Recently in Women's Premier Soccer League Category

*Reporter Phil Collin has a preview of the Galaxy and Chivas USA games this weekend.

*At tonight's game at Home Depot Center against the New England Revolution, Chivas USA fans will have the opportunity to run the rule over the player the club took a pass on: Southern Californian Benny Feilhaber.

*The Galaxy's Landon Donovan and Todd Dunivant and Mike Magee planted the seeds of literacy at a Carson school Friday.

*Operating from a home field at Carson's Cal State Dominguez Hills, the Viking Soccer Club has formed the Los Al Vikings and entered the team in the Women's Premier Soccer League, which begins play later this month.

It's the second South Bay-based WPSL team; Ajax America have long played at Nansen Field in Rolling Hills Estates.

Los Al's roster includes forwards Nadia Link and Marysol Rosas (Cal State Long Beach) and Evelyn Vasquez (Cal State Northridge); midfielder Karina Jahn (Cal State Dominguez Hills); and defender Jenny Soza (Cal State Long Beach) and former South Torrance High goalkeeper Alyssa Congdon (Cal State Dominguez Hills)

Back on the ball: David Beckham rejoined his Galaxy teammates for preseason training today in chilly Carson for the first time this year (AP photo).

*Do Galaxy fans care that Beckham is back? Does Landon Donovan?

"We're used to having him here and also used to not having him here," Donovan told Soccer America.

So, "whatever" is the essence of Donovan's response then. Hmmm.

More details here.

*Argentine midfielder Walter Gaitán has signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Blues of the new USL Pro division, the club announced today. The 33-year-old scored 76 goals in 197 games for Tigres UANL and Necaxa.

*Former Ajax America Head Coach Brian Boswell, a five-time WPSL Coach Of The Year, has joined the new OC Wave of the Women's Premier Soccer League as an assistant coach to Abner Rogers, the former LA Sol coach.

"I have known and respected Abner for almost 20 years and really enjoyed working with him at the Los Angeles Sol," said Boswell. "I couldn't say no to a new challenge working with Abner ... especially as I knew they had a support staff behind the teams. I wish Ajax all the best in the future. They will always be a part of me."

The Wave and Northern California sister club the Bay Area Breeze have considerably deeper pockets than Rolling Hills Estates-based Ajax and will field professional teams in what is usually a semi-pro (and that's being generous) league.

Rogers will scout for players at the Algarve Cup in Portugal and the Wave will host open tryouts late next month in Mission Viejo.

South Bay youth coach Kenyon Lohn, who has coached at FRAM, which shares Nansen Field with Ajax, has taken over for Boswell.

*And that's all from me for a few days. I'm off to celebrate my mother's 83rd birthday this weekend and there will be no column from me Tuesday.

Have a great weekend. And happy birthday, mum!

And the groups are: Next summer's Women's World Cup schedule is set after today's draw in Frankfurt, Germany (AP Photo).

*More details on today's draw for the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany are here.

Here's the tournament schedule.

And here's reaction to the draw in this story from Associated Press writer Nancy Armour:

The United States wound up with what could be the toughest group at next summer's Women's World Cup, drawing North Korea, Colombia and Sweden on Monday.

The top-ranked Americans were the last team to qualify for the 16-nation tournament, beating Italy in a home-and-home playoff on Saturday after being stunned by Mexico in the semifinals of regional qualifying. Still, the U.S. is a top seed, as are two-time defending champion Germany, Japan and Brazil. The tournament will be played June 26 to July 17 at nine sites in Germany.

"It's good because it's a very strong group. That's the best thing that could happen to us," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said Monday from the draw in Frankfurt, Germany. "That will be inspiring for us, the fact we're playing high-ranked teams like Sweden and North Korea and a new team, Colombia, which will be so enthusiastic going into the World Cup."

Sweden is No. 4 in the latest world rankings while North Korea is sixth. Germany is the only other seeded team to draw two top-10 opponents, with No. 8 France and No. 9 Canada joining Nigeria in Group A.

The U.S. opens June 28 against North Korea, the fourth straight time these nations will meet in the group stage. The Americans beat the North Koreans 3-0 in 1999 and 2003, but tied 2-2 in 2007.

"At the time, we had a very experienced team, now we have a very young, inexperienced team and I am a little bit worried," North Korea coach Kim Kwang-min said through an interpreter. "Maybe we can win with our spirit. After the last World Cup, we went through a change of generations and it was successful."

