13Jan/110
This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy: Paolo Cardozo
This is Part Four in a list of players that will be joining the Los Angeles Galaxy this season. South America is a continent that, along with Europe, forms two traditional hotbeds of footballing talent. So many of the world's best superstars hail from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and all the other countries that make up CONMEBOL. And for the most part, the Major League Soccer SuperDraft attracts talent from the best colleges and universities in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. However, it can also attract players who are outside of the mold, breaking it and setting a new precedent. Paolo Cardozo is an example of a new precedent being set. Now more and more international players are being selected in the MLS SuperDraft in an ongoing effort to enhance the league's quality of play. Cardozo, a Uruguayan attacking midfielder, came to America with a dream of playing in greener pastures. So he came to MLS, and for his efforts, has a chance to play with one of the more storied clubs in the league in the Los Angeles Galaxy. Paolo Daniel Cardozo was born on June 9, 1989 in Montevideo, Uruguay. A city noted for the highest quality of life in Latin America according to a ...12Jan/110
This Is the Los Angeles Galaxy: Adam Cristman
This is Part Three in a list of players that will be joining the Los Angeles Galaxy this season.For a journeyman forward like Adam Cristman, the frequent flyer miles are accumulating en masse.Cristman's work as a forward has seen him ply his trade with three different clubs in Major League Soccer, making an impact as a member of the New England Revolution and D.C. United.Now, with Edson Buddle leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy for greener pastures across the pond, Cristman—who stands 6-foot-1—will look to fill a lost void and deliver the same offensive firepower as he joins his fourth club in five years.Adam Cristman was born on Jan. 8, 1985 in Washington, DC. As a youth player, Cristman played for the Eagles of Mills Godwin High School in nearby Richmond, Virginia. In 2003, Cristman led the Eagles to a 22-0-0 record, a #1 national ranking and a Virginia AAA state championship.Cristman continued his work at the University of virginia. He was named a two-time NSCAA All-South Atlantic Team and All-ACC Team honoree in 2005 and 2006 while leading the Cavaliers to the NCAA College Cup for the first time since 1997.Cristman tallied 34 goals and 15 assists as a four-year ...12Jan/110
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Jan. 12, 2011
Adam Cristman to the G'sYesterday, the Los Angeles Galaxy acquired forward Adam Cristman from D.C. United in exchange for the Galaxy's first round pick of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft.The 26-year old Cristman has 12 goals and six assists in 68 career regular season games. A strong and powerful forward, he was a finalist for the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2007 by totaling four goals and four assists in a career-high 28 games with the Revolution.In 2008, Cristman scored a career-best six goals despite being limited to just 18 games from a toe injury. He was traded to Kansas City prior to the start of the 2009 season but was limited to just five appearances because of a fractured metatarsal that required surgery.In 2010, Cristman joined the ranks of D.C. United. He appeared in 17 games for United last season, making eight starts while tallying two goals and an assist.A special on Adam Cristman as part of the "This is The Los Angeles Galaxy" series will be posted later this week. High hopes for Omar Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez looks to crack the USA men's national team roster for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.“My goals are to be on ...9Jan/110
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Jan. 9, 2011
News from the USA campLos Angeles Galaxy defenders Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin and A.J. de LA Garza were among 24 players selected for the US men's national team camp at the Home Depot Center ahead of the Jan. 22 friendly with Chile.When asked about the experience of being with the Stars and Stripes, Franklin was nothing short of captivated.“It’s nice. Having a couple of guys that you know in camp makes you feel more comfortable, less nervous when you know someone you can talk to about the game,” Franklin said. “It’s going to be a fun camp, not just with AJ and Omar, but with all the guys here.”Gonzalez earned his first cap last year in an August friendly with Brazil at the New Meadowland Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.“It’s great. It gives me a sense of home. I’ve been with them two years now, every day,” Gonzalez said. “It’s great having them here, just to relax at the hotel together, hang out and come out here and play comfortably with them.”For De La Garza, the fruits of his labor, playing the role of center back for the G's, are being savored.“It’s crazy. Obviously playing with Maryland, the Galaxy ...5Jan/110
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Jan. 5, 2011
