Posts Tagged ‘LA Galaxy’

MLS

Tuesday Tackle: MLS Opening Weekend

–Five takeaways from MLS opening weekend.–

Defense a Problem for Galaxy: Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena admitted that Champions League play hurt LA’s fitness for their league opener, but there was still defensive mishaps in their match versus Toronto and First Kick debut against Real Salt Lake. When the mishaps came, they usually arrived in spurts such as the two early goals in Toronto and three goals from RSL that occurred in the last 17 minutes. Missing the strong presence of Omar Gonzalez seems to be more of a factor than predicted; the Galaxy back four need to communicate proficiently and put more pressure on the ball in counter-attack situations. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake started the 2012 season strong, coming back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat LA at the Home Depot Center where they weren’t beat the entire 2011 season.

Vancouver Hot N’ Ready: It was a challenging debut for expansion side Montreal as they traveled to a jam-packed BC Place to meet a Vancouver squad on a mission. Within four minutes newcomer Sebastien Le Toux handled a leading header from Eric Hassli to break behind the Impact defense and score his first goal as a Vancouver Whitecap. Montreal was able to obtain chances in the match, but Vancouver dictated much of the pace and sealed the match with a brilliant one, two, three touch that sent a streaking Camilo Sanvezzo towards the second and final goal for the Whitecaps. If Le Toux and 2011 team-leading scorer Sanvezzo can continue to direct the offensive attack, Vancouver will be contenders in the Western Conference. (more…)

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News in brief

News and Views for Friday, January 20

The LA Galaxy and owner Tim Leiweke have another soccer legend in their sights. While the Galaxy currently have the maximum allocation for DP’s, LA is still monitoring the availability of the Chelsea star. It’s all part the plan for Leiweke, who wants the Galaxy to become “the greatest brand in soccer, ever.”

David Beckham, fresh off committing to the Galaxy for two more years, wants to be England’s captain for the 2012 Olympics. He also discusses his reasons for staying in LA.

The NY Times takes a look at Michael Bradley’s work with Chievo Verona so far.

Grant Wahl takes a look at the hurdles facing some US players plying their trade in Mexico.

A weekend full of soccer awaits, highlighted by the USMNT’s showdown with Venezuela (Sat., 9:00 PM ET, Galavision, ESPN3), Arsenal v. Manchester United (Sun., 10:30 AM ET, FOX – yes, just FOX), and the African Cup. All games and TV listings here.

Global

Pepe’s apologized, but insists his foot stomp on Lionel Messi’s hand was unintentional.

Rumored MLS target Didier Drogba’s uncertain future at Stamford Bridge may be cleared up soon, as Shanghai Shenhua claim they are close to securing the Ivorian’s services for over $400,000 a week.

Drogba’s current club coach is making news for his belief that Premiership clubs need to have B teams competing in the lower levels of English football in order to compete on the European stage more effectively.

Finally, if anyone needs some inspiration for a weekend dive, check this out.

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MLS

Arena the Puppetmaster Behind LA’s Run

After a third attempt in three years, the LA Galaxy has finally done it.

The MLS super club hoisted its first trophy since 2005, winning MLS Cup by using the same formula it had all year – scoring a timely goal and playing lock-down defense at the back.

And while the holy DP triumvirate basks the brightest in the wake of the 1-0 win – the David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan goal the difference maker on the night – nearly all the credit should fall to Bruce Arena, arguably the greatest American soccer coach of all time.

His arrival in LA in 2008 has made all the difference, as he transformed a dysfunctional group, an expensive laughing stock, into a ruthless, clinical, winning machine. (more…)

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MLS

MLS Cup Final Preview Roundup

All eyes are on LA this weekend, as MLS’ season finale awaits. Who will win the trophy – LA or Houston?

At this point, while the Galaxy is certainly the heavy favorites, there’s no doubting that the Dynamo is quite capable of lifting the trophy. After all, the team hasn’t lost since the beginning of September, and the pressure is all on LA to hoist the trophy.

Instead of rehashing other preview material available elsewhere, I thought I’d take another approach – a compilation preview, making available the quality stories you need to read before Sunday night, all from writers who are on the ground in LA (more or less). Also, after the jump, make your pick in the poll below.

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Featured, MLS

USA10Kit Roundtable: MLS Cup Final Predictions

The long road has finally reached its end, and on Sunday, the 2011 MLS Champions will be decided.

It’s sure to be a close match, with a plucky Houston side battling the Galaxy on its home turf at the Home Depot Center.

LA has it all, the star power, best statistical defense in the league, and seems to have finally got the mix right under Bruce Arena this season.

