28Jul/110
MLS Debate: Should MLS Continue to Embarrass Itself in the All-Star Game?
As the 2011 MLS All-Star Game came to a close, Manchester United walked off the field triumphant and satisfied, having walloped the MLS All-Stars for the second consecutive season, to the tune of four goals to nil.The game proved to be excellent practice and a significant morale booster for Manchester United, who continue to have an excellent preseason, and was no doubt exciting for neutral fans looking for a high scoring, fast action game.But for fans of the MLS, the game was undoubtedly rather disappointing.The 2011 MLS All-Star Game was the second MLS All-Star Game in a row that the MLS All-Stars were not only beaten, but beaten by a significant margin. Last year's MLS All-Star Game ended 5-2 in favor of the Red Devils.Prior to that, the MLS All Stars were actually rather successful in their MLS All-Star Games.Since 2003, when the MLS first started playing against foreign club teams, up to 2008, the MLS All-Stars had won all of their MLS All-Star Games against mostly solid but not world-class opposition, in the form of teams like Fulham, Celtic, Club Deportivo Guadalajara and West Ham.However, even Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, was beaten 1-0 by the MLS All-Stars ...28Jul/110
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs: July 28, 2011
Ready for the Northwest TurnaroundTwo big road matches in five days await Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy. On Saturday, the G's will travel to Vancouver to take on the Whitecaps on Saturday, July 30 (kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel and TSN).Then, on Wednesday, August 3, the Galaxy face the Portland Timbers at the ever-intimidating Jeld-Wen Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders, a former Portland Timber, is fully aware of the atmosphere both the Southsiders and Timbers Army bring to their respective home matches.“[Portland and Vancouver] have some of the greatest fans in the U.S.,” Saunders told LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan. “Even though it was a USL team, they still had crazy fans. There’s probably going to be some interesting posters and signs up there, but I think we’ll be prepared for a bit of a raucous crowd.”Midfielder Chris Birchall, who will be available for Wednesday's match with Portland, recalled the home opener at Jeld-Wen Field, which saw the Timbers destroy the Chicago Fire, 4-2.“It was great. They had chants like they do in Europe,” Birchall said. “It was one of those ...27Jul/110
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, July 27, 2011
Ready Aye Ready for Frankie HejdukAfter riding the pine for the start of the season, right back Frankie Hejduk is ready for some heavy lifting these next few months for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy."It was just good to get out there and have a run about," Hejduk told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno this week.Hejduk took part in the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge against Manchester City. The Galaxy held the Citizens to a 1-1 draw but fell 7-6 on penalties.Of course, that was just a friendly. Now, it's all about getting down to business."We've been winning," Hejduk said. "We haven't lost in 13 games, so the frustration is nothing at all. As a player, you want to play as much as you can but there will be a time for that. Right now, we have a good rhythm going."I want to get back on the field and help the team out wherever I can. If anything, that's been the frustrating thing — not being able to be available the last few weeks."Hejduk expected to get the nod from Arena to finally get some work done on the backline, alongside MLS All-Star selection Sean Franklin, Todd Dunivant, Gregg Berhalter, A.J. DeLaGarza, ...26Jul/110
MLS All-Star Game 2011: Training Report for Manchester United
After defeating Chicago Fire 3-1 on Saturday night, Manchester United flew from Chicago to New York City to prepare for the next leg of their North American tour: a matchup against the Major League Soccer All-Stars at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night.It will be the first time in MLS history that the same foreign team will play the All-Star Game in consecutive seasons, with the All-Stars looking to avenge last season's 5-2 defeat to the Red Devils. Sir Alex Ferguson will also be using this game to fine-tune his players as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown this upcoming season.United arrived at the W Hotel in Hoboken Sunday and were given the day off by the management team. Many players enjoyed a meal in Manhattan's trendy rooftop bar, 230 Fifth, while Wayne Rooney took the opportunity to meet up with his brother John who plays locally for the New York Red Bulls.Monday and Tuesday, the team have battled crowds of supporters outside the W while boarding their team bus to their training facility, the New York Giants' complex at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.United's initial training plans were hampered by the NFL ending its lockout, ...26Jul/110
LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: No More Friendlies, It’s Back to Business
