Beckham to LA

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » July 15, 2007, 7:21 am

Told you... (and btw I think I fixed the pitcher up there)

I wouldn't be surprised if LA Galaxy break even just on merchandising for Beckham alone, never mind the added additional attention to the other players.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » October 18, 2007, 8:30 pm

Can they do it? The LA Galaxy has been playing insane lately. Their run for the MLS Playoffs has been rather inspiring, especially considering that Beckham and other "stars" have been fighting injuries the entire time. Two games to go, and they might pull it off. Oh, and Beckham may play in at least one of those two.

from: http://ussoccerplayers.com/exclusives/i ... cle_id=770

The Galaxy's Late, Late Wake-Up Call
10/18/2007 9:06 AM
By Andrea Canales

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 18, 2007) USSoccerPlayers -- By late summer, the LA Galaxy’s season looked as good as over. With only four wins to its name, the team was not only last overall in the Major League Soccer standings, but was on pace to post the worst record in the club’s history.

All this came to the world’s attention thanks to David Beckham. Instead of merely MLS fans being aware of the Galaxy’s malaise, news of its disastrous year was wired around the world.

Long after the Galaxy had become a punch line for jokes about failure, hype and hubris, and just as the epitaph RIP (Ripped Into Pieces) was being inscribed on its 2007 gravestone, the Galaxy suddenly refused to lose. They’ve gone unbeaten for six successive games, tossing them a lifeline that has left them two wins from securing a playoff spot.

“All along I’ve said in this league you need a steady team,” said coach Frank Yallop, who maintained that he never lost faith in his players. Instead, he blamed injuries and a difficult schedule for the team’s struggles.

“You need to try to get your best team on the field most of the time. We haven’t had that, but even with the group we’ve had lately playing, at least it’s the same group that has grown together as a team.” This was in contrast to earlier in the year when, Yallop said he was just “trying to put out the most healthy eleven.”

Despite the odds stacked against the Galaxy with the injury woes, Chris Klein took responsibility for the results, both good and bad.

“We put ourselves in this hole,” said Klein. “But now we’ve played better and are climbing out.”

The Galaxy have won games on the backs of some of the least known players on the roster. Mike Randolph, the rookie who has made crucial contributions on both defense and offense, credited fan support as part of the turnaround.

“The fans have supported me,” he said. “I’ve gotten a better welcome than I thought I would, being a rookie. It gives me a lot of energy, and fires me up for games.”

Josh Tudela, another rookie, has also put in crucial minutes for the Galaxy. Both players are energetic going forward and pesky on defense, and have held down the fort well in the absence of bigger names.

“Josh and I are nervous about what will happen when Beckham and everyone else returns, but we can’t worry about that,” said Randolph.

Other veterans have proven to be versatile performers. Landon Donovan has been increasingly effective as a playmaker, while Klein has pitched in wherever the team needed him.

“I’ve gone from playing right midfield to right back,” he said. “I try to be a positive influence off the field, too. I’ve always believed in this team.”

Yallop waved off the notion that other players returning from time out to heal would upset the team chemistry.

“It’s good competition for places,” Yallop said of his new choices, pointing out that it was ideal for players to push each other and remain sharp.

Galaxy players were also motivated to push hard for the playoffs, partly in honor of one of the league’s pioneers.

“It’s my first year, but it’s the last one for Cobi [Jones], and I’d like to make it a special event for him,” said Randolph.

Players have also been eager to prove that the squad’s true worth is much higher then when it was reviled during the first two-thirds of the season.

“That’s why it would be such a big deal for us to get into the playoffs with a full complement of guys,” said Klein. “If we can get in there and be healthy -- watch out.”

Different options make the Galaxy a threat, especially if Beckham returns to make plays alongside Donovan.

“Teams can’t just concentrate on one, because we can all score,” said forward Gavin Glinton, who has shown as a substitute. “It could be [Carlos] Pavon, [Edson] Buddle, [Alan] Gordon, Cobi, or me. The whole team is playing better.”

The Galaxy need to win their final two matches, versus New York and Chicago, to be assured of a spot in the playoffs. A draw and a win could possible see them through, but a single loss would be fatal.

“It’s a thin line, winning and losing,” acknowledged Yallop. “It is in our hands, so that’s good.”

At the very least, the Galaxy players may have encouraged team management to believe in the squad’s potential. The situation seemed dire for the team only weeks ago, with a host of off-season moves anticipated, including the rumored replacement of Yallop. This late run may have saved the coach, and a few players may have won spots for next year.

