Landon Donovan Bails LA Galaxy Out In 2-2 Draw With Earthquakes

If Thursday's contest between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes were an Iron Chef duel, the outcome would be inconclusive, and the Iron Chef would remain unbeaten. In this case, the Iron Chefs of the Los Angeles Galaxy faced their strongest challenger yet in their Northern California rivals, as both sides continued the tradition of the California Clasico at the football Kitchen Stadium known as the Home Depot Center before 17,712. The one ingredient that the Earthquakes lacked was not so secret: Landon Donovan. His 90th minute strike was the reason the Galaxy salvaged a draw, and a reason why this storied derby will be decided at Buck Shaw Stadium in one month's time. But to be honest, offensively this was just an absolute nightmare that the Galaxy only woke out of after the last of LA's 22 shots. Buddle nearly got his brace, but Donovan was there to follow through and tap it home. I can now understand why Commissioner Don Garber is fighting [albeit in vain] to keep Donovan in the league for the long haul. He continues to deliver ...

LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes: A Play-By-Play (& Other Miscellany)

T-180 minutes to kickoff: This is going to be a real doozy on hand. Hide the women and children, if they are still awake. It's the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. the San Jose Earthquakes, the California Clasico. It's a renewal of the Northern California vs. Southern California rivalry, and today's play-by-play, brought to you by the View from Victoria Street and Bleacher Report, is set to fill you in on the action. T-170: Before we go into the analysis, we just want to let you know of some other results going on. D.C. United defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders 2-0 to advance to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In SuperLiga play, the New England Revolution defeated Morelia 1-0 and the Chicago Fire edged Pumas UNAM 1-0. T-160: In International Club Friendly action, Manchester United prevailed over the Philadelphia Independence 1-0 and Bolton Wanderers defeated Toronto FC in a penalty shootout 4-3. Also in SuperLiga play, the Houston Dynamo defeated Puebla 1-0 and Chivas USA sounded off Pachuca 1-0. Also going on today is an international club friendly between the New York Red Bulls and Tottenham Hotspur. T-150: Bruce Arena's Galaxy are currently 12-2-3 (39 points), eight points to the good ...

Michael Seamon: Seattle Sounders Rising Midfield Star

If there is one word that fits Seattle Sounders midfielder Michael Seamon, it is discipline, which ties closely into his line of work. Seamon, born and bred in Rahway, New Jersey, made a quick jump from June graduation at Philadelphia’s Villanova University to starting midfielder for the Seattle Sounders. While acknowledging that Seamon possessed much promise, Coach Sigi Schmid also noted that he did not wish to rush the 21-year-old rookie and wanted to give him sufficient time to develop and adapt to MLS competition. The fact that he made it into the starting lineup this fast indicates Schmid’s belief that Seamon is a fast learner who has absorbed his lessons thoroughly. People can absorb more quickly if they possess exceptional levels of discipline. From the time he was young this was an attribute that Seamon possessed. “I always listened to my parents and my family was always important in my development,” Seamon said after Wednesday’s Sounders workout in Tukwila. “My mother and father, my three sisters, we formed an important bond.” Seamon began playing soccer at 5. When did he begin thinking that he had the tools to become a professional player? “It was during my junior season at Villanova,” Seamon revealed. “I still ...

Congrats MLS, You Are Ranked 88th in the World

Is there a way to say, "Hey America, your soccer league is ranked 88th in the world but it's OK?" Well, I guess I have to try at least. This years rankings of the top 115 domestic leagues in the world done by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has been released and one can find Major League Soccer near the very bottom. One bright spot I suppose—there are several nations who took part of this year's FIFA World Cup, including New Zealand (115), Honduras (92), Ghana (91), and Ivory Coast (90). However the MLS has a huge list of nations who did not qualify yet have a "stronger" domestic league. The MLS came behind leagues from such countries as Algeria (20), Iran (23), Kuwait (24), Qatar (27), Syria (29), Israel (31), Vietnam (35), Uzbekistan(38), Georgia (43), Libya (49), Honk Kong (53), Botswana (56), Guatemala (72), Zimbabwe (82), among others. Don't worry however, this does not reflect on the status of the game as a whole in the country. The most important part is that the national team has reflected very well to the world the past few years and some of the top players are almost on the fringe ...

SuperLiga 2010: Houston Dynamo Slug Out Win Over Puebla FC

(Photo by Darla Tamulitis—La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved) After a rash of red and yellow cards beginning in the 84th minute, the Houston Dynamo held onto down Puebla FC 1-0 to win Group A of SuperLiga 2010. Houston Dynamo needed either a win or tie against Puebla FC to advance to the semifinals of SuperLiga 2010. Both teams failed to score in the first half, each having three total shots with no shots on goal. In addition, both teams were issued only one yellow card each. Houston midfielder Lovel Palmer was carded in the 11th minute for a reckless tackle, while Puebla defender Juan Garcia was cited in the 35th minute for the same offense. Even the fouls were kept to a minimum with Puebla committing seven and the Dynamo called for 10. The second half went about the same as the first…until the Dynamo finally found the goal and both teams received that unwanted rash of yellow and red cards. In the 64th minute, forward Dominic Oduro received a header from forward Cam Weaver and knocked the ball past Puebla goalkeeper Edgar Hernandez for the only score of the match. The score was Oduro’s fourth goal of the season. Then, all hell broke loose ...

