Los Angeles Galaxy Vs. Seattle Sounders: A Play-by-Play (and Other Miscellany)

Ladies and gentlemen of Bleacher Report: We're doing some playoff business here in the City of Angels!This is a play-by-play of the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. the Seattle Sounders on Halloween night from Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. It's the first leg of the 2010 Major League Soccer Western Conference Semifinals.My name is Jo-Ryan Salazar, Featured Columnist on Bleacher Report, here to provide you once again a words-eye view of the action. Bruce Arena's Galaxy will look to build on their regular season success against Sigi Schmid's Sounders, while the men in Rave Green will look to build on their victory in the U.S. Open Cup.Enjoy all the action here on this play-by-play!Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

MLS Playoffs: New York Red Bulls Survive San Jose Earthquakes With 1-0 Win

With a 1-0 playoff road win over the San Jose Earthquakes, the New York Red Bulls reminded both New Yorkers and New Jerseyans that they are the only "New York" soccer club that currently plays in Major League Soccer and is competing for the 2010 MLS Cup. For all the media attention the New York Cosmos organization has been receiving as of late, tonight's Red Bull win will remind Major League Soccer fans that they are the NY team who opened up a new stadium, brought in a new coach along with world class athletes to give the states of New York and New Jersey a 2010 competitive soccer club. In a game without Thierry Henry, Joel Lindpere once again demonstrated that he's been most consistent players for the 2010 Red Bulls. Playing against a well balanced defensive San Jose Earthquakes team, Joel Lindpere was able to give his Red Bull teammates a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute of the second half. A week after he scored the last Red Bull goal in the regular season, Joel Lindpere ironically scored the first game winning postseason goal. For all the attention, the trio of Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez ...

New York Red Bulls: How They Went From Worst To First in the East

This time last year, the New York Red Bulls ended their season with a resounding 5-0 victory over Toronto FC in their final game at Giants Stadium. That result, however, was a complete anomaly in what was a disastrous season for the Red Bulls, who finished with a league-worst 21 points from 30 games.Fast forward 12 months, and the Red Bulls ended the season with a 2-0 victory over New England, which ensured the team first place in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs.Not since 2000 has the team headed into the playoffs with such anticipation from the fans, and thanks to a couple of key midseason additions, they are arguably the league's leading franchise in commercial impact on the sport in the United States.As the team prepares to face San Jose in the first round of the playoffs, let's study some of the key reasons that jolted the biggest turnaround in MLS history (ironically, the 2000 New York franchise is the team they are tied with)!Begin Slideshow

Seattle Sounders-L.A. Galaxy: Playoff Action Matches Coaching Legends

Sunday’s upcoming MLS playoff featuring the host Seattle Sounders and L.A. Galaxy has all kinds of star power, beginning with the two famous names coaching the teams.Action commences Sunday at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time at the Xbox Pitch of Seattle’s Qwest Field, but that is just the first leg of a two-match series modeled along the lines of  CONCACAF competition.  The home-and-home series adds drama.  Part 2 of the unfolding scenario occurs Sunday, November 7, at 6 p.m. PDT at Home Depot Center in Carson, California.  The rules for advancing to the next round are these: The team that has the edge in aggregate goal scoring after the two matches will advance.  In the event that the teams are tied, a 30-minute overtime period will occur.  Should they be deadlocked at that point, the issue will be resolved via penalty kicks.     Sigi Schmid contended that his Seattle Sounders were much better than their 4-8-3 first half showing indicated.  He proved his point as the rags-to-riches Sounders became the hottest team in the league, posting a dynamic 10-2-3 second-half record and winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open competition for the second year in a row. Their seasonal mark of 14-10-6 ...

New York Red Bulls: 5 Ambitious Signings To Replace Juan Pablo Angel

It was New York Red Bulls Sporting Director, Erik Soler, who once said, "Nothing gold can stay." Or maybe it was Robert Frost?...Either way, as the 2010 MLS Cup kicks off, one thing has become apparent: Juan Pablo will not be suiting up for New York next season.Angel is arguably one of the finest to ever ply his trade in MLS, and unarguably the finest to do so for the Red Bulls, being the franchise's all-time top scorer and possible four-time MVP.  But at 35 years old, with a nagging back problem, it may sadly be time for him to move on as the Red Bulls look to build towards the future.It is certainly up for debate if letting Angel leave is the right move for the Red Bulls to make, but here are five ambitious signings the Red Bulls could pursue in the offseason to fill their third Designated Player spot.Begin Slideshow

