas Kirk is out the door as part of the Vanney deal.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Chivas USA officials said today that Japanese World Cup veteran Takayuki Suzuki has left camp, while Frenchman Marko Muslin has arrived.

In other camps, it sounds like there was a nasty collision at U.S. Women's National Team training today in Carson.

In Bradenton, Fla. today, Rolling Hills Estates Robbie Rogers scored a 26th minute equalizing goal from the middle of the box in what ended as a 3-2 Fire win over the Columbus Crew in a preseason scrimmage.

Closer to home, there's less than a week left to buy tickets for the Crew-Chivas USA charity game in the Santa Clarita Valley at $5 off the regular prices of $20 for adults and $15 for youths. The Feb. 23 game is at College of the Canyons' Cougar Stadium, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road.

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Michael Hoefflin Foundation that provides financial and emotional support to children and their families facing childhood cancer in the Santa Clarita and surrounding valleys.

Details here.

UCLA signed seven players to letters of intent today: Camarillo High midfielder Hannah MacKechnie, the younger sister of Bruin midfielder Caitlyn MacKechnie; defender Amelia Mathis from Ventura; Canadian Under-19 international striker Sydney Leroux; Canadian Under-17 international defender Robyn Dutton from Calgary, Alta.; midfielder Summer Williams from Orinda, Calif.; U.S. Under-17 international defender Whitney Sharpe from Iowa; and goalkeeper Yiana Dimmitt from Redwood City, Calif.

Incidentally, former Chicago Fire Coach Dave Sarachan, last seen at the recent U.S. Men's National Team camp in Carson was appointed scouting manager for U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy. One of two scouts just hired: former MLS striker Raul Diaz Arce.

The always suspect FIFA Rankings were released today. Here are the rankings for CONCACAF. Looking forward to those CONCACAF Champions League games involving clubs from Belize?

Finally, because sheer stupidity is always worth blogging about, there's this. Ditch the names maybe?

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy, apparently failing to learn from last year's grueling schedule designed to wring every dollar possible from the presence of you-know-who (no, not Canadian defender Ante Jazic), are at it again.

Today the club announced a May 13 (that's a Tuesday) rematch against the USL Vancouver Whitecaps in Edmonton, Alberta sandwiched between a home date against New York the preceding Saturday and a road game in Dallas the following Sunday.

Assuming the Galaxy return to LA before heading to Texas, that's three games in nine days covering 5,222 as-the-crow-flies miles in two states and two nations.

Almost as curious is the Galaxy press release. There's no mention of the main reason for the Canada game (and no, it's not so fans can see Jazic):

“We have a tremendous relationship with the Vancouver Whitecaps and share their view of growing the sport throughout North America,” said Galaxy Assistant General Manager Tom Payne. “The first time that we played the Whitecaps the game ended in a draw, this time we are looking to score goals, entertain the fans of Edmonton and come away with a victory.”

This will be the Galaxy’s second friendly against the Whitecaps in a six month span, with the two sides having played to a 0-0 draw in Vancouver on November 7. A crowd of 48,172 was in attendance at BC Place Stadium for that match, making it one of the biggest crowds ever to see a soccer game in Canada.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to play the Galaxy in Edmonton,” said Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi. “One of our club’s mandates is to grow the game of soccer and this match will allow us to showcase two of North America’s most storied soccer franchises. Alberta has successfully hosted some of the biggest soccer events in Canada and I am positive that this match will be no different.”

The Whitecaps play in the 11-team United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) and boast a formidable roster, which includes a mix of youth and experience. Long-time veterans include Canadian international Martin Nash, Jeff Clarke and Steve Kindel. Nash, the 2007 Whitecaps team MVP, has won three USL-1 titles and earned 38 international caps. All three members were key contributors to the Whitecaps 2006 USL-1 championship season.

And let's hope the snow is off the ground in Edmonton by then. It usually is, but late season blizzards are not unheard of. (There's a reason the city's CFL team is called the Eskimos).

In other Galaxy news, the club announced today they had unearthed a goalkeeper from the just-ended open tryouts: former Gonzaga goalkeeper Vito Higgins.

From the (edited) Galaxy press release:

Higgins, who played four years at Gonzaga University, will begin training under the tutelage of goalkeeper coach Ian Feuer on Wednesday.

“Vito had an outstanding career at Gonzaga and was somebody whose talents we were well aware of in advance of this week’s open tryouts,” Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo said. “He came into the tryouts and impressed us with his play and has without a doubt earned his chance to train with the Galaxy.”

The 22-year old Hawaii native appeared in 69 games during his four years with the Bulldogs, including 38 in his last two seasons when he played every minute of every game for the school. As a senior in 2007, Higgins compiled a 9-6-4 record along with a 0.70 goals against average, which is the second best single season mark in club history. Higgins helped the Bulldogs reach the NCAA Tournament last year and recorded a career-high 14 saves in the Bulldogs 1-0 loss to SMU, with the game’s lone goal coming via a late penalty kick.

Higgins will train with the Galaxy for the rest of the week in the hopes of earning a spot on the club’s trip to Honolulu as part of the inaugural Pan Pacific Championship, which begins a week from today.

How cool would it be for a long shot to make a pro roster in that fashion and then possibly end up playing a tournament with the team in your home state? Good luck, Vito.

Finally, the Galaxy announced today that half season and six-game mini-plans are now on sale. One of the games included in the mini-plan is the Red Bull game, incidentally, presumably so fans can see the team before everyone is exhausted (again).

From the (edited) press release:

These plans are currently the only way for fans to purchase tickets to multiple Galaxy games this season without buying a season ticket and offer a significant discount over single game ticket prices.

Fans who order the Big Six plan, which range in price from $75-$420, will receive tickets to the Galaxy’s home opener against San Jose on April 3, the first installment of the SuperClasico against inter-city rival Chivas USA on April 26, the May 10 visit of the New York Red Bulls, the Galaxy’s annual July 4th fireworks match against New England, an MLS Primetime Thursday meeting with the Chicago Fire on August 21 and the 2008 MLS Cup at The Home Depot Center on Sunday, November 23.

Fans who select the half season plan, which range in price from $125-650, will receive tickets to all of the games in the Big Six plan, including the 2008 MLS Cup, as well as the Galaxy’s game against the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo on April 19 and three other matches.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The game was played this morning at Home Depot Center.

From the (edited) Chivas USA press release:

An early goal from striker Ante Razov was the only goal of the match, Chivas USA's all-time leading scorer taking a pass from Sacha Kljestan in the fourth minute and placing a low shot past New York goalkeeper Jon Conway. The goal was the second in as many pre-season games for Razov, who also scored Saturday in Chivas USA’s 2-0 win over UCLA.

First half llneups:
New York Red Bulls (3-5-2): Jon Conway; Scott Palguta, Jeff Parke, Carlos Mendes; Marshall Leonard, Seth Stammler, Dema Kovalenko, Dane Richards, Claudio Reyna; Juan Pablo Angel, Diego Serna.

Chivas USA (4-4-2): Brad Guzan; Alex Zotinca, Claudio Suarez, Jim Curtin, Jorge Flores; Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Marko Muslin, John Cunliffe; Ante Razov, Atiba Harris.

Second half lineups:
New York Red Bulls (3-5-2): Zach Thornton; Mateus Anjos, Eric Brunner, Chris Leitch; Danleigh Borman, David Roth, Sinisa Ubiparipovich, Luke Sassano, Michael Palacio, John Wolyniec, Chris Megaloudis.

Chivas USA (4-4-2): Brad Guzan; Zach Flores, Mike Munoz, Marko Muslin, Jorge Flores; El-Hadj Cisse (Nick Blanco 77), Kraig Chiles, Dan Paladini, Keith Savage; Justin Braun, Chukwudi Chijinju.

Updated: Chivas USA named former Toronto FC Assistant Coach Mike Matkovich to that post with the team, replacing Martin Vasquez who joined Bayern Munich.

From the Chivas USA press release:

“Mike Matkovich is one of the most experienced coaches in the country,” said Preki. “He brings knowledge of everything from youth soccer to MLS, and has an ability to scout and develop players that will help Chivas USA for years to come. I’m thrilled to have him on our staff.”

Matkovich served as Director of Soccer for the Chicago Magic Soccer Club, a Chicago youth club that he founded in 1987 and which from 2005-2007 has been named the top youth club in the country. One of the players that Matkovich coached while with the Chicago Magic is current Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who was at the club with Matkovich from 1996-2004.

Matkovich’s wealth of experience also includes serving as the Head Coach of the Chicago Power of the indoor National Professional Soccer League from 1990-1994, where he won a national championship in 1990. Matkovich also spent 2000-2006 at the helm of the Chicago Fire Reserves of the Premier Development League, where he amassed a 71-8-7 record, which gave him the highest winning percentage of any coach in PDL history.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So Ruud Gullit has trained the Galaxy for all of a week or so now.

Time to take a closer look at the chap and what the Galaxy hope to accomplish by hiring him. This week's column is here.

Meanwhile, access is increasingly a problem in journalism period, but I'm not sure the cause is helped by this sort of whining by perhaps the most boorish sports columnist in the country.

And anyway, the premise of the column is false. Becks isn't the voice of MLS, he's the face of MLS.

He just needs to stand there, look handsome and score the occasional trade mark free kick. More standing than scoring so far, of course.

The Galaxy have confirmed trainer Ivan Pierra has departed the new Gullit regime after a dozen years, joining the U.S. National Team set-up. He's replaced by Armando Rivas who comes over from the Angels.

Also joining the Galaxy: Fitness Coach Chris Neville, a Brit and former pro.

Meanwhile, former Galaxy forward Diego Serna (three goals in 10 games back in 2003) is in town working out with the New York Red Bulls.

Finally, NYRB play Chivas USA in a scrimmage starting at 10 a.m. today at Home Depot Center's Track & Field Stadium. Chivas USA beat UCLA 2-0 last weekend in a closed door scrimmage, with veteran Ante Razov getting on the score sheet.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

ESPN Classic and ESPN360.com will air next week's inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship live from Hawaii, the Galaxy announced today.

Adrian Healy and Allen Hopkins will be in the commentary booth.

The schedule:
Feb. 20
• 8 p.m. Galaxy vs Gamba Osaka.
• 10:30pm Houston Dynamo vs Sydney FC .

Feb. 23
• 8 p.m. PPC Third Place Match - Live on ESPN360.com.
• 10:30 p.m. PPC Championship Final.

I just got back from training camp where Galaxy officials said trialist Gabriel Aikhena, who last played in Singapore, was cut from the roster today.

In addition, draft picks Ely Allen, a forward out of Washington, and Julian Valentin, a defender out of Wake Forest, have signed contracts, team officials announced.

I'll have more from the Galaxy camp Tuesday including a closer look at new Coach Ruud Gullit.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For what it's worth, English tabloids were aflutter this weekend with "exclusive" news of an apt opponent and venue for the Galaxy's David Beckham to collect that 100th England cap he craves.

More here and here. No confirmation from U.S. Soccer.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy begin the second week of training camp today. Here's an update from the team on who remains in camp:

Thirty-three players, including eight of the club’s 10 draft picks will begin their second week of training with the Galaxy on Monday. With just more than a week remaining before the club’s first preseason game and the team scheduled to fly to Hawaii in one week, Ruud Gullit and the rest of his coaching staff will be continuing the club’s preparations for the Pan Pacific Championship and the opening match against Gamba Osaka on February 20.

Forward Landon Donovan was the last player under contract to enter camp, training for the first time on Friday after helping the U.S. National Team earn a 2-2 draw with Mexico in a friendly last week in Houston.

While four trialists were released from camp last week, one new face joined Galaxy camp over the weekend as 2007 USL First Division Rookie of the Year Jay Needham arrived in Los Angeles. The Texas native played for the Puerto Rico Islanders in 2007 after being selected by D.C. United in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. A central defender who is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, Needham played four years at SMU and was named a finalist for the Hermann Trophy as a senior in 2006, one year after he helped lead SMU to the College Cup.

Finally, former Galaxy striker Clint Mathis made a huge impression this weekend on his debut in Greece, scoring a vital late equalizer for his struggling new team.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Galaxy Goodies

The big winner: the Galaxy. If memory serves players paid $150 apiece for the ultra long-shot Galaxy "trial," which works out to $60,000.

In Torrance today, defender Ante Jazic is signing autographs, getting his picture taken with fans and getting asked the question, "when are you getting traded?" (I kid about the last one) from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at a Sports Authority store at 3610 Torrance Blvd. Galaxy gear is 40 percent off and they're handing out free tickets to games. The Redondo Beach resident is one of the most approachable Galaxy players.

Finally, Sydney FC was confirmed Friday as the fourth and final participant in this month's Pan-Pacific Championship. Despite the name, neither the Galaxy nor Sydney are champions of anything, of course.

Chivas USA Preseason Schedule

Camp Cutdown

Incoming: defender Stephanie Cox, a starter at last year's Women’s World Cup, after being given last week off to rest and recuperate from the college season (she was the only player on the World Cup team to go straight into a collegiate season); Under-23 defender Rachel Buehler; and midfielder Kacey White, who Sundhage has likely seen playing in Sweden with AIK in Stockholm.

Outgoing: goalkeeper Cori Alexander; defenders Amy LePeilbet, Brittany Taylor, Lindsay Huie and Manya Makoski; midfielders Jen Buczkowski, Tina DiMartino, Sarah Huffman, Noelle Keselica and Joanna Lohman; and forwards Tiffany Weimer and Christie Welsh.

Full camp roster:

Goalkeepers Nicole Barnhart (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Kristen Luckenbill (Paoli, Pa.), Briana Scurry (Dayton, Minn.), Hope Solo (Richland, Wash.); defenders Rachel Buehler (Del Mar, Calif.), Stephanie Cox (Elk Grove, Calif.), Keeley Dowling (Carmel, Ind.), Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Kate Markgraf (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Heather Mitts (Cincinnati, Ohio), Christie Rampone (Point Pleasant, N.J.), India Trotter (Plantation, Fla.), Cat Whitehill (Birmingham, Ala.); midfielders Shannon Boxx (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis, Mo.), Angela Hucles (Virginia Beach, Va.), Carli Lloyd (Delran, N.J.), Leslie Osborne (Brookfield, Wis.), Lindsay Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Kacey White (Arlington, Texas), Angie Woznuk (El Cajon, Calif.); forwards Lauren Cheney (Indianapolis, Ind.), Natasha Kai (Kahuku, Hawaii), Heather O’Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.), Amy Rodriguez (Lake Forest, Calif.), Abby Wambach (Rochester, N.Y.).

The 26 players train though Feb.17 at the HDC before Sundhage chooses a 20-player roster for the Algarve Cup, set for March 5-12 in southern Portugal.

College Notes

USC head coach Ali Khorsoshahin served as an assistant to Mexico head coach Leonardo Cuellar at the 1999 Women’s World Cup and continues to serve on Cuellar’s staff.

Loyola Marymount announced Friday they have received letters of intent from teammates at Punahou School in Hawai¹I, defender-midfielder Brittney Sanford and striker Erin Rementer, along with midfielder-forward Caroline Helfrich (Moraga, Calif.) and defender Marissa Zamora (Danville, Calif) to join the Lions in the fall of 2008.

"Although Erin and Brittany have taken the same path to LMU, individually they will impact our team in separate ways," Coach Joe Mallia said. "Erin is a dynamic athlete who has the ability to change games in the attack. She is a great one-vs.-one player going towards the goal. Brittany¹s biggest impact will be felt on defense, where she is strong in tackles and tremendous in the air. She is also a leader with a great work rate and technically poised on the ball."

Helfrich spent a year living in Florence,Italy, where she played for the boys Rondinalla Scuola di Calcio, the soccer school that feeds players to Italian club Fiorentina.

Preps Press

Posted by Nick Green at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

English fans are predictably upset by the EPL proposal to stage regular season games overseas, but Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas is (equally predictably) happy about the idea.

And here's the Galaxy blog on why teams and the media don't pay a huge amount of attention to trialists in camp. Some have already received the dreaded tap on the shoulder:

The Galaxy's roster has seen its first cutdown of the year already as trialists Fed Bianchi, Prince Daye, Richard Duru and Jordan King were each let go. That leaves the Galaxy with 32 players still in camp.

No word on who was let go from the U.S. Women's National Team camp in Carson yet.

Finally, Manhattan Beach's Mira Costa High girls team has won (at least a share of) the league title.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLS released its full 2008 fixture list this morning.

The Galaxy will have no excuses for a slow start: four of their first five games are at home.

Highlights:
• A total of 113 games (out of 210) will be shown nationally on ESPN2 and ABC, Fox Soccer Channel/Fox Sports en Español, HDNet and TeleFutura.
• The 14 clubs will play 30 regular season games over 31 weeks, playing each other twice (home and away), for 26 games. The remaining four games will be played against different intra-conference teams (two home and two away), with consideration given to rivalries.
• ESPN2 airs 27 MLS Primetime Thursday regular season contests, beginning with a doubleheader on April 3 and the All-Star game.
• ABC is scheduled to broadcast a unique soccer doubleheader June 29: the Galaxy at D.C. United at 9 a.m. followed by the Euro 2008 final.
• The four teams with the best regular season records in 2007 will represent MLS in the second edition of SuperLiga: D.C. United, Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo and New England Revolution.

Here's the complete Galaxy schedule:
Saturday March 29 at Colorado 6:30 p.m. FSC/HDNet

Thursday April 3 vs. San Jose 7:30 p.m. ESPN2
Sunday April 13 vs. Toronto FC 12:00 p.m. TeleFutura
Saturday April 19 vs. Houston 7:30 p.m.
Saturday April 26 vs. Chivas USA 7:30 p.m. FSC

Saturday May 3 at Real Salt Lake 6:00 p.m.
Saturday May 10 vs. New York 7:30 p.m. HDNet
Sunday May 18 at FC Dallas 12:00 p.m. TeleFutura
Saturday May 24 vs. Kansas City 7:30 p.m. HDNet
Saturday May 31 at Toronto FC 12:30 p.m.

Saturday June 7 vs. Colorado 7:30 p.m.
Saturday June 14 at San Jose 7:00 p.m. FSC
Saturday June 21 vs. Columbus 7:30 p.m.
Sunday June 29 at D.C. United 9:00 a.m. ABC

Friday July 4 vs. New England 7:30 p.m.
Thursday July 10 vs. Chivas USA 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday July 19 at New York 3:30 p.m. FSC
Sunday July 27 at FC Dallas 4:00 p.m.

Sunday August 3 at San Jose 12:00 p.m. TeleFutura
Thursday August 14 at Chivas USA 7:30 p.m. ESPN2
Thursday August 21 vs. Chicago 7:30 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday August 30 at New England 4:30 p.m. HDNet

Saturday September 6 vs. Real Salt Lake 7:30 p.m.
Saturday September 13 at Kansas City 5:00 p.m. HDNet
Saturday September 20 vs. D.C. United 8:00 p.m. FSC
Thursday September 25 at Chicago 6:00 p.m. ESPN2

Saturday October 4 at Columbus 4:30 p.m. HDNet
Sunday October 12 vs. Colorado 5:00 p.m.
Sunday October 19 at Houston 4:00 p.m.
Sunday October 26 vs. FC Dallas 12:00 p.m. TeleFutura

Here's the Chivas USA schedule:
Sunday March 30 @ FC Dallas Noon

Saturday April 5 Real Salt Lake 6:00 p.m.
Saturday April 12 @ Columbus Crew 4:30 p.m.
Sunday April 20 FC Dallas 5:00 p.m.
Saturday April 26 @ Los Angeles Galaxy 7:30 p.m.

Saturday May 3 @ Houston Dynamo 5:30 p.m.
Sunday May 11 New England Revolution Noon
Saturday May 17 D.C. United 7:30 p.m.
Saturday May 24 @ Colorado Rapids 6:30 p.m.
Saturday May 31 Columbus Crew 7:30 p.m.

Thursday June 5 @ New York Red Bulls 4:30 p.m.
Saturday June 14 Real Salt Lake 7:30 p.m.
Thursday June 19 Chicago Fire 7:30 p.m.
Saturday June 28 New York Red Bulls 7:30 p.m.

Saturday July 5 San Jose Earthquakes 7:30 p.m.
Thursday July 10 @ Los Angeles Galaxy 8:00 p.m.

Saturday Aug. 2 @ Chicago Fire 5:30 p.m.
Saturday Aug. 9 @ Kansas City Wizards 5:00 p.m.
Thursday Aug. 14 Los Angeles Galaxy 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday Aug. 20 @ Houston Dynamo 6:00 p.m.
Saturday Aug. 23 San Jose Earthquakes 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Aug. 30 Toronto FC 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Sept. 6 Toronto FC 1:00 p.m.
Thursday Sept. 11 @ New England Revolution 4:30 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 20 @ Real Salt Lake 6:00 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 27 Kansas City Wizards 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Oct. 4 @ D.C. United 4:30 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 11 @ San Jose Earthquakes 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Oct. 19 Colorado Rapids Noon
Saturday Oct. 25 Houston Dynamo 7:30 p.m.

Following the lead of the NFL, it looks like the EPL will hold regular season games overseas.

LA is specifically mentioned in this story.

How about a Manchester United-Liverpool, Galaxy-Chivas USA doubleheader broadcast live worldwide from the Coliseum?

Finally, in the least surprsing news of the day so far, Aston Villa have confirmed they are not giving up the chase for Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Note the new name for the Goats.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Super (International) Wednesday

The undefeated streak against Mexico has hit 10 games despite their speed threatening to overpower the U.S. at times, Josi Altidore keeps justifying the hype and Coach Bob Bradley gave promising youngsters valuable experience in a hostile environment that will serve the U.S. well in the World Cup qualifying games to come.

Video highlights are here.

Speaking of ... the U.S. was no closer to discovering which opening World Cup qualifying match opponent it will face in Carson after Barbados and Dominica tied.

And former Galaxy defender Tyrone Marshall popped up at the last moment to save Jamaica against Costa Rica. (Reuters got his club wrong you'll note; Marshall was traded to Toronto).

MLS Training Camp Update

College Notes

From the (edited) press release:

Arena was an assistant coach at George Mason last season and a volunteer coach for the University of Virginia in 2006.

Arena was responsible for player development, recruiting and scheduling at George Mason in 2007. At Virginia in 2006, he helped the Cavaliers advance to the NCAA Semifinals, where they lost to UCLA.

Arena played three seasons in MLS, spending the 2003 and 2004 seasons with the MetroStars and the 2005 season with DC United. In 2002, Arena was a member of the U.S. Under-23 National Team and was also a member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team from 2000-2001.

At the University of Virginia, Arena started in 65 of 78 games played at midfield from 1999-2002, totaling 24 career points off seven goals (including three game-winners) and 10 assists.

“Kenny Arena arrives with a great deal of experience both as a player and as a young coach who comes from a great soccer pedigree,” said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. “Our players are looking forward to learning from the great experiences he has had in Major League Soccer with New York and DC United.”

In addition, UCLA goalkeeper Val Henderson and USC captain Ashley Nick were selected for the U.S. Under-23 team that will play three games in Spain Feb. 11-16 against England, Norway and Germany.

Finally, UCLA defender Lauren Barnes and USC’s Kasey Johnson and goalkeeper Kristin Olsen received call-ups to the U.S. Under-20 National Team that will play three games in Chile, site of the 2008 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup Nov. 20-Dec. 7. The U.S. takes on England Monday, Norway Feb. 13 and Chile Feb. 15.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The U.S. plays Mexico Wednesday.

More on that in the morning.

Soccer By Ives is reporting that Eric Wynalda and ESPN have parted ways. Sounds like there's history between the two (Ives & Eric) there.

Personally, I always appreciated Wynalda's candor. Huge ego. But didn't take himself seriously.

Set Your TiVo: 11:40 a.m. Italy-Portugal on GOLTV; noon England-Switzerland on Fox Soccer Channel; 5 p.m. Ireland-Brazil on Fox Soccer Channel; 6 p.m. U.S.-Mexico on ESPN2; and much more. Info: here.

Galaxy season ticket holders can attend a training session at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Track & Field Stadium.

Deal O' the Week: $50 gets you in to Chivas USA games on the opening match of the season April 5 against Real Salt Lake, and games against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Chicago Fire, the San Jose Earthquakes and closing day, which doubles as Fan Appreciation night. Call 1-877-CHIVAS-1. That's $10 a game.

Did I mention the U.S. and Mexico play Wednesday?

Posted by Nick Green at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Galaxy and Chivas USA opened training camp Monday.

A couple of items that didn't make it into the column:

*Paraguay's all-time leading scorer and former South American Player of the Year Jose Cardozo was supposed to be at the Chivas USA camp Monday with a view to coming out of retirement. Coach Preki said he didn't know where the player was.

If he does show up, he apparently does not command the sort of salary a designated player gets: "We are not searching right now for a DP," Preki said. "We are keeping all our options open."

Chivas USA officials, by the way, tell me the scuttled deal for goalkeeper Brad Guzan does not mean zero cash is available for a DP. The money is there. The team just needs to find a player that can help the team on the field and put butts in seats.

Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin sounded pretty happy Monday about the turn of events (Joe Cannon's trade) that has left him as the Galaxy's starting goalkeeper.

"This feels like home and this is the team I want to start for - so it's awesome," he said, adding he spoke with new Coach Ruud Gullit earlier Monday. "He's taken some of the pressure off me and given me some leeway to make mistakes. Hopefully I'll keep that to a minimum."

More coverage from camp is here.

Photos are here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Not one MLS team (the Galaxy), not two (Chivas USA), not three (New York Red Bulls), but four (San Jose Earthquakes) are in camp at Carson's Home Depot Center.

Former Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop and his Earthquakes (sounds like an excellent name for a polka band, doesn't it?) play Feb. 22 and Feb. 24 against the Columbus Crew and D.C.United respectively in San Luis Obispo, incidentally. Ticket details are here.

The Galaxy listed 35 players on its pre-season camp roster including EPL veteran Celestine Babayaro, whose signing was (finally) confirmed today by GM Alexi Lalas. Babayaro is in town, but awaiting a work visa.

And, yes, Beckham was in camp enduring Super Bowl-related questions (I kid you not) from television media types.

Players listed as on trial with the Galaxy include: Liberian international Prince Daye and Temple High graduate Bryan Jordan.

The Galaxy will endure two training seassions a day under new Coach Ruud Gullit who players already know will be a far harder taskmaster than Yallop.

Still, players expect a more stable environment than last year's circus.

"You never knew who was going to be in the locker next to you," said midfielder Kyle Martino, fully recovered from the hernia operation he had in the off-season.

Chivas USA listed 38 players and likewise confirmed the long-anticipated signing of Swiss international Raphael Wicky. He wasn't speaking to the media today; Chivas has set a 9 a.m. Tuesday press conference to introduce him.

Other notables on trial with Chivas USA include Mike Munoz, who played a handful of minutes for Chivas USA during their inaugural season and whose girlfriend waged a media campaign to get the team to resign him; Fontana resident Chukwudi Chijindu and 2002 Japanese World Cup veteran Takayuki Suzuki

The complete MLS schedule is set for release Thursday, by the way.

I'll have more on the opening day of camp in Tuesday's column.

Finally, U.S. Soccer confirmed today the opening U.S. World Cup qualifier is set for Home Depot Center June 15 against either Barbados or the Dominican Republic.

The (edited) press release:

Kickoff for the first U.S. match of the 2010 qualifying campaign is set for 2 p.m. PT, with broadcast details still to be finalized. The U.S. will face the winner of the first round series between Barbados and Dominica, who will meet on Feb. 6 in Dominica and March 26 in Barbados.