Fredy Montero Shines In Seattle Sounders Workout

The Seattle Sounders’ training pitch at Tukwila Wednesday was burning from the torrid heat applied in workout activity by star striker Fredy Montero. The talented Colombian continues to improve his offensive game from the standpoint of kicks and headers. As he stands as one of the MLS’ leaders in goals scored, he continues to excel as well in the assist department. Coach Sigi Schmid was delighted with the skills Montero displayed today in delivering booming kicks into the net. Following the workout he delivered praise Montero’s way. “He is obviously technically a very good player and he is a player who’s got a good eye in front of the goal,” Schmid said. “His effort has been really good and, as a result, I think that has got him on the ball more and by getting on the ball more it gives you more chances to make plays. He has made some good decisions. “The cross against D.C. was superb. It’s not a cross that everyone can hit and Roger [Levesque] finished it well at the back post. He [Montero] has definitely been involved with us on those goals and connecting and finding people. It’s a tribute to the work but it’s also a ...

SuperLiga 2010: Houston Dynamo Face Puebla FC

Coming into tonight’s SuperLiga 2010 game against Puebla FC, the Houston Dynamo held their fate in their own hands. After tying Chivas USA 1-1 on Sunday evening, the Dynamo were 1-0-1 (four points) in Group A, while Puebla was 2-0-0 (six points) after a 3-1 thumping of Pachuca on the same evening. The top two finishers in each group advance to the semi-finals and while it seems probable that the Dynamo will advance, their hopes rest on the hope that they can outscore a Puebla squad which has scored five points in two games, while giving up only two. Puebla FC has qualified for the semifinal stage in SuperLiga. Pachuca FC has been eliminated from the semifinals. With a draw or a victory, Houston will qualify for the semifinals. Chivas USA need to defeat Pachuca and have Puebla defeat Houston, and also over turn a minus-two goal differential. In any case, the Dynamo hold their own fate in their hands...or should I say their feet.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

2010 MLS All-Star Roster: Players to Face Manchester United

The final All-Star selections to complete the 23-man MLS roster at the 2010 AT&T All-Star Game that will face English Premier League historic club Manchester United on July 28 in Houston, TX are set. The First XI was selected based on online voting comprised of fans, media, players, and MLS coaches/GMs. Each party has a 25 percent stake in the total voting held during the first half of the season. The top vote-getters were announced via MLSsoccer.com on July 13, just two weeks before the event. The “First XI” tag is not to be confused with the term “Starting XI”; they are only the top 11 chosen by the voters to represent the MLS at the All-Star Game and therefore are guaranteed a spot on the final roster. The remaining 12 slots are a combination of picks made by the MLS All-Star Head Coach and MLS Commissioner Don Garber. LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena was named the MLS All-Star Head Coach, earning the honorable role based on his club holding the highest points-per-game in the Major League Soccer standings by the June 27 deadline. As MLS Coach, Arena gets to add 10 players of his choosing to the MLS roster to complement the First ...

Seattle Sounders FC: Sigi Schmid Addresses Topic of Freddie Ljungberg

Speculation continues to abound concerning whether Freddie Ljungberg will be dealt away by the Seattle Sounders during the transfer period. Coach Sigi Schmid following Tuesday’s practice session at the Sounders’ Tukwila training facility discussed Ljungberg’s status among other questions. “Ljungberg is still (coping) with the injured ankle,” Schmid said, adding, “but also, at this point, he is exploring options. So we’ll see how things proceed in the next three, four, five days. “Freddie is a great player and he brings energy onto the field. Every time he plays on the field he plays with energy. For us as a team, you have to judge how we play with him or without him. I know I have my feelings and my judgments on that thing. But at the end of the day, our backs are against the wall and I think the guys know that. “That helps you find some spirit and desire and sometimes when you hit a good streak somebody is not on the team. For example, [Brad] Evans is not on the team right now. We are hitting a good streak. Does that mean if he was on the field we would be better or would we be worse? It’s tough ...

Is the MLS Not Friendly with Summer Friendlies?

There’s an interesting article over at Match Fit USA called “#trophiesnotfriendlies ” that builds on an idea that was seemingly started by Dave Clark over at Sounder at Heart .   The idea is pretty simple (though I paraphrase somewhat roughly), MLS clubs should be focusing-on and promoting Cup competitions with “real value” and not “meaningless” friendly matches. In theory, it’s hard to argue. Some games matter, some games don’t. But nothing is ever quite that simple… One issue that Jason at Match Fit USA focuses on are that the friendly games are included in Season ticket packages, but US Open Cup (USOC) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League Games are not. However, I feel as if I might not have all of the information about the business side of things here. I wonder about there being a revenue-sharing arrangement with CONCACAF or US Soccer that would be muddied by the tickets to those competitions being “comp’ed” as part of a season ticket package? Sounds like an accounting nightmare. I think that could be a major, if not the only major, issue that makes these games get a non-Season Ticket holder treatment. Let’s presume that is not the issue… ...