Meet Gregg Berhalter, the Player-CoachLos Angeles Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter will be going through a period of transition as his playing career draws closer to its conclusion. This week, the team named Berhalter as an assistant coach to go with his return as a defender.“The offer that Bruce [Arena] presented was that I would transition myself into a further career and take on this player/coach type of role and it really made sense,” Berhalter told MLSsoccer.com earlier this week. “This is something that I could continue doing. That kind of swayed me right there."The idea that I'm kind of doing double duty this way and kind of transition myself into possibly my next career.”The defeat to FC Dallas in the 2010 Western Conference Championship made Berhalter think about leaving the game. In the end, the opportunity to come back to the field one last time proved too good to pass up.“Obviously I thought about it,” Berhalter said. “I thought about how towards the end of the season last year I got injured, and that took a lot of the momentum out of the season, and that was disappointing. I wondered if I could come back to that level.”Here's hoping Berhalter's ...4Jan/110
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Jan. 4, 2011
Frankie Comes To [Bring Glory For] HollywoodIt seems imminent that Frankie Hejduk will close out his storied career in Major League Soccer as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Stints in Germany, Switzerland and a couple of World Cups with the US men's national team are just the bonus to a decade and a half of playing the world's game on America's stage.The Galaxy signed Hejduk to a one-year contract. The Galaxy acquired the rights to Hejduk earlier this month in a trade with Sporting Kansas City, who had selected him in the first round of Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Process, in exchange for the rights to midfielder Luke Sassano.“We’re very pleased to be able to come to terms with Frankie Hejduk,” said manager Bruce Arena. “I believe he will be a great addition to our team and will give us added depth and experience to our backline.”"I'm going back to my roots, where it all began,” Hejduk told MLSSoccer.com earlier last week. “What a great opportunity to get to play in front of my friends and family.“I’m happy that everything worked out the way it did and very excited to join a great organization and team ...31Dec/100
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Dec. 30, 2010
More plaudits for Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan continues to add to his mystique and legacy. Just recently, SBNation Los Angeles named the Galaxy's 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on July 4 the Game of the Year. Donovan managed an assist in the game, while team Golden Boot winner Edson Buddle added one of his 17 goals and Juninho added a brace. Other games highlighted include the Sep. 11 victory over the Columbus Crew (3-1), the Oct. 24 Shield-clinching victory over FC Dallas (2-1) and the 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Jul. 22. USA vs. Algeria remembered on ESPN On ESPN Los Angeles, Donovan's 91st minute winner for the USA in a 2010 FIFA World Cup game against Algeria has made him a candidate for L.A. Athlete of the Year. Others up for contention include Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jared Weaver, Los Angeles Sparks forward Tina Thompson, USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin. David Beckham to the Spurs? There are six Premier League teams looking to get midfielder David Beckham's services on loan, and Tottenham is ...28Dec/100
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Dec. 28, 2010
Inside the Private Lives of Landon and David...Oh, how relationships can be strained among the best in the business.Just a few days ago, Landon Donovan filed for divorce from actress Bianca Kajlich. According to the Associated Press, the files of divorce stated that they both had cited some ‘irreconcilable differences’ which led to their split up earlier, after only a period of three years in marriage.Interestingly, in October of 2009, they issued a statement saying, “We remain the closest of friends and will always be important parts of each other’s lives.”Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, boo hoo hoo.Meanwhile, David and Victoria Beckham (who actually are faring much better as a couple; take that, Landon), have decided to move to the Big Apple—New York City, and with good reason.“My work is so important to me and L.A. just isn’t a real fashion city,” Victoria was quoted as saying.”Her friendship group in L.A. has disbanded," sources said, "and David was traveling a lot more than she’d anticipated and so was she. It just seemed to make sense for her to be based in fashion capital New York. It’s closer to London and Europe for her business meetings.”Logistics, logistics, ...22Dec/100
Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, Dec. 22, 2010
Landon Donovan nixes loan moveThe suspense is over. The Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan is staying stateside.Yesterday, both Donovan and the team announced that LA's No. 10 will forgo any potential loan opportunities when the international transfer window re-opens on January 1. Donovan, who played more than 50 games with the Galaxy and U.S. National Team while on loan with Everton in 2010, was named to the MLS Best XI team again last season after scoring seven goals and adding an MLS-best 16 assists in 24 regular season games."We think in the best interest of the club and the player that Landon continues his postseason break and begins preparations for what will be a challenging year in 2011 at both the domestic and international levels,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. “We expect Landon to join our club for the start of preseason training next month as we begin to prepare for the 2011 MLS season.”For Donovan, the news was bittersweet, but staying local ultimately prevailed over one final curtain call with the Tofeees of the Everton Football Club.“While I enjoyed my time at Everton last season and still appreciate all the support their fans have given me, I feel ...21Dec/100