“We are very much looking forward to beginning the process of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. “We have been preparing for more than a year, and selecting a venue for the match really gives us a target for everyone to focus on for the next few months. The Home Depot Center has been a great host for the national team, and we are hoping to continue our run of good results there.”

The June 15 match represents the USA’s first World Cup qualifier played in Carson. The U.S. boasts an unbeaten 5-0-1 record at the HDC, including two victories during the group stage of their 2007 Gold Cup championship-winning run last year. In their opening match of 2008, goals by Eddie Robinson and Landon Donovan lifted the USA to a 2-0 win against Sweden. It is also the first World Cup qualifying match that the U.S. MNT has played in Southern California since a 1-1 draw with Trinidad & Tobago on May 13, 1989 in Torrance.

The U.S. has never faced Dominica and only played Barbados twice in the Men’s National Team’s 91-year history. The only meetings between the U.S. and Barbados took place in the Semifinal Round of 2002 World Cup qualifying in a group that also included Guatemala and Costa Rica. The U.S. dominated both matches, winning 7-0 on Aug. 16, 2000, in Foxborough, Mass., before cruising to a 4-0 victory in the final group match on Nov. 15, a win that booked the USA’s passage to the final phase.

Should the U.S. advance, the semifinal round will take place from August to November, with the teams divided into three groups of four teams each. Playing a six-game round robin format, the top two finishers from each group will advance to the final six-team group that will play in 2009. The U.S. could potentially face Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago and Cuba should each country advance out of their early-round series.

CONCACAF World Cup qualifying began Sunday, by the way.

Posted by Nick Green at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CFL fan?

Game (as usual) a blowout?

More excited about the opening Monday of the Chivas USA and Galaxy training camps?

Then try these new blogs, Web sites and grab bag of other non-pointyball stuff.

Following up from Saturday's post about Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, a few more details from the presser are here.

An organization in a nascent stage, the North American Soccer Reporters, is a group of humble scribes (including yours truly) that has launched a Web site here. intended as a one-stop venue for blogs, articles and other info from reporters who regularly cover soccer in the U.S.

A blog with a narrower focus is the new Croatian Soccer Report blog written by San Pedro resident Ante Kvartuc and aimed at the community's estimated 35,000 Croatian Americans.

Another recommended blog: Women's Soccer USA. Among the newsworthy items: an update on former U.S. Women's National Team Coach Greg Ryan and new W-League expansion team Pali Blues based in Pacific Palisades.

With the MLS preseason almost upon us it's an apt (and long overdue) time to recognize the newest Galaxy supporters group, the Angel City Brigade, which despite the name is based in the OC.

Incidentally, a long-overdue spring cleaning of the links at 100 Percent Soccer is about to begin so recommendations are welcome.

Finally, there's weekend prep news from the Daily Breeze here and the Daily News here, here, here and here.

Posted by Nick Green at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

There aren't many top soccer players who, after getting off a transatlantic flight at 6 p.m. the night before in the wake of the most crushing week of their professional career, would go to a national team practice and then immediately hold a media roundtable for half an hour.

But Brad Guzan did today after his proposed $4 million transfer to Aston Villa fell through because he was unable to meet the criteria for a U.K. work permit. That's class.

Guzan was clearly trying to remain composed and expressed hope Villa could revive their interest in the summer transfer window.

"It's definitely been a crazy past week," he said of a period of frenzied negotiations and twists and turns that reportedly saw Villa double Celtic's initial bid. "I think I've been able to deal with it. It's a tough pill to swallow."

"They'll watch my progress over the next couple of months," he added. "We'll see what the summer brings."

"It feels good to be back with the family," Guzan said at one point, evoking a certain mob movie.

Indeed, Coach Preki seemed to go out of his way to try and cheer Guzan up.

"You've got to give me a few bucks to keep you in the line-up," Preki joked at one point.

"It's not about money," he said later of what would have been a mega-bucks move for Guzan."He just wanted to be here and train with me."

Then Guzan was off to Texas for next week's U.S.-Mexico game.

With clubs of the stature of Villa and Celtic interested in Guzan, it's only a matter of time (and the requisite number of national team appearances) before he moves even further afield for good.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Blogging is late since I headed out to the U.S. training camp this morning just before the roster for Wednesday's game in Texas against Mexico was announced.

Nine players from Bob Bradley's 20-player Home Depot Center training camp joined another 13 - all but three with European teams - on the U.S. squad announced today for Wednesday's game in Texas against Houston.

The major surprise inclusion: the Dynamo's uncapped defender Stuart Holden.

The full roster - goalkeepers Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton); defenders Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo); midfielders Freddy Adu (SL Benfica,), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Bobby Convey (Reading), Brian Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Lewis (Derby County); forwards Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Pat Noonan (Aalesund FK).

Guzan, Moor, Robinson, Parkhurst, Corrales, Donovan, Clark, Edu, Davis, Altidore and Noonan all played last month against Sweden in Carson.

The Wizards' Jimmy Conrad, defender Clarence Goodson, the Fire's Chris Rolfe and the largely unknown Jeremiah White, who plays in Scandanavia -- and who all played against Sweden - were dropped.

Striker Taylor Twellman is out injured.

Full details here.

Guzan, who arrived back from Europe at 6 p.m. Friday, chatted with local media after practice about his abortive move to England's Aston Villa. I'll have more on that later.

Posted by Nick Green at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Light and late blogging today.

Briefly: Former Creighton goalkeeper Matt Allen, picked by the Galaxy in the third round of the MLS draft, has become the latest young American to spurn the generally low salaries on offer from the league in favor of trying his luck in Europe.

Former Galaxy Coach and longtime South Bay resident Sigi Schmid has acknowledged he is on the hotseat in Columbus after two lackluster seasons with the Crew.

The Crew, by the way, is one of two MLS teams to set up preseason exhibition games later this month with the minor league Ventura County Fusion.

Finally, UCLA product Tony Beltran is making an impact at Real Salt Lake's training camp.

Posted by Nick Green at 5:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

U.S. international Brad Guzan is a world-class goalkeeper, but British bureaucrats pulled the plug today on his imminent $4 million move to Aston Villa.

From the (edited) Chivas USA press release:

Club Deportivo Chivas USA of Major League Soccer today announced that 2007 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and Chivas USA Original Brad Guzan will return to the club for the 2008 season. The announcement comes following the denial of Guzan’s British work permit application this afternoon, London time. The 23-year-old U.S. international had been set to join storied English Premier League club Aston Villa in a record transfer for an MLS goalkeeper.

“It has been my privilege to represent the Chivas colors for the past three years and I look forward to returning to Chivas USA this season,” said Guzan in a statement from England. “I have always appreciated the support of Chivas USA and its passionate fans and shall continue wear the colors with pride as we strive for great things in MLS and beyond in 2008.”

“Brad is a world-class goalkeeper who has attracted the interest of some of the world’s best clubs, and Chivas USA is happy to have him back for another season. Although we share in his disappointment at the denial of his British work permit, we know that Brad, like the true professional he is, will continue to work hard to improve every day on and off the field with Chivas USA,” said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki Radosavljevic.

Major League Soccer’s reigning Goalkeeper of the Year, Brad Guzan was selected by Chivas USA with its first pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft (No. 2 overall) out of the University of South Carolina, prior to the club’s first season as an expansion team in Major League Soccer, making the then-20-year-old the highest-picked goalkeeper in MLS draft history. After playing 24 games for Chivas USA in his rookie season and earning the distinction of 2005 Chivas USA Defender of the Year, the fan favorite known as ‘El Guzano’ would go on to make his first of five appearances to date for the U.S. National Team in 2006. In 2007, Guzan recorded 13 clean sheets for a Chivas USA side that finished first in MLS’s Western Conference.

Wonder if Jurgen Klinsmann, now with Bayern Munich, is monitoring developments?

In other Chivas USA-related news, the club announced today the 2,000 spots for tryouts with the team via a Spanish-language reality show have been filled. Applicants came from 39 different states and 17 foreign countries.

Meanwhile, Mexico Coach Hugo Sanchez today announced the roster for the Feb. 6 game against the U.S. in Houston. The full roster:

Goalkeepers Guillermo Ochoa (Club América), Luís Ernesto Michel (CD Guadalajara), Moisés Muñoz (Morelia); defenders Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona / SPA), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven / HOL), Johnny Magallón (CD Guadalajara), Fausto Pinto (Pachuca), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Oscar Rojas (América); midfielders Pavel Pardo (VFB Stuttgart / GER), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Francisco Arce (Santos Laguna), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo la Coruna / SPA), Antonio Naelson (Toluca); forwards Giovani Dos Santos (FC Barcelona / SPA), Carlos Vela (Osasuna), Juan Carlos Cacho (Pachuca), Adolfo Bautista (Jaguares de Chiapas), Antonio de Nigris (Ankaraspor / TUR).

ESPN confirmed today that outspoken analyst Eric Wynalda was punted from the commentary booth in favor of the presumably less controversial John Harkes. It's another defeat for those who love color and strong opinions and a victory for those who value the bland and safe. Wynalda, of course, has been on the outs with the network ever since he publicly criticized well-known soccer-hater (and loud mouth) Jim Rome a few months back.

At least soccer fans got rid of Dave O'Brien, though.

From the (edited) ESPN press release:

ESPN and ABC will kick off its 13th straight season of Major League Soccer coverage with a new line-up of in-booth commentators – veteran soccer television announcer JP Dellacamera and former U.S. Men’s National Team captain John Harkes – for MLS Primetime Thursday and U.S. Soccer telecasts including, the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Dellacamera and Harkes will lead ESPN’s new on-air crew for U.S. domestic soccer telecasts with sideline reporter Allen Hopkins returning for the second year on select MLS and U.S. Soccer telecasts. Rob Stone, who has been involved with soccer at ESPN since 1997, will continue his role as on-site studio host and play-by-play commentator for select MLS matches, with former U.S. Women’s National Team captain and soccer Hall of Famer Julie Foudy as studio analyst.

“JP and John will enhance our overall soccer presentation and offer consistency throughout our second season of MLS Primetime Thursday and in our coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team, including upcoming qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Tim Scanlan, ESPN vice president for remote productions.

Dellacamera, who has called ten straight FIFA World Cups (six men’s and four women’s), will take over the play-by-play duties previously held by Dave O’Brien, who will focus on his prominent role with ESPN’s Major League Baseball and NCAA Men’s Basketball telecasts (O’Brien also handles radio play-by-play for Boston Red Sox games). Harkes, who paired with Dellacamera to call 2006 FIFA World Cup matches from Germany, will occupy the lead booth analyst role previously held by Eric Wynalda, who has been reassigned to ESPN in-studio soccer duties.

ESPN’s new commentator team will debut at 6 p.m. Wednesday during the network’s live telecast of the U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Mexico match from Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Finally, prep coverage from the Daily Breeze is here

Posted by Nick Green at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

England Manager Fabio Capello, apparently concerned over David Beckham's fitness, has told the Galaxy midfielder he will not be included in the England squad for next week's game against Switzerland.

The (London) Times story is here. The full England squad will be named shortly, by the way.

Reaction to the decision is here.

According to this unscientific poll, most fans agree with the decision.

More on Becks' Brazilian project - apparently, but not surprisingly backed by Galaxy owners Anschutz Entertainment Group, - is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

He's soft-spoken. Unassuming. Mexican-American. The perfect No. 2 for Jurgen Klinsmann at Bayern Munich.

From the Chivas USA press release:

“Martín Vásquez has been a member of Chivas USA since the very beginning, and I would like to thank him for his service to our club. He will be sorely missed,” said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. “Our search for an assistant who can capably fill Martín’s shoes has begun in earnest, and we look forward to making an announcement in the coming weeks.”

“Working with Chivas USA since its first season in 2005 has been a valuable learning experience and a tremendous source of pride for me. I would like to thank Chivas USA’s players, coaching staff, and all my colleagues and friends in the organization for the chance to work with this special club during the past three years,” said Vásquez. “Although I look forward to working with Jürgen Klinsmann at an important institution such as Bayern Munich, out of respect for Bayern’s current manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, I shall refrain from making further public statements until officially assuming my new post in July.”

July? Nice vacation.

Oh, and The Washington Post's Steven Goff tells us what's going on in our own backyard. Barbados may be one of the few nations that don't have So. Cal contingents outnumbering U.S. fans.

Finally, the Pan-Pacific Championship press folks generate a generally vapid weekly report that this week included this exchange with Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz: Q:

In Dallas you were the marquee star and the go-to person on the team, but obviously on the Galaxy there are several stars like Beckham and Landon Donovan. Does this change the way you will approach your role with LA?

A: “We know what kind of stars, what kind of players we have on our team. My job is to come here, play well and try to score goals. I’m not trying to be a star. I’m trying to be a good player on the field and a good teammate outside of the field.”

No nightclubbing then?

Posted by Nick Green at 7:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chivas Chatter

Guzan and Everton's Tim Howard are likely to share U.S. goalkeeping duties for years to come.

It's been a pleasure watching Guzan mature between the posts at Home Depot Center and the move is well-deserved. Still, local soccer reporters never like to see someone like the always quotable Guzan exit the locker room. And considering the state of the Chivas USA roster - no goalkeepers listed you'll notice - new Chivas USA goalkeeping coach Leo Percovich is probably wondering about his job security.

Here's more on Percovich's appointment Tuesday from the (edited) Chivas USA press release:

A native of Montevideo, Uruguay, Percovich served as goalkeeper coach for the Colorado Rapids from 2006 to 2007. He replaces Zak Abdel, Chivas USA’s goalkeeper coach from 2006 to 2007, who has left the club to pursue other opportunities.

“Leo’s professionalism and playing experience at the highest level will serve our goalkeepers and our team well as we prepare for the 2008 campaign,” said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. “I am confident he will capably fill the shoes of Zak Abdel, who did outstanding work for us during his time with Chivas USA.”

Percovich, 39, joins Chivas USA from the Colorado Rapids, where starting in August 2006 he worked with 2006 Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year finalist Joe Cannon, and later with Bouna Coundoul, who enjoyed a breakout 2007 season and was named to the Senegalese National Team’s roster for the current 2008 African Nations Cup. Percovich has also apprenticed under goalkeeper coaches throughout Europe and Latin America, including stints with club sides Real Madrid, Valencia, Stuttgart, Cruziero and Pachuca, as well as the national teams of Brazil, France, and Uruguay. Following the 2006 season, Percovich was also named assistant coach to Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo.

As a player, Percovich made six appearances with the Uruguayan National Team during a professional goalkeeping career that included time with South American powerhouses Nacional de Montevideo (1987-1993), Atlético Mineiro (1994), Guaraní FC (1995), and Fluminense FC (1995-1999) and Alianza de Lima (2000), as well as Spanish side Racing de Ferrol (2001). While with Nacional, Percovich won the Uruguayan First Division twice, as a starter in 1991 and 1992, as well as the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 1989.

In other Chivas USA news, the team will participate in a preaseason tournament in Texas in early March, playing D.C. United, the Houston Dynamo and Toronto FC. Details here.

And three Chivas USA players have signed new contracts, according to the team:

Chivas USA players Jorge Flores, Bobby Burling, and Anthony Hamilton recently signed developmental contracts in anticipation of the 2008 season. Flores, a forward, won the first Sueño MLS competition which was held last spring, and made his first team debut for Chivas USA on Sept. 9 against the New York Red Bulls. Forward Anthony Hamilton made two regular season appearances last year before coming on a substitute in Chivas USA’s 0-0 tie against the Kansas City Wizards during the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, Burling, a defender, showed tremendous potential while playing for the Chivas USA Reserve team in 2007.

The Ramon Nunez experiment has apparently ended though and he's returned to his native Honduras.

Galaxy Gossip

The Galaxy have belatedly got around to officially announcing their two-game tour of Asia and extended the deadline until Sunday for their open tryouts.

Incidentally, recently reacquired striker Carlos Ruiz won't be joining the Guatemalan national team for their Feb. 6 game at the Coliseum against Argentina the Galaxy announced Wednesday:

Recently acquired LA Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz will remain in Los Angeles to prepare for the club’s preseason training and to continue to rehabilitate his right knee which underwent successful arthroscopic surgery in November to clean up his lateral meniscus. Therefore Ruiz, who was acquired by the Galaxy on January 15, was not part of Guatemalan National Team head coach Hernán Darío Gómez’s 35-man roster which reported for training camp on Monday in Guatemala.

“Carlos is coming off a period of inactivity that included arthroscopic knee surgery. To jump right back into international competition would be irresponsible and counter-productive,” said Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. “We want Carlos to progress through a proper preseason so that he is ready for the start of the MLS season and World Cup qualifying with Guatemala later in the year.”

Ruiz initially began to feel discomfort in his right knee in September while with his former team, FC Dallas, following a U.S. Open Cup Semifinal win in Seattle. An MRI after that game revealed loose fragments in his knee, but no extensive damage. The 28-year old missed one game as a result of the injury but did not miss any more time for the rest of the regular season and postseason as a result of it.

“We had a chance to examine Carlos on Friday and upon our examination, we did not feel that his knee has progressed to the stage of being ready for the rigors of international competition quite yet,” said Galaxy club doctor Dr. Bert Mandelbaum. “We now have a plan of systematic progression in place for Carlos and with this we expect him to be ready for the upcoming season.”

Didn't take long for the Galaxy to start accumulating injuries, did it?

Nats News

Initial reviews are, to put it kindly, mixed.

Finally, tickets go on sale at noon today for the Olympic qualifying games in March:

The eight-team event, which includes national teams at the Under-23 age level, will be played as eight doubleheaders from March 11-23, 2008, and will send two finalists to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Group A, which includes the United States, Honduras, Cuba and Panama, will play at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on March 11, 13 and 15. Group B features Canada, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico facing off on March 12, 14 and 16 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. LP Field in Nashville will host the semifinals on Thursday, March 20, and the championship match and third-place game on Sunday, March 23. Tickets priced from $18 to $65 for each of the eight doubleheaders in the tournament go on sale beginning Wednesday (January 30) at 12 p.m. local time in each venue through ussoccer.com, by phone at 813-287-8844 (Tampa), 213-480-3232 (Los Angeles) or 615-255-9600 (Nashville) and at local Ticketmaster ticket centers in the venue cities.

Preps Press

The Long Beach Press-Telegram checks in with prep coverage here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Here's my take on the renamed and enlarged, but still overwhelmingly underwhelming CONCACAF Champions League.

Prep news from the Daily Breeze is here and here.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

CONCACAF Champions League

But here's the basics from today's CONCACAF press release:

CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) announced today the official launch of the new continental club championship, the CONCACAF Champions League which will commence in August 2008. The CONCACAF Champions League will replace the Champions’ Cup which will cease to exist after the 2008 edition.

The CONCACAF Champions League will see a Confederation record number of 24 teams from all sectors of the CONCACAF region participating. The preliminary round begins in August 2008 with the first CONCACAF Champions League winner to be crowned in late April 2009.

The CONCACAF Champions League will feature four teams from Mexico and USA; three Caribbean sides; two clubs each from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama; and one representative coming from Canada, Belize, and Nicaragua.

Eight clubs (two Mexican, two USA, one each from Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador) will be seeded and progress directly to the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League, while the Caribbean slots have been increased to three teams for this event.

The remaining 16 teams will be paired in eight home-and-away preliminary match-ups taking place from 26-28 August and 2-4 September.

The preliminary round winners will join the other eight seeded teams in the group stage that consists of four groups of four. All the teams in each group will play each other in a round-robin system during six match dates (three home games, three away games) from 16 September – 30 October.

The top two clubs from each group will advance to the knock out phase playing home-and-away elimination. The quarterfinals commence in February 2009; semifinals begin in March; and the Finals will take place in late April.

The CONCACAF Champions League winner will qualify as the CONCACAF’s representative to the 2009 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Three Dozen Looks (Or So)

The U.S. men are already in camp at the HDC.

Hall of Fame Builders Ballot

Speaking of......

Posted by Nick Green at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sueño MLS 2008

In any event the show returns at noon today on Univision for a second season.

More details in this (edited) press release:

Sueño MLS, the nationally-televised search for America’s best undiscovered young soccer player, attracted in its inaugural year of 2007 an overwhelming 2,000 hopefuls from across the U.S. and several foreign countries to Chivas USA’s open tryout. After six weeks of intense competition, forward Jorge Flores, a 17-year old high-school senior from Anaheim, CA, was crowned the winner. Flores not only earned a spot on Chivas USA’s roster, but he was later called up to the United States Under-20 National Team.

Today, the dream continues for thousands of aspiring players around the nation as Major League Soccer unveils plans for Sueño MLS 2008. The program returns to Los Angeles as Chivas USA searches for the next Jorge Flores. Simultaneously, Sueño MLS will also take place in Dallas, providing an opportunity for another set of aspiring young soccer players to showcase their talent in an effort to earn their way onto the FC Dallas roster.

Celtic or Aston Villa for Guzan?

For what it's worth, here's what the newspaper reported:

The Celtic gaffer will miss out on American goalie Brad Guzan after Aston Villa's last-ditch £2million swoop.

(Snip)

Yank Guzan's apparent snub comes as a huge blow though. Celtic had identified him as a successor to Artur Boruc.

Last week we revealed the USA international was jetting in to join up with the Hoops at their Lennoxtown base.

The 23-year-old, voted the best goalie in the MLS last season, took just one session to convince Strachan and his coaching staff he was the real deal and well worth the £1.5m the MLS wanted.

At his weekly press conference, Strachan confirmed chief executive Peter Lawwell had offered Guzan a contract and the player was heading home "to think about things".

But it's understood he headed instead for hush-hush talks with Villa representatives, and is on the verge of signing a pre-contract.

Galaxy Head (Far) East

Argentina-Guatemala at Coliseum Feb. 6

Among the over-age players Argentina is bringing are Liverpool's Javier Mascherano and former Barcelona midfielder Juan Román Riquelme. Barcelona's Lionel Messi is recovering from injury, in case you were wondering.

Full squad is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Will David Beckham be named to the England squad next week for Fabio Capello's first game as coach? Is Capello dumb enough to risk the ire of Beckham fans worldwide and run against strong public sentiment lobbying for GoldenBalls to win his 100th cap?

Highly unlikely, you gotta think. The speculation is well under way.

In Carson Saturday, fans can expect a high of 63 degrees and showers for Mia Hamm's 1 p.m. charity game at Home Depot Center. Among the soccer stars expected to play: Hamm, Landon Donovan, Chris Albright, Brad Guzan, Alexi Lalas (wonder if Albright will give the Galaxy GM a whack on the shin after his trade), Eric Wynalda, Taylor Twellman, Julie Foudy and Kristine Lilly.

Tickets are $20. Full details here.

Meanwhile, Tony DiCicco, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1994-1999, was named today as head coach of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team and is presumably waiting in the wings should Pia Sundhage fail during her short-term contract as national team coach.

The (edited) U.S. Soccer press release:

DiCicco replaces Jillian Ellis, who has been hired by current U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Pia Sundhage as an assistant on her staff through the 2008 Olympics, should the USA qualify in April.

DiCicco, one of the most legendary coaches in U.S. women's soccer history, won 103 matches, the 1996 Olympics and the historic 1999 Women’s World Cup with the U.S. Women. DiCicco will be charged with taking over a team that will attempt to qualify for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup being held in Chile from Nov. 20-Dec. 7. Dates and venues for the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament have yet to be set.

“When Jill agreed to join my staff as an assistant, it left a void in a very important position,” said Sundhage. “Tony has won gold medals at the highest levels. He knows what it takes to become a great player for the National Team and that knowledge will be very valuable for these young players. With the kind of experience these young players get from playing with the U-20s and other youth national teams, I’ve seen in the past that it’s especially important for the coach to share what it takes to reach the next level. It makes the players’ experience even better.

“I am also excited that Jill has joined our staff. She knows many of the players on the National Team now and her experience internationally and knowledge of the young players will be very valuable to us.”

Last fall, DiCicco was named head coach of the Boston Breakers in the new women’s professional league, the WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer), slated to start play in 2009. DiCicco currently serves as the technical director of FSASoccerPlus Football Club in Connecticut, a youth club that he founded in 2003. He is also the head coach of the SoccerPlus CT Reds of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) which won the USASA U-23 National Championship in 2007.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to coach an elite group of talented and motivated U.S. players,” said DiCicco, who went 103-8-8 as head coach of the USA. “Our goal is two-fold. In the last two youth world cups we have come up shy of the championship so one of our goals is to win the championship. Second, we want to help develop top international players for Pia Sundhage and our full women’s national team.”

Finally, Chivas USA defender Lawson Vaughn is out for up to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery today to remove scar tissue from his left ankle. And practically on the eve of training camp opening, too.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Supplemental Draft

The Galaxy's moves today from the team's (edited) press release:

The LA Galaxy made four selections in this afternoon’s 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft, selecting a pair of defenders, as well as a goalkeeper and a midfielder in the four round draft. These four selections, as well as the six players drafted by the Galaxy in last week’s MLS SuperDraft are scheduled to arrive at The Home Depot Center early next month when the club begins preseason training for the 2008 campaign

In the first round of the Supplemental Draft, the Galaxy selected defender Michael Gavin from Portland with the fourth overall pick. A four-year starter for the Pilots, Gavin appeared in 76 games during his four years in Portland, tallying four goals with two of them being game winners while helping his team reach the NCAA Tournament twice.

The Galaxy used their second round pick (16th overall) to select 2007 Big West Goalkeeper of the Year, Charles Alamo, from University of California–Riverside. A four-year starter for the Highlanders, Alamo had six shutouts as a senior and finished his college career with more than 300 saves.

One round later, the Galaxy took UCLA defender Greg Folk with the 32nd overall selection. An honorable mention All-Pac-10 defender as a senior in 2007, the former captain of the U.S. Under-18 National Team started 64 of his 72 career games with the Bruins, including the 2006 College Cup Final.

With their final pick of the Supplemental Draft, the Galaxy selected midfielder Daniel De Geer from the University of San Francisco. De Geer scored a career-high two goals as a senior and played 44 career games for USF where he was a teammate of Brandon McDonald, who LA drafted in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft.

Chivas USA picked: San Diego State University forward Kraig Chiles, UC-Berkeley midfielder Javier Ayala-Hill, North Carolina State midfielder El Hadj-Cisse and UNC defender Andre Sherard .

UCLA defender Brandon Owens was selected by D.C. United. The (edited) UCLA press release:

Owens, who was chosen as the 10th pick in the first round, was a starter on three Pac-10 Championship squads. Owens was team captain for the U.S. Under-17 National Team at the 2003 World Youth Championships and has 36 career caps with the U-17s and U-20s.

Bob's (and Pete's) Boys

Local participants in camp include Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin (0 caps/0 goals), Landon Donovan (97/35) and soon-to-be-ex-Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan (5/0).

Coach Peter Nowak's picks included UCLA products Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Chance Myers (Kansas City Wizards) and Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire).
Also in camp: Mike Randolph (Galaxy) and Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew).

Chivas USA-Columbus Crew in Santa Clarita

London-Bound

Best Vets

It's disgraceful that former LA Aztec (and Hermosa Beach bar owner) George Best is still not a member.

Your vote doesn't count, but presumbably you can send a message here.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Goes the old British soccer saying. And in blogging.

Here's a quick recap of the last week while 100 Percent Soccer was 100 Percent Frozen in the white wilds of Canada.

With the Galaxy set to reintroduce Carlos Ruiz to the local media today, reports out of Newcastle, England suggest the Magpies' former Nigerian left back Celestene Babayaro is apparently heading to the Galaxy to link up with his former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit, according to reports out of Newcastle and confirmed by Galaxy beat reporter Billy Witz.