The North Koreans have had impressive results at the youth level, winning the 2006 Under-20 and 2008 Under-17 World Cups. North Korea was the runner-up to the Americans at the 2008 Under-20 World Cup.

"The new team is very young and inexperienced, but very ambitious," Kim said. "We don't have high aims, but to do as well as we can."

The U.S. will face World Cup newcomer Colombia on July 2 and finish group play four days later against Sweden, the team Sundhage played for at the 1991 and '95 World Cups.

"It's just a little bit weird before and after," Sundhage said. "But during the game, it's
like coaching against any team, actually."

The Americans won the World Cup in 1991 and 1999 and have finished no worse than third. They also are the defending Olympic champions and have won all but one gold medal since women's soccer was added to the Olympic program in 1996.

"I'm happy to know who we're playing," U.S. defender Ali Krieger said. "It's definitely going to be tough, but each group has really tough teams, really strong teams. We're not going to be looking ahead to the semifinal or final, we have to really focus on the group stage. "But because we have such a strong group, we're going to be very motivated to play well."

*In other women's soccer news, the Sol have returned - sort of - and will field pro teams, one in the Bay Area, the other in Orange County, in the largely amateur Women's Premier Soccer League. Former Sol Coach Abner Rogers will coach the Southern California Sol.

*A belated tip of the hat to Palos Verdes Estates' Christen Press, who just can't stop scoring for Stanford in the NCAA Tournament.

The Galaxy play the Chicago Fire at 4:30 p.m. at Home Depot Center (live on Fox Soccer Channel).

Game basics are here and here.

In other soccer news:

*The season for the PDL defending champion Ventura County Fusion and the Hollywood Hitmen is over. The Kitsap Pumas play the Portland Timbers today in the PDL Western Conference championship.

*Rolling Hills Estates-based Ajax America Women play for another Women's Premier Soccer League title today in Texas.

Ajax America Women of the Women's Premier Soccer League team play the Oklahoma Alliance in the final four Saturday in Dallas. On Sunday, the victor faces the winner of the Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves-F.C. Milwaukee Nationals semifinal.

On Friday defender Dani Bosio of Ajax America (and midfielder Ann Marie Tangorra of LAFC Chelsea) were named Pacific Co-Player of the Year. Bosio and 2009 Pacific Conference Co-Player Of The Year Shannon Cross spoke about the veteran core of Rolling Hills Estates-based Ajax that has propelled the team to a record fifth consecutive final four this year.

Question: Ajax stumbled into the Pacific playoffs this year with a 1-2-1 record in the last four matches. Then, the playoffs start and Ajax beats two top teams to make the final four. What happened? Did the proverbial "light" turn on?
Bosio answers: The second half of the season was a little rough - (I'm) not going to lie. We definitely made the road to the playoffs quite difficult with our performance in the latter half of the season. I think the problem was that we weren't playing as a cohesive unit. We were focusing on our individual games instead of collectively working together as a team.

Finally, the week before playoffs, the "old timers" (Ajax veterans) came together and decided that we would not let this year pass us by. Our team this year is quite young and a lot of the younger players needed to be taught the Ajax mentality: "Work hard for each other on the field and have fun doing it!" I think we've got everyone on the same page now and it's definitely evident on the field.

Cross answers: This year we had a lot of changes to the roster and while the level of talent was never the issue, the veteran players did need to get everyone on the same page. Ajax has a lot of history that goes beyond what any of us current players have been a part of. We needed to remember and honor that and I could not have been more proud of the way our team stepped up this past weekend versus California (in a 3-0 win in the Pacific Final).

Q: Ajax is making their fifth consecutive Final Four appearance - a WPSL record. How has the team been able to string together such an impressive run of play?
Bosio answers: Since the moment I joined Ajax in 2006, I was indoctrinated with the Ajax mentality that I referenced above. I play soccer because I love it and I love spending time with my teammates. It's easy to lose touch with that notion when you get caught up in the intense demands of coaches, playing time and pressure of performing at the highest levels in the game. We've been able to string such an impressive run of play because we all share the same mindset. ... I get to take a little vacation each weekend from my chaotic work week schedule to play soccer with a group of my best friends and we have a blast together both on and off the field. This camaraderie is the essence of our success! Sure we're all fantastic soccer players, but I don't think we'd be as successful as we are without our communal passion for soccer and our friendships.

