Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chivas USA: Rating David Beckham’s Performance

Well, to be honest with you wonderful readers on Bleacher Report and the View from Victoria Street, there isn’t really much to say about David Beckham’s performance on Saturday night against Chivas USA in their 1-0 loss at the Home Depot Center. There isn’t much to say, period, because Beckham was on the pitch for the space of 16 minutes and stoppage time. But I will say this regarding David Beckham: It was simply a selfish move to take part in the torch relay for London 2012. I can’t believe I am still bringing this up. As I said before, David Beckham deserves no part in the London 2012 Olympic Games. However, as a frequent user of BigSoccer’s Community Forums, some fellow L.A. Galaxy supporters are fearing that David Beckham will be called up to the Olympic team, much to my own personal horror. This was not the worst performance from Beckham this year (that honor still goes to his efforts against the New York Red Bulls), but it was a performance that should have seen more time but didn’t due to his work in Europe. Why does the IOC even have to consider making Beckham a face of the ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chivas USA: Rating the Galaxy Players

Make no mistake about it, this looks like a rebuilding year rather than a reloading year for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy.And while the race for the top pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft is months away, the Galaxy are making a early case to challege Toronto FC for the top spot with their 1-0 defeat to Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. At this rate, the Galaxy are looking at a Top 5 selection in the draft (currently No. 4). If they keep this losing streak up, we could be looking at a Top 2 selection for Los Angeles. Subpar performances result in subpar ratings. Here are the player ratings for Los Angeles Galaxy against Chivas USA.  Brian Perk 5 Brian Perk is no Manuel Neuer when it comes to stopping penalties. Actually, Neuer could help the Galaxy with their penalty-stopping in more ways than one.Perk's failure to stop Jose Correa was the only low point in what was an average day for Perk, who made only two stops for the entire match. He was also responsible for not being able to clear a ball in the 70th minute.  Sean Franklin 4 Decent on the ...

LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA: 6 Things We Learned

Another night, another defeat marred by gong-show football comedy from Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, who lost 1-0 to Robin Fraser's Chivas USA thanks to a 71st minute penalty kick by Jose Correa.With the result, the Galaxy drop to 3-6-2 (11 points) and have an uphill battle to climb before they can get into the thick of the MLS Western Conference chase.Here are six things We Learned from Saturday's 1-0 defeat to the Goats at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.Begin Slideshow

Bryan Meredith, Sounders Backup Keeper, Is Having Success as a Starter

When Michael Gspurning went down with a hip injury, backup keeper Andrew Weber couldn’t become the regular starter because of a wrist injury.  Weber’s backup, Josh Ford, couldn’t either because of an ACL tear.  This left the Seattle Sounders with a 23-year-old who hadn’t played a regular season MLS match in his life: Bryan Meredith. Bryan Meredith was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on August 2, 1989.  He attended Monmouth University in his home state, where he served as captain and starting keeper of his team. His success as a Monmouth Hawk earned him various awards in the NSCAA, including being named to the 2008 NSCAA/Adidas North Atlantic Region First Team.  During his time in college, Meredith played briefly for the Central Jersey Spartans of the USL Premier Development League.In early 2011 Meredith was selected by the Sounders in the second round of the MLS Superdraft.  After a trial with the Sounders, he was released after Josh Ford earned the third goalkeeping position.  Meredith returned to the USL’s development league where he played with the Kitsap Pumas of Bremerton, Washington.After fourteen appearances with the ...