Chris Albright sounded none too pleased with the Galaxy's devious move that ended with him heading to New England on draft day telling goal.com:

They could have dealt my rights [before they re-signed me]. They negotiated an offer with me to help them on their cap. It’s a bit of a slap in the face. I felt that I’d done enough to deserve that consideration.”

Read the entire interview here.

So with left back Ante Jazic out injured (again) and right back Albright traded it looks like two new outside defenders for the Galaxy next season then?

A recap of the UCLA contribution to the MLS draft is here.

Meanwhile, Chivas USA continued its policy of picking up journeymen MLS pros by picking up Chicago's Jim Curtin.

Kudos to Torrance's Shannon Boxx for her role in leading the U.S. to a win in the Four Nations Tournament.

Dumb ass quote of the (last) week goes to Carson Mayor Jim Dear who told the LA Weekly as he talked about the 2003 Women's World Cup held in part at Home Depot Center: "You remember the woman who took her blouse off (during the games)? She did that in Carson."

Um, that would be Brandi Chastain. In 1999. In Pasadena.

Doh!

Hawthorne-based AYSO has folowed the Galaxy's lead and signed a sponsorship deal with Herbalife, which has a significant presence in the South Bay. The clue as to why the deal was done is at the bottom of the (edited) press release:

The American Youth Soccer Organization and Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF), a global nutrition and direct selling company, announced a first-ever four-year agreement that makes Herbalife the Official Nutrition Advisor and Official Health and Wellness Provider of the country’s leading youth soccer organization.

Similar to Herbalife’s agreement with the Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer club, the AYSO sponsorship gives Herbalife the rights to display its name and logo on the front of AYSO jerseys, a first for the non-profit national organization. The agreement also includes Herbalife’s presence on the AYSO Web site, signage at games, an on-site presence at national and sectional events, and a nutrition column in Play Soccer, AYSO’s online publication.

“With child obesity on the rise, it is imperative to educate children and their parents about proper nutrition and how to have a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Herbalife Chairman and CEO Michael O. Johnson. “Herbalife is on a mission for nutrition, while AYSO provides children, adolescents and teens an outlet to be active.”

“It’s a natural fit as our two organizations are engaged in improving the health of today’s youth,” said AYSO National President Mike Wade. The AYSO National Board of Directors unanimously approved the agreement. “We’re excited about our partnership with Herbalife and the role we’ll play together to reach out to kids and help educate them and their parents about the importance of healthy choices.”

The AYSO was started in Los Angeles in 1964 with nine teams. Today, the organization has more than 80,000 teams, in 1100 regions serving approximately one million kids located across the U.S. Its activities are based upon its five philosophies: Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, and Good Sportsmanship.

According to the United States Department of Health & Human Services, “Childhood obesity has nearly tripled for adolescents in the past two decades The U.S. government agency points to lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns or a combination of the two as the leading factors in the rise of these frightening statistics.

In July 2006, Herbalife announced the launch of the Herbalife Kids™ line of nutrition products that includes shakes and multivitamins with protein, fiber, and 100 percent of key nutrients kids need daily.

Lastly, UNICEF ambassador David Beckham made a three-day trip to Sierra Leone that ended Sunday:

Posted by Nick Green at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Kansas City Wizards just chose defender Chance Myers as the top pick in the MLS draft.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's draft day and rumors swirl (scroll down), the U.S. plays Sweden in Carson Saturday, the U.S. women won today.

Scant to no blogging this weekend due to other commitments.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The new women's pro league scheduled to begin play next year today announced a straightforward name - Women's Professional Soccer, - a logo that's based on Mia Hamm's image and launched its Web site. From its (edited) press release:

WPS made its official debut today at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) annual convention, taking place through Saturday in Baltimore, Md.

“A long and careful process led to the selection of Women’s Professional Soccer and the subsequent WPS acronym,” said Tonya Antonucci, WPS commissioner. “The league and team owners reviewed countless variations of league names and logos and conducted numerous focus groups before ultimately deciding on a brand identity that we strongly believe will resonate with fans for years to come.”

The WPS logo, developed by branding agency Adrenalin, Inc., features a deep navy, red, and gold color scheme while showcasing a familiar silhouette – FIFA World Cup champion, Olympic Gold Medal winner and Hall of Fame player Mia Hamm, renowned as a pioneer for women’s soccer.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to personify the WPS brand, knowing full well that this league will be revered by generations of soccer fans around the world,” said Hamm. “Above all else, this league represents opportunity – not just for female soccer players, but for women everywhere."

The WPS is the successor to the defunct Women's United Soccer Association.

Before anyone asks, no, I haven't heard any details about the LA entry into the league that will play at Carson's Home Depot Center including the team name, coach or GM. I have a call into owners Anschutz Entertainment Group and as soon as I hear anything I will let you know.

The Associated Press released this story today apparently written by someone who has English as a second language:

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - The United States will play Poland in an exhibition March 26 in preparation for the European Championship.
The two teams last played in March 2006, with the Americans winning 1-0 on Clint Dempsey's 48th-minute goal in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Who knew the U.S. was playing in Euro 2008? No confirmation from U.S. Soccer yet, but the opponent has been something of an open secret for some time. The story doesn't say it, but the game will be played in Europe.

Finally, mark your calendars: Fox Soccer Channel airs a doubleheader March 29 on the opening day of the MLS season at 4:30 p.m. with a rematch of the MLS Cup final between the Houston Dynamo and New England Revolution followed at 7:30 p.m. by the Galaxy at the Colorado Rapids.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First, let's get the rumor out of the way: The New York Times soccer blog, Goal, is reporting that Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan is on his way to Fulham.

Considering how many Americans Fulham has on its squad, that's a little like linking CD Guadalajara with every Mexican player that's available.

Still, it's clear Guzan is going overseas sooner rather than later and deservedly so. Bet he would prefer Arsenal to Fulham, though, given their relative positions in the EPL.

Now onto Friday's underwhelming MLS Superdraft, although no-one actually calls it that largely because it's not so super. It is in fact the least important draft held by any U.S. sports league. (As if to confirm that, ESPN2 will show the first hour only beginning at 11 a.m.).

For a start, relatively few people actually pay attention to college soccer. Unlike the pointy-ball version of football that saturates the airwaves in the fall, college soccer is relegated to obscure cable channels. So while NFL draft analysts can hyperventilate about the latest running back prospect from Weber State and the average follower of college football understands the excitement (or at least recognizes the name), did anyone get pumped about the Galaxy drafting goalkeeper Tally Hall last year out of San Diego State? Probably Hall's mom.

And where is Hall these days anyway? Not with the Galaxy. For that matter how many of the Galaxy's No. 1 draft picks over the years are still with the team? Zero. And only two of last year's draft picks are still with the Galaxy, slow defender Ty Hardin and the hirstute Josh Tudela who got surprisingly few minutes last season given the extent of the Galaxy's casualty ward.

The draft is likely to decline in importance in the coming years even further as the gap between MLS and the college game widens, as it should if MLS is to continue to improve.

This year's draft is particularly weak as Michael Lewis pointed out earlier this week in the (New York) Daily News with New York Red Bulls Coach Juan Carlos Osorio pretty much writing off the process as a non-event, considering his team doesn't have a pick until the second round of the fourth round draft:

"If I am honest with you without criticizing or hurting anybody, I don't think there will be enough players to wait around for the second round," Osorio said.

The new coach said he felt that there were five players at the MLS combine in Fort Lauderdale that were good enough to compete for a starting position and not more than 10 players who could make a team.

"I'm not just speaking on behalf of my own opinion but on behalf of the all the coaches as part of a general consensus," he said. "This time around doesn't have as many players as previous ones."

Drafts it seems are all about stats. And soccer is not about stats as much as other American sports. There are more intangibles involved. It's subtler, it's about vision and reading a game.

It's not about how fast you can run a 40-yard dash. Or whether being 6 foot-1 is tall enough for a goalkeeper.

Soccer is more than athleticism or physical attributes (or should be; soccer in the U.S. is still struggling with this concept). No one cared how fast Carlos Valderrama was or whether Kevin Keegan was tall enough. It's about touch, anticipation and whether a player possessed a soccer brain.

So you can keep your player rankings, mock drafts and endless speculation. Especially since virtually every player picked will be trundled out to interviews afterwards and say a variation on "I'm really pleased to be picked by blank and will try my hardest to make the squad." Even if they're not.

Not particularly enlightening, but what do we expect?

Remain unconvinced of the draft's dubious value?

Then check out the draft history here.

And follow along here.

Wake me when it's over.

Still, at least the draft provides a modicum of publicity for U.S. soccer.

Check out the guest list for the two-hour show that begins at 8 tonight on Fox Soccer Channel (from the edited FSC press release):

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, NSCAA President Steve Malone, United Soccer Leagues President Francisco Marcos, Women’s Soccer Initiative Chief Executive Officer Tonya Antonucci, Houston Dynamo Head Coach Dominic Kinnear, U.S. Youth Soccer Technical Director John Ellinger and Wake Forest University Head Men’s Soccer Coach Jay Vidovich. Moderated by Fox Soccer Channel’s Max Bretos, the program will also feature network personalities Christopher Sullivan and Mark Rogondino and Fox Soccer Report’s Bobby McMahon.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Stephen Hamilton, the younger brother of late Galaxy GM Doug Hamilton, has joined Chivas USA in the newly-created position of vice president of soccer operations, the club announced today.

Hamilton, 36, "will oversee all aspects of Chivas USA’s technical staff and player development initiatives – including player identification, acquisition and development – from the club’s successful first team to its pioneering youth development teams and Chivas USA Soccer Academies," according to the club's press release.

Those responsibilities sound a lot like what most clubs would call a director of soccer.

Hamilton was plundered from the executive ranks of Anschutz Entertainment Group, the Galaxy's parent company, by Shawn Hunter, who left AEG in September to take a part-ownership in Chivas USA as its president and CEO. Hunter worked for AEG for five years as its chief marketing of officer and president of sports and worked alongside Hamilton.

From the Chivas USA press release:

“In more than a decade of service to the sport of soccer in the United States, Stephen Hamilton has established himself as one of the bright young minds in the business,” said Chivas USA President and CEO Shawn Hunter. “I am pleased to welcome Stephen to the Chivas USA family, and am confident his passion and understanding of the sport’s landscape in this country will prove an important asset to our club.”

Hamilton, 36, joins Chivas USA from AEG Sports, where since 2002 he served as the organization’s director of team services, where he helped oversee the operation of as many as six Major League Soccer properties at one time. While at AEG, Hamilton played a key role in developing relationships with renowned international clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea FC and Club América of Mexico and to promoting the teams’ exhibition matches in the United States. He also oversaw several non-MLS sports properties, such as the AEG-owned LA Riptide of Major League Lacrosse and the David Beckham Academy in Los Angeles.

Previously, Hamilton served as director of fan development with MLS, as national grassroots manager for soccer for adidas America and as director of business development for cc&c management group. inc., a sports management agency based in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A native of Hazlet, N.J., Hamilton played collegiate soccer at Appalachian State University and later at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he graduated with a B.S. in Marketing.

Doug Hamilton died at age 44 in March 2006 as he flew back from a Galaxy game in Costa Rica.

Posted by Nick Green at 5:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USC striker Amy Rodriguez scored twice in the 4-0 U.S. win overnight in China against Canada to stake her claim for a spot replacing the pregnant Kristine Lilly on the forward line alongside Abby Wambach. The story is here.

“I coached Kristine Lilly with the Boston Breakers and I’ve seen her play many times," Coach Pia Sundhage said after her first game in charge of the team. "That is a great player, one of the best in the world, so I would love to see her on the field. But she is pregnant and I am happy that she will have a great family. That means that other players will have to step up and today we saw two goals from (Amy) Rodriguez and two goals from (Lindsay) Tarpley and that’s how it will be in the future, new players stepping up to become leaders and goal scorers.”

“(Rodriguez') speed is exceptional and the fact that she scored two good goals today is good confidence for her and for the team," Sundhage added. "There will be different players stepping up at different times and I think that can be one of our strengths. It’s not about one player, it will be about the whole team."

“The first half was a little bit quiet, there was not a lot going on," Rodriguez said. "Abby and I were trying to look for the ball and we didn’t get as much of the play as we’d like to. In the second half, things turned around. We definitely played a lot more offense and Abby and I were able to get in, I was making runs in behind and luckily the midfielder and defenders were able to play me in.”

Incidentally, the AP reporter in China was wrong that this was Rodriguez' first appearance for the U.S.; this was her sixth cap, but first start.

Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz has more on Tuesday's trade that sent striker Carlos Ruiz back to the Galaxy, observing that LA has tied up half their salary cap on just three players.

Sounds like a helluva gamble to me for a team that hasn't made the playoffs the last two years, but U.S. international Jimmy Conrad was ready with the conspiracy theory:

"The league likes to make sure the large markets have as much an advantage over everybody else as they can," Kansas City captain Jimmy Conrad said. "It's an important year - I know the final is at the Home Depot Center this year and they want to make sure they have a good team. It's interesting they all end up there - they've got three Designated Players on their team."

Lastly, the Daily News explores the dilemma for top prep soccer players who must choose between playing for their high school or elite club team here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Relive the bad attitude. The award-winning fake falls. And hopefully the goals.

The Galaxy, without a consistent scorer since Carlos Ruiz departed, today finally announced his "replacement."

Ruiz is back.

The (edited) Galaxy press release:

The LA Galaxy today acquired forward Carlos Ruiz from FC Dallas in exchange for allocation money and a second round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Ruiz, who began his MLS career with the Galaxy, helped lead the club to their first-ever MLS Cup title in 2002. He is the eighth leading scorer in MLS history with 81 career goals in 140 regular season games and has scored more than 100 goals in all competitions since arriving in MLS in February 2002.

“We are very pleased to be bringing a proven goal scorer and veteran leader in Carlos Ruiz back to Los Angeles,” said LA Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo. “Carlos is an experienced forward who has averaged better than a goal every two games during his MLS career and we believe that he will be a tremendous asset to our attack.”

Ruiz, who is commonly referred to by his nickname “Pescado” or “Fish”, has played six years in MLS, scoring 81 goals in 140 games while adding an MLS record 16 postseason goals in 17 games. The 28-year old striker burst onto the American sporting scene in 2002 when he scored a league-best 24 goals in 26 games on the way to being named the Honda MLS MVP. Ruiz would go on to lead the Galaxy in scoring each of the next two seasons, scoring 15 goals, tied for the most in MLS, in 2003 and tallying 11 times in 2004.

Ruiz spent the last three seasons with FC Dallas after being traded from LA prior to the start of the 2005 campaign. He scored 31 goals in 68 games with FCD, serving as the club’s captain in 2007, while adding another five goals in six post-season matches.

“It means a lot to play for the Galaxy again because I feel like I am going back home and I am very excited about that,” Ruiz said. “I have a big responsibility now because the Galaxy’s goal is to win every game, so I want to play hard and score as many goals as possible and win the MLS Cup again.”

A native of Guatemala City, Guatemala, Ruiz is a member of the Guatemalan National Team with who he has appeared 72 times. Often serving as the captain of his national team, Ruiz has scored 35 goals for Guatemala, leaving him tied with Juan Carlos Plata for the most goals ever for the Chapins.

Predictably, reaction is mixed to say the least. (Warning strong language and opinion in link).

Does this mean the Galaxy at least gets rid of striker Carlos Pavon now?

Posted by Nick Green at 8:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Voters who will select this year's National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees received ballots today with the names of 35 eligible former players including Chivas USA Coach Preki among 13 new names and Joy Fawcett the most notable of 22 holdovers.

From the (edited) hall press release:

The top holdovers include U.S. National Team stalwarts Thomas Dooley (5th named on 51.8% of the ballots cast), Joy Fawcett (3rd on 67.4%), and Joe-Max Moore (6th on 48.2%). Among the newcomers are U.S. Men’s National Team stars Jeff Agoos, Preki, and Earnie Stewart. Top MLS players on the ballot include holdovers Marco Etcheverry (4th on 58.2%) of DC United, Peter Nowak (9th on 29.1%) of the Chicago Fire, and Carlos Valdarrama (7th on 46.8%) who finished his illustrious MLS career with the Colorado Rapids.

Players who receive votes on 75% of the ballots cast will be elected to the Hall of Fame. Induction 2008 is planned for the weekend of August 22 in Oneonta, N.Y.

Eligible players: Jeff Agoos, Brian Bliss, Mike Burns, Mark Chung, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Troy Dayak, Raul Diaz Arce, Thomas Dooley, John Doyle, Marco Etcheverry, Joy Fawcett, Danielle Fotopoulos, Robin Fraser, Brian Kamler, Dominic Kinnear, Frank Klopas, Manny Lagos, Roy Lassiter, Shannon MacMillan, Pato Margetic, Joe-Max Moore, Victor Nogueira, Peter Nowak, Oscar Pareja, Cindy Parlow, Preki, Mike Sorber, Earnie Stewart, Steve Trittschuh, Carlos Valderrama, Tisha Venturini-Hoch, Peter Vermes, Roy Wegerle, Evan Whitfield, Richie Williams.

Hall of Fame members should have had a lasting and influential effect on the game in the U.S. to win admission.

My nominees:
Mauricio Cienfuegos - Creative midfield architect of a formative Galaxy whose legacy may still overshadow the team today.
Marco Etcheverry - Three-time MLS Cup winner with D.C. United and MLS MVP who helped create the D.C. dynasty.
Joy Fawcett - Whose unjust omission when Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy were inducted prompted a rule change in the induction procedures, if I recall correctly.
Shannon MacMillan - World Cup, Olympic winner over 176 internationals.
Peter Nowak - Without whose tenacity and intelligence marshaling the midfield the Chicago Fire would not have won an MLS title.
Preki - MVP in MLS, MISL and CISL, who possessed an opponent-freezing cut-back and venomous shot and was instrumental in the Wizards 2000 MLS Cup-winning season.
Carlos Valderrama - The most amazing passer of the ball MLS has ever seen.

Disagree? Read biographies and cast a ballot in the (unofficial popular) vote here.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Christie Rampone was named to succeed the pregnant Kristine Lilly as captain of the U.S. Women's National Team today.

Meanwhile, the Under-23 women's team has opened its camp at Home Depot Center. UCLA and USC both have players on the roster.

Didn't know there was a women's U-23 team? U.S. Soccer has realigned its youth teams. More details here in this (edited) U.S. Soccer press release:

The U-21 WNT has been changed to a U-23 age group as a result of the Nordic Cup becoming a U-23 competition. As a result, the U.S. U-21s, who dominated the Nordic Cup for the past decade, will become a U-23 squad with no overage players for the summer tournament that brings the USA together with Europe’s top youth teams.

The U-23s serve a valuable purpose giving players on the fringe of the full WNT player pool, some of whom have finished their college soccer, a chance to keep training at a high level in National Team camps and international matches. This year the U.S. U-23s, led by head coach Bill Irwin, will compete in the Nordic Cup in Sweden against Europe’s top U-23 teams.

The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team, under head coach Dean Duerst, who coached the U.S. U-17s last year, is being reinstituted (after having existed from 1998-2001). The purpose is to give international competition to players who have just finished a cycle with the U.S. U-17s, but are a year away from the next U-20 cycle. The U-18 WNT provides a transition for a number of those players that could possibly make up the core of the team that would attempt to qualify for the following U-20 Women’s World Cup. FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups are held every two years.

In addition, the U.S. Under-16 Girl’s National Team will be absorbed by the U.S. U-17s, much in the same way the Men’s U-17 Residency Program features two age groups of players every year.

Club America won InterLiga Saturday night in Carson before a capacity crowd on penalty kicks and fellow local blogger Luis Bueno was still excited about what he had witnessed at 1 a.m.

Playing a little weekend catch-up, Chivas USA has signed Coach Preki to a new contract, while Maykel Galindo and Jonathan Bornstein habe both undergone successful surgeries.

The Galaxy have released details of the open tryouts scheduled for next month. If you've got talent and $150 click here for details.

Prep action from the Daily News is here and from the Long Beach Press-Telegram here.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLS hopefuls have begun gathering in Florida for the MLS Combine, which features more than 60 players, including a trio from South America. The combine, which runs through Tuesday, precedes the Superdraft scheduled for a week from today.

Nine of the most promising attendees have already signed MLS contracts as part of the Generation adidas program, which usually identifies the top draft prospects.

They include Bruins defender Chance Meyers of Thousand Oaks and UCLA midfielder Tony Beltran of Claremont.

More details from the (edited) MLS press release:

Highlighting this year’s class are seven players that have experience with the U.S. Youth National Teams and a finalist for this year’s MAC Hermann Trophy, college soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy. Six of the nine players are leaving college early to enter the MLS SuperDraft - Eric Avila (UC Santa Barbara), Tony Beltran (UCLA), Chance Myers (UCLA), Patrick Nyarko (Virginia Tech), Ciaran O’Brien (UC Santa Barbara) and Rob Valentino (Univ. of South Florida). Three players – Josh Lambo (Chicago Magic FC), Alex Nimo (FC Portland) and Brek Shea (Texans FC) – are high school students who are foregoing their college eligibility to sign professional contracts.

Avila and Myers are currently training with the U.S. Men’s U-23 National Team while they prepare for Olympic Qualifying to begin in March. Beltran was a member of the U-20 Men’s National Team that advanced to the quarterfinals of last year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.

Lambo, Nimo and Shea were members of the U-17 World Cup Team that competed in last year’s Youth World Championship in Korea.

Nyarko, a forward from Virginia Tech, led the Hokies to their first ever NCAA Final Four appearance in 2007 where they fell to eventual NCAA Champion Wake Forest. He recorded seven goals and 10 assists during the season, was named to the 2007 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Men’s Division I All-America Team and is a finalist for the Mac Hermann Trophy, honoring the country’s top Division I collegiate soccer player. The award will be announced today.

OC resident Jurgen Klinsmann has taken the coaching job with German powerhouse
Bayern Munich.

A capacity crowd is expected in Carson Saturday for the InterLiga finals:

The first match begins at 6:00 p.m. and features InterLiga newcomer San Luis versus Guadalajara-based club Atlas, followed by the match-up between Mexico City rivals América and Cruz Azul beginning at 8:30 p.m.

Call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 for tickets.

The Galaxy have announced they will hold open tryouts Feb. 9-12 at Home Depot Center. Registration forms will soon be available at lagalaxy.com.

Kids should stick with a Galaxy-sponsored indoor tournament set for Feb. 16-17 at the Home Depot Center velodrome. There are six age groups for boys ranging from Under-8 to Under-13 (girls can play on the teams, too). Register here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Is Greek To Me

Here's a translation of the Web site Goff refers to courtesy of Babel Fish:

The PAE International Union Ergote'lis announces the acquisition of American INTERNATIONAL footballer CLINT MATHIS for one year. The Clint Mathis was given birth on 25 November 1976 in the city of Tzw'rtzja. It has height 1.77 and fights as mesoepjcetjko's. It has in the asset 46 attendances with the national team of United States and has fought in teams as: Los Angelas Gka'laxj, Me'trostars, Hanover, Rea'l Solt Le'jk, Colorado Ra'pjnts and New York.

Got that?

The Greek team is apparently a horrible one, by the way. There's a lively discussion here.

So what was with that "Mathis is happy to return to LA 'cos his in-laws live in the OC thing anyway?"

For what it's worth, I just called Galaxy spokesman Patrick Donnelly and he had no idea what's going on.

Well, alrighty then, there goes my planned Mathis column, I guess.

Esky Speaks

Cobi Honored

LA Galaxy assistant coach Cobi Jones will be honored with a Commitment to Excellence Award at the 8th Annual L.A. Sports Fans Choice Awards on Thursday evening at the Marina Del Ray Marriott. Jones, who played his 12th and final season with the Galaxy in 2007, is scheduled to be presented his award by Los Angeles Clippers guard Sam Cassell and Los Angeles Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to receive this award by the sports fans of Los Angeles,” Jones said. “I was raised in this city and I have always tried to represent it to the best of my abilities so it is truly special to be selected for this award by the people who I share this community with.”

A true Galaxy legend, Jones is the only player in MLS history to have played with the same club for each of the first 12 seasons of the league’s existence. A Southern California native, Jones officially joined the Galaxy on March 1996 and went on to win two MLS Cup championships, two U.S. Open Cup championships and the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup with the club. Jones, who was named an assistant coach for the club shortly after the conclusion of the 2007 campaign, is the Galaxy’s all-time leader in nearly every offensive statistic, including goals, assists, games played, games started and many more. For his career, Jones finished with 70 goals and 91 assists, making him one of just two players in league history with 70 goals and 90 assists, in 306 career games.

In addition to Jones, three Galaxy players have been nominated for various awards which will be awarded at Thursday’s ceremony. Defender Ty Harden and midfielder Kevin Harmse have been nominated for the Rising Star award while Landon Donovan is up for the MVP award. Both awards encompass all professional sports in the Southland, including nominees from the Angels, Dodgers, Clippers, Lakers, Ducks, Kings, Sparks and Chivas USA.

Of course, Cobi actually grew up in Westlake Village on the border of LA and Ventura counties, but let's not quibble. And he's probably on stage as I write this.

Becks Vitriol

And right after Becks met the British Prime Minister, too.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a move several observers could see coming, the Galaxy today announced they have traded goalkeeper Joe Cannon to the San Jose Earthquakes, reuniting him with previous Galaxy coach Frank Yallop, with whom he won an MLS Cup in 2001.

Capable of some incredible saves, Cannon was also known for some horrible errors and was somewhat eccentric to say the least. A couple of reporters were surprised to see Cannon apparently sobbing in the locker room after one Galaxy loss last season.

New Coach Ruud Gullit didn't become an instant fan; he pulled Cannon at half time in his first game in charge during the post-season tour of Australia and replaced him with backup Steve Cronin, whose new multiyear contract was made public Wednesday.

With Cannon earning almost $200,000 a year, the move is likely to free up some much-needed salary cap room for the Galaxy.

From the (edited) Galaxy press release:

The LA Galaxy announced today that they have traded goalkeeper Joe Cannon to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for allocation money.

Cannon was acquired by the Galaxy from Colorado prior to the start of the 2007 season and played one season with the club. He started 29 of the Galaxy’s 30 regular season games, as well as all five matches in the club’s run to the SuperLiga Final. Cannon had a record of 9-13-7 this past season, tallying five clean sheets and posting a 1.59 goals-against-average.

Meanwhile, having just bid good riddance to an injury-riddled 2007, it appears the Galaxy are starting the New Year much the same way they ended the old one.

Dependable Canadian right back Ante Jazic will miss the start of the new season after undergoing ankle surgery. An ankle injury limited his appearances last season, too.

From the (edited) Galaxy press release:

LA Galaxy defender Ante Jazic is expected to miss anywhere from 4-6 months after undergoing surgery on his right ankle. Jazic, 31, underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right ankle late last month that revealed the extent of his injuries, leading to a more extensive cartilage debridement, which is a removal and smoothing of the cartilage. The surgery was performed by Dr. Kenneth Jung at the Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center in Los Angeles. Under the current timeline, Jazic is scheduled to be able to return to action early in the 2008 MLS season.

A Canadian international with 15 career caps, Jazic has appeared in 29 regular season games for the Galaxy since being signed by the club in August 2006. A veteran of Austrian, Croatian and Russian soccer, Jazic appeared in 18 games for the Galaxy in 2007, starting 16 of the club’s 30 matches. He missed more than a month after suffering an ankle injury on August 18 against New York at Giants Stadium and also missed time while with the Canadian National Team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

In addition to Jazic, two other Galaxy players also underwent surgery over the recent holiday period, with goalkeeper Joe Cannon and defender Troy Roberts each undergoing hernia operations here in Los Angeles. Both players are scheduled to be ready to practice with the club when preseason training begins next month.

