Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire: Play-by-Play Analysis, Reaction and More

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy hit the road for a July 8 Major League Soccer match with Frank Klopas’s Chicago Fire at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. The Galaxy sport a very dismal 6-10-2 record (20 points) and have been struggling to post victories, managing just two shutouts all season. As for the Fire, they have had a much better year in MLS, earning a record of 8-5-4 (28 points) and are currently fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference. For this match, midfielder David Beckham will be out due to suspension. However, the flip side is that defender Omar Gonzalez returned to play on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Union and is expected to play a full match on Sunday afternoon in Chi-Town. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN and ESPN Deportes. 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

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire: 10 Bold Predictions

It's back to the road for the Los Angeles Galaxy when they head to Bridgeview, Ill. to take on the Chicago Fire on Sunday, July 8. The Galaxy have a very disappointing 6-10-2 (20 points) record and are in desperate need of a result.As for the Chicago Fire, they are 8-5-4 (28 points) and are currently fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference.Kickoff for this match is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Here are 10 bold predictions for Sunday's contest.Begin Slideshow

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union: Rating the Galaxy Players

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy are not getting the job done this year. They simply don't have the fire to win games. There were no fireworks in LA's 2-1 defeat to the Philadelphia Union—just poor finishing, errant passing and a bunch of frustrated players who are left searching for answers heading into their next road trip. Given that this was the Union they faced, you should not be surprised at how harsh these ratings are going to be. Well, I just gave it away right there. Here we go.  Josh Saunders: 4 He didn't make a lot of saves, but he didn't make enough of them, either. Saunders isn't the man I'm calling out defensively for this match, though. There are two of them, as you will see in these ratings.  A.J. DeLaGarza: 5.5 He could only do so much to help the team defensively. DeLaGarza had a decent match all around but couldn't get any help in the extra-time segments of the match.  Omar Gonzalez: 7 Man of the Match. Not very often do I give someone a Man of the Match Award for playing just one half of football before being subbed out. But given that this was ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union: 6 Things We Learned

Two losses on the trot—that is the sorry truth facing the sorry team that is Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, who lost their 10th game of the season on Independence Day in a 2-1 stinker to John Hackworth's Philadelphia Union at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.With a 6-10-2 record (20 points), there could be some personnel changes on the way. At this stage, any change would be good for this team, because otherwise the Galaxy sure won't be changing their losing ways any time soon.Here are six things we learned from the Independence Day snafu that took place.Begin Slideshow

6 MLS All-Stars Who Could Cut It in the Premier League

Under normal circumstances, any conversation regarding the MLS and English Premier League will usually concern which slightly over-the-hill EPL veteran will next decide to see out the remainder of his career in America.Having said that, it's important to remember that there has been an underrated flow going in the other direction for several years now.Players like Clint Dempsey, Stuart Holden, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan (on loan) are all quality players who have had a positive impact on Premier League clubs.With that being said, who could cut it from the 2012 MLS All-Star team?Let's take a look.Begin Slideshow

San Jose Earthquakes’ Comeback Falls Short in 2-1 Road Loss to Portland Timbers

Mired in a brutal midseason stretch that will see them play six games in 18 days (they're currently four games through), the San Jose Earthquakes lost 2-1 to the Portland Timbers on Tuesday night at Jeldwen Field.The loss dropped the Earthquakes' season record to 11-3-4, although they remain first in the Western Conference standings with 36 points.Much had been made about the Earthquakes' prodigious attack (35 goals (including 17 on the road) and 37 assists this season), deemed to be far superior to that of the Timbers', who have crawled out of the gate to start the MLS season.But with the first portions of Tuesday night's match as a reference, you wouldn't have known that the Earthquakes were at top of the Western Conference. The Timbers dominated them in both possession and scoring opportunities.Aside from some pretty link-up play in midfield, and one searching long ball that passed just out of the reach of league-leading goalscorer Chris Wondolowski (14 goals), the Earthquakes found themselves largely on the back foot.The Timbers, bolstered by their rapturous, incessant fan support, hit the post and fired wide of both posts during the early going. Their troubles in the attacking realm aside, the Timbers have ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union Live Blog: Play-by-Play Analysis

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy play host to the Philadelphia Union on Independence Day at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Galaxy are 6-9-2 (20 points) and need to earn points to stay alive in the race for a postseason spot. As for John Hackworth's Union, a 3-9-2 (11 points) record is not what they had in mind, and they will look to pull off the upset on the Fourth of July.Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised locally by KDOC and KWHY. The live blog will begin at approximately 5:45 p.m. PT/8:45 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

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union: 10 Bold Predictions

With its three-game win streak now history, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy will aim to stop the bleeding on July 4 when they take on the Philadelphia Union at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.The Galaxy are 6-9-2 (20 points) and need more points to stay alive in the race for a postseason spot. As for John Hackworth's Union, a 3-9-2 (11 points) record was the price they had to pay for Peter Nowak's decision to go with young players to steer the ship.Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be televised locally by KDOC and KWHY.Here are 10 bold predictions for this Independence Day showdown.Begin Slideshow

San Jose Earthquakes Defeat LA Galaxy in 4-3 Thriller at Stanford Stadium

To commemorate Military Appreciation Night on Saturday at a sweltering Stanford Stadium filled to the brim with boisterous supporters, San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski went a bit overboard.Entering into the game with a league-best 13 goals (two ahead of New York Red Bulls' Kenny Cooper, who has made two more appearances this season), Wondolowski sent his side ahead in the 61st minute with a sublime back-heeled flick off a Marvin Chavez corner.It marked the third goal in three league games for the man affectionately known as "Wondo," who spent nearly a month on duty with the United States men's national team during this latest round of friendlies and World Cup qualifying.His latest exploit, which would prove the last goal the Earthquakes would need on the night, also saw him enjoy one of the more patriotic celebrations seen in recent memory, just days from the Fourth of July.After watching his shot trickle past a helpless Josh Saunders into the back of the net, Wondolowski charged toward the group of 15 or so military personnel collected behind the goal and began high-fiving and hugging a number of them fervently.Then, Wondolowski took a few steps backwards and began trotting toward center-circle, pounding ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Rating David Beckham’s Performance

First off, I want to say this to Stuart Pearce: thank you. Thank you, from the very bottom of my sportswriting heart, for doing the right thing and cutting David Beckham from Team Great Britain. With your rightful decision, I now affirm my belief in your side, and wish you all the best. I must note, however, that I will leave it to the footballing gods to determine whether or not Team GB medals in London later this summer. Now, with that out of the way, on to David Beckham's performance against the San Jose Earthquakes. Or, as it can also be interpreted, the lack thereof. Beckham did get on the scoresheet in the 31st minute with a free kick that hit the near post corner with pinpoint accuracy. Jon Busch, the Quakes goalkeeper who had to be subbed midway through the match due to an injury with one of his own players, was not going to touch that bending ball that defined Becks throughout his playing career. However, it also takes some professionalism and class to be considered for Team Great Britain, and he got carded for dissent late in the match. In addition, Beckham got into a verbal ...