Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Uncertainty Deluxe for LA?

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy are a wounded bunch as they straggle, bleeding, dazed and confused, ahead of their Saturday Major League Soccer contest against the Vancouver Whitecaps (Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West). Donovan Ricketts' return couldn't have come at a better time. Any more starts for Josh Saunders in league play and the crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California may as well leave the stadium in tears. That's because Saunders unacceptably conceded two goals from Monarcas Morelia in CONCACAF Champions League action on Tuesday, while the team was denied a second of their own due to an offsides call. Of course, they were missing Juninho that night for sure, but that is a different story. As for captain Landon Donovan, it was a matter of "What, Me Worry?". “We’re fine, actually,” Donovan told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “We executed our game plan exactly how we wanted. If a couple of calls go our way it’s a completely different game and we’re really happy walking out of here. Overall the effort was great and we can’t be too disappointed.” Now, the Galaxy will come into the contest with Vancouver as prohibitive favorites, ...

Philadelphia Union 2011: 5 Bold Predictions for the Rest of the Season

A tale of two seasons would be the best way to explain the current Union season. They have gone from battling the New York Redbulls for first in the East to battling in third. The wins have dried up with the leaving of Ruiz, but there is still cause for optimism. They have enough talent to get back to the top of the East. Here are 5 Bold predictions for the rest of the season.Begin Slideshow

CCL: After 2-1 Defeat to Morelia, What’s Next for Los Angeles Galaxy?

Well, Mr. Robbie Keane, I hope you have been given an education on how things are done in regional play here at the CONCACAF Champions League. Out of all the people in the class, you passed the first test. As for the rest of you on Bruce Arena's side that proceeded to fail this first exam with flying colors...now what? After an embarrassing defeat away to Monarcas Morelia that sees the Los Angeles Galaxy relinquish their lead in Group A of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League, what is next for the league leaders in MLS? There is the Saturday match to attend to against the Vancouver Whitecaps (kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West). But even though that match has the Galaxy as favorites, that may not be so certain with Los Angeles being prone to surrendering leads left and right. In addition, the Galaxy, who wasted a 52nd minute goal by Keane, have a match on Wednesday, Sept. 21 against L.D. Alajuelense on the road at Alajuela, Costa Rica. A victory there is crucial and giving up goals late to players of Adrian Aldrete's and Miguel Sabah's caliber is simply unacceptable.Actually, allowing opponents to attack and attack ...

New York Red Bulls: Fans Are Voicing Their Displeasure of the Team’s Performance

With seven games remaining in the 2011 MLS season, the New York Red Bulls are in danger of missing the playoffs.As a result of Saturday night's 1-1 tie against the worst team in MLS, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4-13-10, 22 points), the Red Bulls (6-6-15, 33 points) are now in sixth place of the Eastern Conference. In addition, they've lost the final MLS playoff spot to rival D.C. United.One thing that was noticeable on Saturday night was the "Go Backe Home" banner. While many Red Bulls fans haven't been pleased with the team's underachieving performance, Saturday night's banner was the second time this season fans have protested against the Red Bulls organization.The first time fans protested the organization was on Saturday, July 23, 2011, when the South Ward remained silent for the first half of the Red Bulls match against FC Dallas. It was mainly centered around the Red Bulls decisions regarding the team's recent United States Open Cup match against the Chicago Fire.As long as the protesting is conducted in a nonviolent manner, I seeing nothing wrong with what the supporters are doing. Understanding the time, money and personal love that supporters clubs invest, they have a ...