That press release was issued a couple of hours before the Cannon trade was announced, in case you're wondering.

The beneficiary is likely to be versatile Galaxy defender Mike Randolph, who admirably stepped into the breach last season and earned himself a callup to the U.S. Under-23 team.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The InterLiga finals scheduled for Saturday at Home Depot Center are set.

The U.S. Soccer Men's National Team blog has posted a podcast interview with Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, variously rumored to be heading to Celtic, Arsenal or several other European teams. Listen here.

Prep action from the Daily Breeze is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy announced today they have resigned right back Chris Albright, backup goalkeeper Steve Cronin and oft-injured striker Alan Gordon.

Albright, restricted by injury last season, is the big prize here. He's still arguably the best right back in the nation, although Cronin played a U.S. Open Cup blinder last year against New York and Gordon has the potential to get on the end of David Beckham's crosses.

Here's excerpts from the Galaxy press release on each player:

Albright, 28, will be entering his 10th season in MLS in 2008 and his seventh with the Galaxy. He appeared in just five regular season games in 2007 before suffering a torn right hamstring on May 20, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. The Galaxy right back had recovered enough from his injury in order to participate in all five of the club’s postseason friendlies last year. A member of the U.S. National Team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Albright has made 172 career appearances in MLS and has earned 22 caps with the National Team.

Cronin, 24, was originally drafted by San Jose in the first round of the 2004 MLS draft and has been with the Galaxy since the start of the 2005 campaign. One of the best young goalkeepers in MLS, Cronin, who is currently training with the U.S. National Team ahead of their friendly against Sweden, appeared in one league game and three Open Cup matches for LA in 2007, producing one of the performances of the year with his 13 save performance in the extra time win over New York in an Open Cup Play-In Game. A former member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team, Cronin has appeared in six games for the Galaxy over the past three seasons, recording a 1.50 goals against average.

Gordon, 26, will be entering his fifth season in MLS and with the Galaxy. After playing in just eight games over his first two seasons, Gordon scored seven goals in 31 regular season games in 2006 and 2007. The former Oregon State star tallied six goals in 18 games in all competitions last season, despite missing the first half of the year with a foot injury that hindered him throughout the campaign.

Posted by Nick Green at 5:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Galaxy have Clint Mathis, now their intrastadium rivals are apparently setting up a move for concussion-prone Alecko Eskandarian, the once-promising D.C. United striker whose career tailed off last season with Toronto and Real Salt Lake. Eskandarian is a gamble, but will provide much-needed depth up front if the deal goes through.

Looks like no-one - fans and players alike - were overly-excited at Home Depot Center Tuesday for the opening night of InterLiga. Really, the highlight was a 1-0 win for Cruz Azul over its biggest rivals' reserve team? The other game was a meaningless encounter punctuated by a lone goal between Monterrey and San Luis. Ho hum.

Club America plays tonight. I won't be there.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today's terse announcement by the New York Red Bulls that they had waived the undeniably talented, but perennially underachieving former Galaxy midfielder Santino Quaranta, comes as no surprise to anyone who follows MLS:

Quaranta was acquired June 29, 2007, from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a conditional fourth round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. Quaranta appeared in three games for the Red Bulls in 2007 logging 47 minutes of action. The Baltimore, MD, native has appeared in 83 matches over the course of his MLS career and scored 17 goals.

At age 23, Quaranta may have squandered his final chance in MLS.

Quaranta turned pro at age 16 and was the youngest player in MLS history. He had a tough upbringing, had the tattoos to prove it and saw soccer as his chance to escape the streets.

But injuries, inconsistency, attitude and a lack of a work ethic has likely ended his career. It seemed he was always seeking a new beginning that never came.

"It came to the point where he needed a fresh start," then-United Coach Peter Nowak told the Washington Post when Quaranta was traded to the Galaxy. "That's what he requested and that's what we tried to accommodate. He just needs another environment."

He played in 18 games over two years with the Galaxy, scoring just three goals.

At his best, Quaranta combined speed, instinct and a lovely touch that made the likes of former U.S. Coach Bruce Arena take notice. But those came only in flashes and Quaranta it seems will likely remain an enigma, even to himself.

Still, Galaxy fans won't soon forget the thumping goal that came on his Galaxy debut in 2006 and gave LA a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. It's the first clip in this montage:

MLS has always had its fair share of projects ( Denilson), but whether a career ends through injuries ( John O'Brien) or is threatened by a lack of mental discipline ( Clint Mathis), it's always a loss for soccer when a talented player's career trajectory doesn't live up to potential.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

InterLiga began Wednesday night at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco and only 8,504 fans took in the first doubleheader played in freezing temperatures.

Not surprisingly there are increasing calls to revamp or eliminate the tournament largely seen as an irrelevant cash cow for the organizers. I could have told them that five years ago.

Over in Blighty the David Beckham for England debate continues to rage.

You can almost hear Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas saying "just give Becks his 100th cap and then let him play out his career with the Galaxy."

A lack of passion and noise from the Galaxy's ever-larger corporate crowd has been increasingly evident at Home Depot Center. We're not alone in dealing with that affliction it seems.

Finally, if you drive by the HDC and wonder what all the activity is, U.S. Soccer has provided the answer in this (edited) press release:

As 2008 begins, U.S. Soccer will kick off the new year in full swing with a total of 11 Men’s, Women’s and Youth National Teams holding training camps during the month of January. The majority of the camps will take place in two locations: U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., and IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. The HDC will be the most active location as a total of six different national teams will hold camps during the month, beginning on Thursday when the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams return to action.

Also training in Carson are the U-20 Women's National Team and U-23 Women's National Team from Jan. 12-20, the U-15 Girl's National Team from Jan. 20-25 and the U-23 (Olympic) Men's National Team from Jan. 26-Feb. 3.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Time to play a little catch-up after the holiday blogging break..........

Seven uncapped players, including UCLA product Marvell Wynne, are among the 26 players U.S. Men's National Team Coach Bob Bradley called into training camp that begins Thursday at Home Depot Center and culminates with a Jan. 19 game against Sweden in Carson.

The other six: San Jose Earthquakes defender Clarence Goodson, Colombus Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer, Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens, Houston Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson, new D.C. United goalkeeper Zach Wells and forward Jeremiah White, who plays in Demark and gets his first-ever camp callup.

The full roster: goalkeepers Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Matt Pickens (Chicago Fire), Zach Wells (D.C. United); defenders Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Todd Dunivant (Toronto FC), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC); midfielders Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Brian Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution); forwards Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas Cit y Wizards), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution), Jeremiah White (AGF Aarhus).

U.S. Men's Under-23 national Team Coach Peter Nowak is also taking the opportunity to look at new players ahead of Olympic qualifying, naming just eight holdovers from the December camp to the 24-player roster he's called in for a camp that begins Sunday in Florida.

Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers, Galaxy defender Mike Randolph and former Galaxy striker Robbie Findley are among the returnees.

Nine collegiate players on the camp roster include UCLA Bruin Chance Myers of Thousand Oaks and Cal State Northridge defender Sean Franklin of Palmdale.

The full roster: goalkeepers Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake), Chris Brown (Boston College), Billy Chiles (Towson University); defenders Sean Franklin (Cal State Northridge), Steve Purdy (1860 Munich), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Greg Dalby (SC Charleroi), Julian Valentin (Wake Forest), Pat Phelan (Wake Forest), Mike Randolph (Galaxy), Chance Myers (UCLA); midfielders Stuart Holden (Houston), Johann Smith (Darlington), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Stephen King (Maryland), Alejandro Bedoya (Boston College), Eric Avila (UC Santa Barbara), Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew); forwards Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Preston Zimmerman (Hamburg), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg).

Finally, the 2008 version of InterLiga begins tonight in Texas.

A preview is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

They throw you out of journalism clubs if you don't write at least one list story per year.

Here's mine.

Happy New Year!

Posted by Nick Green at 7:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pretty much the only way to generate soccer news in LA between Christmas and New Year's Day is to make it yourself.

So we did.

David Beckham is our LA Sports Person of the Year. His move to Carson (of all places) had the entire world watching, as Sports Editor Kevin Modesti puts it, "the LA Bloody Galaxy." His story is here and don't forget to vote on whether your agree with the selection.

At the moment most readers believe Kobe Bryant's trade threat/request was the biggest story of the year.

Just to catch up a little, U.S. Women's National Team Coach Pia Sundhage has called up a trio of players from USC and UCLA to the six-day camp that opens Thursday in Carson.

U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year Lauren Cheney and midfielder Tina DiMartino, both from UCLA, as well as forward Amy Rodriguez from the newly minted NCAA champion University of Southern California will get an opportunity to impress Sundhage.

Rodriguez, who scored twice in the NCAA semifinal, has played for the U.S. at the 2004 FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Championship in Thailand, and along with Cheney, DiMartino and Tobin Heath, at the 2006 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Championship in Russia. Rodriguez has five senior team caps, but did not play for the USA in 2007.

This is the first call-up to the full national team for DiMartino, while Cheney participated in residency training camp last year and has two caps and one goal. Heath will be participating in her third full national team training camp.

Here's the rest of the 27-player camp roster and some comments from Sundhage from the (edited) U.S. Soccer release:

Sundhage has called in 16 members of the USA’s 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup Team including striker Abby Wambach, who was recently named 2007 U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. Defenders Kate Markgraf and Heather Mitts, and midfielder Aly Wagner were not named to the training camp roster as they continue to rehabilitate injuries. Veteran Kristine Lilly has not yet decided if she will pursue a spot on the roster for what would be her fourth Olympic games.

The additional 11 invitees range from numerous players with extensive youth national team experience to players getting their first-ever call-ups to the full national team as Sundhage continues to evaluate the player pool.

Sundhage called in seven players who recently finished their college seasons, including former University of Portland defender Stephanie Cox, a starter for the USA at the 2007 Women’s World Cup who missed the mini-camp in December, in part due to her wedding (she was formerly Stephanie Lopez).

Sundhage will select a 20-player roster to travel to China next month for the 2008 Four Nations Tournament.

“This is an exciting tournament as they will be the first games with the new coaching staff,” Sundhage said. “We want to continue to play with passion and start our change in attacking style. We want to try to dictate the tempo of the matches in the attack and while staying true to the principles in defending. The injuries we have to some veterans will most likely give some young players a chance (during the Four Nations), and it's important to find a good mix of young inspiration with experience.”

The full camp roster - goalkeepers Nicole Barnhart (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Briana Scurry (Dayton, Minn.), Hope Solo (Richland, Wash.); defenders Stephanie Cox (Elk Grove, Calif.), Marian Dalmy (Lakewood, Colo.), Keeley Dowling (Carmel, Ind.), Amy LePeilbet (Crystal Lake, Ill.), Christie Rampone (Point Pleasant, N.J.), Becky Sauerbrunn (St. Louis, Mo.), India Trotter (Plantation, Fla.), Cat Whitehill (Birmingham, Ala.);
midfielders Shannon Boxx (Torrance), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis, Mo.), Tina DiMartino (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Angela Hucles (Virginia Beach, Va.), Ali Krieger (Dumfries, Va.), Carli Lloyd (Delran, N.J.), Joanna Lohman (Silver Spring, Md.), Leslie Osborne (Brookfield, Wis.), Angie Woznuk (El Cajon, Calif.); forwards Lauren Cheney (Indianapolis, Ind.), Natasha Kai (Kahuku, Hawaii), Heather O’Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.), Amy Rodriguez (Lake Forest, Calif.), Lindsay Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Abby Wambach (Rochester, N.Y.).

Finally, CONCACAF has announced the match schedule for the Olympic qualifying tournament that takes place in Tampa, Fla., and Carson in March:

Group A (Tampa, Raymond James Stadium)
March 11 Panama- Honduras 5:30 p.m. ET; U.S.-Cuba 8 p.m. ET.
March 13 Honduras- Cuba 5:30 p.m. ET; U.S.-Panama 8 p.m. ET.
March 15 Cuba-Panama 4:30 p.m. ET; U.S.-Honduras 7 p.m. ET.

Group B (Carson, Home Depot Center)
March 12 Haiti-Guatemala 5:30 p.m.; Canada-Mexico 8 p.m.
March 14 Canada-Haiti 5:30 p.m. PT; Mexico-Guatemala 8 p.m.
March 16 Guatemala-Canada 3:30 p.m. PT; Mexico-Haiti 6 p.m.

The semifinals are March 20 and the final is March 23 in Nashville, Tenn. Two from CONCACAF qualify for the Olympics.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

All the Galaxy want for Christmas are two good strikers up front.

Read about it here.

Happy holidays.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy's David Beckham makes nice with new England manager Fabio Capello, his former coach at Real Madrid, in a BBC radio interview scheduled to air Christmas Day (right after the Queen's annual address just in case you didn't think Becks is treated like royalty in England). Details here.

And the latest rumor involving a new Galaxy striker names Darren Huckerby of England Championship team Norwich City as a potential target.

The reliability of the original unnamed source is always open to question when it comes to the English press, but the Galaxy's need for a striker will be the subject of my Christmas Day column in the Daily News and Daily Breeze.

Down the hall at Home Depot Center, Chivas USA has given local soccer players another reason not to over-indulge during the holidays by holding open tryouts next month. The cost: $15 a player.

Meanwhile, Loyola Marymount University Assistant Women's Soccer Coach Michelle Myers has apparently been named the new coach of expansion W-League franchise the Ventura County Fusion. Details here.

Finally, the weekend's prep action from the Daily Breeze is here and here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Second in a series highlighting the careers of Southern Californians who play professional soccer.

Technically, of course, Cobi Jones is no longer a playing professional and has hung up his boots to become an assistant coach with the Galaxy under Ruud Gullit.

But the guy who grew up in Westlake Village has been part of the Southern California soccer scene for so long it would be just wrong to close 2007 without acknowledging Jones' accomplishments with the Galaxy and the U.S. Men's National Team.

At one time Jones was the face of American soccer, playing more times for the U.S. Men's National Team and the Galaxy than any other player.

"He's been the cornerstone of the team," former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid said when Jones announced the 2007 season would be his last back in March. "He's always a player fans get excited about because he brings you to the edge of your seat. ... He didn't like losing at all and that's what made him the player he is."

At his peak he possessed a devastating pace that could - and did - change games.

Here's the lead from a June 24, 2001 Galaxy game story I wrote for the Breeze that sums up what he was capable of:

Just three minutes remained when Galaxy winger Cobi Jones collected the ball, split two MetroStars' defenders, eluded a sprawling third and crossed to Luis Hernandez, who slotted home the first of what proved to be a pair of opportunistic strikes within a minute.

The much-needed turn of brilliance all but wrapped up a game that had droned on for 86 minutes with a sense of humdrum inevitability as the dominant Galaxy finally disposed of the listless New York-New Jersey MetroStars, 2-0, Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

"It was a great move," Hernandez said after the game via an interpreter. "He made 90 percent of the goal, I made 10 percent.

The win, accomplished in 81-degree heat and before a national TV audience, meant the Galaxy became the first Major League Soccer franchise to win 100 regular-season games.

The best way to appreciate Jones' career, however, is not in words, but when he wore the No. 13 shirt we will never see at Home Depot Center again.

Here's a compilation of Cobi clips (mainly with the U.S. National Team) shown before the Galaxy's game last month against the Minnesota Thunder:

And here's a pic of Cobi enjoying one of the side benefits of being a pro soccer player.

Thanks for everything, Cobi.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

David Beckham is seeking to train with EPL team Arsenal in January, according to English media reports in a bid to win his 100th England cap.

No word from the PR staff at the Galaxy, who were out of the office for the holidays Friday.

Posted by Nick Green at 6:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Salt Lake Tribune reported today that Real Salt Lake traded midfielder Atiba Harris to Chivas USA, although as of now his stats remain on the RSL Web site. No confirmation from Chivas USA, although their PR staff are on vacation right now.

Former Galaxy great Mauricio Cienfuegos, meanwhile, has apparently taken his first coaching job back in his native El Salvador.

And USC's first year Coach Ali Khosroshahin was named Soccer America Coach of the Year.

From the USC press release today:

In his first year as head coach of the USC women’s soccer team, Ali Khosroshahin wasted no time in making an impact. He not only turned heads at Troy in pushing the Trojans to a number of new program records, he capped off the season by capturing the nation’s top prize – the 2007 NCAA Championship. For his outstanding efforts in leading the Women of Troy to their first-ever national title and a record-breaking 20-3-2 season, Khosroshahin has been named the Soccer America Coach of the Year. Four Trojans also were honored with postseason awards by Soccer America. Sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Olsen continues to rack up accolades, as the Honda Award finalist was named to the Soccer America MVPs First Team. Three USC freshmen – defender Kasey Johnson and midfielders Megan Ohai and Ashli Sandoval – have been named to Soccer America All-Freshman teams. Johnson has earned a First Team nod, and Ohai and Sandoval are Second Team selections.

Finally here's Wednesday's prep action from the Daily Breeze (Mira Costa-Animo) while a roundup is here.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram has a Moore League preview.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lots of soccer news today, so let's get to it.

Olympics in Carson

Here on the West Coast it's Canada, Guatemala, Haiti and Mexico at Home Depot Center with doubleheaders on March 12, 14 and 16.

Series tickets, by the way, go on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday priced between $36 and $195. Call 213-480-3232. Individual match day tickets will go on sale at a later date, if they're still around.

Two teams from the eight qualify for the Olympics in China.

MLS Tweaks Rules

The moves mean:
* Teams can have eight internationals on the roster. This year teams were allotted seven international spots per team, four of them so-called senior international and three youth International slots. That distinction has now been removed.
*Donovan, striker Eddie Johnson of the Kansas City Wizards and Carlos Ruiz of FC Dallas who had big buck contracts before the adoption of the designated player or Beckham rule, will not become DP's, which simplifies things greatly for the Galaxy since they would have to trade for another slot.

MLS also released its (early) 2008 calendar.
The highlights:
Jan. 11- 15 - MLS Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Jan. 15 - April 15 - Transfer window.
Jan. 18 - MLS SuperDraft.
Jan. 24 - Supplemental draft.
Jan. 26 - Pre-season training camps may begin.
March 29 - Season opens

Awards, Awards and More Awards

Cheney led the Pac-10 with 23 goals, a UCLA single-season record.

Olson had 12 shutouts and allowed a record-low 13 goals for USC.

Also nominated: Ashlee Pistorius of Texas A & M and Mami Yamaguchi of Florida State.

Galaxy Update

Meanwhile, tickets to the Pan-Pacific Championship in Hawaii in February went on sale Tuesday starting at $10. Details here.

Finally, this link is a couple of days old, but new Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit riffs on England and David Beckham here.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The nation's most prolific soccer-specific stadium architectural firm Rossetti is based here in LA (actually El Segundo) and is the subject of this week's column.

A comprehensive look at soccer-specific stadiums is here.

Check out Rossetti's work below. From top to bottom, are the Rossetti stadiums in Chester (Philadelphia), Sandy (Salt Lake City) and Harrison (New York City).

Minor revelation: The Home Depot Center has 25,500 "seats." Add another 1,500 people on the grass berm and you get the purported capacity of 27,000, according to Rossetti principal Tim Lambert.

Now you know.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First in a series highlighting the careers of Southern Californians who play professional soccer.

Robbie Rogers, who grew up in Rolling Hills Estates, just completed his first MLS season with the Columbus Crew

Currently on tour in China with the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team, Rogers came on strong in the latter half of the season. (He didn't see much playing time early on, although Rogers told me he didn't know why at the recent U-23 camp at Home Depot Center, but hoped he'd proved a point. Crew Coach Sigi Schmid, a long-time South Bay resident who has known Rogers since he played youth soccer, is scouting in Europe and was unavailable for comment).

Rogers showed he has an eye for goal and displayed some deft touches in midfield, drawing praise from the likes of Argentine star Guillermo Barros Schelotto with whom he combined well in midfield and credits with helping him become a better player.

Check out the highlights of Rogers season and career in this compilation of clips:

Fans are discussing Robbie and the video here.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Fabio Capello has yet to sign on the dotted line as the new England coach and already there's speculation he has made up with a certain player the then Real Madrid coach once vowed would never play for him again (although he did anyway with Real's season going south last season). Yup, David Beckham, it's said, will captain England on Feb. 6 against Switzerland and earn his century of caps. But will he make it to 101 England appearances?

Local Manchester United fans hoping to see former Red Devils midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron grace the Home Depot Center field (albeit playing for D.C. United) are apparently out of luck. Or maybe not.

At the other end of the soccer spectrum, here are today's prep soccer stories ripped from the pages, um, Web sites of the Daily Breeze, Daily News and Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Finally, while no local schools are involved, the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament has come down to the final four. Wake Forest plays Virginia Tech at 2 p.m. today on ESPN2, while the Ohio State-Massachusetts game follows at 4:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

Still, if you can only see one game this weekend on television make it Arsenal against Chelsea at 8 a.m. Sunday on Fox Soccer Channel. Manchester United take on Liverpool the same day, but that 5:25 a.m. game is on the more expensive Setanta. Here's a preview of the match-ups between the big four of the EPL.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bruins defenders Brandon Owens of Murietta and Mike Zaher, as well as Cal State Northridge U.S. Under-23 international Sean Franklin of Palmdale were named today to the initial list of 54 college players invited to attend the annual MLS Combine.

Other college players will be named later. The combine takes place Jan. 11-15 in Florida, just before the Jan. 18 MLS Superdraft.

Other players invited, according to the MLS press release, include:

"seven seniors who are semifinalists for the 2007 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, NCAA soccer’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Leading the way is the 2006 award winner Joseph Lapira (Notre Dame), and Andy Iro (UC Santa Barbara), Julius James (University of Connecticut), Stephen King (University of Maryland), Peter Lowry (Santa Clara), Julian Valentin (Wake Forest University) and Michael Videira (Duke University). The 2007 MAC Hermann Trophy finalists will be announced on Dec. 14, 2007 and the winner is announced on Jan. 11, 2008.

Also, Galaxy spokesman Patrick Donnelly confirmed today that reports linking Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski with LA are false.

Two lessons here: never believe the agent of a player (the source of the "story" in this case), who desperately wants to improve his situation. And don't believe an English tabloid desperate for a story (especially one that if memory serves claimed then England Coach Steve McClaren was trying to line up a job with the Galaxy).

Posted by Nick Green at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Washington Post's Steven Goff follows up his Tuesday blog report with a story today that the previously mentioned trade of Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon for D.C. United's Troy Perkins has fallen through. The same deal would have seen FC Dallas striker Carlos Ruiz return to the Galaxy.

Don't be surprised if this isn't the last we hear of a Cannon trade or Ruiz return.

Cannon's almost $200,000 a year contract is a salary cap burden for the Galaxy, especially since he is error-prone, while LA has lacked a consistent attacking threat since Ruiz departed. Ruiz has plenty of baggage - he's moody and previous Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid had trouble keeping the Guatemalan tucked up in bed at night and out of nightclubs - but at least Ruiz is capable of getting on the end of David Beckham free kicks.

Meanwhile, the U-23 Men's National Team, with a sizable Southern California contingent is in China preparing for two games.

Lastly, the prep previews keep coming.

On Tuesday, it was the Bay League boys, today it's the girls.

There's also previews of the girls LA section, the girls Pioneer League and the girls Ocean League.

The small schools get their due here.

The Daily Breeze girls top ten rankings are here.

Tuesday's prep action is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I Want To Go To Rehab, Yes, Yes, Yes

The mini-camp, essentially a get acquainted session, ends Wednesday for the 16 players on the World Cup squad and handful of collegians taking part.

The camp was hastily convened so nothing should be read into the absences of the likes of Kristine Lilly, although the veteran striker is still deciding whether to keep playing until the Olympics or retire.

Hopefully, we'll have some pictures from camp later today, but you can read all about it here.

A couple of things left out of the column for space reasons: Markgraf especially sounded pleased to be reunited with her former WUSA coach who has more creative and attacking expectations than former Coach Greg Ryan did.

"I shoot more with Pia than I ever did with Greg," Markgraf said after Monday's practice. "She emphasizes making the right decision. That's what soccer is all about."

There was no major team meeting to discuss goalkeeper Hope Solo's outburst, although Sundhage referred obliquely to the melt down.

"I have addressed the fact that the U.S. Women's National Team is a team with different individuals, but no one player is bigger than the team," she said.

Sundhage said this team has the capability to do for the attacking game in women's soccer what the Germans did for defense: take the offense to a dominating, withering next level.

Striker Abby Wambach is certainly looking to receive more support up front.

"You're going to see players play differently than they've ever played," she said. "It will be a lot more entertaining to watch and a lot more fun to play."

Meanwhile, Markgraf acknowledges this is a team whose PR image also needs a bit of rehab.

"I'm just happy people are still watching us and hopefully we can win them back," she said.

Mia Hamm to Play at the HDC

The celebrity challenge game includes Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, Julie Foudy, Brad Guzan, Brandi Chastain and others.

More details are here and on MySpace.

Also, Hamm will appear from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 5 at the upcoming Cal South Soccer Nation Expo at the LA Convention Center.

From the (edited) press release:

Hamm will have two appearances on the Expo’s central pitch. One will be a 15-minute question-and-answer session, answering questions submitted by Soccer Nation Expo attendees. In the second, Hamm will participate in a 4-on-4 kids game as “Kingman,” in which she will switch sides with each possession. When not on the pitch, Hamm will be available to sign autographs and meet and greet Soccer Nation Expo attendees at the Nike exhibition booth.

During both pitch times, Hamm will promote the Mia Hamm & Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer Challenge, January 26, 2008 at the Home Depot Center, an event that benefits Childrens Hospital Los Angeles bone marrow patients and their families. A bone marrow typing demonstration will be part of this segment. Bone marrow typing is used to find possible matches for patients needing marrow transplants. Representatives from the National Bone Marrow Donor Program at the City of Hope will be at the Expo to type attendees interested in becoming part of the program.

More details are here.

Prep Previews

High school soccer is gearing up and here are previews from the Pioneer League and Marine League.

A Bay League preview is here.

Prep scores from the South Bay are here and from the Long Beach Press-Telegram here.

Finally, the Daily News checks in with news from a tournament in La Canada Flintridge.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Semifinal Shootout in Texas

I linked to the Daily Bruin and Daily Trojan previews of today's semifinal between the two schools Thursday; here's the Daily News' version.

There's more info here.

Sophomore USC starting goalkeeper Kristin Olsen of Orange has recorded 11 solo shutouts and three shared this season, equaling last year's program record program of 14 for the Trojans.

Here's a Q & A with Olsen.

For those of you playing hooky from work on a gray and rainy Friday in LA, the USC-UCLA semi begins at 4 p.m. on ESPNU (and will be replayed at 9 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2); the Notre Dame-Florida State semi precedes it at 2 p.m., also on ESPNU.

The weather is better in Texas.

Youth is Served II

Midfielder Carlos Martinez of Las Vegas and Stefan Jerome scored for the U.S.

The U.S. next faces Brazil at 11:30 a.m. Saturday live on Fox Soccer Channel.

Back in the South Bay, Red Bull starlet Jozy Altidore blogs for the New York Times about the U-23 USMNT Training Camp in Carson.

South Bay prep scores are here.

Solo Speaks

I plan to head out to training camp Monday, so look for more on the team's first training camp under new Coach Pia Sundhage then.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy will face ex-Coach Frank Yallop and expansion team the San Jose Earthquakes in their Thursday, April 3 home opener, the team announced today.

Also, Chivas USA said today they will open their 15-game home season (there are 30 regular season games in total next year) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5 against Real Salt Lake.

