Recently in Polls Category

Read it here.

And don't forget to take the Goalkeeper of the Year poll.

Here's the full list as released today by MLS:

Goalkeeper of the Year
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Donovan Ricketts - Los Angeles Galaxy
Zach Thornton - Chivas USA

Fair Play Finalists - Individual
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Pat Onstad - Houston Dynamo
Steve Ralston - New England Revolution

Comeback Player of the Year
Brian McBride - Chicago Fire
Ben Olsen - D.C. United
Zach Thornton - Chivas USA

Visa Defender of the Year
Geoff Cameron - Houston Dynamo
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado - Seattle Sounders FC
Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew

adidas Referee of the Year
Alex Prus
Ricardo Salazar
Kevin Stott

Rookie of the Year
Stefan Frei - Toronto FC
Omar Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy
Chris Pontius - D.C. United

Coach of the Year
Bruce Arena - Los Angeles Galaxy
Sigi Schmid - Seattle Sounders FC
Robert Warzycha - Columbus Crew

Newcomer of the Year
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Freddie Ljungberg - Seattle Sounders FC
Fredy Montero - Seattle Sounders FC

Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player
Jeff Cunningham - FC Dallas
Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy
Shalrie Joseph - New England Revolution

MLS begins handing out awards Wednesday when the Goalkeeper of the Year and Fair Play Award (Individual & Team) are named.

Not much to quibble about there. Any notable omissions? Surprise contenders? But if Dallas had made the playoffs, Cunningham would have had a strong case for MVP. And did Olsen really "come back?"

The first one is a toughie and has an obvious local angle.

(With apologies to Mr. Thornton for misspelling his surname in the poll).

Briefly:
*An excellent Landon Donovan profile is here. I'm betting LD heads to Europe sooner rather than later.

Which reminds me - have you cast your vote yet for the Honda Player of the Year poll? Do it here.

Lastly, the Cal State Northridge men won their conference opener against UC Riverside Wednesday and next face New Mexico. More here.

Or should that be Brazil for brunch? After all, the South Americans only narrowly beat South Africa today in the second Confederations Cup semifinal.

Vote below and elaborate in the comments section if you wish.

Updated Monday 9 a.m.: A belated clarification to the first question in the poll. I should have written "Will propel the team TOWARD the MLS Cup." In other words, choose that option if you believe Beckham will IMPROVE the Galaxy when he returns. And thanks for voting

And yeah, I know it's a mouthful.

More information - and the poll - is here.

I'll pull the plug on this and declare a winner at noon Thursday, although it doesn't appear there's much doubt who it will be.

Thanks to all who took the time to vote.

'Tis the season.

Not only for journalists to use that over-used phrase, but for largely meaningless end of year awards. Still, they're also fun.

So this blog is joining the party with a highly prestigious (ahem) award of our own: the 100 Percent Soccer Southern California Soccer Personality of the Year.

Read the column then cast your vote. We'll announce the winner New Year's Day.

Thanks for reading.

Cobi Jones faced the media for the first time Tuesday as the Galaxy's interim coach.

Jones said kinder things about predecessor Ruud Gullit than some of the players I talked to Tuesday. And he was saying all the right things as far as former GM Alexi Lalas was concerned, too:

"It's a loss of someone that was very dedicated to this club and this organization, not only the Galaxy but AEG. It's a huge loss and he will be missed within the club and organization but for the players and everything, it's something else along with Ruud they have to put that behind them and move forward."

(Incidentally, Soccer By Ives is speculating the Galaxy have targeted Eddie Lewis.

It could be a short stint for Cobi; his status is in effect for just one game - Thursday's SuperClasico against Chivas USA.

So with speculation already mounting over who the identity of the next Galaxy coach, who do you think should take over the reins?

Does Jones represent the stability the Galaxy needs for the rest of the season and perhaps beyond?

Should AEG raid their most successful MLS club - the defending champion Houston Dynamo - and install Dominic Kinnear as head coach of the Galaxy?

With the Olympics over for the U.S. men, does the Galaxy need a defensive-minded, no-nonsense disciplinarian like Peter Nowak to whip them into shape?

Or should the ever-popular Sigi Schmid return?

Tell me who you think should be the next Galaxy coach in the poll below.

And if the name you want isn't listed, add a comment to this post.

Coach Pia Sundhage has begun the youth movement needed to rebuild the U.S. Women's National Team, dumping veteran goalkeeper Brianna Scurry for next month's Algarve Cup in Portugal and bringing in Nicole Barnhart (four caps).

Although 15 of the 20-player roster were on last year's World Cup squad, including Torrance's Shannon Boxx, Sundhage has also brought in the likes of UCLA's Lauren Cheney and USC striker Amy Rodriguez. Uncapped defender Rachel Buehler gets her first tournament call-up, while at age 19 defender Tobin Heath is the youngest player on the roster.

From the U.S. Soccer press release:

The U.S. opens play March 5 against China, faces Norway on March 7 and finishes the first round against Italy on March 10.

The U.S. will use this tournament as final preparation for 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying, which will be held April 2-13 in Mexico.

“The Algarve Cup is a very important tournament for several reasons,” said Sundhage. “First, it is excellent preparation for the Olympic qualification, especially playing four difficult matches in eight days. That is a test of our fitness, our mental toughness and also our depth. But also, like we faced in the Four Nations Tournament in China, it gives the team a chance to play against three very good teams in the group who all play different styles, and that is fantastic for the development of our team rhythm, as well as for our young players getting experience at a big tournament.”

Preps news from the Daily Breeze is here and here.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram has this report on girls soccer.

Finally, thanks to those who voted in Tuesday's poll that asked whether the EPL should play games overseas. Interesting to see how divided fans are on this one. (And yes, you can still vote).

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.