Cross answers: It is tough keeping a team together and successful that isn't bound by school or professionalism. Ajax has been able to do that for years. ... It is the love of the game that keeps us together and keeps us successful. The large majority of us have graduated college, have jobs, some have families and as a result - soccer can't be our No. 1 priority all of the time, but we share the same passion and love for the game. So for at least two days a week, we can forget everything else, just play and play with and for our teammates that have become friends and family. Some players come and go. Some have been playing for this string of five consecutive Final Fours, but it is the leadership of the veterans and mentality we all share that keeps the winning tradition alive.

Q: Ajax Coach Brian Boswell may be one of the best women's soccer coaches in the world. What influence has he had on your career?
Cross answers: I have known Brian since I was 11 or 12 years old, and he has always been a calm and steady influence. He trusts his players, their experience and ability. If things aren't working or players make a mistake, it doesn't turn to panic. It isn't a matter of if - but when - things will turn around. As a result, everyone is able to be more relaxed and confident. Brian is thus able to get the most out of every player.

With Ajax he knows we can't dedicate as much time or energy as we all would like. Therefore, when we are out there the reasons we are there - fun and love for the game and team - are never allowed to be forgotten. It is amazing how much better people play when they are truly enjoying what they do.

Lastly, here's the All-Pacific Conference First Team announced Friday:

goalkeeper Cori Alexander (California Storm); defenders Dani Bosio (Ajax America), Haley Abbott (North Bay Wave FC), Elise Britt (LAFC Chelsea); midfielders Ann Marie Tangorra (LAFC Chelsea), Keri Sanchez (Ajax), Marissa Mykines (Spokane Black Widows), Nina Watkins (North Bay Wave FC); forwards Anessa Patton (Clovis Sidekicks),
Fiona O'Sullivan (Storm), Nicole Wilcox (BSC Portland Rain)

There's a full slate of weekend games while we await U.S. Coach Bob Bradley - who is either a lame duck or the man for the next four years - to reveal his roster Monday or Tuesday for the Brazil game next month.

Both local MLS clubs are at home this weekend. Chivas USA (4-9-3) hosts the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew (10-3-4) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Home Depot Center (live on Prime), while the MLS-leading Galaxy (12-2-4) seek to right the ship after their dreadful midweek CONCACAF Champions League performance against the struggling Chicago Fire (4-5-5) at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in Carson (live on Fox Soccer Channel).

Meanwhile, Women's Premier Soccer League team Ajax America Women (8-3-1, Pacific Champion) face the Oklahoma Alliance F.C. (8-1-0, South Champion) in the final four Saturday in Dallas. The victor faces the winner of the other semifinal, which features the Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves (10-1-1, East Champion) verses the F.C. Milwaukee Nationals (10-1-0, Midwest Champion), in the title game Sunday.

The other national women's soccer league that occupies the rung just below WPS, the W-League, has its championship game at 7 p.m. Saturday in Santa Clarita at Harry Welch Stadium at Canyon High. Admission is $10 and the game is also live on Fox Soccer Channel.

The Vancouver Whitecaps, which beat the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues 3-1 Thursday, will take on the Buffalo Flash, which downed the Atlanta Silverbacks by the same score on the same evening.

In the Premier Development League playoffs Saturday, the defending champion Ventura County Fusion are at the Kitsap Pumas while the Hollywood Hitmen take on the Portland Timbers Under-23 squad. Both games are in Bremerton, Wash.

For those of you who don't want to budge from the TV at home click at top right for a full roundup of what's on TV where, but the pick of the bunch IMHO is Herculez Gomez and Jose Torres of Pachuca visiting defending league champion Toluca at 10 a.m. Sunday on KVEA.

Have a great weekend.

*Six wins in their last seven games secured the defending PDL champion Ventura County Fusion the Southwest Division title Saturday.

*There will be no third consecutive W-League title for the Pali Blues, 2-1 losers to the Whitecaps Saturday in Vancouver.

*Rolling Hills Estates-based Ajax America Women will face Brandi Chastain's California Storm in the Women's Premier Soccer League Pacific Conference final 5 p.m. Sunday in Pasadena at Muir High. Ajax beat North Bay F.C. Wave 2-0 Saturday, while the Storm triumphed 3-1 over LAFC Chelsea.

