Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Feb. 23, 2011

Two out of three ain't badBruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy ended their Arizona training camp with a 2-0 victory over Teitur Thordarsson's Vancouver Whitecaps to improve their MLS preseason record to 2-1-2.Adam Cristman opened the scoring off the delivery from Argentinean Miguel Lopez in the 58th minute. Then in the 74th minute, Hector Jimenez found Chad Barrett for the final margin.“We’re pleased with the progress that the entire group is making, being where we are in preseason,” Galaxy assistant coach Curt Onalfo told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Tuesday. “Having said that, we know that we need to, as we head into the last phase of our preseason, fine-tune things even more and make sure that we continue to get better each day.”Despite the starters playing the first match and the backups playing the second, Onalfo did have an intention to make it as such.“Part of preseason—especially when you have a lot of new players—is to make evaluations and try to figure out what the best combinations are and try different sorts of things," Onalfo said. "For us, it’s a continuing evolution of us evaluating the group, seeing guys in different positions so that we can make sure that we have ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins & Outs, Feb. 21, 2011

More action from ArizonaLast Friday, training camp in Arizona continued—with seven players training on their own while the others returned to playing a series of five-minute split-squad matches. After the matches, the team went through shooting drills which involved backup goalkeeper Brian Perk, who impressed the team with his tenacity and readiness.Rains from Alaska did hamper camp over the weekend, as the team were reduced to performing conditioning workouts under the bleachers of the track stadium at Arizona State University in Tempe.Back on track with a winEarlier today, the Galaxy took on the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps as the skies cleared. First-half goals from Chris Birchall and Juan Pablo Angel got L.A. back on track in a 2-0 win.Both the Galaxy and Caps clash once more tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 a.m. ET.Fox Soccer telecasts a-plentyThe Galaxy will be featured in seven of FOX Soccer’s national broadcasts this upcoming season, Major League Soccer and FOX Soccer announced today. Last season, L.A. was also featured in seven of FOX Soccer’s telecasts.Additionally, the Galaxy announced on Friday that the club’s match against D.C. United at The Home Depot Center has changed dates. The game, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 4, will ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Feb. 18, 2011

Switch It Up!After Wednesday's 4-2 preseason defeat to the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy were split into two squads. One squad of 17 defeated the U.S. Under-18 National Team 1-0 while another squad of nine did a 90-minute pool and gym workout at Athletes' Performance.Midfielder Dan Keat and forward Chad Barrett were both nursing injuries, while forward Adam Cristman had personal business to attend to in Virginia. DeLaGarza Relishes in VersatilityDefender A.J. DeLaGarza enjoys the role he has on the back line for the Galaxy, but being versatile has its drawbacks.“I have to keep an open mind,” DeLaGarza told MLSsoccer.com. “I just want to get on the field.“I think I’ve become a better player. The thing now is just getting one position down consistently, day in and day out, and being able to play there and practice there day in and day out, just getting used to that.”Last year, DeLaGarza appeared 17 times en route to the Galaxy capturing the MLS Supporters' Shield.“I can kind of fill in at each spot more so than some of the other guys, but just being ready, as a professional you have to be ready to play when your ...

MLS: Has David Beckham Really Made an Impact in U.S. Soccer?

So the Los Angeles Galaxy continue to prepare for another season in Major League Soccer. And while the rest of the team is going through the gauntlet in Arizona as part of their training, midfielder David Beckham is wrapping up training with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in London before rejoining the club.As the Galaxy's No. 23 prepares to rejoin his teammates back in the states, the question is posed: has David Beckham really made an impact on U.S. soccer?If you were to ask me this difficult question, the answer is...No. And here's why.I remember when it was 2007 and this then-new quirk we like to call the Designated Player Rule was born. The first player to be signed under this rule, which allows teams to compete for star players in the international market, was Mr. Beckham himself. That's why this rule is given the moniker of "The Beckham Rule."But that was really the only major contribution Beckham made to American soccer, aside from the various youth clinics and the many philanthropic and PR obligations he, his wife Victoria and some of his Galaxy teammates took part in.When Beckham made his first appearance in an international friendly against Chelsea, all he could ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs: Feb. 17, 2011

Lousy performance leads to 4-2 preseason defeat to Colorado RapidsAside from the obvious, there is another reason why the Colorado Rapids are ranked first in the Bleacher Report Preseason MLS Power Rankings and why MLSSoccer.com may be jumping the gun in its own rendition.It's called consistency.Gary Smith's defending MLS Cup champs looked like they had not missed a beat from their successful campaign last year, as they defeated Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy 4-2.Conor Casey looked as if his form from 2010 didn't change much, as he scored a brace in the 19th and 25th minutes for Colorado. Also scoring for the Rapids were Caleb Folan in the 76th minute and Stephen Emory in the 79th minute. Emory was also responsible for Folan's goal.Landon Donovan scored on a penalty kick in the 58th minute, while Adam Cristman evened the tally at 2-2 in the 64th minute off a delivery from Frankie Hejduk.Up next for the Galaxy will be a couple of matches against the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps.Donovan puts on brave face in spite of setbackDespite the Galaxy getting their first taste of humble pie, Donovan put the whole Arizona camp in perspective.“We always feel like this is a team that should ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Feb. 15, 2011