As noted Tuesday, both Home Depot Center-based teams open their MLS schedules the weekend before on the road, the Galaxy facing the Colorado Rapids at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29 and Chivas USA playing at noon Sunday, March 30 in Dallas.

Unusually, there are two Thursday night games April 3, but reliable sources tell me it is the David Beckham-led Galaxy that wll see their game nationally televised on ESPN2. The full broadcast schedule is not yet finalized.

As the Galaxy press release observes, the Galaxy game against the Earthquakes marks the resurrection of a fierce intrastate rivalry that ended two years ago when the previous incarnation of the 'Quakes moved to Houston and became the Dynamo.

From the (edited) Galaxy press release:

In their past 12 season openers, LA has a record of 6-4-2 including a 0-0 draw with the MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium last season. Despite a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas last season, the Galaxy are even better in their first 12 home openers, compiling an 8-4-0 record, including a 1-1-0 mark against San Jose.

Fans looking to attend the Galaxy’s home opener on April 3 against San Jose can purchase the LA Galaxy Holiday pack which, for as little as $88, gets you four tickets to the game, two Galaxy scarves, two tickets to an LA Riptide game and a holiday card courtesy of the Galaxy.

Chivas USA beat Real Salt Lake all three times the teams met last season by a combined score of 8-2.

The Chivas USA press release has yet to hit my e-mail inbox, but I'm sure the team will have ticket deals, too.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLS 2008 is Here

Confirmed opening matches:
March 29
Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids
Chicago Fire at Real Salt Lake
D.C. United at Kansas City Wizards
Houston Dynamo at New England Revolution
Toronto FC at Columbus Crew
The Red Bulls are reportedly visiting the expansion San Jose Earthquakes (the game may still being finalized).

March 30
Chivas USA at FC Dallas

April 3
New England Revolution at Chicago Fire

April 5
Toronto at D.C. United
The Columbus Crew are reportedly at New York Red Bulls

April 6
FC Dallas at Houston

April 19
Real Salt Lake at Toronto

The Galaxy will officially unveil its home opener Wednesday. The full MLS schedule will be released early next year.

Pia in Carson

The U.S. Women’s National Team will hold its first training camp under new head coach Pia Sundhage beginning Saturday at Home Depot Center in Carson.

Sundhage will bring in 24 players for the four-day mini-camp designed to give her a quick look at the core of the U.S. team, plus a handful of young players just coming off the college season, before the squad regroups in early January to prepare for the Four Nations Tournament in China.

The camp is basically the beginning of the run to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, with the USA preparing for the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Final Round qualifying tournament, being held April 2-13 in Chihuahua, Mexico. Two countries from the six-team tournament will advance to China.

“It’s a short camp, but it will be valuable time spent together as a team and a unique moment for me to have a chance to work with the best players in the United States for the first time,” said Sundhage. “It will give us the chance to get to know them as players a little bit more, they’ll get the chance to learn my style and I’ll also get the chance to get to know them off the field. It will be a good start to something new.”

The roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Nicole Barnhart (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Briana Scurry (Dayton, Minn.), Hope Solo (Richland, Wash.);
DEFENDERS: Rachel Buehler (Del Mar, Calif.), Marian Dalmy (Lakewood, Colo.), Kate Markgraf (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Heather Mitts (Cincinnati, Ohio), Christie Rampone (Point Pleasant, N.J.), Cat Whitehill (Birmingham, Ala.);
MIDFIELDERS: Yael Averbuch (Upper Montclair, N.J.), Shannon Boxx (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis, Mo.), Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Carli Lloyd (Delran, N.J.), Leslie Osborne (Brookfield, Wis.), Aly Wagner (San Jose, Calif.), Nikki Washington (Mesquite, Texas), Angie Woznuk (El Cajon, Calif.);
FORWARDS: Michelle Enyeart (Hemet, Calif.), Natasha Kai (Kahuku, Hawaii), Casey Nogueira (Raleigh, N.C.), Heather O’Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.), Lindsay Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Abby Wambach (Rochester, N.Y.).

Posted by Nick Green at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is here.

Check out the previous post for a picture gallery and more from the Under-23 camp at the HDC.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Late blogging today because I headed out to the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team week-long camp at Home Depot Center in Carson today, the first under Coach Peter Nowak.

I'll have more on the camp in Tuesday's column in the Daily News and Daily Breeze, but here's a pictorial taste of Day 2 courtesy of Daily Breeze photographer Brad Graverson.

At top left is Nowak, top left and middle right is Columbus Crew midfielder Robbie Rodgers, who despite what the U.S. press officers say grew up in Rolling Hills Estates in the South Bay; middle right is Red Bull New York (for now) striker Jozy Altidore; bottom left is defender Mike Randolph, virtually the only member of the Galaxy's back four who covered himself with a measure of distinction last season; and bottom right is a winded Altidore.

Incidentally, the Crew's Eddie Gaven Eddie Gavin was a late scratch from camp for personal reasons (good ones, I was told without anyone being specific) and replaced by Aaron Hohlbein of the Kansas City Wizards.

Rogers, who came on strong during the latter part of the Crew's season sounded like he enjoyed playing with Argentine star Guillermo Barros Schelotto and hopes he will return to Columbus next year.

"Every time I played with him it was so much easier," Rogers said. "It made me a better player, playing with him."

Fontana's Maurice Edu who said he set - and achieved - his goal of becoming the MLS Rookie of the Year is reveling in living and playing in the multicultural, European-like atmosphere of Toronto.

"I like it a lot," he said. "(The fans) are really passionate about the game. They live and die for it."

Striker Sal Zizzo said the same about Germany, where he believes he's getting closer to making the 18-man first team squad in Hannover. His last name is pronounced Ze-Zo, by the way, not Ziz-Zo.

The last time I saw him in person, Zizzo was the best player on the field for UCLA in a preseason game against Loyola Marymount a little over a year ago.

Now he's turned pro, got picked up by a Bundesliga team and made his debut for the U.S. National Team.

"It's been a wild trip since then," he said. "It's great. (I'm playing) the best soccer I've ever played."

Now if he can just pick up the language (Zizzo has had two dozen German lessons).

Peter Nowak, who has a reputation for being brusque with the press, was friendly and accommodating, by the way.

I asked about the differences between coaching in MLS and at the national team level and Nowak observed that unlike in the frenetic pace of club soccer, you don't necessarily have 10 months to work with a team on a daily basis to put things right. There's less margin for error and the job is consequently more challenging despite the apparent slower pace, he said

Posted by Nick Green at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Euro 2008 draw was held this morning, with Holland, France and Italy drawn in the toughest group along with Romania.

Croatia was drawn in Group B and opens with hosts Austria on June 8, meets Germany on June 12 and concludes with Poland on June 16.

The tournament opens with a June 7 game between Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

All 31 games are live in the U.S.on ESPN. Here's the complete schedule.

Chivas USA plays its final game of the year at 4 p.m. today in Santa Ana in what is a benefit game for the victims of the devastating recent flooding in Mexico.

Among the many Mexican futbol stars scheduled to participate are the likes of former Galaxy strikers Carlos Hermosillo and Luis Hernandez.

Tickets start at $15.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the wake of the World Series of Football and SuperLiga comes the latest meaningless tournament with a grandiose name: the Pan-Pacific Championship.

Essentially a MLS pre-season tournament scheduled for February, the four-team event in Hawaii unveiled today will involve trophy-winning teams from Japan and Australia, MLS champs the Houston Dynamo, as well as the Galaxy, which will participate because they have David Beckham and MLS Cup runner-up the New England Revolution doesn't.

"This tournament will unite four terrific clubs from across the region to crown a true Pan-Pacific champion," said Doug Quinn, president of Soccer United Marketing (apparently with a straight face), which is organizing of the event.

Well, no, it won't Dougie. If it did we'd have teams from Korea, Mexico, (insert other countries here) all playing as well.

Just call it what it is: a way to make more money off Becks and expose another American market to the MLS product. Or another excuse for a Hawaiian vacation. Nothing wrong with doing that is there?

MLS' credibility (or lack thereof) is called into question (yet again) when self-important and inaccurate press releases are issued containing such pronouncements as the tournament "will crown the top club from the Asian and North American soccer confederations.

Let's hope Becks doesn't twist his ankle again.

Full details are here.

The official Web site is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The season has ended for the UCLA men's team after a 3-1 loss to Santa Clara in the NCAA Tournament.

The Galaxy and David Beckham receive a New Zealand welcome.

And MLS holds its waiver draft later today. Carlos Pavon anyone? Didn't think so.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Plenty of familiar names on the roster named today for the U.S. Men's Under-23 National Team (which doubles as the Olympic team) training camp that opens this weekend at Home Depot Center.

The list includes MLS Rookie of the Year Maurice Edu of Fontana and Toronto FC; Robbie Rogers of Rolling Hills Estates and the Columbus Crew; Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan; Mike Randolph of the Galaxy; and former Galaxy players Nate Sturgis and Robbie Findley (both Real Salt Lake).

Here's today's (edited) press release from U.S. Soccer:

U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team head coach Peter Nowak has called 22 players into training camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., in preparation for a two-match tour in China where the U.S. will face the Chinese U-23 national team.

This will be the first gathering of the U-23 MNT since Nowak took the reins in August, and is the first major camp in preparation for the final round action of the 2008 CONCACAF Men’s Under-23 Championship to be held from March 11-23, 2008, in Los Angeles, Tampa and Nashville. The eight-team tournament will send the two finalists to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The team will gather on Saturday in Carson and train for a week before departing on Dec. 8 for China. The U-23’s will play two matches against the Chinese U-23s, first on Dec. 13 at the Changsha He Long Sports Centre in Changsha, then three days later at the Yue Xiu Shan Stadium in Guangzhou.

"This is an excellent opportunity to begin preparing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing,” said Nowak. "We will have the chance to get in a good week of training before playing two matches against a very good opponent. As we have seen in the past, the possibility of getting to travel and play in the host country before a tournament is especially valuable, so we are going to take full advantage of it.”

Of the 22-man roster assembling in Carson, 20 are playing professionally in the United States and abroad. Charlie Davies (Hammarby) and Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96), are the representatives from Europe, each having earned their first caps with the full team earlier this year. All told, seven players on the squad made their debut at the senior international level in 2007, including Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan who made four appearances, including three as a starter.

The heavily-MLS laden roster features the 2007 Rookie of the Year Maurice Edu as well as two winners from the MLS Cup-winning Houston Dynamo, midfielder Stuart Holden and defender Patrick Ianni. New England Revolution striker Adam Cristman represents the runners up having posted four goals and four assists in his rookie season for the Revs.

Nine players are graduates of the U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., and 14 of 22 players have represented the United States in a world youth championship event.

Seven players were part of the USA’s quarterfinal run in the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada this past summer. Four players – Jozy Altidore, Robbie Rogers, Nathan Sturgis and Zizzo – started all five matches for the United States, while goalkeeper Chris Seitz turned in one of the stellar performances for the U-20’s in Canada. Additionally, both Sturgis and Tim Ward were part of the squad at the 2005 FIFA Youth World Championship in Holland, where the U.S. opened with a stunning 1-0 victory over eventual champions Argentina and then shutout Germany (0-0) and Egypt (1-0) to win Group D before eventually falling to Italy, 3-1, in the Round of 16 to finish in 11th place.

The U.S. is gearing up for CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in March, with seven out of the eight participating teams having been finalized. Reaching the final round to join Canada, the USA and Mexico were qualifiers Guatemala and Honduras from the Central American Zone, and Cuba and Haiti from the Caribbean Zone. Panama and Costa Rica will play a two-game home-and-away playoff series later this month, with the winner becoming the eighth team in the final round tournament.

The Home Depot Center and Raymond James Stadium will each host three doubleheaders in group play, while LP Field in Nashville will host the semifinals on Thursday, March 20, and the championship match and third-place game on Sunday, March 23.

U.S. Under 23 Men’s National Team Roster By Position: GOALKEEPERS: Zac MacMath (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake).

DEFENDERS: Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Jon Leathers (Furman University), Mike Randolph (Los Angeles Galaxy), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Tim Ward (Columbus Crew), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC).

MIDFIELDERS: Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Michael Harrington (Kansas City Wizards), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (CD Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas).

FORWARDS: Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Adam Cristman (New England Revolution), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

Posted by Nick Green at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite a trademark David Beckham goal from a free kick, the Galaxy lost 5-3 to Sydney F.C. before more than 80,000 in Australia where Tuesday night has come and gone.

New Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit saw midfielder Kevin Harmse sent off in the supposed friendly and shaky goalkeeper Joe Cannon was pulled at half time.

Full details here.

Back here in LA I devoted Tuesday's column to the USC women's soccer program, enjoying its best season in history, and defender Amy Massey from Manhattan Beach.

More information on the nonprofit mentioned in the story is here.

Steven Goff over at The Washington Post said two sources have told him Chivas USA Coach Preki is interested in the New York Red Bulls about its coaching vacancy

But that didn't stop Chivas USA from trading reserve goalkeeper Preston Burpo to expansion team San Jose Earthquakes for a fourth round draft pick. The (edited) Chivas USA press release:

“This was a key trade for us ahead of next year’s SuperDraft,” Preki said. “We also hope it represents a good opportunity for Preston to compete for a starting spot in a new environment in San Jose.”

Burpo, 35, was a member of Chivas USA for two seasons, in which he accumulated a 1.18 goals-against average (GAA) in 22 regular-season games played (all starts). However, Burpo played just three of those games in 2007, when he served primarily as a backup to Panasonic MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Brad Guzan.

Burpo was originally acquired by Chivas USA in March 2006 as a discovery pick from United Soccer Leagues Division I side Seattle Sounders.

The trade raises the possibility Chivas USA will have an entirely new goalkeeping corps in 2008 if Guzan heads to Arsenal of the English Premier League when the European transfer window opens in the New Year.

And Lawndale's Kei Kamara is heading back to California after being traded to San Jose from the Columbus Crew. The (edited) Crew release:

The Columbus Crew announced today that it has acquired midfielder Brian Carroll from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for forward Kei Kamara. Carroll, a member of D.C. United’s 2004 MLS Cup-winning squad who has earned six caps with the U.S. National Team, appeared in 121 games over five seasons with D.C. before being selected by San Jose in Wednesday’s MLS Expansion Draft.

“We are excited to acquire someone of Brian Carroll’s ability and experience,” said Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He is someone who has been a part of an MLS championship and he will help bring that mentality to our team. At the same time, we thank Kei for his efforts on behalf of the Crew and wish him the best of luck in San Jose.”

Carroll, a 26-year-old native of Springfield, Va., was originally selected by D.C. United in the second round (No. 11 overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft out of Wake Forest University. In 2007, the defensive midfielder saw action in 28 games (19 starts) and collected a career-high four assists. He has two goals and 11 assists in his career. Carroll also represented the United States at the Under-20 and U-23 levels, prior to his six appearances at the senior level.

Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone who played collegiately at Cal State Dominguez Hills, spent two seasons with the Crew after being selected by Columbus in the first round (No. 9 Overall) of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. He scored five goals in 36 games (13 starts) in Black & Gold.

Finally, the U.S. Under-15 Girls National Team wrapped up a three game series in Florida over the weekend with two losses and a win.

Southern Californians on the roster were Michelle Cruz of Thousand Oaks, Natalia Ledezma of La Mirada and Haley Rosen of Palos Verdes.

The U-15s end the year with a 5-2-4 overall record, the most-ever international matches played by the U.S. U-15s in a calendar year.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

David Beckham will stay with the Galaxy all summer next year after England today ineptly backed their way out of Euro 2008, despite Becks getting an assist in a 3-2 loss to Croatia.

That was about the only silver lining for the Galaxy's English fans, although the 200 crazy Croats I watched the game with in San Pedro were pretty happy. I'll have more on that in a story in Thursday's Daily Breeze.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Earthquakes went shopping in the pre-Thanksgiving sale known as the MLS Expansion draft and picked up Galaxy supersub Gavin Glinton and sometimes Chivas USA starting defender Jason Hernandez among others.

From the Galaxy press release:

Glinton finished the 2007 season tied for third on the Galaxy with a career-high four goals in 19 games. Used primarily off the bench, Glinton started just three of his 19 games but still managed to score a number of crucial goals for the club, including three during the Galaxy’s late season, seven-game unbeaten streak. Two of those goals were game-winners while the other gave LA the lead late on in the eventual 2-2 draw at Real Salt Lake on Sept. 19.

Glinton appeared in 51 career games for the Galaxy during two stints with the club. Originally drafted by the Galaxy in 2002, he won the MLS Cup as a rookie after scoring once in 22 games. Midway through the 2003 season, Glinton was dealt to Dallas. After spending some time as a college soccer coach and in the USL First Division, Glinton return to the Galaxy late last season, playing in one game.

Posted by Nick Green at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I talked to Paul Bravo, the Galaxy's director of soccer, in what I believe was the first in-depth interview he has given since his appointment in late August for my weekly column.

A couple of things left out of the column for space reasons:
*Bravo said the team is looking for a consistent goal scorer (goodbye Carlos Pavon?), a holding midfielder to protect the back line (goodbye Pete Vagenas, Kevin Harmse?) and some pace wide in left midfield.

Meanwhile, the English player Croatia said they fear most in Wednesday's European qualifier is David Beckham, which probably tells you how mediocre this England team is than anything else.

The UCLA men Monday were awarded a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

More details here.

Finally, U.S. Men's Paralympic Team midfielder Marthell Vazquez, originally from Long Beach, was named the Most Valuable Player of the recently-concluded 2007 Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vazquez was the leading scorer for the U.S. with four goals. The U.S. team finished in 10th place.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Presumably captivated by the possibility Clint Mathis (sorry, I meant David Beckham) could lead the Galaxy to next year's MLS Cup (insert chuckling here), the league announced today its championship game will return to Carson next year.

From the press release:

MLS Cup 2008 will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET (live on ABC and TeleFutura) on November 23, 2008 at the home of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“We are proud and excited to bring Major League Soccer’s championship event back to the City of Los Angeles and The Home Depot Center, one of the finest sports venues in the United States,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “The pageantry and top-notch presentation of two previous MLS Cups and the inaugural SuperLiga final prove that The Home Depot Center is a superb stage for national and international showcase events like MLS Cup 2008.”

The two previous MLS Cup matches held at The Home Depot Center were resounding successes. In 2003, a sold out crowd of 27,000 witnessed a remarkable match with the San Jose Earthquakes taking home the title with 4-2 victory over the Chicago Fire in a wide-open contest. In 2004, D.C. United lifted the MLS Cup trophy after an intense 3-2 win over the Kansas City Wizards.

“The LA Galaxy are honored to once again be hosting Major League Soccer’s premier match, MLS Cup, at The Home Depot Center,” LA Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas said. “We feel that we have the best fans in MLS and I can think of no better way to reward them for their support than winning our third MLS Cup in front of them at home next season.”

Since opening its doors in 2003, The Home Depot Center has served as the home of two-time MLS Cup Champion and five-time MLS Cup finalist the Los Angeles Galaxy. Designated as an “Official U.S. Olympic Training Site,” this facility is also home to Chivas USA and the National Training Center for the United States Soccer Federation’s (USSF) Men’s and Women’s National Teams. In addition to two MLS Cups, the stadium has hosted numerous memorable soccer matches, including the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup Championship game, the 2003 MLS All-Star Game, CONCACAF Men’s and Women’s Gold Cup matches, InterLiga, this year’s inaugural SuperLiga series and several other elite soccer competitions.

“Hosting the most important game in American professional soccer at The Home Depot Center for the third time shows our continuing commitment to bring exciting and entertaining events to this stadium and city,” said Rod O’Connor, general manager, The Home Depot Center. “We are proud to partner with MLS and the Galaxy for what promises to be a great day for soccer fans in the city of Los Angeles, and across the country.”

"I can think of no better place to host soccer's biggest match than right here in Los Angeles," said City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Los Angeles is the international hub of the world and is a place where everyone comes with a vision and a drive to achieve beyond themselves. We proudly welcome the 2008 MLS Cup match and the league's teams to chase their championship dreams right here in Los Angeles at our Home Depot Center."

The Home Depot Center has apparently moved to LA?

Posted by Nick Green at 4:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

His options dwindling, Red Bulls striker-attacking midfielder Clint Mathis was traded by New York to the Galaxy in the brief three-hour MLS trading window this morning in exchange for a third round draft pick.

Mathis, whose big-money contract with MLS expires at year's end and under-performed (as usual) in New York, is expected to sign an incentive-laden contract with the Galaxy so the mercurial midfielder can prove he still has what it takes to play in the league.

"We're hoping Clint is motivated and ready to continue," said Paul Bravo, the Galaxy's director of soccer. "I think he thrives in this kind of environment - if we can make him see the light.

It's always going to be a challenge with Clint," Bravo added. "But we're looking to bring in guys who can handle a pressure cooker environment - I think he gets bored. For a third round draft pick, he's definitely worth the risk."

By the way, the Galaxy had the inside track on Mathis because his in-laws live in OC.

Also, Bravo said the Galaxy see Mathis as a potential back-up playmaker for David Beckham, should he end up playing for England next summer at Euro 2008.

From the Galaxy press release:

Mathis, who was originally drafted by the Galaxy in the 1998 SuperDraft, is the 16th leading scorer in MLS history with 59 goals in his nine-year MLS career. He will join his new Galaxy teammates in Los Angeles this week before heading to Australia with the club on Friday.

Mathis, who will turn 31 on Sunday, was drafted by the Galaxy in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1998 MLS College Draft and went on to appear in 65 games for the club, scoring 15 goals and adding 17 assists. Midway through the 2000 season, Mathis was traded to the MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) as part of the Galaxy’s acquisition of Luis Hernandez. He played the next three and a half years in New York, where he is now the club’s all-time leading scorer in all competitions, and with whom he was a finalist for the 2000 MLS Honda MVP Award and was named to the 2000 MLS Best XI.

After a year in the German Bundesliga with Hannover 96, Mathis returned to MLS, joining expansion club Real Salt Lake in 2005 before being traded to Colorado for the 2006 season and then on to the Red Bulls in 2007, with whom he scored six goals and added two assists in 26 games. In the Red Bulls 5-4 win over LA in August, Mathis tallied a goal and an assist, with the goal giving him a team-record 45 in all competitions during his career with the club.

A member of the U.S. National Team, Mathis has collected 46 caps and scored 12 goals since debuting with the National Team in 1998. He was a member of the U.S. squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup scoring the American’s only goal in the 1-1 draw with the host nation Korea Republic.

Red Bull New York Technical Director Jeff Agoos was also pleased with the move:

“By acquiring this pick, we will now be able to have a selection in every round of the 2008 SuperDraft. This allows us more flexibility moving forward.”

Is Mathis still capable of scoring five goals like this?

What do you think?

I'll have more on my conversation with Bravo and word of a Chivas USA player who won't be leaving the team as rumored after all in Tuesday's 100 Percent Soccer column in the Daily Breeze and Daily News.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A quick update before I head off to the Galaxy practice this morning:
England players are gathering ahead of Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.

And while England wants no repeat of the last-gasp David Beckham free kick it needed six years ago to qualify for the 2002 World Cup there are calls to bench Becks against Croatia.

Meanwhile, the UCLA and USC women both made it through Sunday to the next round of the NCAA tournament.

Playing for 76 minutes a man down, the Loyola Marymount men (3-16-1) suffered their eighth one-goal loss of the campaign and lost 2-1 to Saint Mary’s Sunday in their last game of the season.

Finally, the Galaxy host their annual Thanksgiving meal in the Stadium Club this afternoon for more than 200 local children and their families:

Several Galaxy players and front office members, as well as staff from The Home Depot Center and Albertsons, will be on hand to help serve meals, which will include all of the traditional Thanksgiving fare. Galaxy players including Landon Donovan, Quavas Kirk, Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Peter Vagenas and more, as well as other special guests, including actress Bianca Kajlich, the star of the CBS comedy “Rules of Engagement” and the wife of Landon Donovan, will also be signing autographs and taking photos with the children.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sporting an all ex-Galaxy front line of Joseph Ngwenya and Nate Jaqua, the Houston Dynamo beat the New England Revolution 2-1 today in a come from behind win.

This is a team initially molded by former Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop, of course, and four MLS titles in six years is a testament to what can be achieved if stability exists.

Are you listening Galaxy?

The Galaxy at least won something this weekend: retired Galaxy great Cobi Jones on Saturday won the Commissioner's Award

That was a nod to the past.

If we're talking about the present, two Chivas USA players, goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Jonathan Bornstein of Los Alamitos were named to the MLS Best XI:

GOALKEEPER (1): Brad Guzan* (Chivas USA)

DEFENDERS (3): Michael Parkhurst* (New England Revolution), Eddie Robinson*(Houston Dynamo), Jonathan Bornstein* (Chivas USA)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Christian Gomez (D.C. United), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo), Ben Olsen* (D.C. United) Guillermo Barros Schelotto* (Columbus Crew)

FORWARDS (2): Luciano Emilio* (D.C. United), Juan Pablo Angel *(New York Red Bulls)

* First time Best XI recipient

No Galaxy players on the list, you'll notice.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sigi Schmid agreed to guest blog as MLS wraps up 2007:

MLS Cup is the culmination of a long season.

Some rambling thoughts come to mind:

1. The winner of MLS Cup is very rarely the best team in the league.

It is a Cup; not a league championship.

An old coaching friend of mine said to me long ago that during a season the cream rises to the top; in a cup competition it is like Fantasy Island - everyone's dream can come true.

Although this year two of the more consistent teams made the finals, that is not always the case.

2. Are new rules coming?

Perhaps two designated players per team.

We have the Beckham rule; now we might have the Landon Donovan rule.

I see arguments on both sides; we will see what happens.

Trading for a second DP spot is possible, but it has a value that needs to be respected.

3. On the expansion Seattle franchise - New teams and marching bands. I love it.

Fans as members. I agree - let's get involved.

Now we need a team name.

Are we going to get another FC team or team FC?

I hope not.

Maybe it will be an SC for soccer Club.

How about an SSC, Soccer and Social Club? I like that.

4. High profile coaches - I think it is great for our league.

Big salaries - great. I wish some of that would pass down to the current coaches.

MLS is different.

When you are used to going player shopping and not looking at price tags, it is hard to start hunting for bargains.

A bargain for a European team is $2 million or less.

In MLS that is called a DP.

Happy hunting, time to go to those big outlet stores for those quality specials.

5. Finally, MLS gets better every year.

The fans are better every year.

There is a better atmosphere every year in the stadiums.

Media coverage is getting better.

The teams are better.

Players are better.

Now if only the refereeing would do the same.

Posted by Nick Green at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

U.S. Escapes South Africa With 1-0 Win

Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan came on at the half to preserve the shutout, while his club teammates Sascha Kljestan and (briefly) Jonathan Bornstein also saw action in the last U.S. game of the year.

Freddy Adu started in attack for the U.S., while Fontana's Maurice Edu, the MLS Rookie of the Year, acquitted himself well and earned an assist on Steve Cherundolo's goal.

Next for the U.S.: a game against Sweden Jan. 19 at Home Depot Center in Carson.

Next for armchair soccer fans, especially those of English descent, the 9:55 a.m. game on Fox Soccer Channel between Israel and Russia. England need help from Israel if they are to qualify for Euro 2008, remember.

Program notes

How did I hook up with a soccer show from the Great White North?

Turns out the show's host is married to a daughter of my Canadian-born wife's father's cousin. Hey, I'll take the distant nepotism.

I'll chat with host Soccer Steve, a former player with England's not so mighty Port Vale (it's apparently some sort of rule that old pros from England must host soccer radio shows judging by how many there are) just after noon.

Those so inclined can listen here.

Also, longtime South Bay resident and Columbus Crew Coach Sigi Schmid will guest-blog for 100 Percent Soccer later today, sharing his views on the MLS season.

