LA Galaxy Draft Pick Review

Lets review the choices the LA Galaxy made in the recent MLS Draft.

Robbie Findley
Forward from Oregon State
LA Galaxy Fan Soccer Blog Ranking: "Kick Ass choice!"

"Findley is the first Oregon State player to be named to the Pac-10 first team three times, an impressive feat in such a talented conference. Findley has dual U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago citizenship, and has been in some U-23 camps for T&T. After starting out in 2003 being named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, Findley put up some nice, balanced career numbers with 28 goals and 15 assists. Not real big at 5-foot-9, Findley gets it done with athleticism and pace as well as some good soccer savvy." ESPNSoccernet, December 22, 2006

"A four-time All-Pac-10 and a three-time NSCAA All-Far West selection ... One of only two players in OSU history to earn All-Pac-10 honors four times, and the first one to be named to the first team three times ... On OSU’s career charts, he finished first in shots attempted (198), tied for first in game-winning goals (10), third in goals (28), third in points (71) and tied for fourth in assists (15)..." Oregon State University web site


Josh Tudela
Midfielder from Indiana
LA Galaxy Fan Soccer Blog Ranking: "Ok choice!"

"The redshirt senior was a four-year starter at Indiana, a noteworthy feat at such an illustrious program. The 2006 Big Ten Player of the Year and a third-team All-American with three goals and two assists in his senior campaign, Tudela boasts a solid career set of numbers with 11 goals and 17 assists. Although perhaps not the most talented member of the team that won two national championships, Tedula was still a key part of those squads. A solid, well-rounded, two-way player and good leader, Tedula should prove capable of the transition to the MLS level." ESPNSoccernet, December 22, 2006

"A second team All-Big Ten honoree ... finished the season with a career-best 17 points on seven goals and five assists ... ranked ninth in the Big Ten in points, eighth in goals and 10th in assists ... named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 10 after scoring in victories over Louisville and Michigan ..." Indiana University web site


Ty Harden
Defender from Washington
LA Galaxy Fan Soccer Blog Ranking: "Great choice!"

"Another four-year starter in the Pac-10, Harden, although he has more accolades than Purdy, isn't blessed with the size of the Cal standout. Team captain the past two seasons, Harden has been named to the Pac-10 first or second team every year. Harden led the Huskies' back line to eight shutouts in 2006 and to an NCAA postseason appearance in three of his four years (including the team's second-ever trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 2003)." ESPNSoccernet, December 22, 2006

"Co-captain and leader of the UW defense...All-Pac-10 first-team selection after two straight second-team nods...also selected to the Pac-10 All-Academic second-team for the second-straight season...played in 16 matches, starting 15...early season hamstring injury caused him to miss three of the first five games...had started every match for the Huskies his first two seasons until that point...led the UW backline to eight shutouts, including a 1-0 upset over No. 13 Cal..." Washington State University web site


Tally Hall
Goal Keeper from San Diego State
LA Galaxy Fan Soccer Blog Ranking: "Good choice!"

"The only keeper on the Herman semifinalist list and a second team All-American, Hall has returned from a trial with Hammerby in Sweden and is on the MLS Combine roster. A third team All-American in '05, the 6-4 Hall has the size and game for the next level. Hall had 80 saves and a 1.04 GAA his senior year, earning him his second straight Pac 10 first team award and serves to underline the obvious talent." ESPNSoccernet, December 22, 2006

"2005: A Hermann Award and All-America candidate ... Garnered a bevy of postseason accolades last year after setting an SDSU single-season record with 12 shutouts ... Became first Aztec to receive All-America honors since 1989 (Marcelo Balboa) ... Earned first-team All-America accolades from College Soccer News and was named third-team and honorable mention All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Soccer Times, respectively ..." San Diego State University web site


Bobby Burling
Forward from Loyola Marymount
LA Galaxy Fan Soccer Blog Ranking: "Fair choice!"

"Bobby Burling begins his fourth season at LMU...a team captain... 2004 NSCAA Far West Region third team selection... 2005 and 2003 All-WCC honorable mention...a strong, aggressive, versatile player...has an eye for the goal...is incredibly quick for his size...slated to switch to central defender in his final season at LMU..." LMU web site

Technorati Tags: LA Galaxy, MLS Draft

High Winds a Killer on the Soccer Field in Africa

Taking a break from the Beckham story for the moment, lets get back to one of the other benefits of this blog - lethal soccer photos (and video).

Check out this photo off Yahoo (courtesy of Getty Images)


JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 17: Players are injured as strong winds blow advertising boards onto the pitch during the PSL match between the Orlando Pirates and the Black Leopards at the Ellis Park stadium on January 17, 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Check out the You Tube Video!


Yikes! I guess you can forget that tail wind on the ball when it's dancing on the pitch and now LOOK OUT FOR YOUR LIFE!

The next photo like this better not be opening of the earth from an earthquake at the Home Depot Center.

Technorati Tags: PSL, Johannesburg, Soccer Photos

Beckham Could Start this Spring with the LA Galaxy

Earlier this week Real Madrid's management decided to no longer play David Beckham. The president, Ramon Calderon bad mouthed Beckham, basically saying he can leave and start his acting career early.

This comment doesn't put an icon club like Real Madrid in good relations with soccer fans when you act so jealously. To hell with em!