Dog days in ArizonaBruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy arrived for training in both Scottsdale, Arizona and the Athletes' Performance Facility on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe.The first day began with some drills and possession work, as well as a 25-minute scrimmage before the team hit the weight rooms at ASU for some heavy lifting.Team captain Landon Donovan hopes the players will be able to gel together as a unit, with the season opener against the Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field a month away.“We’re still lacking understanding on the field,” Donovan said. “My belief has always been the things you do off the field then cultivate themselves on the field."Guys in groups hanging out after training, whether it’s sitting by the pool, going to dinner, watching TV, playing cards…those kinds of things allow for discussions about soccer to take place. You can understand people and talk about things that are important. Trips like this are crucial to that kind of team building.”Defender Todd Dunivant was pleased with last year's camp in the Grand Canyon State, and is optimistic that he will see more of the same...and some.“It was good for us last year,” Dunivant said. “It continued to ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Feb. 13, 2011

Jack McBean Is InLos Angeles Galaxy forward Jack McBean, signed by the club as a Home Grown Player in late January, was named to the USA Under-17 National Team squad for the CONCACAF U-17 Championships in Jamica.  He is one of 20 players named to the squad by national team manager Wilmer Cabrera.The USA opens group play on Feb. 14 against Cuba and will continue group play on Feb. 18 against Panama.  The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, where either Costa Rica, El Salvador or Haiti awaits.Quarterfinal winners advance to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Mexico from Jun. 18 to Jul. 10.McBean officially joined the LA Galaxy Youth Academy program last summer at the age of 15, debuting at the SUM U-17 Cup in Houston, and immediately helped make the Galaxy U-16 squad one of the best in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.McBean scored nine goals in his 10 games with the club, including a hat trick against South Carolina United FC at the annual Winter Showcase in Arizona.While at the Showcase, he also played in one of the Academy Select games, which brings a number of the nation’s ...

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Feb. 11, 2011

Another day, another draw  It seems that SuperDraft selection Paolo Cardozo may be better than advertised.  Yesterday, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy played the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw at the Home Depot Center.  Ike Opara scored for San Jose in the fourth minute of play, but Mike Magee scored on a set piece from Cardozo in the 84th minute.  Up next for the Galaxy is training camp in Arizona. The team departs on Sunday, Feb. 13, with the camp scheduled for Feb. 14-22.  Training includes matches against defending MLS Cup champions Colorado Rapids on Feb. 16 and expansion side Vancouver Whitecaps on Feb. 20 and 22.   2011 schedule arrived On Thursday, the club announced their schedule for the 2011 MLS regular season, which comprises of 17 home and 17 road games. The season begins with MLS First Kick 2011 at Qwest Field on Tuesday, Mar. 15.  Six matches will be aired by ABC/ESPN and another five will be televised by the Univision family of networks (Univision, Telefutura and Galavision).  The Galaxy's longest home stand is in July, when they host Seattle on Jul. 4, the Chicago Fire on Jul. 9 and the Columbus Crew on Jul. 20.  The club's longest road trip will be in April, when ...

Football Greats: Ranking the Top 25 MLS Players of All-Time

Beckham. Angel. Henry. Marquez. Montero. Ferreira. Cummings. Ricketts. Wondolowski. Le Toux. Rimando. Coundoul. Buddle. Keller.These are just a few names when talking about some of the best-known players in Major League Soccer in the past few years.But who are the top 25 players to have ever competed in this league? Bleacher Report investigates.NOTE: Records are as of this publishing date.Begin Slideshow

Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Feb. 9, 2011

Galaxy play to a 1-1 draw with Timbers  Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy continued their preseason with a match against the Portland Timbers at the Home Depot Center on Tuesday.  Paolo Cardozo scored in the 47th minute off a delivery from Bryan Jordan from the right flank. Portland's Brian Umony scored an unassisted goal in the 50th minute to tie the match.  Up next will be a preseason game with their California Clasico rivals, the San Jose Earthquakes, on Thursday, Feb. 10.  After the match, the Galaxy will continue to train at the Home Depot Center until Sunday, when they take off for training in Arizona.   Barrett raring for more production  San Diego's very own Chad Barrett looked forward to the opportunity to increase his production as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy.  “It’s a happy place here” Barrett said. “Everybody’s just happy. I can see why it’s so easy. You wake up, the sun’s up. How can you be mad?  “I’m just looking for the chance to get in there. I consider myself a starter in this league and I’m going to fight for my starting spot but I’m definitely going to have a lot of competition.”  In terms of skill, Barrett feels that he emulates a ...