*Updated

Former USC star Shannon Cross scored one goal and created two others as Ajax beat the Storm 3-0 Sunday to qualify for a record fifth straight Final Four appearance.

The Galaxy are off this weekend, Chivas USA are out of town (they're at Real Salt Lake at 7 p.m. Saturday on Prime), but that doesn't mean there's no live footie in Southern California this weekend and with international friendlies galore and the Mexican league cranking up again there's no shortage of games on TV either (click at top right for a complete listing).

Local PDL clubs play their final games of the regular season this weekend (scroll down), while the Hollywood Hitmen also take a cue from their MLS brethren and play an international friendly against a Salvadoran team Sunday in downtown LA.

If it's women's soccer you want, the W-League Pali Blues are up in Vancouver taking on the Whitecaps in the first round of the playoffs, but the Women's Premier Soccer League Pacific Conference final four play in Pasadena this weekend.

Here's the semifinals schedule:

*LAFC Chelsea (6-3-1, #2 South) vs. California Storm (11-1-0, #1 North) 4 p.m. Saturday Maranatha High School, Pasadena, 169 S. Saint John Ave.

*North Bay F.C. Wave (9-3-0, #2 North) vs. Ajax America (6-3-1, #1 South)
6 p.m. Saturday also at Maranatha High School.

The final is at 5 p.m. Sunday at Muir High School, 1905 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena.

Enjoy the weekend.

Not exactly Fab(iano): No matter how much Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano prayed today, Brazil could not get a goal against Portugal in a 0-0 tie (AP Photo).

Portugal and Brazil played this morning to a utilitarian 0-0 draw that suited both nations advancing out of Group G at the expense of Ivory Coast and North Korea.

The final games of the Group stage kick off at 11:30 a.m. today with Spain fighting for its World Cup life against Chile on ESPN and Switzerland and Honduras meeting on ESPN2 (and both with hopes still of advancing).

Then the round of 16 bracket will be set.

With the second round almost upon us, if you haven't yet signed up for the Daily Breeze World Soccer challenge now is your chance. And for those of you already registered, don't forget to make your picks for the next round (memo to self).

Of course, the World Cup games on most Americans' minds begins at 11 a.m. Saturday on ABC when the U.S. meets Ghana.

And if we get any more last-minute drama you've got to wonder how many more World Cup babies we'll see.

It looks like Jonathan Bornstein's family in Los Alamitos is getting revved up for this one.

Where are you going to watch?

As hard as it is to believe, there is other soccer going on this weekend. MLS cranks up again after a two-week break with Chivas USA at home taking on FC Dallas at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Home Depot Center (Prime) while the Galaxy are at Toronto at 4:30 p.m. Saturday (Fox Soccer Channel).

The most fascinating MLS game this weekend, however, may well be in Philadelphia where the Seattle Sounders may get a taste of what their home atmosphere is like for visiting teams against the Union at 2 p.m. Sunday (ESPN2). It's the venue's debut.

If it's live local soccer you want, the PDL Ventura County Fusion (5-3-1) visit the Los Angeles Legends (4-4-2) at 7 o'clock tonight, while the WPSL Ajax America Women (5-0) host the Claremont Stars (2-3-1) at noon Saturday.

Finally, for those of you who like to plan ahead the Galaxy has announced that there will be free parking and $10 admission (which includes entrance to the usually exclusive Stadium Club after the game) for Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup contest against AC St. Louis at Home Depot Center.

An excellent deal (and one, frankly, that should be the norm for all U.S. Open Cup games in Carson). Full details here.

Updated

Spain and Chile both advance after Honduras and the Swiss play to a goalless draw.

The Women's Premier Soccer League's Pacific Conference opens this weekend including games in La Canada and at Nansen Field on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, one of the hidden gems of the South Bay and home to 2009 WPSL National Finalist Ajax America.

Ajax America Coach Brian Boswell, a two-time WPSL coach of the year and native of England who is an occasional contributor to this blog, spoke as his team begins their pursuit of a fifth consecutive Pacific Conference title at 2 p.m. Sunday against San Diego WFC at Nansen Field. (Admission by the way is usually free; a hat is generally passed around during the game to help the team offset expenses)

Question: What's the after effect locally of the folding of the LA Sol of Women's Professional Soccer after just one year at Home Depot Center.
Answer: There's still a definite sense of disappointment. For one year, it was great to see young girls with (the names of Brazilian star) Marta and (USWNT star Shannon) Boxx on the back of soccer shirts and now, it's back to Beckham. It was a letdown for the families that supported the Sol but unfortunately, there were too few to keep it going another season.