Chivas USA Update

Billy Witz and Ivan Orozco took a look at what the offseason holds for Chivas USA today.

College Update

In other games, San Francisco scored twice in each half Friday to defeat the Loyola Marymount men, 4-0.
LMU fell to 3-15-1 and closes out their season Sunday.

Finally, the Cal State Northridge men clawed back to a .500 record in their last game of the season with a 2-1 win over UC Irvine Friday. Northridge ended its season at 7-7-6.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Breakfast in Africa

It's a young (but worldly) U.S. team.

From (the edited) U.S. Soccer release:

•Glasgow Rangers midfielder DaMarcus Beasley is the leading cap-winner on the roster (average age 23) with 71 international appearances. The 25-year-old has scored 15 international goals.
•There are five players heading to South Africa with five caps or less, including two 2007 MLS season award winners. Brad Guzan was voted Goalkeeper of the Year in only his second season with Chivas USA, while Maurice Edu – who earned his first cap in the win against Switzerland – has been honored as the Rookie of the Year. Fellow U-20 World Cup teammates Freddy Adu and Josmer Altidore will be reunited for the first time since Canada this summer, with the New York Red Bulls striker seeking his first-ever cap with the full team. Sacha Kljestan has three appearances for the full team, all this year.
•A total of six players on the current roster are age-eligible for the 2008 Olympic Games : Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber and Jonathan Spector.
•Twelve of the 17 players on the roster ply their trade in seven different countries in Europe (Belgium, Denmark, England, Germany, Holland, Portugal and Scotland).
GOALKEEPERS (2) – Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
DEFENDERS (7) –Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (6) – Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA)
FORWARDS (2) – Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC)

"eight days after (Saturday's) match, South Africa will host the Preliminary Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The event, held in Durban, will determine the qualifying schedule for 156 countries spanning five confederations. The South American qualifying competition began Oct. 13 with all ten teams in action. The U.S. will learn on Nov. 25 its potential opponents for the second round of CONCACAF Qualifying. To ramp up the hype, the domestic league’s biggest derby between Jo’Burg based Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates has been moved to Durban to coincide with the weekend’s festivities.

Beck's is Back

The Times had a rather savage assessment of Beckham's contribution:

That England’s winner came from a dead ball from David Beckham was also somewhat misleading, considering the tepid nature of his performance. Looking as fit as can be expected of a man who has started three competitive matches since June – and even those in an inferior league – his only serious contributions came when the play was stopped. Even then, successive corners were cleared by a resilient knot of red-shirted Austria defenders, while long-range free kicks were delivered as if guided by faulty radar. He looked about as far off a top-level international footballer as he did on the occasions when Sven-Göran Eriksson insisted on sending him out half-fit.

But, even in his dotage, Beckham will be able to deliver the odd mean one – indeed, if McClaren uses this talent to justify his continued place in the team, Beckham could be pulling on the white shirt at 50 – and in the 44th minute it was his inswinger that set up the goal that relieved the tension building in the England camp.

His partner in crime was, as ever, Crouch, a striker whose frame is built to act as the antenna for Beckham’s passes into the box. So it proved. It was a classically worked Beckham and Crouch goal, the ball whipped in by Beckham’s corner on the left, Crouch rising at the far post, Jermain Defoe on the goalline, pivoting to his side to allow it to pass into the net as Alex Manninger scrambled across his line.
There is something of the flat-track bully about this alliance, though: destroyers of Trinidad & Tobago, Estonia and, now, Austria.

And this was their rating for Beckham:

David Beckham 6 Looked out of shape, which is hardly as a surprise given he has played as much football as your average LA resident recently, with 54 minutes on the pitch since suffering a knee injury in August. Remains as effective as ever from set-pieces, however, whipping in the corner from which Peter Crouch opened the scoring and doing just enough to earn his 99th cap against Croatia.

Israel and Russia kick off at 9:55 a.m. on Fox Soccer Channel, by the way.

More MLS

Posted by Nick Green at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chicago forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco won the 2007 Goal of the Year today for his stunning left-footed volley into the upper right corner of the net in the Fire’s 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake in August. It was the first MLS goal for the Mexican superstar.

Check out the unstoppable screamer here:

Posted by Nick Green at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLS suits will discuss the David Beckham rule today. Whatever happens, it's the first domino to fall in what will be a busy Galaxy off-season.

Meanwhile, Becks has returned to the England midfield for today's noon game against Austria (it's only available on closed circuit television in pubs and bars locally).

And not everyone is happy about the move.

College beat writer Chris Jackson takes a look at the local women involved in the NCAA Tournament, which starts today.

Here's more on the USC game and the UCLA match.

I'll be back later today with more on the England game, MLS Cup activities and the U.S.-South Africa contest, which will be televised at 6 a.m. Saturday on Fox Soccer Channel.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The announcement was just made on ESPNews.

It was always going to be a toss-up between the league's top scorer Emilio (20 goals in 28 games) and New York's Juan Pablo Angel (19 goals in 24 games) for the MVP award (Cuauhtemoc Blanco didn't play in enough games despite his productivity for Chicago).

Personally, I thought Angel was more of a multi-faceted player for New York, but the two were so close that either could have won.

Two of the three finalists were designated players (Emilio was not), so this is vindication for MLS loosening the purse strings a little and for its policy of unearthing cheaper talent in Latin America (the Brazilian last played in Honduras).

Full details on Emilio and other MLS award winners is here.

Check out the Emilio highlights:

Posted by Nick Green at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite taking the lead off a goal from Palos Verdes Estates' (and 100 Percent Soccer blogger) Kyle Nakazawa, the UCLA men could only tie 1-1 Wednesday with San Diego State in their last game of the regular season, leaving their NCAA tourney hopes hanging by a thread. The Bruins learn their fate Monday.

Ahead of Sunday's MLS Cup, Steven Goff over at The Washington Post profiles former Galaxy forward Nate Jaqua, reminding us he scored just one goal in 10 appearances in L.A., but a more respectable eight goals in 15 games since his trade to the Houston Dynamo.

The MLS MVP will be announced today at 1 p.m. live on ESPNews.

MLS reminds us that while Jaqua is not up for the award, these players are:

Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) – The Colombian striker was a terror to defenses as he scored 19 goals in 24 games this season. The first-year player recorded five multi-goal games and helped lead the Red Bulls to the playoffs. He came to MLS from Aston Villa of the English Premier League as one of the League’s first crop of Designated Players.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire) – One of the most loved soccer players in Mexico came to the League as Chicago’s Designated Player and set the League ablaze with his play for the Fire. Blanco helped turn the season around for the Fire, leading them to the playoffs and Eastern Conference Championship game.

Luciano Emilio (D.C. United) – The Brazilian born Emilio was the 2007 Budweiser Golden Boot winner, as the League’s leading goal scorer. He tallied 20 goals in 28 games, tied Angel for the most multi-goal games and helped lead D.C. United to its second consecutive Supporters’ Shield trophy. Emilio is the first MLS player to reach the 20 goal mark in one season since 2002, when current FC Dallas forward Carlos Ruiz scored 24 goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Twellman scored 23 for New England.

Meanwhile, the latest American investors to eye an English team is reportedly Burbank-based Shamrock Holdings, founded by Walt Disney's nephew, Roy, which is supposedly chasing Derby County. And, yes, the "Mickey Mouse team" quips have started.

The CONCACAF suits met Monday to fiddle with the format of their largely irrelevant competitions and award Mexico the qualifying competition for women's Olympic soccer.

From CONCACAF:

Among the most important items under consideration was a detailed proposal from the CONCACAF Secretariat to end the existing club championship, the CONCACAF Champions Cup™, and introduce a new Champions League-style annual event. The proposed new competition, which will see 24 teams participating, received the approval of the Executive Committee and will commence in August 2008 with the first CONCACAF Champions League winner to be crowned in May of 2009. Therefore, the current CONCACAF Champions Cup™ will cease to exist after its next edition, taking place from February-May 2008, has concluded.

Finally, while the performance of the U.S. women at the World Cup was roundly criticized, at least they don't have to survive on less than $100 a day.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Dutchman will be formally introduced at a 10:30 a.m. Friday press conference at Home Depot Center.

Also in attendance: Tim Leiweke, president & CEO, of Anschutz Entertainment Group; Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas; David Beckham's agent Simon Fuller, of 19 Entertainment, which reportedly orchestrated the deal; and Galaxy players, including Beckham.

More here.

Too bad Gullit isn't a few years younger, then he'd be even sexier:

And let's hope he does better than these guys.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

B.C. Beckham

The on-line versions of The Province and Vancouver Sun follow. Advantage The Province for its depth of coverage. The Sun has videos, though.

The game kicks off at 7 p.m. on Channel 22 and GOLTV.

Preki Coach of the Year; Edu Top Rookie

For those keeping track, it's the second consecutive year Chivas USA took the coaching award and the second successive year a Southern Californian has won the rookie title.

The full MLS press release:

Major League Soccer today announced that Chivas USA’s first-year coach, Preki, was voted MLS Coach of the Year after leading his club to a first-place finish in the Western Conference. Also announced today, Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu earned the 2007 Gatorade Rookie of the Year award after starting all 25 matches he played, logging four goals and one assist while showing poise beyond his years in a defensive midfield role.

In his first season as a head coach, Preki, 44, directed Chivas USA to their best finish in the club’s three-year history. Chivas USA finished at the top of the Western Conference and were just two points behind D.C. United in the race for the Supporters’ Shield. The Western Conference leaders lost only one home game at The Home Depot Center this season.

Preki, who spent the 2006 season with Chivas USA as an assistant coach under Bob Bradley, is the only two-time MLS Most Valuable Player to date. He was an eight-time MLS All-Star and is one of the most celebrated players in MLS history. Preki has been a part of MLS since its inception in 1996, playing ten seasons and earning a spot in the top ten all-time in career goals (79), assists (112), and shots on goal (323).

Preki was born in Belgrade of the former Yugoslavia and became a U.S. citizen prior to the 1998 FIFA World Cup, when he represented the United States. He took over the Chivas USA in January 2007, after Bradley left to become the U.S. Men’s National Team coach. In 2006, Chivas USA finished third in the Western Conference with a 10-9-13 record. Preki led this season’s Coach of the Year voting over Houston’s Dominic Kinnear and D.C. United’s Tom Soehn.

Edu, 21, a native of Fontana, Calif. and former Maryland Terrapin, was a dazzling performer throughout his rookie campaign. As the recipient of the 2007 Gatorade Rookie of the Year, he follows in the footsteps of some of Major League Soccer’s most exciting talents. Edu also holds the distinction as the first No. 1 pick overall in the MLS SuperDraft to win Rookie of the Year honors.

Edu displayed an aggressive style of play this year and generated many shots on goal. He ranked behind only one player, forward Colin Samuel, in shots taken for Toronto FC and ranked second on the team in goals scored behind striker Danny Dichio.

Edu began the season recovering from a fractured pelvis and missed the first two games of the season, but came back strong to start all 25 games he played. He recorded four goals and one assist from his defensive midfield role. The past three Gatorade Rookie of the Year winners – Jonathan Bornstein, Michael Parkhurst and Clint Dempsey - each used MLS to launch a career with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Edu recently received his first call-up to the National Team and first career appearance.

The MLS Coach of the Year and the Gatorade Rookie of the Year winners were determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

Women Bruins Seeking Undefeated Season

Posted by Nick Green at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beck's Backs Out?

But Beck's should get the boot from the England team anyway, said influential Daily Telegraph columnist Henry Winter. Somewhere I can hear Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas praying for this to come to pass.

Kamara Flies Out

The Cal State Dominguez Hills product just completed his second season with the Columbus Crew and was scheduled to get on a plane Monday night.

From the (edited) Crew press release:

Kamara will participate in Right To Play’s 2007 Athlete Forum as an athlete ambassador for the group, which promotes child development and peace through sport.

“Right To Play is a great organization and I am extremely excited about the trip,” Kamara said. “It is especially significant to me that we are going to Liberia, which neighbors my home country and which has had a similar recent history (civil war). I am looking forward to seeing the great work being done by Right To Play and to having the opportunity to work with some of the children they serve.”

The purpose of Right To Play Athlete Forums is to show Athlete Ambassadors first-hand the organization’s specially-designed sport and play programs geared to improving health, building life skills, and fostering peace for children an communities affected by war, poverty and disease. A native of neighboring Sierra Leone, Kamara will be joined on the trip by a variety of Olympic athletes, including Adam van Koeverden (Canada - Kayak), James McIlroy (UK - Track and Field), Whitney Ping (USA - Table Tennis) and Cheil Warners (Netherlands - Decathlete).

Kamara is one of 20 MLS Right To Play Athlete Ambassadors who help raise awareness and funds to assist children in the world’s most disadvantaged places.

Warner Not Voted Out?

CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) President and FIFA Vice-President, Jack Austin Warner, was elected to the House of Representatives in his native Trinidad & Tobago following a nationwide general election yesterday. Mr. Warner, standing for election to the House for the first time, won his constituency seat of Chagunas West with the largest popular vote of any candidate in any of the seats contested.

Overall the United National Congress-Alliance Party, of which Warner is the co-leader, won 15 of the 41 seats in the Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives and the UNC-A will now form the official Opposition. Mr. Warner’s term in the House of Representatives will run for five years and during that period, he has declined to accept the post of Leader of the Opposition.

Jack Warner is also President of CONCACAF, a position he has held since he was first elected in 1990. He has also served on FIFA’s Executive Committee since 1983, the longest standing member of that body, and has been a FIFA Vice President since 1997.

Additionally, he is Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the FIFA Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups, Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Finance Committee and a member of a number of other FIFA Committees.

Suarez Bummed Out

The New England Revolution's Michael Parkhurst, as most pundits expected, did.

Kansas City Wizards forward Eddie Johnson was named Comeback Player of the Year, and Brian Hall, Referee of the Year.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Frank Yallop is gone.

Discuss here.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The season is over for Chivas USA.

It was the same old story for Chivas USA, which shot more blanks than an elderly groom on his wedding night.

Chivas USA saw a Shavar Thomas header cleared off the goal line by Kurt Morsink in the 59th minute.

A Maykel Galindo shot from about 12 yards hit the post two minutes later

And a Galindo shot from six yards hit the side netting in the 77th minute.

Despite being urged on by an animated crowd of 19,711, Chivas USA could not break down a stubborn Wizards rearguard.

Chivas USA ended the night with 16 shots, to the Wizards eight.

Despite all the chances there was a sense of inevitability about this defeat, which saw the Chivas USA season end with a first round playoff exit for the second successive year.

That futility was summed up when substitute striker John Cunliffe saw his header from a corner kick crash off the bar deep into stoppage time in perhaps Chivas USA's best, fleeting, all too late chance of the game.

Chivas USA's lack of depth on the forward line proved the difference, as expected.

More after the press conference.

Updated:

Ante Razov had a sign hanging on his locker all week that read: "I will play in the 2007 Playoffs."

After tonight's game, it was gone, just like Chivas USA's season. Ante didn't stick around to chat either.

"We missed Ante," said Galindo, who was playing hurt himself. "We all know at this point what he means."

Wizards Coach Curt Onalfo said Razov was conspicuous by his absence.

"When they lost Razov, they became a different team," Onalfo said. "He's irreplaceable."

Preki said the Wizards were lucky to beat the Western Conference champions, especially since they scraped into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season.

"They were fortunate to be in the playoffs and they were fortunate tonight," he said. "There are no excuses. We played really good, we just couldn't put the ball away. We totally dominated. We're a far better team."

Wizards midfielder Sasha Victorine took exception to the luck part of that characterization.

"Lucky my ass," he said. "They haven't scored a goal on us in 180 minutes."

Jesse Marsch was already planning a trip to England to take in some games in an apparent effort to ease the pain of the loss.

"It's frustrating, man," he said. "This is something that each guy has to deal with in his own way. There is no recipe for agony."

Updated: Video highlights are here.

The game story is here.

Here's how it played in Kansas City.

Billy Witz has more on how and why Chivas USA literally failed to reach their goal.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wizards Coach Curt Onalfo fields an unchanged team from the one that beat Chivas USA 1-0 in the first leg, while Preki makes three changes to his side in what looks to be a more offensive-minded line-up.

Lawson Vaughn replaces Jason Hernandez on the back line, Alex Zotinca sits to make room for Ramon Nunez up front and Laurent Merlin is dropped to the bench.

Maykel Galindo returns to start despite playing with a painful hernia that will require surgery after the season, alongside Nunez.

The changes likely mean Chivas USA will revert to a more traditional 4-4-2 after playing Merlin alone up front in the first game.

Injured striker Ante Razov jogged alone before the game, but isn't on the bench, as expected.

The game is on FSN

Posted by Nick Green at 7:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With their two starting strikers injured, Chivas USA will need all the magic they can muster to claw back from a 1-0 deficit against the Wizards tonight.

Beat writer Ivan Orozco has the game preview, while Billy Witz profiles the heart and soul of a young Chivas USA team, midfielder (and infrequent blogger) Jesse Marsch.

Allegedly the Wizards plan to attack tonight.

The winner meets the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference finals. The Dynamo defeated FC Dallas 4-2 on aggregate Friday night, scoring two goals in extra time to go through.

Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan sat down for a Q&A session ahead of the game with ussoccerplayers.com.

Carson firefighters dispatched to the recent wildfires in San Diego and Orange counties will conduct the honorary coin toss before the game.

Led by Battalion Chief Jack Ricci and Captain David Martinez, members of Fire Station 116, which is located across Victoria Street from Home Depot Center will do the duties.

A portion of the proceeds from the game will go to the American Red Cross for wildfire relief efforts.

I'll blog from the game as usual.

Posh Place?

College Update

In women's soccer, the undefeated and top-ranked UCLA women got first-half goals from Lauren Cheney and Danesha Adams to win 3-1 Friday evening over visiting Arizona State.

Lauren Barnes added an insurance goal in the 52nd minute for the Bruins (13-1-2, 6-0-0 Pac-10). Kyleyn Felts scored the lone goal for the Sun Devils (9-8-1, 3-3-1) in the 73rd minute. Valerie Henderson had three saves for UCLA.

UCLA plays its final home match of the regular season at 1 p.m. Sunday, hosting Arizona.

No. 4 USC (12-2-2, 4-1-1 Pac-10) achieved a come from behind win to beat Arizona 3-1, Alyssa Davila scoring in the 66th minute to propel the host Trojans to victory and preserve their home unbeaten streak.

Analisa Marquez scored in the 59th minute to put the Wildcats (6-11-1, 1-5-1 Pac-10) ahead before Ashley Nick tied it up just two minutes later. Amy Rodriguez added an insurance goal in the 75th minute for USC.

Next: Arizona State at 1 p.m. Sunday at McAlister Field in the last home game of the season for USC.

Long Beach State beat Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 3-1 with Manhattan Beach freshman Lindsay Bullock (Mira Costa High) one of three different 49ers to score. Game details are here.

Cal State Northridge defeated UC Santa Barbara 1-0, with Kristy Krohn scoring in the 15th minute and freshman goalkeeper Ivette Esqueda recording eight saves to post her first career shutout victory as the host Matadors (5-10-2, 2-4-1 Big West) defeated the Gauchos (6-9-4, 3-3-1) for the first time in six years.

In men's soccer, Maxwell Griffin's team-leading eighth goal of the season in the 66th minute wasn't enough as UCLA (5-4-5, 2-2-2 Pac-10) lost 2-1 at Stanford. UCLA remains in first place in the Pac-10 with a one-point lead over both California and San Diego State.

Still, the Bruins' first loss to Stanford in seven years sets up a must-win game for UCLA on Sunday at California. A Bruin victory would give UCLA a four point lead over the Golden Bears, while a loss would drop the Bruins behind Cal in the standings.

U.S. Loses at Beach Soccer World Cup

Posted by Nick Green at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

D.C. Done

Chivas USA plays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Home Depot Center trailing 1-0 to the Kansas City Wizards.

With strikers Ante Razov out and Maykel Galindo doubtful, Chivas USA will be lacking the firepower fans saw this season:

Adding fuel to the rumors of goalkeeper Brad Guzan heading to England's Arsenal in the New Year, Jens Lehmann fears he's played his last game for the Gunners.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy have announced their exhibition game in Vancouver will be shown live at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Channel 22.

College Update

Reduced to 10 men in the second half, the Loyola Marymount men (2-12-1) lost 2-0 to Oregon State Thursday in a non-conference game in Corvallis, Ore.

FIFA Beach World Cup

The U.S. begins tournament play today against Spain in a game to be shown delayed at 8 tonight on Galavision.

The lone Southern Californian on the team is forward Raphael Xexeo of Lawndale, a city not exactly known for its beaches.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Music and half time shows at major sporting events have seldom worked well together.

Oh, there have been notable exceptions that have either been musically adventurous or controversial (thank you Janet Jackson).

But for the most part its been bland stuff designed to appeal to conservative middle America. Think the uninspired rock of Creed at the Super Bowl.

So it was a pleasant surprise when MLS announced today that emo band Jimmy Eat World would provide the half time entertainment at MLS Cup this year.

Jimmy Eat World play upbeat alternative pop, are fun live and have a new album out that's arguably their most artistically interesting yet.

Of course, MLS also announced today that opera star Placido Domingo (of Three Tenors fame) at the will sing the national anthem, but I guess there must be something for everyone.

I'll stick with Jimmy Eat World and catchy hook-driven songs like "The Middle" from a few years back:

Posted by Nick Green at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLS Melodrama: Playoff Formats

No, I don't mean that the first MLS playoff series of the opening round between D.C. United and the Chicago Fire concludes at 4:30 p.m. today on ESPN2, although there's that, too. (The Fire leads 1-0 in the total goals two-game series, by the way).

I meant that as predicted here with lower seeds holding 1-0 leads in three of the four series over opponents who finished higher in the regular season standings (as United did over the Fire), cue the annual angst over the MLS playoff format.

The New York Times weighs in here, while Yahoo's Martin Rogers has his say here.

Sorry, NYT but one table is never going to work in MLS because 13 teams is too many already (and MLS, of course, wants to add more franchises) to create meaningful games for those occupying the bottom rungs of the table. (At least until we have more than one division with tense relegation battles).

Meanwhile, Rogers' solution is novel, but will never happen (try explaining that one even to soccer fans).

As I have opined before, there are simpler solutions.

Break the long season into two with an Apertura and Clausura, as occurs in many Latin American countries, which also has the added benefit of giving a sense of familiarity to the season to those Mexican-Americans the league covets.

The two winners of the pair of shortened 15 to 16 game seasons meet at the MLS Cup to decide the grand champion. No playoff games, which are often more poorly attended than regular season games anyway because of the lack of time needed to promote them, should be held at all.

If not having playoffs is unAmerican then have the top two teams (or top four if you must) in each season playoff for the "title." That format reduces the likelihood of upsets and gives more consistent teams more opportunities to advance to MLS Cup (you would of course eliminate the Apertura winner from the second season playoffs).

It's a topic MLS has long wrestled with. Alternate ideas welcomed.

The Next U.S. Women's National Team Coach?

With his wife, former national team star Carin Gabarra (Jennings) coming from the area, there was an element of truth to that one (as there is to any good rumor).

The only problem: U.S. Soccer hasn't even conducted any job interviews yet.

Which leaves us free to continue to speculate over potential candidates.

The Daily Bruin talks up Jill Ellis, coach of top-ranked UCLA.

UCLA (12-1-2; 5-0 Pac-10), which has yet to concede a goal in five Pac-10 games so far, can all but wrap up the conference title this weekend with a pair of home games at Drake Stadium.

UCLA plays at 7 p.m. Friday against Arizona State (9-7-1; 3-2-1 Pac-10) and 1 p.m. Sunday against Arizona (1-4-1; 6-10-1 Pac-10).

Matador Update

Youth Soccer

From the press release:

The new position will head the US Youth Soccer Technical and Coaching Education Department and will be responsible for designing and systematically implementing player development and coaching education programs to improve the overall standard of play within the United States.

Ellinger will be responsible for all aspects of the association's coaching initiatives, including a renewed focus on player development with consistent themes and coaching education.

Before joining MLS, Ellinger was coach of the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team for seven years.

Finally, the two Chivas USA players Coach Thomas Rongen took to the Limoges Tournament in France where the U.S. Men's Under-18 National Team is playing saw limited action Tuesday in the opening game against host France.

Forward Mario Ledezma of Sylmar played the final seven minutes in the 3-1 loss; defender Omar Elmasri of Arcadia never made it off the bench.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brad Guzan, who could well be on his way to Arsenal next year, was today deservedly named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

"Winning the award reflects the hard work the guys have put in all year," Guzan said today after training. "The biggest thing for me throughout the year was to be able to keep my head straight, never getting too high and never getting too low."

Guzan beat out the New England Revolution's Matt Reis and the Houston Dynamo's Pat Onstad for the award and became the 10th different player to win.

From the MLS press release:

Guzan, 23, in only his third year as a professional, was awarded the League’s top honor for goalkeepers after leading his club to the best record in the Western Conference (15-7-8), ranking first among goalkeepers in shutouts (13), tied for second in wins (14) and second in goals against average (0.93). Guzan’s 13 shutouts rank as the second most all-time behind Tony Meola’s 16 in 2000. His goals-against average was the fourth best of all-time in MLS.

The native of Homer Glen, Ill., and former South Carolina Gamecock anchored a strong defense that allowed just 28 goals this season, the second-best mark in MLS this season.

Rumors over the last two weeks that Arsenal were scouting him were not dispelled by Guzan.

"I will wait for a later date to release that information," he said. "If it does happen, great.

"I think they're possibly one of the best teams in the world right now, if not the best," he added. "The amount of talent they have is unbelievable."

Except in the goalkeeping department, where the starter is the aging Jens Lehmann, who turns 38 next month.

Prediction: Guzan will join the English Premier League leaders when the international transfer window opens in January.

It will be a loss for MLS, but Guzan is already developing into a world class goalkeeper and U.S. Coach Bob Bradley will undoubtedly be happy if Guzan heads to England.

Goalkeepers typically peak much later than outfield players, so we can expect Guzan and Everton's Tim Howard to compete for the starting job in the U.S. net for years to come, much as Tottenham Hotspur's Kasey Keller and Blackburn Rovers' Brad Friedel did in their prime.

In other MLS awards announced today, New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst was named the winner of the individual Fair Play award.

In 25 regular season games, he committed just five fouls and received no yellow or red cards, a remarkable achievement for a defender and a testament to his skill, positioning and ability to read the game.

Parkhurst is also expected to pick up the Defender of the Year Award.

The Columbus Crew earned the MLS Team Fair Play award, recognizing the Major League Soccer club with the fewest disciplinary points during the 2007 regular season.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Preki Profiled

Preki reveals he was miffed the Wizards didn't come calling when he went into coaching. And like the Galaxy's Cobi Jones, Preki conceded he didn't initially know what he would do after his playing days ended.

The profile is here.

Meanwhile, the Wizards are auctioning off goalkeeper Kevin Hartman's pink game worn (and now signed) jersey with the proceeds going to breast cancer charities. (Fortunately pink doesn't clash with the black fingernails Hartman was sporting the last time I saw him).

Hartman, the former Galaxy, UCLA, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Peninsula High product, had a grandmother survive breast cancer.

He wore the jersey Oct. 5 in a 1-1 tie against D.C. United in observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The auction ends Nov. 16. Those with more than $400 to spare (that's the most recent bid as of this post) may bid here.

By the way, Chivas USA hosts a fan rally Thursday ahead of this weekend's game from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Plaza Mexico, 3100 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood.

Becks for England?

