LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: No More Friendlies, It’s Back to Business

One sentence of massive brevity will be ringing in the ears of both Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy and Tom Soehn's Vancouver Whitecaps FC as they head into this Saturday's game at Empire Field in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:No more friendlies, it's back to business.For the Galaxy, there are two competition that demand their attention. First is the race for the CONCACAF Champions League crown, with matches against Alejualense and two other teams to be determined. Monarcas de Morelia is looking like one of those sides.Then there is the ongoing competition in Major League Soccer. Los Angeles cling to a three-point lead in the overall standings with a record of 11-2-9 (42 points) and need a result this weekend against the worst team in MLS, the Whitecaps, who have a 2-10-9 record (15 points).It's a battle of David vs. Goliath. However, Goliath himself is coming in not exactly at full strength.David Beckham and Chris Birchall are suspended for Saturday's match, Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez are nursing ankle and nose injuries respectively, and Sean Franklin may or may not start after the All-Star Game, also known as the incoming beatdown by Manchester United Football Club, barring an act of God.The ...

World Soccer: Los Angeles Galaxy Show Grit, Lose to Manchester City 7-6 in PKs

Here I was, behind a group of vocal supporters in light blue in the northwest corner of Victoria Street, thinking that this was going to be a 3-2 victory by Roberto Mancini's Manchester City Football Club over Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy.Instead, what do the fans get? A 1-1 draw that led to a victory by the Citizens 7-6 on penalties, with goalkeeper Joe Hart slotting home the decisive spot kick.Two words: moral victory. Here's why. Los Angeles pushed Manchester City to the limit, going the distance. The likes of Edin Dzeko and Shaun Wright-Phillips were kept in check. The unlikeliest of heroes, Mike Magee, sent one past Hart in the second half. The Galaxy put on a brave effort in the shootout, although there are a few players that are not yet ready to step up. And Manchester City's scoring was limited to penalty conversions. LA got their goal the old-fashioned way. And I also put this in perspective in a number of ways. If this was a Premier League game, it would be a draw, and the Galaxy might be sitting in the middle of the league table, maybe successfully fighting off the drop. If this was an ...

2011 MLS Power Rankings: Week 19

Readers on Bleacher Report, we are in the dog days of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere. And while the Mexican Apertura kicks off, the 2011 Major League Soccer season continues with league action mixed with international friendlies.It's been another busy week of football here in North America, and after some moving and shaking, we have this week's MLS Power Rankings.Let's take a look.Begin Slideshow

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Manchester City Live Blog: Play-by-Play Analysis

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, fresh off a victory in Major League Soccer action to the Columbus Crew, concluded their 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge campaign on Sunday, July 24 against defending FA Cup Champions Manchester City Football Club of the Premier League.After a 1-1 draw in regulation, Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart scored the winning penalty to give the Citizens a 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Los Angeles.Mario Balotelli scored in the 20th minute off a penalty for Man City, while Mike Magee equalized in the 53rd minute for Los Angeles.Keep it here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of all things World Football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, July 21, 2011

Galaxy excited to clash with Man CityFor Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, getting a victory against Manchester City will not be necessary on Sunday afternoon at the Home Depot Center.I love any game that I could either watch or coach in that we don’t have to win,” Arena said of the tie, which is part of the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge. “I don’t get that many in my life. I enjoy that, and I think that’s how the players approach it and give their best effort.“I’m really going to enjoy it this Sunday.”So, does Mr. David Beckham think much of this match?“No, because it’s Man City,” Beckham told LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan. “All joking aside, it’s going to be great for our fans to see some of their great players and a great experience for our team as well.“There’s motivation in every game that we play It doesn’t matter whether we’re playing against Columbus, Real Madrid (a 4-1 winner last Saturday at the L.A. Coliseum) or Man City. It’s just another game and just a game I’m sure the players will enjoy.”More on Becks' thoughts later.“To see all the fans and how much they love it, it’s amazing. Immediately after ...