(The team) just lost too much money to tempt in another owner. Will it resurrect? If they set the sights lower and play in a smaller, less-expensive stadium with a better atmosphere. A place like (Titan Stadium at) Cal State Fullerton would be ideal.

Also, do not sign a player of Marta's stature and wages and then maybe, they could tempt an owner in. According to the WPS hierarchy, they have a couple of interested parties, so who knows?

The Southern California area deserves a women's team, since so many girls are playing the game. I hope the WPS is working hard to tempt some more West Coast teams in as well. This would create better rivalries and would cut the travel costs a bunch. Unfortunately, there are too many things to do in this area other than go watch a soccer game.

Q: With your affiliate relationship now over with the Sol, what kind of recruiting, coaching and tactical approach are you taking with the team this summer?
A: Our approach is the same as usual. We have a great core and have added some very good players. Week to week, it was nice to have the Sol players, but not knowing who was going to be available to us always made it a bit of a challenge and a balancing act. Last year's Sol players did a great job for us but through the course of a season, I prefer to have the same group of players playing for each other. It's more of a team.

Coaching and tactics change a little each year as players come and go and our strengths change. Basically I ask the players to have fun, play hard and leave the rest to me. I understand that playing for Ajax is not the most important thing in their lives. It's about the fun, the camaraderie and the stuff that happens off-the-field. All my players have lives to lead, careers to be made and at this point, soccer is a relief from the daily grind.

Q: How is the team looking for this summer's campaign?
A: We are looking good and I'm very happy with our squad right now. We always try to keep a small squad, and my ideal roster is 20 players, while 15 at games is perfect. With that, everyone gets playing time and there are no disappointments. The players are here to play, not watch.

We have picked up some very good players for this year's team. Our goalkeeper from a few years ago is back after three years in Italy - Anna Picarrelli of the Italian National Team. UCLA's Jenna Belcher and Kylie Wright and Jess Menzhuber from St. Mary's have joined us from West Coast F.C. Florida State's All-American Leah Gallegos is on board while former USWNT member Keri Sanchez - who was with the Sol last year - is staying with us. Sarah McIsaac from UConn is signed as well.

Q: You've been with the WPSL since the first matches were played in the league more than ten years ago. What do you think of the league's evolution into a 50-plus team national women's soccer league.
A: The league through [WPSL Commissioner] Jerry Zanelli has definitely gained national recognition. Locally, our competition is very good but it always has been in the West. With the North and South Division format, there's much less traveling now, which makes it much easier for us to continue. I've always enjoyed playing in the WPSL: good teams, good people and now that we are expanding, more good teams and more good people.

Q: What has been the secret to the success of Ajax success over the years?
A: It's about finding the right mix of players - talented players who not only can play together but enjoy each other. It's so important in the women's game that the players get on well. It's the biggest difference in men's and women's soccer. In the men's game, it doesn't matter if you are liked as long as you can do the job. They only need to like you as a player. The women need to like you not only as a player, but as a person. And it's the same with the coaching - the women need to like you as a person and not just respect you as a coach.

Q: What have been the biggest lessons you've learned as a soccer coach, both on and off the field?
A: The biggest lesson is that there are many things in life more important than soccer - both to the players and myself. I've learned to give it my best and make it the best experience I can for the players. I've learned to respect the players for who they are, the effort they put in and the work they have done over the years to achieve the level that they are at. I've learned that no matter how hard we try, it doesn't always work, but as long as we put our best into it then we can walk away proud. I've learned not to dwell on wins or losses.

I've learned the team is more important than the individual, the game more important than the team and both for myself and the players, that family is far more important than the game.

Q: How long do you see yourself coaching?
A: I enjoy it and fortunately, my wife supports it. The last few years I have thought more about stepping aside, but the problem is Ajax has no owner, no money and the coaching staff works for free. Put together, that's not a good sell to get someone in to take over. If all my players left at once, I could do (leave, too) but as the odd one leaves, new ones join and become apart of the group that I really enjoy and respect. From there, it's on to another season.