However, some restructuring is anticipated, especially because the organization is trying to figure out a way to keep Donovan on the squad. He was grandfathered for one year under the old MLS rule, but in 2008, the Galaxy need another Designated Player spot for someone of his salary, and will likely have to pay dearly to obtain it.

Yet next year’s an issue the Galaxy is hoping to delay as long as possible, looking to extend their current season instead. It may have taken a late wake-up call for the team to respond, but they did so.

“Our playoffs started a month ago,” said Glinton. “We needed to get results and we did. We’ve shown how strong we can be, but it’s not really time to celebrate, because we’ve still got a job to do.”

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » October 9, 2008, 6:25 am

Nice Goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbzLpteC8ng

But this one tops it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_3wHJ395X0

Drolgin Steingrinder · October 9, 2008, 10:57 am

Winnow wrote:Nice Goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbzLpteC8ng

But this one tops it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_3wHJ395X0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2P0HgOSWBI&feature=user

Trek · Post by **Trek** » October 9, 2008, 1:08 pm

I'm not a soccer fan, but thats some good stuff

Truant · Post by **Truant** » October 9, 2008, 1:54 pm

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:
Winnow wrote:Nice Goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbzLpteC8ng

But this one tops it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_3wHJ395X0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2P0HgOSWBI&feature=user

Those were glorious!

Drolgin Steingrinder · October 9, 2008, 5:10 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V5xhiMQ0Zc&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTuMvoxy ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VzBT8ZD ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KHWsb2A ... re=related

Truant · Post by **Truant** » October 9, 2008, 6:45 pm

The last acrobatic one (Mexico) had some fucking fire on it!
The solo and volleys were beautiful (such footwork on the solos!), but my favorite was the chips. I used to love to sneak in chips whenever I could. They always seem so demoralizing.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » October 30, 2008, 9:45 pm

Overhead kicks always had a special place in my heart until....

I was 16 - and managed to break my arm attempting one in a proper local league match.

(I did score, and it was the best goal I ever scored, but I broke my fucking arm, so that was shit). One for the memory banks i suppose. grats 8 weeks not being able to move your arm.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » October 31, 2008, 12:05 pm

No offense, but how in the hell did you manage to break your arm?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » October 31, 2008, 12:13 pm

It's not too difficult as he probably put his arm down to help break the fall. Fairly normal, and I sprained my wrist doing the same thing in practice. It is a hell of a lot of fun when you pull that kick off though!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » November 1, 2008, 11:09 pm

I don't really see how its hard to see how a broken arm could happen?

I jumped up and backwards, to do the overhead, as I fell, I fell on my left arm, in an awkward way.

Suffice to say I haven't tried an overhead since

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » November 20, 2008, 5:15 pm

http://www.fcbayern.t-home.de/en/news/n ... 7bcb28fc2c

Landon in on loan?
FCB to seek Donovan deal with MLS
20.11.2008

On Thursday afternoon, Landon Donovan completed his ten-day spell as a guest with Bayern. After his club Los Angeles Galaxy were knocked out of the Major League Soccer (MLS) play-offs, the USA international accepted an invitation from FCB coach Jürgen Klinsmann to keep fit by working out with the German champions’ senior squad. “It’s a great opportunity for me to see how the game’s played here,” Donovan commented on his arrival in Munich early last week.

The 26-year-old is scheduled to return to the USA on Friday morning to attend the MLS Cup final, where he will be presented with the US Player of the Year Award for the fifth time in total. However, Landon could soon be airborne again after that – on his way back to Munich.

“He’s made an excellent impression here, so we’ve agreed to open talks with the MLS about a loan spell starting on 1 January 2009,” Klinsmann announced prior to training on Thursday. “He has a verbal agreement with the league allowing him to play in Europe for two and a half months, just like David Beckham,” Klinsmann continued. The veteran England international, Donovan’s team-mate at Galaxy, has joined top Italian outfit AC Milan on loan until the start of the new MLS season in late March.

Klinsmann hopes Donovan may be able to stay in Bavaria beyond the initial loan period. “Obviously, our goal is to see if we can call on him for longer, at least until the end of our season,” the coach said. That will all depend on the talks the FCB board are set to open with the MLS authorities. Players are contracted to the league rather than individual clubs in the US.
Klinsmann hopes Donovan may be able to stay in Bavaria beyond the initial loan period. “Obviously, our goal is to see if we can call on him for longer, at least until the end of our season,” the coach said. That will all depend on the talks the FCB board are set to open with the MLS authorities. Players are contracted to the league rather than individual clubs in the US.