With another cup final to predict, the 10kit

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News in brief

News and Views for Friday, Nov. 18

U.S.

Sepp Blatter is taking heat…again. One of the only MLS players with the ability to really get Blatter’s attention has spoken out, calling the FIFA President’s comments “appaling.” Blatter is now “sorry,” but he’s not going to resign.

Some things to know about David Beckham’s Sunday opponents. Beckham’s side are certainly being touted as the favorites, with one pundit saying anything less than lifting the trophy would be a “disaster.”

If history is any indication, should Houston go down a goal Sunday night, don’t count them out.

All the weekend’s soccer listings for your perusal.

Global

Manchester City has posted breathtaking losses of nearly $315 million for 2010-11, the biggest loss ever in English football. Some perspective on United’s opulent neighbors.

Ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Stamford Bridge (Sunday, 11:00 AM ET), former Red Fernando Torres is once again defending his move from Anfield.

Carlos Tevez will not play for Manchester City again, according to Roberto Mancini.

10 Kit Originals

Brent takes a look at some tricky semi-final qualifying groups for CONCACAF’s traditional powers.

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MLS

Pressure On the Galaxy in Second Leg Against New York

There’s no doubting what club is under more pressure heading into Thursday’s second leg at the Home Depot Center.

The LA Galaxy, losers in the 2009 MLS Cup final, a team that came up short in last year’s playoff at home turf, holds a 1-0 lead and simply needs to maintain that advantage through 90 minutes to take one step closer to the MLS Cup final.

With the team playing at home, hosting this year’s MLS Cup, and coming off a superb regular season that saw them hoist the Supporters’ Shield, LA enters this one as firm favorites to advance. That also means the pressure is on, as New York can go out there with nothing to lose.

That doesn’t mean it’s going to be any easier for the Red Bulls to pull off the upset.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” forward Luke Rodgers said in a conference call. “They haven’t lost all year, no one’s expection them to lose – they’re 1-0 up, at home. It’s going to be a big disappointment if they lose, so in my eyes we’ve got nothing to lose, everything to gain. A lot of our players are quietly confident we’re going to win.” (more…)

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MLS

Home Sides Struggle in MLS Conference Semifinals

When it comes to the two-legged version of the MLS Conference Semifinals, the label home field “advantage” is tossed around quite liberally.

After all, it’s difficult to truly understand what benefits a team more – playing at home first or last, in a two-game winner take all series.

Regardless of what the right answer is, three of the four teams playing host this weekend in the MLS Cup playoffs couldn’t get it done on home turf, and have to reverse the scoreline traveling away.

Certainly the most surprising result from the quartet of games was Real Salt Lake’s lopsided 3-0 win against Seattle Sounders – the only home team to actually triumph in the first leg. The third-year team many thought would make a run to an MLS Cup championship was picked apart by a very impressive Salt Lake side.

Other than Salt Lake, Philadelphia, New York and Colorado all suffered setbacks at home, and the odds are long to see any of those three making it through to the next round.

Here are four takeaways from the weekend: (more…)

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MLS

Red Bulls Staying Alive

Before the season, the New York Red Bulls appeared to have the inside track on winning the Eastern Conference. With the talent in those ranks, and a number of teams retooling and rebuilding, it was just a formality. Right?

Of course, that’s been a far cry from the reality of the situation, as a series of poor performances, front office missteps it looked bleak, like the second highest paid roster in MLS wouldn’t make the playoffs.

Panic can be saved for another day, however, after New York’s 2-0 win over the LA Galaxy. The big boys from the west coast didn’t feature two of their biggest players in Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, and the combination of Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry proved to be enough for the Red Bulls. (more…)

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MLS, United States

Seattle, LA: Separate From the Pack

As the playoff picture continues to come into focus – meaning teams are starting to actually clinch spot – it begs the question: who is the best team in MLS?

Of course, because of the playoff format, the best regular season record might not win the battle of attrition and make its way to the MLS Cup, but entering the playoffs this time around, it’s clear that Seattle Sounders and the LA Galaxy have placed some distance between themselves and the rest of the league.

Seattle’s ability to overcome a season-ending injury to Steve Zakuani is a testament to the club’s perseverance and roster construction ability. No matter who seems to be plugged into the system, it’s clicked especially in the last month.

A big reason for that is Mauro Rosales, who, before suffering a slight tear in his MCL against D.C. United over the weekend, had thrust himself into the conversation as league MVP. His passing ability picked apart United on the weekend, as he had a hand in all three goals. (more…)

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