This decision will open the doors for the Los Angeles Galaxy to buy out Beckham's contract early and get him over here asap. This will be important as Yallop needs to get the team chemistry developed soon so key players like Santino, Donovan, Kirk and others can learn to work with the new midfielder.

Reports say that LAG president, Alexi Lalas, will wait for Beckham in August, you can't believe that AEG didn't think this opportunity was "not" going to happen. I believe they're ready to pay for Beckham to come over sooner.

However, if Calderon wants to be a jerk (as he's already shown the world) it is possible they won't allow him to come just to frustrate the player and league (MLS).

Technorati Tags: David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Madrid

LA Galaxy to play in "New" SuperLiga Tournament

Major League Soccer and Mexican First Division clubs to compete for the new North American crown.

The Los Angeles Galaxy will be among four MLS teams to take on four of the best Mexican First Division clubs this summer.

This tournament could be referred to as the Champions League (from Europe) of North America.

Here are the planned groups:

Group A

• CD Guadalajara (Mexico)
• FC Dallas (MLS)
• Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
• CF Pachuca (Mexico)

Group B

• Club America (Mexico)
• D.C. United (MLS)
• Houston Dynamo (MLS)
• Monarcas Morelia (Mexico)

SuperLiga 2007 Schedule*
(All Times Eastern) / * Subject to change

Tuesday, July 24

FC Dallas vs. Pachuca (Pizza Hut Park - Frisco, TX) 9 p.m.
LA Galaxy vs. CD Guadalajara (Home Depot Center - Carson, CA) 11 p.m.

Wednesday, July 25

D.C. United vs. Monarcas Morelia (RFK Stadium - Washington D.C.) 8 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. America (Robertson Stadium - Houston, TX) 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 28

FC Dallas vs. CD Guadalajara (Pizza Hut Park - Frisco, TX)8:00 p.m.
LA Galaxy vs. Pachuca (TBD)10:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 29

D.C. United vs. America (RFK Stadium - Washington, DC) 8:00 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. Morelia (Robertson Stadium - Houston, TX) 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 31

FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy (Pizza Hut Park - Frisco, TX) 8:00 p.m.
CD Guadalajara vs. Pachuca (Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Denver, CO) 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 1

D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo (RFK Stadium - Washington D.C.) 8:00 p.m.
America vs. Morelia (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, IL) 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Semifinal 1 (TBD)

Wednesday, Aug. 15

Semifinal 2 (TBD)

Wednesday, Aug. 29

Final (TBD)

PREDICTION for Final
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Club America

Technorati Tags: SuperLiga, Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas Quadalajara

David Beckham is Signing with the LA Galaxy

It's Official! The BBC reported that David Beckham is signing with the LA Galaxy this week and will begin with the team this summer.

Can you believe it? The stars have aligned and dogs and cats are now living together (Landon Donovan and David Beckham). Though this has been talked about for a year, it's hard to know what was true and what wasn't.

So, how will the LAG mix up their starting line up? I predict the following:

Forwards:
Kirk and Donovan

Midfield:
Santino, Beckham, Jones, Sturgis

Defense:
Albright, Jaqua, Marshall, Roberts

Goal:
Cannon

Technorati Tags: David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Madrid

Interliga 07 - Cruz Azul vs. Monterey

My wife and I attended the Interliga 07 Cruz Azul vs. Monterey last night at the Home Depot Center. We were both rooting for Cruz Azul since we have family and a ranch in Oaxaca, Mexico and Azul is a favorite team of that region. Thank goodness too, cause it was 90% Azul fans versus Monterey's three benches of hoodlums.

I have to say though that it was the worst professional soccer I've ever seen played. These guys played like it was Real Salt Lake scrimmaging itself. The passing stunk. Azul had many shots on goal and they were so weak the goalie could have sat in a chair.

The only goal game from Monterey's Joel Morales during the 79th minute. It was an okay shot to the goal (goalie out of position) and the defender angled his foot incorrectly and banked it in the goal. Weak, weak, weak.

Jared Borgetti made his return to Mexican soccer last night, but it made little difference for Cruz Azul.

See the video highlights.

Technorati Tags: Interliga, Cruz Azul

Clint Dempsey preparing for Fulham

Clint Dempsey is a work permit shy of being transfered from the MLS to EPL's Fulham. This is definitely what Dempsey has wanted for the past for seasons as he feels he's not getting the $$$ or marketing he deserves...

...and hey, he does deserve more - he's a great player and is definitely qualified to play in the EPL.

Too bad he's going to Fulham. A team like Liverpool or Arsenal could use him more, but I guess it's the fact the Fulham is okay with Americans on their team.

I mean, it's going to sad for him to play on one of the worst teams in the EPL isn't it?

Cobi Jones - January 2007

This is a monthly series celebrating Cobi Jones' 12 years in the MLS and with the Los Angeles Galaxy.


...prior to joining the Los Angeles Galaxy, Jones played in England for Coventry City of the Premier League (1994-95) and Brazil for Vasco da Gama (1995-96)...Jones scored the Galaxy's first MLS goal in the 37th minute on an Opening Day victory over the MetroStars on April 13, 1996.

Technorati Tags: Cobi Jones, Los Angeles Galaxy