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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 ...17Feb/120
Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, February 17, 2012
Tis but a flesh wound, Omar arguesAn optimistic mindset was on the face of Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez, who was sidelined with a torn ACL. The unexpected optimism surprised even the journalists on hand to watch the most recent training session for involving Bruce Arena's club.“Everything has been pretty easy actually,” Gonzalez told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “I’m keeping my spirits up and just thinking of it as if it happened for a reason.“I’m thinking more of a long-term career thing here, I’m not thinking about just this season. If I’m back sooner than that, great. If I’m not, it’s going to be for the best. I’m not really trying to put too much pressure on myself.” Preseason slump over as Galaxy outlast Chivas 3-2The young guns for LA shined as Los Angeles ended a three-game losing streak in preseason action, defeating Chivas USA 3-2.Pat Noonan opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Adam Cristman made it 2-0 10 minutes later and Dan Keat recorded the game-winner in the 39th minute of play. The Galaxy had to hold on for the victory. “There was a sense of urgency,” Galaxy rookie Bryan Gaul told Bueno. “You could tell the first 15 minutes when we came out, we ...15Feb/120
Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, February 14, 2011
Setbacks? Better now than later.If the latest slate of dismal performances by Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy were to happen after February, this would be a cause for concern.So for the Galaxy manager, having setbacks like a 3-0 loss to the most unexpected of teams—the Montreal Impact—in February is better than during the 2012 MLS season. “It was a good morning for us; we got a lot out of it,” Arena told Luis Bueno of MLSSoccer.com. “A real good game to evaluate things, which is good and the purpose of these practice games.”Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant agreed with Arena's sentiments."We’re not going to win any championships in these first couple of weeks in the preseason,” Dunivant said. “As it continues, we need to keep getting better and keep getting our fitness back.” It’s on schedule for us, Arena added. Other teams maybe have a greater sense of urgency to get things going right now. This is just a six-week break. We’re not putting everything we have into preseason games right now. In another week it will be better and in two weeks it will certainly be a lot better.LA will have one final preseason match at the Home Depot Center on Feb. 16 before ...12Feb/120
Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, February 11, 2012
Preseason slump for LAIt seems that the 7-2 whipping laid by Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy on the Los Angeles Blues was a bit of a fluke. On Friday, LA lost 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo at the Home Depot Center.While it was just a mere preseason match, the result can be seen as a bit of poetic justice for Houston, who lost to LA by the same scoreline in the 2011 MLS Cup Final.With the defeat, Los Angeles drop to 1-2 in preseason play and will come into Tuesday's scrimmage with the Montreal Impact with a need to find cohesion, because the last thing the Galaxy want is to have these results carry over into the regular season.The scrimmage will be open to all fans who make a donation of five dollars or more to the Galaxy Foundation. A.J. DeLaGarza...thrust into the limelightDefender A.J. DeLaGarza has seen his role in central defense increase exponentially, especially with Omar Gonzalez sidelined for the bulk of the 2012 Major League Soccer season.DeLaGarza is expected to join forces with untested rookie Tommy Meyer in the back.“I’m trying to take that leadership role and talk to everyone around me,” DeLaGarza told reporters on Friday after the scrimmage, according ...28Jan/120
2012 MLS Power Rankings: Preseason
Another year of Major League Soccer is dawning on the world. It seems as if the Los Angeles Galaxy lifted the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, that chalice of footballing glory in the United States and Canada, only yesterday.But yesterday seems like two months ago, and a clean slate awaits the defending MLS Cup and Supporters Shield holders. Now L.A. finds itself in a race with 18 other teams hunting for hardware, the newest side being the Montreal Impact, who have an intention of living up to their moniker.As part of Bleacher Report's continuing coverage of the 2012 MLS season, we bring you the preseason power rankings for the league's 17th season. Sit back and enjoy the ride.Begin Slideshow23Dec/110
Ranking the Top 15 Pure Scorers in MLS History
What is a pure scorer? According to my definition, a pure scorer is a player who can score in more ways that one. It's not just give-and-go. It's also being able to have a good first touch, great dribbling and the ability to score from different angles.Major League Soccer completed its16th season just over a month ago, but throughout its history, there have been a number of players who have been able to record goals in bunches, from different angles, establish a good first touch...but most importantly score and score at will.Let us take a look at the Top 15 Pure Scorers in MLS History.Begin Slideshow17Dec/110
Picking an All-Time MLS Best XI
I have been covering Major League Soccer for a couple years here on Bleacher Report and so far it has been nothing short of a rewarding experience. I have learned quite a lot about the nuances of the league, the dynamics, the teams, the culture of its fans...and I have come to appreciate the importance of MLS to the United States.As I close the books on another successful year of following this league and prepare to open a new one next month, I want to reflect on eleven players that make up my All-Time MLS Best XI. These are footballers that have molded the league into what it is today.Let's take a look.Begin Slideshow10Dec/110
LA Galaxy Transfers: 10 Potential Replacements for David Beckham
With the 2011 Asia Pacific Tour finally in the rear view mirror of Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, the million-dollar question is officially asked: who is going to replace midfielder David Beckham as the team's third designated player?A number of names have been thrown around. and Bleacher Report, courtesy of yours truly, offer 10 of these names for your consideration.Begin Slideshow4Dec/110
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Melbourne Victory: Analysis, Reaction and More
Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy wrap up what has been a sensational 2011 campaign when they take on Mehmet Durakovic’s Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on Tuesday, Dec. 6. This is the final leg of the Galaxy's Asia Pacific Tour 2011. The Galaxy are coming off a 6-1 rout of the Philippine national team and are taking on a Victory side that suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Newcastle Jets on Saturday at Ausgrid Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales. Los Angeles, led by David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, finished their season 19-5-10 (67 points), earning a Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup double. As for the Victory, who are led by Harry Kewell, Archie Thompson and Carlos Hernandez, they are in the doldrums, managing a 2-2-5 record (12 points) this year. The match will be televised by Fox Sports 1 in Australia and Fox Soccer Channel in the United States and Canada. Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the Major League Soccer offseason and all things World Football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com2Dec/110