One sentence of massive brevity will be ringing in the ears of both Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy and Tom Soehn's Vancouver Whitecaps FC as they head into this Saturday's game at Empire Field in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:No more friendlies, it's back to business.For the Galaxy, there are two competition that demand their attention. First is the race for the CONCACAF Champions League crown, with matches against Alejualense and two other teams to be determined. Monarcas de Morelia is looking like one of those sides.Then there is the ongoing competition in Major League Soccer. Los Angeles cling to a three-point lead in the overall standings with a record of 11-2-9 (42 points) and need a result this weekend against the worst team in MLS, the Whitecaps, who have a 2-10-9 record (15 points).It's a battle of David vs. Goliath. However, Goliath himself is coming in not exactly at full strength.David Beckham and Chris Birchall are suspended for Saturday's match, Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez are nursing ankle and nose injuries respectively, and Sean Franklin may or may not start after the All-Star Game, also known as the incoming beatdown by Manchester United Football Club, barring an act of God.The ...25Jul/110
World Soccer: Los Angeles Galaxy Show Grit, Lose to Manchester City 7-6 in PKs
Here I was, behind a group of vocal supporters in light blue in the northwest corner of Victoria Street, thinking that this was going to be a 3-2 victory by Roberto Mancini's Manchester City Football Club over Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy.Instead, what do the fans get? A 1-1 draw that led to a victory by the Citizens 7-6 on penalties, with goalkeeper Joe Hart slotting home the decisive spot kick.Two words: moral victory. Here's why. Los Angeles pushed Manchester City to the limit, going the distance. The likes of Edin Dzeko and Shaun Wright-Phillips were kept in check. The unlikeliest of heroes, Mike Magee, sent one past Hart in the second half. The Galaxy put on a brave effort in the shootout, although there are a few players that are not yet ready to step up. And Manchester City's scoring was limited to penalty conversions. LA got their goal the old-fashioned way. And I also put this in perspective in a number of ways. If this was a Premier League game, it would be a draw, and the Galaxy might be sitting in the middle of the league table, maybe successfully fighting off the drop. If this was an ...24Jul/110
2011 MLS Power Rankings: Week 19
Readers on Bleacher Report, we are in the dog days of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere. And while the Mexican Apertura kicks off, the 2011 Major League Soccer season continues with league action mixed with international friendlies.It's been another busy week of football here in North America, and after some moving and shaking, we have this week's MLS Power Rankings.Let's take a look.Begin Slideshow24Jul/110
Red Bulls New York: Draw to FC Dallas Highlights Major Flaws in Team Management
Another day another disappointing draw for the New York Red Bulls. It seems like a familiar script that Hans Backe and Company can’t escape. On paper this team is not just a winner, but a force to be reckoned with. Yet they find themselves in second place in the Eastern Conference, which is mostly due to having played 3-4 more games then most Eastern Conference teams. Today’s draw highlighted the huge mistakes management has made with this team, so here’s a quick analysis of the mistakes that have spoiled a promising season. Tactical Deficiency The problem the Red Bulls are facing seems very reminiscent of two early defeats Everton encountered early last season in the Premier League against Blackburn and Aston Villa. In those two games, Everton held more than two-thirds of the possession, but lost 1-0 twice. In those two games Everton took 43 shots, but only managed to place 9 of them on frame. Blackburn and Aston Villa took only 22 shots combined in the two games, but put 7 of them on target including the 2 shots that found the back of the net. The moral of the story is that possession means nothing if you do ...23Jul/110
MLS: A Letter to the New York Red Bulls Organization
Dear New York Red Bulls Organization,What have you been up to lately? I think we have lost contact. It seems like while on your daunting journey to expand the global brand of the RBNY, you have been too busy to send back a letter or two to tell us what is going on.I know us fans are inferior to you and aren’t supposed to speak up, but while watching the team struggle to put up a fight on Wednesday, I felt it necessary to request an explanation.So if you can find the kindness in your heart, please answer a few questions. It will only take a minute.Let us start off with an easy one. Why are you so careless?It all started when you prioritized a cash-grab game in Montreal ahead of the regular season, resulting in the first home loss of the year to Chivas USA.I must admit I was a bit skeptical of the organization for temporarily giving up on the season as if IT was the exhibition. More importantly however, you gave up on the 16,365 in attendance on Saturday, who spent their hard earned money to watch what should have been an easy victory.Shameful, but I was ...23Jul/110