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Recapping the weekend:

AP Photo

* David Beckham wasn't lying down on the job Sunday: AC Milan moved into second place in Serie A with a win over Palermo.

*Is it too early to begin the Juergen Klinsmann to the Galaxy rumors? The Orange County resident was fired Monday by Bayern Munich.

*Fontana's Maurice Edu is just beginning to gain some traction with Glasgow Rangers after an injury-marred season.

*Pasadena City College product Yura Movsisyan is finally off the mark for Real Salt Lake.

*The Sol's French midfielder Camille Abily and Les Bleues earned their second victory over Switzerland in three days Saturday, the lone goal in the 1-0 win coming from the penalty spot. Meanwhile, Marta and Brazil lost 3-1 Saturday to Sweden. Both players will return to the Sol in time for this weekend's road game against the Boston Breakers.

*The National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y., has received the game ball and official lineups from the first-ever WPS game played March 29th between the Los Angeles Sol and the Washington Freedom at Home Depot Center. The items go on display in early May.

*Hollywood United have replaced the San Fernando Valley Quakes in the PDL.

*And for those of you who might have missed them, here are the highlights of the Galaxy's 1-1 tie Saturday in Colorado:

Briefly:

*Former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, a product of UCLA, has donated his game-worn jersey and gloves from the Kansas City Wizards' March 28 game against the Colorado Rapids that saw him set an MLS record mark of 1,137 saves to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

"Every player dreams of being in the Hall of Fame," said Hartman, who attended high school on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. "I don't know if I'll get elected, but a piece of my history is there and that's very special to me."

Hartman played 10 years in L.A. before joining the Wizards in 2007. He has played in 305 MLS regular season games, has an MLS record 77 shutouts and an MLS record 138 wins.

*The U.S. moved up two places in the latest FIFA rankings released today, while Mexico dropped two places to 25th, just behind Scotland. Spain still leads. The complete rankings.

*Chivas USA has unveiled a "Stimulus Plan" (presumably to stimulate the club's anemic attendance) that gets a fan into six games for just $50. The six: Seattle Sounders (April 18 & June 6); Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire (May 28); the Galaxy (July 11); Juan Pablo Angel's New York Red Bulls (Sept. 26), and Fan Appreciation Night on the last day of the regular season against the Houston Dynamo (Oct. 25). Call 1-877-CHIVAS-1.

*Finally, the WPS Sol has reportedly already sold more than 4,000 tickets for its next game April 19 against FC Gold Pride at Home Depot Center. The Sol are offering a $49 family four ticket pack for the game. Call 1-877-4-SOLTIX.

Read the full story here about Sol GM Charlie Naimo's East Coast roots.

Sol midfielder, Olympian, gold medal winner and South (Torrance) High grad Shannon Boxx was awarded the key to the city she grew up in at Tuesday's City Council meeting by starstruck Mayor Frank Scotto (a huge soccer fan and long-time coach) with her mom, Julie, looking on from the audience.

"I'm nervous just standing up here with you," Scotto said after twisting his tongue a couple of times as he prepared to present the U.S. Women's National Team midfielder with a proclamation on what was dubbed Shannon Boxx day, while receiving a Sol jersey in return.

Scotto added later: "We are very proud to call her one of our own."

Boxx, twin Olympic gold medals dangling around her neck, seemed genuinely touched by the honor.

"I've been everywhere in the world," she said. "I've lived in different states and countries and somehow Torrance always draws me back. ... I love the key - the fact I have my own day is pretty big, too."

Coincidentally, the city was also honoring the championship-winning South High girls team that evening so Boxx was naturally recruited to present each player with a certificate and added a Sol shirt for the coach and hats for the players.

Boxx and the Sol debut Sunday at Home Depot Center against the Washington Freedom.

The proclamation

Briefly:
* Good Q&A on the career of Cal State Dominguez Hills product Kei Kamara of Lawndale here.

* The UCLA men are reloading.

* And U.S. Soccer wants to see this nation awash in red Wednesday.

Noted:
*The Galaxy play their final preseason game (otherwise known as the "Will David Beckham return from AC Milan lottery?) March 14 in Tempe, Ariz., against the Chicago Fire, the club announced today. The Galaxy opens their season in Carson March 22 against D. C. United.