Long Beach State Must Go Long

Complete conference standings are here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A week is a long time in soccer.

In the last week Chivas USA have gone from Western Conference champions to looking like a team unlikely to survive the opening round of the MLS playoffs.

And Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop has gone from "dead man walking" to looking like he will be around next season after all.

I took a look at both stories in this week's column.

Meanwhile to no-one's surprise, Brazil today was awarded the 2014 World Cup, while Germany snagged the women's version in 2011.

Finally, the basement-dwelling Loyola Marymount men, without a West Coast Conference win this season, lost yet again Monday, succumbing 2-0 at San Diego for their second loss to the same team in four days.

The 2-11-1, 0-7-0 WCC Lions travel to Oregon Thursday to meet Oregon State and on Sunday play at Santa Clara.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two Chivas USA players as well as Coach Preki and the Galaxy's Cobi Jones are among the local finalists for MLS' year-end awards, the league announced today.

Award winners, as voted by players, team officials and media members, will be named at regular intervals through Nov. 17.

First up Wednesday is the Goalkeeper of the Year Award, with Chivas USA's Brad Guzan (the regular season shutout leader) going up against seemingly ageless Canadian Pat Onstad (who had the best goals against average in MLS) of the Houston Dynamo and former Galaxy goalkeeper Matt Reis of the New England Revolution.

The same day the Galaxy's Cobi Jones will learn whether he won the Individual Fair Play Award. The other finalists are similarly retired defender Eddie Pope and the Revs' Michael Parkhurst.

Chivas USA's savvy veteran defender Claudio Suarez is up for the Defender of the Year Award, against Parkhurst and the Dynamo's Eddie Robinson.

Up against Preki for the Coach of the Year Award are Dominic Kinnear of the Houston Dynamo and Tom Soehn of D.C. United.

Also notable: the Revs' Adam Cristman, Toronto FC's Maurice Edu and New York's Dane Richards are finalists for Rookie of the Year; MVP finalists are Juan Pablo Angel of the Red Bulls, Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire and MLS top scorer Luciano Emilio of D.C. United.

With no most over-hyped player award, David you know who didn't get a mention.

Posted by Nick Green at 4:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two Chivas USA players as well as Coach Preki and the Galaxy's Cobi Jones are among the local finalists for MLS' year-end awards, the league announced today.

Award winners, as voted by players, team officials and media members, will be named at regular intervals through Nov. 17.

First up Wednesday is the Goalkeeper of the Year Award, with Chivas USA's Brad Guzan (the regular season shutout leader) going up against seemingly ageless Canadian Pat Onstad (who had the best goals against average in MLS) of the Houston Dynamo and former Galaxy goalkeeper Matt Reis of the New England Revolution.

The same day the Galaxy's Cobi Jones will learn whether he won the Individual Fair Play Award. The other finalists are similarly retired defender Eddie Pope and the Revs' Michael Parkhurst.

Chivas USA's savvy veteran defender Claudio Suarez is up for the Defender of the Year Award, against Parkhurst and the Dynamo's Eddie Robinson.

Up against Preki for the Coach of the Year Award are Dominic Kinnear of the Houston Dynamo and Tom Soehn of D.C. United.

Also notable: the Revs' Adam Cristman, Toronto FC's Maurice Edu and New York's Dane Richards are finalists for Rookie of the Year; MVP finalists are Juan Pablo Angel of the Red Bulls, Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire and MLS top scorer Luciano Emilio of D.C. United.

With no most over-hyped player award, David you know who didn't get a mention.

Posted by Nick Green at 4:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A fire in a house across the street from mine delayed blogging this morning (no one was hurt), but at least the structure didn't get fully involved.

Much the same can be said of Chivas USA, which slumped to an impotent 1-0 loss Saturday in Kansas City and without their starting striking tandem of Maykel Galindo and Ante Razov never really looked like scoring.

"We have to find a way to get results," Chivas USA Coach Preki told The Kansas City Star with the team's lack of attacking depth dramatically exposed in the loss.

Former Long Beach Press Telegram Chivas USA beat writer Matt Zimmerman, who quit to go back to graduate school in Missouri, was on hand to provide the Southern California perspective.

Noteworthy:
* Should Chivas USA advance from its series against Kansas City, as the highest seed in the West the club would host MLS’s Western Conference Final the following Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (Nov. 10) against the winner of the Houston-Dallas series.

*Chivas USA midfielder Lawson Vaughn, red-carded in Chivas USA’s final regular-season game on Oct. 20 against the Houston Dynamo, served his one-game suspension and did not play in Kansas City, but is eligible to return for the second leg at home.

*On Thursday, a special Chivas USA Fan Rally will be held at 7 p.m. at Plaza Mexico in Lynwood.

*Former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman (Peninsula High) set numerous marks Saturday including a 246-minute scoreless streak that enabled him to equal the all-time postseason shutout record of 13 with Zach Thornton.

Hartman also extended his all-time records in wins (22), minutes played in goal (3,682), saves (141), games played in goal (40) and games started in goal (40).

He now ranks second all-time in games started among all players, trailing only former teammate Cobi Jones of the Los Angeles Galaxy (43).

Despite the loss, Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch remains bullish on the return game.

"We feel good about tonight's result. I thought we dominated the match. We were able to dictate the game the way we wanted. We didn't give them any chances tonight, and we were unfortunate that the free kick glanced off the wall."

CSUN Beached in Santa Barbara

Northridge returns to Big West action at 2 p.m. Wednesday against Cal Poly at Matador Soccer Field.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLS Playoff and Awards Update

Just as the NFL is making excursions into England, could we see the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United facing off at the Home Depot Center?

Meanwhile, the MLS awards season is cranking up with announcements of every stripe gradually dribbling out (I'm looking forward to that club PR department award).

You can check out why D.C. United's Luciano Emilio won the Golden Boot below:

And fan voting for the MLS Goal of the Year has just begun.

Fans are asked to choose the best 10 from 34 nominees in the first of the three-phase process, which lasts until Oct. 31.

Fans can vote here.

U.S. Nats Changes

Under-17 Men's National Team Coach John Hackworth has been named an assistant coach to Bob Bradley at the full national team level.

From the U.S. Soccer press release:

In addition to joining Bob Bradley’s national team staff, Hackworth will also serve as the Development Academy Director in U.S. Soccer’s new player development initiative that launched earlier this year. The program which launched this fall is designed to improve the environment for elite players throughout the country, in many ways emulating the successful U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., which Hackworth has been a part of since 2002.

“Joining Bob Bradley’s staff as that team gets focused on World Cup qualifying in 2008 is a great next step as a coach,” said Hackworth. “I’ve known Bob for many years and we have a great connection in terms of how we see the game, both technically on the field and in the ways you can help prepare a team off the field. I’m greatly looking forward to being a part of his staff on the road to South Africa.”

(Am I alone in thinking that's an unfortunate name for an elite soccer coach?)

This morning U.S. Soccer introduced Hackworth's replacement, new U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team head coach Wilmer Cabrera to the media.

From the U.S. Soccer press release:

Cabrera, who holds a USSF A Coaching License, is a veteran of two World Cups with Colombia (1990 & 1998) and joins the U-17 Residency Program after serving as an assistant with the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team this year. Cabrera moved to the U.S. in 2003 to play with the Long Island Roughriders and most recently worked with the MLS Futbolito and Verano MLS grassroots programs of Major League Soccer.

A demographically smart move by Gulati given the numbers of emerging Latino players the U.S. needs to ensure don't fall through the cracks.

College Update

*The No. 1-ranked UCLA women's soccer team (11-1-2; 4-0 Pac-10) hosting one of its biggest matches of the year as No. 9 USC (11-1-2; 3-0-1 Pac-10) visits at 7:30 p.m. at Drake Stadium. Tickets for the match are $7 for adults and $5 for youths and students. UCLA students are admitted free with a valid Bruin Card. Friday is a doubleheader with the UCLA men's team, which plays at 5 p.m. against Oregon State.

*The Cal State Northridge women’s soccer team (3-10-1, 1-4-0) returns home for the rest of the 2007 season after playing six of its past seven matches on the road and plays at 2:30 p.m. against Cal State Bakersfield (4-10-1).

*In a scheduling change, the wildfires have forced the kickoff of the UCLA-Washington men's soccer game at Drake Stadium to be moved from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. That's because San Diego State's game against Oregon State on Sunday has been moved to Los Angeles. The Aztecs and Beavers will play at 1 p.m. at UCLA's North Athletic Field.

Updated 3 p.m.: Long Beach State announced this afternoon that poor air quality from the wildfires has forced the postponement of tonight's game at UC Irvine. The game has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Imploding Galaxy

Wynalda's acronym makes even more sense when you learn that the suits at AEG apparently believe Coach Frank Yallop has more to do with the Galaxy's ghastly season than their greedy marketing decisions that sapped the team of any vitality.

Incidentally, Wynalda observed that after he made the AEG crack to GM Alexi Lalas, his former U.S. international teammate didn't talk to him for five days.

Lalas isn't talking to beat writer Billy Witz about Yallop either.

I wouldn't put it past the Auditioning Executives Group to fire Yallop though; after all this is the same company that fired Sigi schmid with the Galaxy in first place in MLS.

Chivas USA Flees Fires

Crummy air quality has physicians advising even elite athletes not to exercise.

Chivas USA will fly out this afternoon after a light training session.

“After training (Wednesday) morning at The Home Depot Center we decided that it is in the best interest of our players for us to depart a day early for Kansas City ahead our crucial playoff game on Saturday,” said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. “At the same time, as residents of Southern California, I want to say that our hearts go out to the thousands of families who have lost their homes, as well as to the brave men and women who are fighting on the front lines to help contain the fires.”

Who's The Biggest Hunk

Askmen.com readers have just voted David Beckham as their No. 1 choice in the Web site's annual survey of the year's 49 top men. Allegedly the voters were mostly male.

Meanwhile, trashy NBC celebrity gossip show Extra has pronounced Chivas USA's (injured) striker Ante Razov a "soccer hottie" "with gorgeous green eyes."

He also has a reputation as being a generally moody type (team officials recently tried to convince me Razov is just terribly shy, but on this video evidence I'm not buying that).

Oh, and because enquiring minds will want to know, Torrance's Jack Stewart (latterly of Real Salt Lake) did not win Cosmo's Bachelor of the Year contest.

College Shorts

Northridge returns to action at 7 p.m. Saturday when they travel to UC Santa Barbara, in what many consider the most heated rivalry in the Big West.

The NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Committee has released its first soccer regional rankings of the season and Cal State Dominguez Hills, ranked No. 16 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), finds itself 3rd in the NCAA Far West Region poll.

From the (edited) CSUDH press release:

The Toros, winners of five straight and seven of their last eight, boast a 14-3 overall and 10-2 CCAA record, and sit eight points ahead of Cal State L.A. in the CCAA’s south division.

CSUDH is led by a potent 1-2-3 offensive punch in seniors Sammy Rivas (Long Beach, CA/CS Fullerton) and Jose Serpas (Costa Mesa, CA/Orange Coast College), and sophomore Mario Guerrero (Riverside, CA/La Sierra HS), who have combined for 20 goals, 11 assists and 9 game-winning scores, a stellar defensive line in senior Devin Toohey (Santa Paula, CA/Ventura College) and sophomore Kevin Gallaugher (Walnut, CA/Rio Hondo JC) that has blanked opponents in eight contests and has allowed just 13 goals all season, and stellar play in net by sophomore Derby Carrillo (La Mirada, CA/St. John Bosco HS), who recently picked up his second Brine/CCAA Player of the Week Award and leads the conference in shutouts, save percentage and goals against average.

Seattle University, which the Toros bested 2-0 on September 2, sits atop the NCAA Far West poll with a No. 6 ranking in the NSCAA, and is followed by Sonoma State, ranked No. 11 by the NSCAA.

The Toros conclude their regular season with two home games this weekend, hosting Cal Poly Pomona at 7:00 pm on Friday, followed by a 5:00 pm match-up against Cal State San Bernardino two days later, which will also mark the final regular season home game for eight Toro seniors.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As many expected it would after the conclusion of the three-match post-World Cup series between the U.S. and Mexico, the ax fell Monday on Women's National Team Coach Greg Ryan.

On a personal and professional level, I enjoyed dealing with the soft-spoken Ryan.

He was always accommodating and happy to give reporters the time they needed.

That was the case again Monday when Ryan returned my phone calls so I could include comments from him in today's column, while Torrance's Shannon Boxx also took the time to give her reaction. Read it here.

And Daily Breeze columnist John Bogert received a flood of e-mails from readers happy to see him call out a boorish AYSO parent in his column last week.

Here's the reader reaction.

Finally this morning, after the Galaxy season ended Sunday, the team wasted no time in rescheduling exhibition games in Vancouver, B.C. Nov. 7 and Minneapolis Nov. 11.

That's two games in five days for Beck's. Hope the ankle holds up.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the start of this season former Chadwick School star John Thorrington, waived by the Chicago Fire, failed to hook on with either the Galaxy or Chivas USA.

But he stayed fit playing with his brother's Palos Verdes Peninsula club team, Fram, and after re-signing with Chicago and playing just two minutes for the Fire before Sunday, delivered a dramatic goal in second half stoppage time with a calmly taken chip over Joe Cannon that killed off the Galaxy's season and sent the Fire into the playoffs.

The Fire's 1-0 win means Chivas USA begins the playoffs Thursday in Kansas City.

Updated: Game story is here.

And with the end of the Galaxy's season, this column was inevitable.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chivas USA's Western Conference decider Saturday with the Houston Dynamo was so dull, the biggest talking point came after the final whistle when the opposing coaches exchanged words and shoves.

Still, Chivas USA got the point they needed to clinch the top seed in the West.

The Galaxy's playoff hopes are still alive too after Real Salt Lake remarkably actually won a game and L.A. will set up a pulsating first-round series with Chivas USA with a win over the Fire at noon today on FSN. Lose or tie and the Galaxy are out and Chivas USA plays Chicago instead.

Despite the fact we're unlikely to see much of Beckham Sunday, there was the inevitable Blanco-Beck's news conference Saturday in Chicago and the equally inevitable story on the "meeting" of the two superstars.

Meanwhile, Briana Scurry played in goal as the U.S. women tied Mexico 1-1 Saturday.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLS Down To The Wire

Chivas USA beat writer Ivan Orozco has more on Chivas USA's motivation.

I have another commitment tonight so Ivan will guest-blog from the HDC.

The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy doesn't play today, but it's still the most important day of their season, too. Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz will spend the day following the Galaxy's playoff fate on MLSnet.com

He breaks down what needs to happen (and what doesn't) here.

Ryan's Hope

Estranged former first-choice goalkeeper Hope Solo didn't dress for the first game (in a supposed gesture of reconciliation), and third-choice Nicole Barnhart got the start in the second, so it will be interesting to see what happens today.

Cynical observers might say Coach Greg Ryan will get fired after the final whistle no matter who plays in goal, but U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati isn't known for pulling the trigger quickly.

Still, the soap opera gives extra resonance to the accompanying magazine cover as well as the fact that before the tournament Ryan told me he thought Solo would be the most likely player on the U.S. team to emerge from the tournament as a star. I'm guessing he didn't mean like this.

The USA has outscored Mexico, 9-1, in the previous two games so there's unlikely to be much suspense about the outcome.

Still, since there's no TV, the curious can check out the MatchTracker at ussoccer.com

Kick off is at 3:30 p.m.

College Update

In another college game, the Cal State Northridge women’s team (3-9-1) defeated UC Riverside (8-6-1), 3-1, Friday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium in Riverside.

A frightening collision between Northridge goalkeeper Ivette Esqueda and Riverside’s Jill Del Rosario delayed the final 12 minutes of the game for nearly half an hour.

Esqueda, making her fourth start of the season for the Matadors, left the field under her own power; Del Rosario had to be carted off the field by ambulance.

The win snapped the Matadors’ five-game losing streak and was their first win in 2007 on the road and in the Big West Conference.

The Matadors wrap up the road portion of their 2007 schedule at 6 p.m. Sunday against Cal State Fullerton.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get Your Playoff Tickets Today!

They couldn't have waited until Monday when the season could be over?

For what it's worth, here's the release:

Current Galaxy season ticket holders will have the exclusive rights to purchase their seats until 5 p.m. on Monday, October 22 at which point all seats will become available to the general public.

The Galaxy will discover their post-season fate on Sunday after their game against the Chicago Fire (noon on FSN West and Telefutura) at Toyota Park. If the Galaxy qualify for the playoffs, individual tickets will go on sale immediately after the conclusion of the game. Regular season ticket pricing applies.

Additionally, fans can purchase a special Playoff 4-Pack, which includes four tickets to the Galaxy’s home playoff game and four Galaxy T-shirts for as little as $100.

If the Galaxy qualify for the post-season, they would play as the No. 4 seed in either the Eastern or Western Conference, meaning that they would host game one of their Conference Semifinal at Home Depot Center on either Saturday, October 27 or Sunday, October 28. The Galaxy’s opponent in that semifinal series is yet to be determined and could be Chivas USA, D.C. United or the Houston Dynamo.

Numbers Game

After Thursday's game Cobi Jones moved into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time games played list for professional soccer players in the U.S. compiled by for National Soccer Hall of Fame.

The list includes all regular season and playoff games played in three major leagues, the American Soccer League (1921–1931), the North American Soccer League (1967–1984), and Major League Soccer since its first game in 1996.

New England Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston could eclipse the mark set by leader Bill McPherson, whose ASL career extended from the early 1920s into the mid 1930s, if the Revs go all the way to MLS Cup this season.

The top seven:
1. Bill McPherson ASL 370
2. Steve Ralston* MLS 366
3. Bart McGhee ASL 352
4. Cobi Jones* MLS 350
5. Jimmy Gallagher ASL 349
6. Chris Henderson MLS 348
7. Jason Kreis MLS 327
*Active player

In addition, the Galaxy left it (too) late Thursday to score, something they had grown accustomed to doing.

During the Galaxy's five-game winning streak, their winning goal came during the final 20 minutes of the game:
* Chris Klein in the 72nd minute on Sept. 23, giving LA a 2-1 win over FC Dallas.
* Gavin Glinton in the 80th minute on Sept. 27, giving LA a 1-0 win in Kansas City.
* Gavin Glinton in the 77th minute on Oct. 7, giving LA a 2-1 win in Houston.
* Edson Buddle in the 78th minute on Oct. 13, giving LA a 2-1 win over Toronto FC.

Not this time.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now the Galaxy must win in Chicago Sunday to make the playoffs.

But even then they may not make it; if Kansas gets at least a point and Colorado wins Saturday the Galaxy are out.

The Galaxy failed to apply the finishing touch despite having a succession of (mainly poor) corners taken by Beckham in the second half.

Jozy Altidore could have ended the Galaxy's season in the 91st minute when he broke through and sent a 10-yard shot whistling past the far post.

Both teams picked up the attacking tempo in the second half as the game turned into a more wide open affair, but neither team - and in particular likely MLS MVP Juan Pablo Angel - could score the crucial goal.

Updated:

Tonight's capacity crowd meant the Galaxy averaged 24,252 at the HDC this year, the biggest per game turnout since the inaugural year of 1996.

Kyle Martino's yellow card means he misses Sunday's game because of an accumulation of disciplinary points.

It took the Galaxy 25 minutes to open the locker room to the media, despite the prominent sign outside that reads "Media access 10 minutes after game by order of Commissioner Don Garber."

"It's just a sign," said David Beltran, one of the Galaxy's three media relations types.

Beckham didn't deign to speak to reporters despite playing his first game for seven weeks.

Cobi Jones, however, was gracious and clearly emotional about playing for the last time with the Galaxy at the HDC.

"It was a pretty touching (pre-game) ceremony they put on," he said. "I don't have any torches or anything to pass. It's the nature of sports that players come and go and the team stays."

Jones said he didn't exactly know what he would do in retirement, but would like some sort of ambassador's role if possible.

"One of my goals is to give back to the game," he said.

"Cobi means a lot to this city, to this club and this league," Coach Frank Yallop said. "It was fitting he played 90 minutes. He's been one of the best American players to play the game."

Yallop conceded he'll be glued to the Internet Saturday looking for updates of other games, while Landon Donovan said he and Joe Cannon, who room together on the road, will probably do the same.

The game story is here.

Highlights are here.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Coach Frank Yallop has named an unchanged line-up for the second consecutive game as the Galaxy tonight seek their sixth consecutive win.

Joe Cannon is in goal as usual, Chris Klein and Mike Randolph are the full backs, with Chris Klein and Ante Jazic the central defenders.

Cobi Jones, playing the final regular season home game of his long career, starts in midfield with Josh Tudela, Pete Vagenas and Kyle Martino.

Up front is captain Landon Donovan and Carlos Pavon.

And yes, David Beckham is on the bench.

Bruce Arena makes two changes to the Red Bull team that beat Kansas City Saturday, their first win since Sept. 1.

Joe Vide comes in for the suspended Dema Kovalenko in midfield, while striker Francis Doe has a hip injury and did not travel with the team; former Galaxy forward John Wolyniec gets the start alongside Juan Pablo Angel, while Clint Mathis is on the bench.

Claudio Reyna is out with a sprained toe.

Cobi Jones will be honored before the game with what's likely to be a lengthy presentation.

Updated: After a video presentation that included Cobi Jones highlights and comments by the likes of Sigi Schmid, Kevin Hartman and Steve Sampson (who was roundly booed), MLS Commissioner Don Garber was hauled out and he called Cobi "a great corporate citizen."

Is that the biggest compliment the league's head honcho could give one of the greatest American soccer players ever?

Oh, and Cobi got a skiing vacation anywhere in the world as a gift. Apparently, he's not allowed to ski under the terms of his contract, but has always wanted to try it. Should do wonders for his chronically injured hip.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Of Cobi, Angel and Beck's

Beat writer Billy Witz has a Cobi profile and explains the substitution rule and how it relates to Beckham for soccer illiterates.

Kick off is at 8 p.m. on ESPN2 and I'll blog as usual.

Given the quality of the designated players on the field tonight, (and no, I'm not going to explain what that means) MLS has just released a timely YouTube clip of the pricey imports' season highlights:

U.S. Wins & Mexico Loses

I don't even want to talk about England.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

El Tri Time

Ivan Orozco has a preview.

Former Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz is on the Guatemala roster, by the way.

No Time For Beckham Thursday?

Beck's (still) isn't talking to local soccer writers, but Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz takes a look at the pros and cons of that decision.

Prediction: Expect Beck's to come off the bench if needed.

Meanwhile, columnist Paul Oberjuerge has more on the Galaxy's resurrection.

Finally, Barefootballer.com, a site run by D.C. United's Jamil Walker that focuses on training methods and soccer drills posted this video interview with the Galaxy's Kyle Martino.

Swiss Time

• A total of 11 players on the roster, which has an average age of 24, are age-eligible for the 2008 Olympic Games : Freddy Adu, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Robbie Findley, Tally Hall, Steve Purdy, Chris Seitz, Danny Szetela, Preston Zimmerman and Sal Zizzo.

The U.S. has never beaten the Swiss in seven attempts. The Swiss warmed up for the game with a 3-1 victory Oct. 13 against fellow 2008 European Championship hosts Austria.

Up to the minute info, including the starting line-up, will be posted just before kick off here.

Hope Time?

Striker Abby Wambach will be recognized before the game for reaching 100 caps (which actually occurred in the World Cup quarterfinal against England).

Naturally, there's no mention of goalkeeper Hope Solo's status on the U.S. Soccer Web site.

Will she be on the bench this time, get a start or just not worry about the whole thing since Coach Greg Ryan could be fired after the third Mexico game anyway?

College Time

Posted by Nick Green at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MLS Playoff Update

Four teams – the Chicago Fire, Kansas City Wizards, Colorado Rapids and Los Angeles Galaxy – are vying for the two remaining playoff spots as the regular season enters its final week, while Chivas USA still has a shot at the top seed in the Western Conference.

Over the weekend D.C. United clinched the Supporters’ Shield, given to the team with the best regular season record, becoming the first team to earn the honor two years in a row.

For Chivas USA and the Galaxy the permutations come down to this:

Chivas USA will clinch first place in the Western Conference if Houston loses to Real Salt Lake today or the Goats tie or defeat the Dynamo Saturday.

A Houston draw against Real Salt Lake tonight will set up a showdown with Chivas USA Saturday night for the top seed in the Western Conference.

Wins over New York Thursday and Chicago Sunday will see the Galaxy qualify for the playoffs. The Galaxy are eliminated if they tie New York and fail to win in Chicago.

For the rest: A Kansas City win against host FC Dallas Saturday sends the Wizards to the postseason regardless of other results.

Colorado must win against Real Salt Lake Saturday and get help from other results.

Chicago are in with a win over the Galaxy. A tie against the Galaxy means Chicago will also be looking at the scoreboard seeking help from other teams.

The playoff standings are here.

Sigi Safe

Despite beating the New England Revolution 3-2 Saturday, the Columbus Crew exited the playoff race.

But the job of coach and longtime South Bay resident Sigi Schmid is apparently safe, with the 8-11-10 Crew opting to pick up his one-year option.

Schmid told the Columbus Dispatch:

"If they decide to come back and say they want to go another direction, that's fine. I think the club right now is in a much better position than it was when I came."

College Update

Palos Verdes Estates' Kyle Nakazawa got the assist.

Sophomore Lauren Cheney got two goals and junior Caitlyn Mac Kechnie added another as the top-ranked UCLA women beat Oregon 3-0 Sunday at Drake Stadium. The Bruins, who have won six in a row, improved to 9-1-2 overall.

The Loyola Marymount men (2-7-1) took the lead twice Sunday, but Portland scored four times in a 16-minute second half span to win 5-2 in Oregon.

Next: San Francisco at Sullivan Field 4 p.m. Friday.

The LMU women (9-3-1) won their West Coast Conference opener 1-0 over Pepperdine (3-5-5) Sunday afternoon. The Lions extended their school-record winning streak to nine games, while halting the Waves' seven-match unbeaten run.

The Cal State Northridge women (2-9-1) lost to 3-1 Long Beach State Sunday afternoon at Matador Soccer Field, despite taking a second minute lead. The Matadors have lost five straight games, while Long Beach remained in first place in the Big West Conference with three straight road wins.

Senior Julio Madrigal scored the game-winner with 11 minutes left to propel 18th-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills (12-3) to a 2-1 win at Cal State L.A. Sunday giving the Toros their third-straight win and the Golden Eagles their third straight loss.

Cal State Dominguez Hills lead Cal State L.A. by three points in the South Division.

Next: CSUDH plays 4:30 p.m. against Cal State Stanislaus at Toro Stadium.

The CSUDH women (11-2-3) lost 1-0 to Cal State L.A. in only their second conference defeat.

With the victory Cal State L.A. pulled to within four points of Cal State Dominguez Hills for the fourth and final spot in the CCAA Championship Tournament.

Guzan's Reward

Posted by Nick Green at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 10-man Rapids ruined Chivas USA's home unbeaten record in the dying moments of the game when Conor Casey ran on to a through ball and slotted a pass across the face of the goal for Omar Cummings to score his second career MLS goal with a simple tap-in.

Chivas USA now has just one win its last four games.

Veteran defender Orlando Perez had raised Chivas USA's hopes of coming away with a point from their penultimate home game of the season when he scored the first goal of his career in Carson - and only his third MLS goal in seven seasons - on a 79th minute equalizer.

It was a lovely goal, with Sacha Kljesten intelligently chipping a static Colorado back line and Perez timing his run to perfection to score from inside the box.

Chivas USA scored what they thought was a winner in the 86th minute, but striker Laurent Merlin was clearly offside.