Q: Finally, what are your thoughts on England's chances in the World Cup? Your adversary in last season's WPSL National Final - current WPS Philadelphia head coach Paul Riley - picked Fernando Torres and Spain to take it all.
A: My heart says England and they have a chance, but I think Paul is right: Spain are the favored Europeans. However, you can not count out Brazil and Argentina, especially the latter with Messi's incredible display against Arsenal (in the UEFA Champions League). It will be interesting to see how the teams adapt in South Africa. I think it will favor the Europeans, but more so the Latin teams. I don't think an African team will do it. They have great individual talent but poor organization.

A couple of things to pass along this evening:

*Chivas USA scored twice in each half Tuesday at a cold and rainy UC Irvine to beat the hosts 4-0 in a preseason scrimmage. Artur Aghasyan, who was with the PDL Ventura County Fusion last season, scored both first half goals. Gerson Mayén and draft pick Chris Ross added two more in the second 45 minutes.

Lineups:
Chivas USA (first half)- Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo, Carey Talley, Michael Umaña, Ante Jazic, Michael Lahoud, Blair Gavin, Ben Zemanski, Jorge Flores, Jesús Padilla, Artur Aghasyan.

Chivas USA (second half) - Dan Kennedy, Miguel Sanchez, Carlos Borja, Emilio Viades, Kevin Tangney, Chris Ross (Cesar Zamora 72), Marcelo Saragosa, Alfonso Motagalvan, Gerson Mayén, Justin Braun, Maykel Galindo

Chivas USA departs for Guadalajara Thursday for two games during a week-long stint in Mexico.

*New Zealand has named a 17-player squad that will face Mexico March 3 for a World Cup warmup against Mexico at the Rose Bowl. Only two players are missing from the lineup that beat Bahrain 1-0 in September to qualify for the World Cup: Goalkeeper Mark Paston is injured and defender Ivan Vicelich is suspended.

The roster:
goalkeepers: James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory)

defenders: Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix),
Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Tommy Smith (Brentford

midfielders: Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliott (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael McGlinchey
(Mortherwell, Scotland), Craig Henderson (Mjallby)

forwards: Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane
Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion)

*The U.S. Women's National Team open its 2010 domestic schedule next month
with a pair of matches against Mexico, the first at 2 p.m. March 28 at Torero Stadium in San Diego (live on Fox Soccer Channel), the second at 6 p.m. March 31 in Salt Lake City (live on ESPN2). Tickets for the game in San Diego go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Call (1-800) 745-3000.

*Los Angeles F.C. Chelsea has joined the Women's Premier Soccer League in the wake of their merger with the Los Angeles Rampage and will play their home games at La Canada High School. Former rampage Coach Emamuel "Manny" Martins will head up LAFC Chelsea.

That's according to Brian Boswell, coach of the Rolling Hills Estates-based Women's Professional Soccer League club Ajax America (for years now one of the top women's teams in the nation and a WPSL finalist again last year) and a sometime contributor to this blog.

The revelations were contained in what is essentially a begging letter circulating via e-mail that seeks to ensure the continued existence of Ajax.

Boswell also has close ties to the Sol and it's the first-time I've seen semi-confirmation from someone associated with the team regarding the long-rumored magnitude of the team's losses.

Still, Anschutz Entertainment Group, which has part ownership of the Sol, has committed to the team for at least one more season and the club will play next year at Home Depot Center again from what I've heard.

Here's the text of Boswell's e-mail exactly as he wrote it:

Hi Everyone,

Please excuse this mass e/mail but many of you have watched the Ajax women play and/or participated in 1 or more of the Ajax Academies.

Ajax is one of the top women's teams in the world. Last year we were the LA SOL's reserve team and had 11 of the SOL players on our roster. We have been US Soccer National Champions 6 times, WPSL national Champions twice in the last 9 years and in the WPSL final 4 of the last 4 years.

Ajax is broke.

Each year we have been able to raise money through the Academies and some wonderful sponsorships. Plus 4 years ago we won $20,000 playing in an international tournament in Korea which we have been using.

For Ajax to play next season we need to raise a minimum of $12,000. This covers league fees, field fees, travel fees, referees fees etc. Notice no coaching fees.

We were hoping this year we would get financial support from the LA SOL but its possible there will not be an LA SOL. They lost over $2 million last season and may not be around for next year. Leaving Ajax as the best women's soccer you will be able to see locally.