The game is part of an effort to locate an MLS team in the area, according to the press release:

The PHX Soccer Clasico is the first major event for Phoenix Soccer Development. Founded in 2007, PHX Soccer Development seeks to promote professional soccer in the Valley with the ultimate goal of having an MLS club based locally.

* Landon Donovan has scored two more goals for Bayern Munich.

*Three members of the Los Angeles Sol, the local franchise in the new Women's Professional Soccer league, have been selected as members of the USA's Under-23 Women's National Team when it travels to Europe for matches against Norway Feb. 4 and England two days later in La Manga, Spain.

From the Sol press release:

Sol goalkeeper Val Henderson, selected in the fifth round of last week's 2009 WPS Draft from UCLA, enters the trip with 14 caps at the U-23 level, the most of any of the 18 players on the U.S. roster. She will be joined by two recent draftees, forward Katie Larkin, taken by the Sol in the third round from BYU, who is currently on seven caps and first-round selection, midfielder Brittany Bock (Notre Dame), in search of her first cap with the U-23's.

Also on the roster: uncapped Stanford forward Christen Press of Palos Verdes Estates and Portland goalkeeper Kelsey Davis of Thousand Oaks..

Eleven of the 18-player roster are with pro clubs, a record.

The Sol begins its season noon March 29 at the HDC against the Washington Freedom.

*My apologies to Cal State Dominguez Hills Coach Joe Flanagan for neglecting to mention earlier as I caught up that he had been named on Monday the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II Coach of the Year.

He coached CSUDH to its second national title this year.

"It's not only a tribute to our team that performed well on the field, but also a tremendous honor for our staff," Flanagan said.. "It's definitely a 'we' award. It's not about me, it's about us.

"In 2000, I was along for the ride, but now, after 8 years of battling and trying to get back to this promised land, I appreciate it a lot more knowing what it takes to get here."

*Lastly, Fontana's Maurice Edu provides a little perspective on what he and fellow American DaMarcus Beasley face at Glasgow Rangers here.

The last time I recall writing about a South Bay-raised player who made their U.S. debut at Home Depot Center, the player went on to a magnificent career.

That player was Shannon Boxx.

Now it could be Robbie Rogers' turn Saturday against Sweden in Carson.

Read about it here.

Some quick kicks:
*The drafts aren't done; next up is Women's Professional Soccer at 7:30 a.m. today. Trojan Amy Rodriguez is the consensus No. 1.

*Correcting a bad oversight, Palos Verdes Peninsula native Joy Fawcett was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame Thursday night (with Jeff Agoos). Fawcett won two World Cup and two Olympic gold medals, played 239 internationals in a 15-year national team career. And where is she now? She currently directs the Saddleback United Soccer Club in Mission Viejo. Chivas USA Coach Preki just missed out: he made 60.4% of the ballots cast; he needed 66.7 percent.

*Cal State Dominguez Hills' NCAA Championship trophy will be on display in a secured case in the Holiday Inn Torrance lobby until Wednesday. The hotel is at 19800 South Vermont Ave.

*Finally, Lawndale's Kei Kamara has not forgotten his roots. Check it out. (It's the Dynamo, Tony - singular).

'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.

MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall has signed a new multi-year contract with the MLS champion Columbus Crew, the club announced today, after he had reportedly tested the market overseas.

"We have made a significant commitment to ensure that Chad remains a member of the Crew and we are very pleased to have gotten that priority accomplished," said Crew technical director Brian Bliss. "It goes without saying that he played a vital role in our championship season and re-signing him allows us to retain our core group of key contributors."

Marshall, 23, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 Superdraft, rebounded from an injury-shortened 2007 season to start 29 games and rank second on the team in minutes played. Anchored by Marshall, the Crew's defense allowed the third fewest goals in the league en route to the best regular season record in MLS.

He capped the year by scoring the winning goal at MLS Cup in Carson.

While searching for a suitable holiday video (freestyle soccer moves set to Christmas music? Yuck. A burning yule log? Been there done that.) I ran across this offering on the Galaxy blog from Van Nuys' Tristan Bowen.