I am torn on this one. Some coworkers and I have been talking about this since I first read about him training at Bayern on their site, and we went back and forth on whether he could "hang" at this level of play after his previous stint in his teens at Bayer. Donovan to FCB could be some very good exposure for up-and-coming US footballers as long as he is actually getting playing time, but there are already three "choice" strikers in Klose, Toni, and Podolski there. Rumors are still circulating about Podolski leaving for England sometime in the near future instead of moving into the starting lineup, but I really think he is a more complete striker than Klose has shown himself to be in the last year.

The updates on Donovan's performance in practice at Bayern have shown him playing at the right level, and I hope that at least a loan deal will be accepted by MLS for him to really prove that he is capable to compete in the Bundesliga now. Taking his level of talent away from MLS will, I hope, help get more of the American youth players to push themselves to play at a higher level. Yes, there are some good US players already in Europe, but not "quite" as high profile as the 5 time MLS player of the year...hell, one of them, Michael Bradley, scored the damned equalizer last weekend against Bayern when they played Monchengladbach

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » December 7, 2008, 9:53 am

I haven't heard any updates on Donovan in over a week. I think it's a good idea personally. Having the MLS circulate players capable of stepping up like the other leagues in europe will grow it's visibility around the world. It should be easy to do if the players don't get run down as the MLS season runs during MLB and not the other european leagues.

On another note, I was watching a Stoke City game on FSC a week or two ago and saw this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=742KZspdgr0. Holy crap could he haul the ball and the whole stadium is completely into it AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOO!

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » December 7, 2008, 11:39 am

I don't expect to hear much more about Donovan until closer to January 1st.

Giving up a throw in to that guy is like giving them a free corner kick!

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » January 12, 2009, 11:07 am

http://www.socceramerica.com/index.cfm? ... 2&p=394149

Not a bad outing for Donovan apparently. It's sounds promising for him once the Bundesliga starts up again in April

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 12, 2009, 12:03 pm

yeah, I can't wait to see how he performs once the second half of the season starts. I think he will turn out to be a good fit, and I can see him pushing Klose out of the starting role if he continues to be active. Klose has been very quiet until late in the Bundesliga season, except in Champions League games. I am still a bit anxious to see how this will affect Podolski's playtime, and whether or not he would be sent elsewhere if Donovan's move is extended after the current loan deal.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 13, 2009, 11:32 am

Donovan netted his first goal for FCB during the last friendly of the midseason in Dubai. Here's to hoping he will succeed in the Bundesliga

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » January 23, 2009, 10:13 am

He's on a roll

http://www.socceramerica.com/index.cfm? ... 3&p=394149

Drolgin Steingrinder · January 23, 2009, 12:02 pm

...and Podolski going back to Köln, it looks like. Boog happy?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 23, 2009, 2:48 pm

I am not sure. I started a post about it earlier, and I couldn't quite decide. Poldi would get more playtime starting for Köln than sitting as a 3rd or 4th striker at FCB. While I would rather see him play more at FCB, I think that sitting out would only hurt the Mannschaft. Donovan being a 3rd striker would still get him more "international" playtime in a better league than the MLS as a starter. This would help the US team, and American exposure with "FC Hollywood."

Overall, I am happy that Poldoski is staying in Germany, rather than the previous rumors about him going to England, Spain, or Italy. If there is any other team that he should be on, 1. FC Köln would be it. That is where he came from, and the fans there have supported him even when he was on the field with Bayern. I hope that he can still get some playtime in during the Spring until the actual transfer starts in July. He is a great player that, I feel, deserve to be captaining a team rather than riding the bench as a substitute. He has wanted to leave Bayern for a while, and I figured that Donovan's training sessions with them in December was starting to send signals that the office really was interested in letting him go as they were saying they didn't at the same time.

I hope Donovan can continue to produce as the Bundesliga schedule picks back up next Friday. He really is a good compliment to Toni and Klose, and I would not be surprised if they dump out the money to get him out of MLS unless his performance really drops.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 27, 2009, 1:53 pm

I had already scheduled the afternoon off to watch the FCBayern game Friday, and then I got notice that I go back for more medical tests that afternoon >< I have the DVR set to record the game since it will be live on GolTV, and I will just have to watch it when I get home. I might be able to catch most of the first half before I need to leave. I am excited to see what the team looks like for the Spring.

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » April 19, 2009, 4:45 pm

The Seattle Sounders are doing well and are selling out each game for their first MLS season. Won the first 3 games in shut outs, then lost the next 2, partly because their starting goalie (Keller from the US World Cup team) got a red card and missed 2/3 of that game and their game last night.