Sean Franklin, Los Angeles Galaxy Harass Columbus Crew in 1-0 Victory

Once upon a time, noble readers on the View from Victoria Street and on Bleacher Report, Sean Franklin was a Rookie of the Year for his dazzling play on defense. He wasn't seen as a scorer, but somebody who could dispossess his opponents at will with skillfull tenacity.Never mind that Franklin was the first Los Angeles Galaxy player to be named MLS Rookie of the Year. Well, this former rookie scored his first league goal like the veteran he is today.On Wednesday night at the Home Depot Center, a rebound off a David Beckham set piece found the feet of Franklin, who slammed it past Columbus Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer, who was having a solid night between the pipes up until that point.The result: a 1-0 victory to the good for Bruce Arena's club, who improved to 11-2-9 as part of a fight to fend off challengers like the Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas for top honors in not only the MLS Western Conference, but all of Major League Soccer.The Galaxy are four points ahead of both those teams mentioned, who have 38 points respectively.Yes indeed, the Galaxy proved once again that the West is best. The proof is further ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Columbus Crew Live Blog: Play-by-Play Analysis, Reaction

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy are in a dogfight with the Seattle Sounders for the top spot in Major League Soccer. With a game in hand over their Northwest rivals, they can gain an advantage with a victory over the Columbus Crew tonight at the Home Depot Center (kickoff 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET).Los Angeles are 10-2-9 (39 points), while Columbus are 7-5-7 (28 points).Keep it here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the 2011 Major League Soccer season and all things World Football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

LA Galaxy vs. Man City: Right, But Who’s The Other Manchester Team?

When one thinks of football in Manchester, England, only one team comes to mind: Manchester United.But did you know there is another team in Manchester that also holds its own? It may not have the trophies and accolades, but it has its own rich tradition. Oh yeah, and they're the defending FA Cup Champions.They are the Blues of the Manchester City Football Club. And they happen to be the last opponent for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge.Man City and Los Angeles will meet on July 24 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT/4:00 p.m. ET.Roberto Mancini's Blues are a team that making huge investments to land some of the world's best footballers, with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan as their owner. Last season, Man City finished with a record of 21-8-9 (71 points) and qualified for their first-ever UEFA Champions League appearance.This match is the third of five preseason contests for Man City, which includes stops in San Francisco (against Club America), Vancouver (against the Vancouver Whitecaps) and Dublin (against a League of Ireland XI and Inter Milan in the Dublin Super Cup).Carlos Tevez, ...

2011 MLS Power Rankings: Week 18

This just in: The 2011 United States women's national soccer team have pulled off one of the biggest chokes in history, a 3-1 defeat on penalties to Japan at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup after a 2-2 draw.Wait a minute—that's the women's game! We're talking about the men's game here. So, while the women descend into the halls of ignominy, the men of MLS turn a blind eye and soldier on with their battles to attend to.We've got movers. We've got shakers. We've got a new team on top. All that and more in this week's Major League Soccer Power Rankings.Spare a thought for the ladies though, will you?Begin Slideshow

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Columbus Crew: Could the G’s Run at Top End This Week?

With the Seattle Sounders recording a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rapids, the pressure is on Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy to respond when they face the Columbus Crew in league play on Wednesday, July 20 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.This will be the first of two matches without the services of Chris Birchall, who was suspended for a rough challenge in a match against the Chicago Fire. Los Angeles are 10-2-9 (39 points), and while they do have a game in hand over the second-place Sounders, they are only ahead by one point.Potentially, this could be the week where Los Angeles relinquishes the top spot in the overall Major League Soccer standings. Never mind that the Galaxy are coming off a terrible week, with a 3-1 defeat to the Sounders in the U.S. Open Cup and an embarrassing—yet—predictable 4-1 mule—kicking against Real Madrid in the Herbalife World Football Challenge.In short, while the Galaxy's league—unbeaten streak stands at 12 games, they also have a two—game losing streak for the entire calendar year.“At the end of the day, we always knew it was going to be a tall order trying to get a result against Real Madrid,” David ...