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Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, February 29, 2012
Bill Gaudette in, Nick Noble outAny trialist that impresses will get his chance to shine for the long haul. Such is the case with Bill Gaudette, who was signed by the Los Angeles Galaxy after performing well during the preseason.In response, Nick Noble has been waived from the team.Gaudette started his MLS career in 2005 with the Columbus Crew after being selected by the club in the first round of the MLS Supplemental Draft. Following a standout four-year career at St. John’s, Gaudette appeared in six games as a rookie in 2005, keeping a clean sheet and earning his first career win in a 1-0 win over Colorado on June 11.Following the 2007 season, Gaudette signed with the Puerto Rico Islanders, who currently play in the North American Soccer League (NASL). He was instrumental in helping upset the club he now plays for, the Galaxy, in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round.Gaudette played for the Montreal Impact last season in the NASL last year.A special on Bill Gaudette will be posted as part of the This is the Los Angeles Galaxy series later this week. Tough February for Landon DonovanAfter leaving Everton with the flu, Landon Donovan has been diagnosed with bronchitis and will ...23Feb/120
Who Are the All-Time MLS Best XI?
The talent that has come and gone through Major League Soccer could probably fill two All-Time MLS Best XI teams.However, narrowing down the league's best talent of all time to just 11 guys is definitely part of the fun in compiling a list like this one.In my opinion, players that deserve a nod in this All-Time Best XI are those that have dedicated their life and career to MLS. You will not see players on this list that have used the league as a stepping stone to better things.So if you're hoping to see players like Clint Dempsey, David Beckham or Tim Howard, look elsewhere.Enjoy the list, and let the comments fly...Begin Slideshow23Feb/120
Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, February 22, 2012
Another day, another defeat for LAOpinion/analysis time. My take on soccer can be boiled down to one simple sentence: if you don't know how to finish, and you don't know how to defend, you don't deserve to win the game.Such is the case with Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy—most specifically, Juninho, who gifted a pass in the 82nd minute to give the New England Revolution a 3-2 victory tonight at the Desert Diamond Cup in Tucson.Now this will not have any impact on Week 1 of the Power Rankings, but this is a result that will drop LA a few places if this took place in the regular season.To their credit, Edson Buddle and Mike Magee each finished at least one of their chances.The problem is that this took place in the first half, and scoring goals will not mean much if you allow them as well.The defense was a liability at times last year, and it was more of the same from an opponent that I don't have high expectations for in Jay Heaps' New England Revolution.Tommy Meyer is being groomed as the next Omar Gonzalez. It was apparently with his start today that he is tipped to replace ...22Feb/120
MLS: Sporting Kansas City Prepare for Preseason Tournament in Orlando
After having a 2011 campaign that excited Sporting Kansas City supporters across the board—one that took them to the Eastern Conference Championship Game—Sporting are ready to put it all in the rear view and get started on 2012.Their 2012 preseason has already generated some talk after first-round draft pick Don Dwyer scored a hat trick in their last preseason game at FC Tuscon.But now it's time to gear up for MLS-level competition, and the first matter at hand for their unofficial games will be playing their opponent from the Conference Championship Game, the Houston Dynamo.Despite topping the East division point-wise, Sporting weren't able to take care of Houston and keep their success riding through to the MLS Cup.But Houston are coming with a new and improved look for 2012.The Dynamo are riding high after securing the services of their former striker, Brian Ching. Add Ching into the mix, and what MLS fans can expect this season will be some solid matches between Kansas City and Houston.After playing the Dynamo on Friday, Sporting will face the newest MLS expansion, the Montreal Impact on Sunday 26th.The 2012 Disney Pro Soccer Classic will conclude on Wednesday 29th against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Games can be seen ...22Feb/120
10 Big-Name Foreign Players Who Could End Up in MLS
Who will be the next world football star to join the MLS? It is one question that many people would like the answer too.David Beckham has reignited a trend that dates back to the NASL days with Pele and the New York Cosmos and many other players.Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and Robbie Keane have all followed suit, and there will certainly be more to come.While some fans may snicker that the MLS is more of a retirement ground for some players, if they play productively and win, as Beckham just did with the LA Galaxy, interest may continue to rise.Here are 10 big-name foreign players who could end up in the MLS.Begin Slideshow20Feb/120
Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, February 20, 2012
New Boss in Charge—At the Front OfficeLast Friday was a day of changes ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy's preseason trip to Arizona. The major change: 38-year-old Chris McGowan is now the club's Chief Operating Officer (COO), and will take over all day-to-day operations of the Galaxy."Chris has been a part of our organization for 16 years and has done an outstanding job with the business side of the Kings to where there is now a lot of enthusiasm and expectations, and he will do the same with the Galaxy,” said AEG CEO Tim Leiweke. “With our recent MLS Cup Championship, the return of David Beckham and our outstanding roster heading into this season, the Galaxy will continue their rapid growth in this marketplace under Chris’ leadership.”"I am looking forward to working in Major League Soccer and I am honored to be joining a championship organization that has a rich history of success both on and off the field,” said McGowan on Friday. “I am very passionate about the sport of soccer and am excited to work alongside the rest of the front office staff to provide our fans with an organization they can be proud to represent.”McGowan brings five years of ...20Feb/120
Allen Iverson Gets an Offer from a Pro Soccer Team
This is one of the reasons that soccer will never be respected in this country. The Rochester Lancers of MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) have offered Allen Iverson a professional contract playing a sport that he has probably never played before. As if it is just that easy to pick up a ball and become a star. The contract would have Iverson paid $20,000 a game plus a $5,000 per goal bonus (actual players make a fraction of that).There are indoor athletes who work their entire lives just for a few minutes on the field and a paycheck that is comparable to minimum wage, and Iverson receives this offer:Rich Randall, vice president of the Rochester Lancers said, "Allen Iverson is one of the premier athletes of our time.With his athleticism and competitive hunger, I think he can be a great fit with our team and fans as we make an important playoff push, while also driving interest to an exciting, growing sport."Are you kidding me?Hopefully this is a publicity stunt. Hopefully Iverson laughs the deal off and moves on to his next attempt at a comeback.Even if this turns out to be a publicity stunt or joke, it is one still ...19Feb/120
MLS Review: Toronto FC’s Offseason Analysis
It has been a long wait for MLS fans to see their clubs back out on the pitch. With the offseason coming to an end and all clubs back training, it is time to assess Toronto's side in preparation for next season. Like a few other MLS sides, Toronto's season starts extremely early this year. The first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Quarter Final against the LA Galaxy will be played in Toronto on March 7, 2012. This will certainly be an extremely difficult fixture, as LA has retained all the big pieces from its MLS Cup winning team this past year. Depth and Breadth Despite lacking the star power that other teams possess, it is clearly evident that Toronto finally possess something they have lacked since their young beginnings: depth. Toronto has quality and proven depth in nearly every position on the pitch.They also have two very capable designated players in Frings and Koevermans and a wild-card third in De Guzman. Frings and Koevermans both proved their value in the later stages of last season. Frings provided leadership and the ability to control the pace of the game, and Koevermans saw immediate success in front of goal. Keeper Dilemma The goalie situation in Toronto is certainly a luxury to have. Currently, both Stefan Frei ...18Feb/120
Seattle Sounders Trade for Eddie Johnson, Who Attempts Career Revival
After a four-year sojourn in Europe and Mexico, former US international Eddie Johnson has returned to MLS. Johnson signed with the league on Feb. 17, and was allocated to Montreal Impact. In an attempt to remedy their own striker needs, the Impact sent Johnson to Seattle Sounders for Mike Fucito and Lamar Neagle. Seattle finally has a strike partner for last season’s top scorer, Fredy Montero, and a player with experience in MLS and Europe.The Sounders haven’t had a quality partner for Montero since the signing of Swiss international Blaise Nkufo. However, Nkufo only appeared in 11 matches and decided to hang-up his boots in March 2011.Johnson joined MLS as a teenager in 2001. His early years were marked by inconsistency, something that has plagued his career. In seven MLS seasons, Johnson tallied 41 goals for Dallas Burn (FC Dallas) and Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC). Johnson’s inconsistency followed him to the US national team as well. Though he had success at youth levels, he could not hold down a place in the senior team. Johnson’s international form was much like his club form, one good match followed by a series of poor performances. Johnson’s overall form improved in 2007, when he scored 14 ...17Feb/120