Obviously we would love to find 1 sponsor who would donate the whole $12,000 but we realize that is probably impossible but please feel free to be that sponsor. Realistically we are hoping to find 120 families who would be willing to donate $100 each to the Ajax team.

We hope there are enough of you who have watched and enjoyed Ajax playing that you would want it to continue. We have never charged admittance, just hoped you would come up, watch and enjoy.

Please let me know if you would like to donate or have any ideas that we could use to raise the money.

Please consider this and please pass this onto anyone you feel could help or anyone we have missed.

Any donations are tax deductible.

Thank you all for your support in the past and hopefully the future.

Sincerely,

Brian

Brian Boswell Ajax

Brian's telephone number is listed on the team's page, BTW, for anyone who wants to help or get in touch with him.

Midweek seems an apt time to touch on a few things I've overlooked:

*The Sounders play Barcelona at 7:30 tonight in Seattle on ESPN2. It will be interesting to see who that usually delirious crowd will predominantly be rooting for - the home team or the European champions. More here.

Here's Barcelona's Lionel Messi doing a little ball juggling atop the 605-foot-high Space Needle ahead of the game.Photo courtesy FC Barcelona/Sounders FC/SUM

*Earlier this evening the Chicago Fire meets Tigres in the SuperLiga final that begins at 5 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

*Speaking of the Fire, their PDL team will contest the title at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Ventura County Fusion at Ventura High on Main Street. With the Galaxy and Chivas USA out of town this weekend I plan to attend the game (as a fan). More details and a special ticket deal here.

*Meanwhile, a night earlier the Pali Blues plays in the W-League championship against the Freedom in Washington. That game can be seen live at 4:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

*Belated condolences BTW to Coach Brian Boswell and his Rolling Hills Estates-based Ajax America who fell 1-0 to the Long Island Fury last weekend in New York in the Women's Premier Soccer League final after posting an excellent 15-2-1 record on the season.

*In other women's soccer news, Long Beach State, winners of the last three Big West title have been picked to finish second this year in a preseason coache's poll. Cal State Northridge were picked to finish fifth.

*Former UCLA and Galaxy player Zak Ibsen (who played 50 games for the Galaxy over two seasons ending in 2000) detailed his descent into crystal meth addiction for the New York Times' Goal blog.

*Finally, fellow blogger Steve Davis explains why he doesn't hate Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers of Rolling Hills Estates.

First off, if you only click one link in this blog post make it this one, a 16-picture gallery by readers of English newspaper The Guardian illustrating the Landon Donovan-David Beckham soap opera. Some hilarious stuff in there.

Donovan was still addressing the issue Friday in Kansas City before today's nationally televised game (live at 6 p.m. on ESPN2).

Three points separate the Galaxy and the chasing Kansas City Wizards in the Western Conference standings.

Here's more on the game from a local perspective and here's even more from Donovan including the apparently increasing likelihood he will head to Europe to play. (BTW, shouldn't he be updating that pic on his Web site?)

Those who like their soccer live should know that Premier Development League teams the Hollywood United Hitmen and Ventura County Fusion clash at 3 p.m. today at Pacific Palisades High School's Stadium by the Sea in the Southwest Divisional Final.

Here's a game preview.

Time constraints prevented much blogging this year about the PDL. but the Hitmen are in their first season in the league, having replaced the San Fernando Valley Quakes just weeks before the season started.

Their roster includes San Pedro's Peter Hazdovac (last seen playing professional football in the lower divisions in Croatia) and the San Fernando Valley's Willie Simms. The Fusion have former Chivas USA forward Anthony Hamilton on their squad.

Southern California now has two women's soccer national champions.

A day after Pali Blues won the W-League title, Rolling Hills Estates-based Ajax America Women took their first Women's Premier Soccer League crown Sunday night with a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over the Arizona Rush.

It was the team's first WPSL title since 2001.

"Its been a long time coming," said Coach Brian Boswell, who saw his team make three straight trips to the Final Four (2006-08). "We're real happy with this one. Over the last couple of [Final Fours], we've been the bridesmaid and it feels good to be the winner. We're just a great team... it doesn't matter who's out there. We just play very well as a team. We play well for each other - more than any superstars."

Game details and video.

The Arizona perspective.

Earlier: more on the Pali Blues' title.