Bowen, of course made history late this year when he became the first youth player to come up through the ranks of an MLS club and sign a professional contract.

He is also one of the very few players to emerge from the San Fernando Valley in recent years.

So here's an obviously enthused Bowen talking (a little wide-eyed it must be said) on the Galaxy's recent trip to New Zealand reflecting on the dramatic turn his life took in 2008.

And of course, it's always a good time of year to remind aspiring soccer players that, like Bowen's, your dreams can come true, as well.

Happy holidays from 100 Percent Soccer:

The most amazing thing about this snapshot is it's only two years off in foreshadowing the champion in the picture.

This is the South Bay Gunners 11 years ago in a Nike ad (?!).

When I asked the person who supplied the photo which 10-year-old kid was Robbie Rogers, who grew up in Rolling Hills Estates, he said "Far right, blonde with pot belly."

Is this like your mother showing your naked baby pictures at age 2 to your fiancee? Close.

Champion.

Playoff-bearded Robbie Rogers leaves Columbus Wednesday;

Robbie Rogers is not happy with the team's mandatory playoff beard - it feels weird, he said Friday at Home Depot Center.

And the demand for tickets for an MLS Cup played in the South Bay where he grew up is intense: "I'm not answering phone numbers I don't have in my phone," he said, observing players get four tickets apiece and that he can't shake down teammates for any spares. "They all need their tickets so I'm buying 10 more and put a limit at that."

The Rolling Hills estates product has had a breakout season becoming one of the best players on the best team in the league, an MLS Goal of the Year finalist and getting a national team call-up for the first time:

Q: Assess the season
Answer: I think that overall it's been a consistent and totally great season. I think this team is different from last year and its been a totally different experience because we've had so much success.

Q: Were you surprised with your performance this season or not?
A: I felt like I was capable of this, but I'm still not happy with where I am. I can still learn from these guys and keep improving. Playing for the MLS Cup - it doesn't get any better, but I still think I have a lot to learn.

Q: How has Guillermo Barros Schelotto helped you this year?
A: He talks to me as much as he can at practice and before and after games. His English has gotten a lot better. Last year he couldn't really tell me stuff except through (an interpretor). This year's been a lot of help and a lot different to last year. I know how he plays now, too, so it's easier.

Q: As a South Bay lad you must know how much this game means to Crew Coach Sigi Schmid.
A: I was around (the Galaxy), watching them play at the Rose Bowl. I've been to so many games here to watch them play and I know he was fired and stuff so I would think he would be a little bitter - I would if I got fired the way he did - so I think for him to be back here in front of all our families and friends with a chance to win MLS Cup - it doesn't get any better."

Q: Do you see yourself returning to Europe?
A: Maybe after next season or something. I've talked to the coaches and agents and we've decided I'm going to come back for sure next season so we'll see what happens after next season.

MLS today named Cal State Northridge product and Galaxy defender Sean Franklin as its Rookie of the Year. Franklin is scheduled to talk to reporters later today from the U.S. Men's National Team training camp in Colorado.

How big of an accomplishment is this?

Franklin played all year in the center of a bad Galaxy defense, yet according to Coach Bruce Arena he's not a central defender.

In other MLS awards-related news, Rolling Hills Estates Robbie Rogers is one of the five finalists for Goal of the Year. Vote here. Roger already beat out Beckham to become one of the finalists; can he do the same to Blanco?

And in other Galaxy-related news, Bayern Munich's Web site has more on Landon Donovan's German adventure. Hmmm, is he going to be there 10 days or 10 weeks?

Oh, and even though this was reported a while back the Galaxy has officially announced that Tristan Bowen, 17, of Van Nuys has become the first player to come through its youth academy to sign a multiyear contract with the club.

"Tristan is an exciting and talented young player who has impressed me and all of our coaches during his time training with the club," Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. "He has many of the attributes which are required in order to become a good player in MLS and has shown the drive and desire to improve all areas of his game. We are excited to have him join the club and look forward to seeing him grow in a Galaxy uniform."