Adidas Smart Soccer: MLS Stars to Feature in Ad During Champions League Final

As you may have heard, adidas will be debuting their "Smart Soccer" technology in this year's MLS All-Star Game against Chelsea in Philadelphia on July 25.The world's first "Smart Soccer" match will see players on both teams fitted with special chips in their shoes. These will be used to provide real-time analysis of their performance, tracking a variety of metrics and sending the results wirelessly to the sidelines. More on how it all works right here.To promote their "micoach" technology, adidas will be showcasing the talents of MLS stars Brek Shea, Javier Morales, Teal Bunbury and Darlington Nagbe in an ad spot during FOX Soccer's coverage of the Champions League final.Here's a sneak preview of the clip...Follow @willtideyRead more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Viral Video: Vancouver Whitecaps’ Eric Hasslie Scores an Amazing Goal

Eric Hassli gave Vancouver Whitecaps fans reason to be excited when he equalized against Toronto FC in the semifinal of the Amway Canadian Championship.What you say? Yes, to be honest this author never heard of that tournament before either but that's not the issue here.The MLS' two Canadian teams faced off, and one French-born player, who has a decent amount of experience playing in Europe, made waves with his volleyed goal.This wasn't the first time Hassli has brought down the house with an amazing goal, as it seems the player is no stranger to viral videos or exquisite finishes. Last season, he scored this gem against the Seattle Sounders in an MLS game.It's pretty hard to say which one may be the better effort. Hassli showed exceptional technique with the volley and the difficulty of the angle and, need for accuracy notwithstanding, he had much to do with the strike against Seattle.His dejected opponents didn't really stand a chance, though the midfielders may be getting their fair share of flak from teammates for letting the crosser waltz through them so easily.That is two top-notch strikes in two years from the French striker, and fans of the game, those from Vancouver ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chivas USA Live Blog: Play-by-Play Analysis, Reaction

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy take on Robin Fraser's Chivas USA on Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Round 1 of the 2012 Honda SuperClasico.Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.The live blog will begin at approximately 5:15 p.m. PT/8:15 p.m. ET. Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the 2012 Major League Soccer season and all things World Football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

New York Red Bulls Trade of Juan Agudelo for Heath Pearce Was a Good Move

Juan Agudelo is currently one of the United States’ most popular and exciting young soccer players. New York Red Bulls fans were excited to call him their own. Their opinions were heard when Hans Backe wouldn’t play him. Many were surprised and disappointed to hear that the club favorite was traded to Chivas USA. But after the shock subsides, Red Bull fans should know one thing: the trade actually works in the team’s favor. The deal that has been reported is that the Red Bulls will send Agudelo to Chivas USA in exchange for defender Heath Pearce. New York will also receive allocation money, a cut of any sale of Agudelo to a foreign league and Chivas will pay for part of Pearce’s salary. It’s quite a haul for a player that has only appeared in four games this season and isn’t considered a starter when the entire first team is healthy. Fairly or unfairly, whatever the case, Agudelo has been stuck on the bench and in head coach Hans Backe’s doghouse the past two seasons. Last year Agudelo managed to score six goals and had two assists in 27 games played (12 starts), but even when forward Luke Rodgers ...

MLS: Which Clubs Could Legitimately Compete in the Premier League?

It is a question that all MLS fans ask despite knowing they will never truly have an answer. As fans of a young developing league, we are constantly trying to compare Major League Soccer's clubs with those of the best in Europe as we ponder how things would play out if the leagues ever combined. With so many variables and differences between the two leagues that are unknown even to the most attentive follower of the MLS and EPL, we will never truly know for sure how MLS clubs would fare if placed up against the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League. For pure fantastical fun, here are the three teams in MLS which I think could legitimately compete in a long Premier League season and hold their own against some of the best clubs in the world. Enjoy! Note 1: Of course, there is always going to be different opinions on this unsolvable and subjective topic. Comment below on how you think certain MLS teams would fair if suddenly placed in the Premier League. Note 2: I am not saying that these three teams would ...

MLS All-Star Game: More Exciting Ideas Than Chelsea

I will start this off by saying this is not an anti-Chelsea article, but rather an article about what would be more exciting than another English Team. If you look at the past All-Star games, they have had a decidedly English flavor to them. While the EPL is arguable the most popular league in America, it's time for something different, something that will add a little more flavor to the game.American soccer fans deserve a little diversity in their All-Star game.Begin Slideshow