Philadelphia Union 2011: 4 Players with Potential To Play Internationally

The goal of any professional soccer player is to one day suit up for their national team. Whether it be for a youth team, B team or the senior team, playing for your country is an honor and privilege. On the Philadelphia Union there are four players who, with some hard work and determination, will one day be on the pitch for their respective nation.  Begin Slideshow

Philadelphia Union Shaping Franchise Support Through Social Media

There was a time in professional sports in which the closest fans got to interacting with their favorite teams and players was buying a ticket that allowed them to see without binoculars.  Add in a few newspaper stories, along with a nightly news segment that took a cursory look at the day's action and you've got what it meant to truly follow a team. Joining those days in the distant past are what sports fans have come to know as the norm: SportsCenter on a loop, unofficial box scores, and 'Meet the Players' events.  In an age where instant gratification still isn't enough for most, social media has taken what it means to be a fan to another level. And who better to take advantage of cutting-edge technology than a budding franchise needing momentum to build a fan base. The Philadelphia Union, a second-year side in Major League Soccer, has expertly utilized free social media to revolutionize the way supporters stay informed and interact with players.  Not only have they built an enormous following in just two years, but the team has connected with a city that is normally engrossed in their 'Big Four' sports teams. By all accounts, the ...

Real Salt Lake Meeting Expectations at the Right Time

Don't look now, Major League Soccer, but one of the teams that was supposed to dominate the league before the season began is now putting together a nice little win streak that could move them into a better position in the MLS playoffs. After a huge road win on Saturday in Seattle against the Sounders, Real Salt Lake has now put together a three-game win streak. The nine points gained over the last three weeks have placed them just one point behind FC Dallas for the third playoff spot in the Western Conference. The latest win came against the hottest team in the league who was previously unbeaten in all competition during the entire month of August. Second only to the MLS Cup Championship they won in 2009, it was the biggest win ever for Real Salt Lake in that stadium. In fairness to Seattle, the match on Saturday was an unusual one that featured two players being sent off, a missed penalty kick, and a very rare Kasey Keller own goal on a shot by RSL's Fabian Espindola. With a combination of losing in the CONCACAF Final, unexpected injuries and international team call-ups, Real Salt Lake has struggled to put ...

MLS: Is Freddy Adu Another Tale of Wasted Talent?

Who knows the club side Fredua Koranteng Adu earns his living playing for these days?About 80 percent of soccer enthusiasts do not know; the remaining 20 percent simply do not care.The answer is the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.Adu pitched camp with the MLS outfit via Benfica, AS Monaco and the likes of Belenenses, Aris and Caykur Rizespor. At the age of 22, Adu is a veteran of the European game, having played in Portugal, France, Greece and Turkey. And like all veterans, he is nearing the twilight of his career.Adu was the quintessence of soccer prodigyhood. In early 2004, the D.C. United selected Adu with the top pick in the MLS draft. His four-year contract made him the highest-paid player in the league—at age 14. That is record may never be broken—at least not in Adu’s lifetime.This brings to mind a certain 15-year-old son of a factory worker who laced up for the Argentinos Juniors club of Buenos Aires in 1976; and of another 15-year-old who took the field to score for Brazilian club Santos in September 1956.The similarity between these three greatest soccer prodigies produced in the Americas is glaring—they had enormous potential to raise the world ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Monarcas Morelia: Analysis, Reaction and More

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy continue their 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League campaign on Tuesday when they take on Monarcas Morelia of the Mexican Primera Division on Tuesday, Sept. 13.Los Angeles currently sit atop Group A with a 2-0-0 record (six points) and a 2-0 victory over L.D. Alajuelense at the Home Depot Center. As for Tomas Boy's Monarcas, they are 1-1-0 (three points) and have rebounded with an emphatic 4-0 blowout victory over C.D. Motagua.Juninho will be suspended for Tuesday's contest, which means that Chris Birchall could be called up to fill in for the Brazilian. Landon Donovan and David Beckham are both one yellow away from sitting the next match away to Alajuelense and will keep their wits about them. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts returns to the starting lineup after a long layoff due to injury.Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the CONCACAF Champions League and all things World Football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

2011 MLS Power Rankings: Week 26

Real Salt Lake is at the top of this week's MLS Power Rankings with their 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders, while the Los Angeles Galaxy jump up to second with their victory over the Colorado Rapids and inch closer to another successful Supporters' Shield defense.Let's take a look at this week's MLS Power Rankings here on Bleacher Report.Begin Slideshow