Galaxy-Sounders: Los Angeles Throw Caution to the Wind Against Seattle

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy have an accomplished opponent on their hands in the Seattle Sounders in the first and second legs of the 2010 Major League Soccer Western Conference Semifinals.“Let’s face it,” Arena said over the week, “there are no secrets at this point. We all know each other, we’ve seen each other play throughout the season. We’re well aware of the qualities of the Sounders, and I’m sure they’re well aware of our qualities as well."“I think they’ve got a good balance in their attack, and they’re been pretty solid defensively. Their speed on the flanks has been dangerous for them and they have two guys in front of the goal who can finish off plays."“They’ve been a well-balanced team and they've been able to have a little continuity in their lineup. In our case, that hasn’t happened basically all year. That’s another reason why they’ve been successful.”“They’re a very good team,” Galaxy forward Mike Magee said. “They play really well at home, they’ll have probably 40,000 fans there and they play well on that turf."“The last time we went [to Qwest Field, a 4-0 win on May 8] we got a good result, and that probably left ...

VIDEO: David Beckham Punks Masseuse on Ellen DeGeneres Show

David Beckham might be the most famous footballer on the planet and rich beyond his wildest dreams, but he's not lost his sense of humor. The LA Galaxy midfielder appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week and played the lead role in a hidden camera stunt at a massage parlour. Following Ellen's instructions through an earpiece, the most-capped outfield player in England's history asked his masseuse to call him "Ricky" and demanded she avoid using her thumbs. Take a look here... Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

LA Galaxy’s Bruce Arena Marches Forward Ahead of Seattle Sounders Showdown

When asked about the Los Angeles Galaxy's regular season success against the Seattle Sounders, manager Bruce Arena didn't read too much into it.“Every game is different and any game that we’ve played previously in Seattle is almost a wash at this point,” Arena said. “It’s a new season and we’ve got to be ready to play a team that’s been very good the last half of the MLS season. Our last result in Seattle means nothing."On May 8, Los Angeles defeated Seattle at Qwest Field, the site of the first leg of their 2010 Major League Soccer Western Conference Semifinal, to the tune of 4-0. And on July 4, the Galaxy drubbed the Sounders 3-1.“I prefer going to Seattle than going into altitude,” Arena said when asked about playoff destinations. “There was always a chance that we could go into Colorado or Salt Lake and the altitude’s an issue. What we’ve assured ourselves of [by winning the Supporters’ Shield] is that we’re not going to be playing at altitude, not that that guarantees anything. "It’s a lot easier for the players to adjust to the artificial field than it is to the altitude.”Defender A.J. De La Garza noted that the ...

New York Cosmos: Giorgio Chinaglia Returns as International Ambassador

Giorgio Chinaglia, the best and most controversial player to ever participate in the NASL, has rejoined the New York Cosmos as their international ambassador. "It is important for us to respect the heritage of the New York Cosmos and Giorgio has been a big part of the club’s history.  We are honored to have a true legend endorse our vision during this exciting new era,” says Terry Byrne, the Director of Soccer for the New York Cosmos. While Pelé was the most beloved Cosmos player, Chinaglia was the team's "Ultimate Winner." Whether you loved or loathed him, one thing was certain... Chinaglia always played to win. Prior to arriving to the Cosmos, Chinaglia led Lazio to their first title in the 1974. During his time with Lazio, Chinaglia was also part of the Italian national team where he scored four goals in 14 games. Joining the Cosmos in 1976, Chinaglia scored 19 goals in 19 games as New York eventually lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-1 in the Division Championship. The 1977 season, Pelé's final season, the New York Cosmos added Franz Beckenbauer, and Carlos Alberto to their roster. However, it was Chinaglia's game winning the goal in Soccer Bowl ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2010: Breaking Down the Bracket

The Major League Soccer 2010 season has come to a close. What a seven months it has been. From Philadelphia Union's introduction, to FC Dallas' 19-game unbeaten streak, to New York Red Bulls' new stadium, new stars, and 30-point turnaround from last year, to Beckham's return to help Los Angeles to the Supporter's Shield, it has been quite a year.This year's MLS Cup Playoffs provide some great excitement. Six Western Conference teams and two Eastern Conference clubs will go for glory and look to become the fifteenth winners of MLS Cup. Along with this, every team will also have the goal of qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League. Two of the eight have already accomplished this for next year. Los Angeles, the 2010 MLS Supporter's Shield winners and Seattle Sounders FC, the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winners, have each qualified for the 2011-2012 tournament. The Galaxy immediately progress to the Group Stage while Seattle will have to play in the Preliminary Round.Two teams will join them. The MLS Cup winner and runner-up each earn a spot, with the winner going to the Group Stage and the runner-up going into the Preliminary Round. If either Los Angeles or Seattle ...