In Wednesday night games, Mexico beat Ecuador 2-1 in Arizona and CD Guadalajara lost 2-0 in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana semifinal.

At 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2 the Crew and Fire face off in the Eastern Conference final with the winner heading to MLS Cup on Nov. 23 at Home Depot Center.

Even though former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid is being circumspect about what it would mean to him to walk out on the home field of the club that fired him in the league's title game, Crew forward Alejandro Moreno - who played for him in L.A. - isn't as reticent:

"We know it's special and we know he's a California guy. I think what's special is that I was in L.A. when Sigi got fired and probably at the time I thought it was wrong and even now I thought it was wrong and even with the Galaxy having won the MLS Cup after that I still think it was wrong.

"There was a lot of people who wrote him off and there was a lot of people who didn't think he was the coach he was when he was back with the Galaxy and I'm here to tell you he's still the coach (he was)."

Sigi talks here:

Both the Galaxy and Chivas USA may be done for the season, but there are still Southern Californians out to make a difference in MLS this year.

Foremost among them are the pair with the Columbus Crew: coach Sigi Schmid, who grew up in Torrance, and gifted young midfielder Robbie Rogers, who was raised in Rolling Hills Estates.

Schmid, the former Galaxy coach, not only led the Crew to a first place finish in MLS, but has now got Columbus into the Eastern Conference final with a 2-0 win Saturday over the Kansas City Wizards (3-1 on aggregate).

"We are happy to be moving into the conference finals," Schmid told ESPN. "It's been a long time since the Crew has won a playoff game, so that's good."

It's the Crew's first playoff win since 2002; they had gone 0-2-4 since then.

Rogers, 21, - who also remains in the hunt for the MLS Goal of the Year Award - scored the Crew's second goal that culminated a finely worked play by likely MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno.

"I knew if Alejandro was out wide then someone else has to get in the middle," Rogers told ESPN. "I think maybe Eddie (Gaven) was near post and the ball just came back post perfectly. It sat perfectly for me. I just thought I better put this on target or they are going to kill me."

The Crew meet the Chicago Fire Thursday in Columbus with a place at MLS Cup in Carson at stake

Check out the highlights:

Great story in The Salt Lake City Tribune today about the life and death struggles Real Salt Lake striker Yura Movsisyan endured as a child growing up in war-torn Azerbaijan before his family emigrated to Pasadena. His proud parents will be watching their son from the Home Depot Center stands at Saturday's playoff decider against Chivas USA.

Read the story here.

U.S. Soccer began accepting nominations today for its seventh annual end of year awards for best blog, soccer bar, store and video. Details here.

Finally, one of the best executives in MLS got his just reward today: the Galaxy's Tom Payne was named president of business operations by Anschutz Entertainment Group.

From the (edited) press release:

Payne will oversee all of the Galaxy's business operations, including corporate partnerships, ticket sales, marketing, programming, communications, broadcasting, operations and community development. Payne, who has been with the organization for six seasons, will report directly to AEG President Tim Leiweke.

"From the start, there was no doubt that Tom was the ideal person to take on this new position within the Galaxy," said Leiweke. "With his vast knowledge of soccer and MLS, Tom has the respect of the staff, the players and the fans and will now play an even bigger role in helping this club to grow and become more successful. Despite our struggles on the field, Tom has done an outstanding job on the business side and together with (Coach) Bruce (Arena), we are confident that with their leadership, next year will be a positive one for us."

Payne, 44, carries with him an extensive background in the sports and entertainment industry. He has worked for the Galaxy since 2003 and previously served as the club's Assistant General Manager (2006-08) and Vice President of Programming and Business Development (2003-05). He was instrumental in opening a number of additional revenue streams for the club, including negotiating international exhibitions against teams such as Yokohama F. Marinos, the Korean National Team, Real Madrid and Chelsea F.C. Payne has also been instrumental in helping the Galaxy lead MLS in attendance in all six of his years with the club, including an MLS-best average of 26,009 fans per game in 2008, which is the second highest single season average attendance in MLS history.

Arena, you'll recall, is GM on the soccer side of things for the Galaxy. And in case you were wondering, yes, Payne is the brother of D.C. United GM Kevin Payne.