The counter-attacking Rapids team took the lead in the 64th minute after former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu scored his first-ever MLS goal, slotting home a ball that was deflected from a Conor Casey shot.

Chivas USA has never come from behind to win an MLS game.

The Rapids played virtually the entire second half down a man, after defender Brandon Prideaux earned a straight red in the 46th minute for bringing down Maykel Galindo as the last man back.

Updated: After throwing away the chance to sew up the top spot in the Western Conference, it was an uncharacteristically quiet Chivas USA locker room after the game; even the usually voluble and quotable Jesse Marsch (who was unhappy about being subbed) wasn't talking.

Preki tried to put the best face on it, saying he had a "funny feeling" coming into the game it wasn't going to be his team's day.

"We had an incredible amount of opportunities we couldn't put in," he said. "It was one of those days."

As one of four original Chivas USA players from the first season still with the club, Orlando Perez, who was wearing a blue Smiths T-shirt in the locker room, (he didn't know Morrissey was on the side lines in a Chivas USA shirt for the Galaxy game) got a kick (ahem) out of scoring his first goal for the club.

"It did feel pretty good," he said. "I would much rather have had the victory.

"We've got to put this game behind us," Perez added. "We should have taken care of business."

Game story is here.

Posted by Nick Green at 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chivas USA had eight shots to Colorado's two during the opening 45 minutes, but failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities.

A wide open Jonathan Bornstein should have done better when the ball fell to him in the box on the 25th minute mark, but his shot from 10 yards was blocked by a defender.

And Sacha Kljestan sent a shot whistling by the far post after nice approach work by Chivas USA about five minutes before half time.

Colorado's best chance was halted in the 31st minute after Claudio Suarez brought down Kosuke Kimura just outside the box with a professional foul when the Rapids defender had burst through the back four courtesy of a fortunate deflection off a Chivas USA player. Suarez was booked, but the free kick came to nothing.

Posted by Nick Green at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With Mexico playing Nigeria at noon on Telemundo, it looks like Chivas USA fans stayed home in even greater numbers than usual this morning. Lots of elbow room here at the HDC.

Captain Claudio Suarez returns to the center of the Chivas USA defense after being rested for Thursday's scoreless draw against Dallas, so Jason Hernandez drops to the bench.

Orlando Perez also gets a run out in place of usual full back Jonathan Bornstein, moved into midfield in place of the benched Panchito Mendoza, who has a slight groin twinge, but is available.

With striker Ante Razov out injured, up front is top scorer Maykel Galindo and John Cunliffe, scorer of two goals in the Oct. 6 win over Real Salt Lake.

Mehdi Ballouchy and Pablo Mastroeni are both suspended, so ex-Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu moves into central defense and Facundo Erpen moves into midfield.

Signaling the urgency of the game for the Rapids, Terry Cooke is named as a forward, although he will likely play a withdrawn role.

The game is on Prime and Telefutura.

Chivas USA just circulated a press release in the press box saying that Razov is out six weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee, the first serious knee injury for the veteran in his career.

Updated: Mendoza was a late scratch from the game completely due to a mild groin strain; Erasmo Solorzano takes his place on the bench.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Razov Crocked

The Rapids must win to stay alive in then playoff race, but even then the post-season is a long shot.

But Chivas USA will have to do it all without veteran striker Ante Razov.

The game is on Prime.

I'll be blogging as usual from Home Depot Center.

Hope Springs in St. Louis

The U.S. crushed Mexico 5-1, by the way, with Abby Wambach getting two goals and Kristine Lilly another after the Americans had fallen behind to an early goal.

U.S. Coach Greg Ryan, who many observers believe will be fired as soon as this three-game series with Mexico is over, made nice, too:

“I think Hope has shown tremendous courage by coming in and initiating reconciliation with the team. I’m proud of her and she’s shown a lot of courage. I think she has done the right thing, and that’s hard to do. All athletes, it’s passionate, it’s emotional, but I think she’s making the right decisions and I’m proud of her.”

The next game against Mexico is Wednesday.

Matador Singh remembered

Posted by Nick Green at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It wasn't particularly pretty, but the Galaxy undoubtedly care much less about the performance than they do the result.

Donovan had a chance to seal the win in stoppage time, when he was sent through one on one against Toronto goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos. But the goalkeeper just turned the shot around the post with his foot.

It was the sort of game that was hard to watch - even Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon turned his back when Donovan scored from the spot.

But the Galaxy have now won five straight for the first time in almost a decade - 1998 to be precise - and remain very much alive for the eighth and final playoff spot with two games left to play.

More after the press conference.

"Not the greatest of games," said Coach Frank Yallop. "But we knew we needed three points and we got three points and that's all that matters."

Donovan agreed.

"This was the worst we've played in the last five games," he said. "But we did the right things to win the game."

There's a little bit of vindication in this for Yallop.

"I told you all along I didn't think this team was that bad," he said. "A few had given up on us and me. ... We haven't played particularly well in this spell, but we've found a way to win. We're believing in ourselves now."

Chris Klein looked like he couldn't believe that on a team with the likes of Landon Donovan and David Beckham, it was him taking home the MVP trophy.

"If we'd been out of this thing I'd probably have left it in my locker, but now we're in this thing it means something," he said.

Donovan won the LA Riot Squad's Player of the Year trophy, by the way.

New York is up next on Thursday, but no-one is getting carried away.

"We still haven't done anything," said Pete Vagenas. "If the season were to end today it would be a devastating season."

And, no, Yallop doesn't know whether Beckham will play Thursday.

Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz has the game details and breaks down the playoff picture here.

Watch the highlights here.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Disaster for the Galaxy in the 68th minute, as Cobi Jones loses the ball, and Toronto FC midfielder Chris Pozniak sends a long ball up to Collin Samuel , who overpowers young Mike Randolph to equalize.

But the Galaxy pull ahead again 10 minutes later, when Chris Klein runs on to a searching Donovan through ball that splits the Toronto back line. Klein sends a pin point cross to wide open sub Edson Buddle who easily scores, less than one minute after entering the game.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It took precisely one minute for substitute Gavin Glinton to do what the Galaxy had failed to do in the previous 54 - break down the Toronto defense.

After coming on in the 53rd minute for midfielder Kyle Martino, a breaking Glinton latched on to a Donovan through ball and immediately drew a foul in the box - and a red card for Toronto defender Marco Reda, who was the last man back. Landon Donovan converted the subsequent spot kick with ease.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nothing interesting happened; Toronto had one shot on goal, the Galaxy none.

I'm off to get a coffee.

See you at the end of the game.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Toronto Coach Mo Johnston makes three changes from the team that lost 1-0 Sunday to the Colorado Rapids.

With Maurice Edu on international duty and Todd Dunivant moved up to midfield, Marco Reda and 17-year-old Gabe Gala come in on defense.

Tyler Hemming makes his third MLS appearance in midfield, replacing Carl Robinson, who is playing for Wales this weekend.

Up front as usual are Jeff Cunningham and Collin Samuel.

The only change for the Galaxy is on defense where Mike Randolph replaces the injured Ty Harden.

Otherwise the Galaxy is unchanged from the team that is seeking a fifth straight win and making a late playoff charge.

Landon Donovan and Carlos Pavon are up front, while Abel Xavier is on the bench.

Chicago got a point today, which means a Galaxy loss would eliminate LA from the playoffs.

The game is on Fox Soccer Channel.

Updated: Before the game, the Galaxy handed out their awards for the season.

Landon Donovan, the Galaxy's top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions, won the Golden Boot for the third consecutive year.

Chris Klein, who has played every minute of every MLS game since his June trade from Real Salt Lake, - and scored a couple of spectacular and crucial goals - was named MVP.

Rookie Ty Harden, the former University of Washington star, was Defender of the Year. He missed only four games all season on an ever-changing back four.

Posted by Nick Green at 7:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy are set to feast on Canadian cutlets shaped like Toronto FC soccer players at Home Depot Center tonight with LA seeking a five-game winning streak against the worst team in MLS.

(The last time the Galaxy won five regular season games in succession: the magical 1998 season when a free-scoring front line with such strikers as Welton, Carlos Hermosillo and Clint Mathis were racking up 5-1 and 8-1 victories).

Toronto are weakened yet further by the loss of Carl Robinson (Wales); Andrew Boyens (New Zealand); and potential Rookie of the Year candidate Maurice Edu (USA), who are all on international duty this weekend.

At least Toronto may feel slightly at home on what will likely be a cool night in Carson.

Beat writer Billy Witz has a preview that focuses on the Galaxy's maturing (and inexpensive) youngsters.

Kick off is at 7:30 p.m. and I'll blog from the game as usual.

Meanwhile, the suspicion is Chivas USA's Ante Razov is gone for the rest of the season (although the club is awaiting the results of an MRI) and there's more soap opera out of the U.S. Women's National Team camp ahead of today's (non-televised) game against Mexico. More details here.

In college soccer, the UCLA men and Stanford tied 0-0 Friday. With the tie, UCLA moves to 4-5-2 on the year and 0-1-1 in the Pac-10. Stanford moves to 4-2-5 overall and 1-0-2 in the Pac-10. The Bruins play at 2:30 p.m. Sunday against California.

In the other game of the doubleheader, a goal in the 82nd minute by Bruin midfielder Christina DiMartino helped the top-ranked UCLA women’s team to a 1-0 victory over Oregon State before 1,492 fans at Drake Stadium. With the win, the Bruins move to 8-1-2 overall and 1-0 in the Pac-10. UCLA also extended its home winning streak to 33 matches, the longest streak in the nation. The Beavers fell to 7-4-1 and 0-1 in conference action.

Notable: Bruin goalkeeper Valerie Henderson broke the school record for career shutouts. She now has 32.

UCLA hosts Oregon at noon Sunday at Drake Stadium.

Also, Gonzaga struck twice in the second half to win 3-1 over the Loyola Marymount men in a West Coast Conference match Friday in Spokane, Wash.

Next for the the 2-6-1 Lions is a game Sunday in Portland.

Posted by Nick Green at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With both its starting strikers hobbled with injuires, Chivas USA tied 0-0 with 10-man Dallas Thursday night.

Here's the Dallas perspective.

Double headers at UCLA's Drake Stadium today and Sunday sees the top-ranked UCLA women's soccer team (7-1-2) open Pac-10 Conference at 5 p.m. against Oregon State (7-3-1), while the men's game follows at 7:30 p.m. against Stanford (4-2-4, 1-0-1), who are unbeaten in their last five games.

UCLABruins.com will host Gametracker live stats and a free internet audio broadcast for both games.

The popularity of user-generated video content on the Web has prompted MLS to hold a competition for the best goal captured on a camcorder. The deadline is Oct. 26.

Finally, Torrance's Jack Stewart, who (formerly) played for Real Salt Lake, is a finalist in Cosmo's Bachelor of the Year contest.

According to his profile, Jack likes women who "kiss me on the lips, then pull away and leave me wanting more.”

Good thing the former South High star ditched the scruffy beard.

Updated 11:30 a.m. - Stewart, who found his first-team opportunities limited this season after several defensive errors, has left the team although he is officially still on the roster.

"He hasn't been training with the team for about 10 days," said club spokesman John Koluder. "We're essentially letting him explore other options."

Updated: I did end up chatting with Jack late Friday afternoon and he sounded none too happy at his treatment by RSL, Coach Jason Kreis et al and his rapid descent down the team pecking order. It all makes his glowing RSL profile sound more than a little gushing in retrospect.

The team essentially fired him in a move that came after MLS rosters were frozen, meaning he couldn't hook on with another team this season.

Stewart is exploring his options as they say: playing in Europe, getting a job with his Notre Dame degree or, um, modeling (no calls yet, he said) are possibilities.

Short term: He was off to Chicago for the Notre Dame game this weekend and New York next week for a Cosmo party.

Jack sounded like he was enjoying the whole Cosmo thing (and no, he has no idea who nominated him) with his mother already fielding calls from women who want his cell phone number.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In what could be a possible first round playoff preview, Chivas USA meets FC Dallas live at 6 tonight on ESPN2 in the Goats' final regular season road game of the year.

Ramon Nunez is absent on international duty for Chivas USA and beat writer Ivan Orozco explains why leading scorer Maykel Galindo could also miss the game.

Meanwhile, Dallas striker Kenny Cooper, out injured since then-Galaxy defender Tyrone Marshall broke his leg in the 89th minute of a game June 9, could see action.

Here's the take from Texas.

And while high-priced Brazilian Denilson is already looking like a possible bust, Dallas will "honor" coiffed Colombian Juan Toja, scorer of six goals this season, with wig night at the game.

Toja looks a bit bemused by his fellow players' reaction to his hair in this video though:

Posted by Nick Green at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In my weekly column in the Daily Breeze and Daily News I made the case for Galaxy playmaker Landon Donovan (as if one needed to be made, but Donovan is surprisingly unpopular with some fans).

Read it here.

There were a couple of points not in the column for space reasons worth noting.

With the depleted Galaxy squad suffering through a plethora of injuries this season, I asked Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas about what some in the press box had wondered this year, namely whether Donovan's $900,000 annual salary might be better spent on four or so $200,000 a year players.

His response:

"The business man in me is always looking at your ROI - return on investment - and I think Landon Donovan is certainly worth every penny. I think if you were to ask any coach or GM in the league whether they would like to have Landon Donovan even at the numbers we're talking about they would say 'yes.' It makes sense, not just from a soccer perspective, but from a business perspective, because he is one of the most popular and greatest figures in our game."

Donovan, whose contract with MLS expires at the end of 2009, according to Lalas, was asked whether he'd consider another stab at playing in Europe and where:

"If the opportunity is there I would definitely do it," he said. "It would be nice to go to England. ... Arsenal is fun to watch (and) I like Man U because there is a system in place and either you fit in or you don't."

Lalas believes Italy would suit Donovan's playing style, by the way.

Meanwhile, Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz observed today that the Galaxy's playoff destiny rests in their own hands after this weekend's games. Read his take here.

And MLS crunches all the playoff possibilities, permutations and other details here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Galaxy won their fourth straight game Sunday for the first time since May 2005, beating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on the road in a come-from-behind victory that kept their flickering playoff hopes alive.

It was a game that likely even had Chivas USA fans cheering as the Galaxy did their intrastadium rivals a favor. The win allowed Chivas USA to remain in sole possession of the Western Conference lead.

Things hadn't started well when former Galaxy striker Nate Jaqua struck first for Houston (where he has rediscovered his shooting touch) after Pete Vagenas inexplicably failed to cut out a Joseph Ngwenya cross. Jacqua now has six goals this season for the Dynamo after scoring just one during his time in Carson.

But then Honduran Carlos Pavon, doing his best Pando Ramirez impression, apparently, actually found the net with a glorious volley from a Landon Donovan pass just before half time. It was only his fourth goal in 15 MLS games for the Galaxy.

Gavin Glinton, rapidly emerging as the Galaxy's super sub, sealed the victory in the 77th minute.

Here's the box score.

The win means the Galaxy leapfrog the Rapids in the playoff race, (at least temporarily since Colorado plays Toronto later this afternoon) are one point behind the Columbus Crew and are six points behind Chicago, which occupies the eighth and final playoff place.

Wonder when the last time was the Galaxy sat as high as 10th place in MLS?

Full game details here.

Updated 8:45 a.m. Monday: The Daily Breeze story with quotes and context is here.

The Dyanamo believed they deserved to win.

Posted by Nick Green at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With leading scorer Maykel Galindo and veteran Ante Razov out, young Brit John Cunliffe scored twice to lead Chivas USA back atop the Western Conference Saturday night.

The Galaxy game against the Dynamo is less than two hours away (it's a noon kick off) on FSN and Telefutura. Here's a preview.

Chicago's win Saturday did not help the Galaxy's cause. Here's a look at the playoff standings going into the game.

Finally, the Houston Chronicle took a look at the friendship between the opposing coaches.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

*Former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman (PV High, CSUDH, UCLA) got his 1,000th save Friday in the Wizards 1-1 tie with D.C. United, but Kansas City didn't seal a playoff spot.

Here are the playoff standings heading into this weekend's games.

*Brazilan Kaka was voted the FifPro’s (Federation Internationale des Footballeurs Professionels) Player of the Year by his 57,500 fellow pros around the globe.

*Sophomore Kristina Larsen scored two goals Friday as the second-ranked UCLA women's soccer team defeated San Diego State, 5-1, at the SDSU Sports Deck. The Bruins improved to 6-1-2 on the season.

UCLA hosts No. 5 Santa Clara at 1 p.m. Sunday at Drake Stadium.

*Junior Jackie Chavez (Peninsula High) tapped in the game-winner Friday to lead the 25th-ranked Cal state Dominguez Hills women to a 2-0 road win at Sonoma State.

CSUDH (9-1-3) next plays Sunday at Humboldt State.

*The Cal State Northridge women's soccer team (2-7-1) lost its 2007 Big West opener to UC Davis (5-5-0) Friday.

Next for the Matadors: a Sunday game at Pacific.

*The Loyola Marymount men fell 1-0 to defending West Coast Conference champion and fourth-ranked Santa Clara in the teams' conference opener Friday at Sullivan Field. Jamil Roberts scored the games' only goal in the 35th minute while both teams were reduced to 10 men in the second half.

*Long Beach State (8-4) won 3-2 in its conference opener Friday over host Pacific.

The 49ers travel to UC Davis Sunday for another Big West match-up.

*Redondo Beach native David Vanole, the former national team goalkeeper who died earlier this year, was honored Friday at the National Training Center in Carson.

The (edited) U.S. Soccer press release:

The U.S. Soccer Federation dedicated one of the team’s primary training fields at the organization’s National Training Center as the David Vanole Field at a commemoration ceremony attended by family and friends on the eve of the first U.S. Soccer Development Academy “Showcase Weekend.”

"David was one of the pioneers at the start of a new era for U.S. Soccer," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. "I remember very well his impact on the team at the 1988 Olympics and in helping the United States end a very long World Cup drought in 1989. He should be remembered for that right alongside the other early stars of the sport in our country. Having a field named after him that will help create the future stars of our game is immensely appropriate."

Vanole, a longtime player and coach at the highest levels of the sport in the United States, passed away in January at the age of 43. In addition to being part of the U.S. National Team's 1990 FIFA World Cup team, Vanole started all three games for the United States at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

As a coach, Vanole represented the United States again at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, serving as goalkeeper coach for the silver-medal winning U.S. Women's National Team. He most recently served as goalkeeper coach of the New England Revolution, a position he also held with D.C. United in MLS, and was an assistant coach for the Washington Freedom in the WUSA. He was also a coach at various youth national team levels, including a stint under Sigi Schmid with the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999 in Nigeria.

Vanole earned 13 caps with the U.S. National Team from 1986-1989, recording three shutouts.

Vanole also played nine times for the U.S. Olympic team, helping the team qualify for the 1988 tournament and then starting all three matches in Seoul, South Korea. A member of UCLA's 1985 NCAA championship team, Vanole served as the goalkeeper coach for the UCLA men's and women's teams in the late 1990s.

*Meanwhile, 36 teams from 18 elite clubs will join two U.S. Youth Men's National Teams to play 38 matches during the first U.S. Soccer Development Academy Fall Showcase this weekend at the HDC.

From U.S. Soccer:

The showcase matches are the second weekend of a nine-month campaign in which 122 teams will compete in over 1,800 matches in conference play. With 2,440 players, 244 coaches and more than 200 referees participating in individual conference games, travel partner weekends and showcase weekends, the Academy boasts the most comprehensive platform for youth competition in U.S. Soccer history.

Full details and schedule here.

Posted by Nick Green at 10:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Late posting today since I spent most of the day at the 17th annual Honda Player of the Year Award at the Biltmore in downtown L.A. The award is given to the best U.S. Men's National Team player of the year as voted by 203 soccer journalists, including yours truly.

To no one's surprise, Galaxy playmaker Landon Donovan won for an unprecedented fourth time in a landslide, collecting 413 points. In comparison, Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard came second with 122 points and Fulham defender Carlos Bocanegra third with 105 points.

"For U.S. Soccer players, this is the biggest honor we can receive," Donovan said.

The Galaxy PR folks pointed out that in 2007 Donovan:
*Leads the Galaxy with seven goals and nine assists in 21 games.
*Leads the national team with nine goals scored, including a hat-trick against Ecuador and four goals during the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer.
*Scored a penalty kick against Mexico to win the U.S.’s fourth Gold Cup title with his 34th career goal, tying him with Eric Wynalda as the top scorer in U.S. National Team history.
*Broke Cobi Jones’ 2000 record for points in a year, collecting 22 points (nine goals and four assists).
*Is the all-time assist leader for the United States with 27 in 96 appearances.

"He's the most talented player 99 percent of the time when we step on the field with the Galaxy and the national team," said Galaxy defender Chris Albright. "There's certainly nobody better in this country as far as what he can do technically."

Full details from the story in Saturday's newspaper available here.

Meanwhile, here's a quick catch-up on the rest of the soccer news.

The Galaxy's playoff rivals appear to be collapsing around them at the worst possible time. New York, which could have clinched a playoff spot Thursday with a win over Toronto instead lost, 2-1, to the worst team in MLS.

From Ives Galarcep of the (New Jersey) Herald News:

The loss marked the Red Bulls' fifth straight match without a victory and dropped them to 1-4-3 in their past eight matches.

The Red Bulls (11-11-6) could still qualify for the playoffs this weekend if the Chicago Fire lose to New England and if the Columbus Crew fail to beat FC Dallas.

The victory was Toronto's first in 12 matches, and the first against the Red Bulls after two losses earlier in the year.

Best lead of the night though came from The Toronto Star:

The last time Toronto FC won a game the loonie was worth less than the U.S. dollar, Britney Spears had custody of her kids and the Canadian Soccer Association had a president.

Next to try tonight are the Wizards, which can reserve a playoff spot with a win over D.C. United in K.C. and losses this weekend by the Galaxy and Columbus Crew. The Wizards have just one win the last six games though, while D.C. can clinch home-field advantage in the playoffs with a win and a New England loss Saturday at Chicago.

Meanwhile, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber Thursday suspended Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark nine MLS games and fined him $10,000 for violent conduct directed toward Carlos Ruiz in the 89th minute of Houston’s game against FC Dallas last Sunday. It's the longest suspension in MLS history.

You can see the incident here.

The Loyola Marymount women recorded their second consecutive shutout Thursday and extended their school-record winning streak to seven games with a 2-0 win over Hawaii at Sullivan Field. The Lions got goals from senior Katie Osborne and sophomore Jessica Sharpe.

Next for 7-3-1 LMU is a home game at 1 p.m. Sunday against Sacramento State.

The Cal State Northridge (4-2-2) men tied 1-1 Cal State Fullerton (4-4-2) Wednesday. The Titans played with 10 men for the last 13 minutes of regulation and during overtime after German Moreno was sent off.

The Matadors travel to UC Irvine for a 7 p.m. Saturday game.

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Posted by Nick Green at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

U.S. Open Cup Final Preview

The game airs live at 5 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel, by the way.

Here's the Dallas perspective. (No equal treatment: The Boston Globe annoyingly requires you to register.

Chivas Downs D.C.

College Roundup

UCLA's record improves to 4-4-1, while San Diego drops to 3-5-0. The Bruins begin Pac-10 play Saturday at San Diego State.

Forwards Corrie Hirokawa (North Torrance High) and Norwalk's Yvonne Vasquez (Santa Fe High) both scored as 25th-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills came from behind to beat Western Washington 2-1 Tuesday at Toro Stadium.

CSUDH hits the road for CCAA Conference play the next two weekends before returning home Oct. 19 to host Cal State Stanislaus for the second-to-last weekend of the regular season.

The Cal State Northridge men open Big West play at 7 tonight against (4-4) Cal State Fullerton at Titan Stadium.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Galaxy's slim playoff hopes as seen through the lens of their unlikely 2005 MLS Cup run was the subject of today's column that appears weekly in the Daily News and Daily Breeze.

Incidentally, the David Beckham effect continues without Beckham; the Galaxy's game in Houston Sunday is reportedly sold out, a first for the team since the former Earthquakes moved to Texas.

Finally, for what it's worth English tabloid the Daily Mirror is reporting today that former Manchester United teammate Roy Keane, now boss of EPL team Sunderland, is offering Beck's a six-month loan deal during the MLS off-season. And it's apparently not worth much.

Meanwhile, the UCLA men's soccer team (3-4-1, ranked 18th by Soccer America) hosts the University of San Diego (3-4-0) in a mid-week non-conference game at 7 o'clock tonight at Drake Stadium before starting up Pac-10 play at San Diego State (4-2-2) Saturday. UCLA fans wearing blue receive $2 off admission at the ticket booth at the main entrance.

UCLA are drawing in the fans at away games, according to their media relations office:

UCLA road games this year (five away, one neutral) have averaged 4,007 fans. School attendance records were set at Indiana (7,423) and at Creighton (5,812), and the Bruins played in front of an over-capacity crowd of 3,143 at San Francisco. In addition, the team played in front of season-best crowds of 2,333 at Santa Clara and 1,095 at Cal State Northridge. Overall this season, the Bruins are playing in front of crowds averaging 3,258.

The UCLA media relations office also offered this injury update:

The Bruins' leading scorer in 2006, David Estrada, returned to the lineup last weekend, making his season debut at Cal State Northridge and playing 76 minutes. Estrada had missed the Bruins' first seven games with a fractured metatarsal. Last season, Estrada was Soccer America's Freshman of the Year after scoring 12 goals and four assists for 28 points, the second-most goals and points ever scored by a UCLA freshman.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Galaxy Still Glowing

A brief game summary is here.

The Crew perspective is here.
Improbably, the Galaxy are now just two wins away from catching Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot. (Scroll down to see the league as one division, giving the clearest view of the playoff race).

Here's a playoff update from MLS that provides a little perspective:

With only three weeks left in the 2007 MLS regular season four teams have clinched playoff berths, while the remaining four spots are up for grabs in a tightly contested race to the finish. FC Dallas, Kansas City and New York can punch their tickets to the playoffs this week, while Real Salt Lake was eliminated and Toronto FC’s chances hang by a thread.

Heading into the last weekend of September, FC Dallas and New York had a chance to clinch a playoff berth, but could not overcome tough opponents as FC Dallas lost 3-0 to Western Conference-leading Houston Dynamo and the New York Red Bulls tied Real Salt Lake – a team eliminated from playoff contention, but trying to end the season on a strong note.

The Red Bulls travel to face Toronto FC on Thursday, Oct. 4 in the ESPN2 primetime match at 7 p.m. ET, and they could clinch a playoff berth with a win, or if Columbus and Los Angeles fail to win over the weekend.

FC Dallas will clinch a spot with a win or tie over Columbus on Saturday, as Columbus is the only team that could catch them in the overall standings with 40 points. The Crew sits in ninth place with 31 points, but can earn a maximum of 40 points if they win the remainder of their games. The Wizards are the only other team that can clinch a spot this weekend, but they need to win and hope that the Crew and the Los Angeles Galaxy both fail to win.

When the regular season ends Oct. 21, the team with the most points will win the Supporters’ Shield and will qualify for the 2008 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Ten MLS teams have three games remaining and three teams have four games left, including the Los Angeles Galaxy who are 3-0-1 in their last four games.

I'll have more on the Galaxy in Tuesday's weekly column in the Daily News and Daily Breeze.

World Cup Comment

College Roundup

I'm feeling a little under the weather today, so to find out most of Sunday's scores click on the appropriate college link to the right.

But one e-mail that made it through observed that the Cal Sate Northridge women's team fell 3-1 to Pepperdine Sunday afternoon in Malibu. With the loss, Cal State Northridge fell to 2-6-1, while Pepperdine improved to 2-4-3.