I've always been a soccer fan and player, but not having a MLS team from my state kept me out of the loop. It's nice finally having a team to cheer for and a stadium that's less than 30 minutes away. I'm hoping I can be quick enough to get tickets for their exhibition against Chelsey next month.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » April 20, 2009, 10:35 am

I only saw their first game, and they played great. We have a team here in Austin that has moved to the USL (at least I think that's the level they are at now).

Keller was probably one of the two coolest people I met last Summer at Free Kick Masters, with David James being the second. Messi was an ass, and Ronaldinho was a clown.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » May 22, 2009, 10:15 am

I'm curious, did you want to see Werder Bremen win the UEFA cup for the league or do you hate them enough as a BM fan that the result is all good Boog?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 22, 2009, 11:11 am

It would be good for the bundesliga, which is already catching (passing) the Italian league. More Champions League spots would be a good thing. Seeing them lose is not really a bad thing either though

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 22, 2009, 12:06 pm

Oh, and I will be rooting for Werder Bremen on Saturday too! If they win, and FCB beats Stuttgart, FCB wins the league!

I'm still trying to figure out how the heck GolTV is showing both games at the same time. They list it as a "duplex." Any ideas?

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » May 22, 2009, 4:56 pm

I got to be honest, I am only interested in Bundesliga this weekend. It's amazing when the schedule works out like this.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 23, 2009, 3:09 pm

I'm glad that I listened to the Bayern game on liga-radio since GolTV only showed the Wolfsburg game for the most part, hehe. nice game to show though!

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » May 26, 2009, 5:36 pm

Good for BM, if you can't be the champ, group stage is still pretty good.

Ohh and Newcastle, that is one ugly ugly relegation

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » June 11, 2009, 12:21 pm

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

While such a move was expected, it was expected for 2 years now so it was a little surprising to me. But it seems that ego's in all pro sports, except hockey for the most part, always seem to get in the way.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » June 11, 2009, 8:24 pm

I find it absolutely fucking unbelievable that a company will piss away that amount of money on a man who's job it is to kick a football into a goal.

Then again, I suppose he'll make them the money back over the course of the years? Presumably? And they just spent 56 million on Kaka as well. That's 136 million pounds on 2 men who kick balls around a field.

The money in football is so immense. Wish I was a footballer

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » June 11, 2009, 9:32 pm

Chidoro wrote:http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

While such a move was expected, it was expected for 2 years now so it was a little surprising to me. But it seems that ego's in all pro sports, except hockey for the most part, always seem to get in the way.

$131 million!!! DAMN!!!

And egos get in the way in hockey too. Look at Sergei Fedorov and Jaromir Jagr for two high profile and fairly recent cases. Its a rare athlete who doesn't want every penny he can get, as soon as he can, and usually the exceptions are for the chance to win a championship...and increase their marketability...

Nick · Post by **Nick** » June 11, 2009, 10:52 pm

That's what I don't quite understand about a lot of this obsession with Real Madrid.

They have bought Kaka and Ronaldo, and yeah they are both world class awesome awesome awesome players. But it's like when Beckham and Zidane went and played alongside Raul and the like, and earlier Roberto Carlos. Real Madrid seem to be doing a Chelsea on it - buying bulk world class players. It didn't work for Chelsea, but it remains to be seen if it will work for Real.

I don't really understand why anyone would leave AC Milan or Man Utd to go to a lesser team like Real Madrid (obviously they are an awesome team) - I guess money is the key here

I wonder how Real will do now, especially since Barcelona have such a fucking incredible setup going on for next year. I don't think throwing hundreds of millions of over-rated pounds is going to make the actual tactical and flowing footballing difference a lot of Madrid supporters think it might.

Still, worst case scenario, I'm wrong, and we get some beautiful football out of it. So no big loss

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » June 12, 2009, 4:44 am

Milan badly needed the money - I believe Kaka when he said that he would rather have stayed. But for that kind of money, Milan can do some serious shopping to fill out other spots.

Regardless of The Scum's success, there's a kind of old school glory over a club like Real and obviously, CRonaldo would be going at some point anyway.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » June 12, 2009, 12:16 pm

Wulfran wrote:
Chidoro wrote:http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

While such a move was expected, it was expected for 2 years now so it was a little surprising to me. But it seems that ego's in all pro sports, except hockey for the most part, always seem to get in the way.
$131 million!!! DAMN!!!

And egos get in the way in hockey too. Look at Sergei Fedorov and Jaromir Jagr for two high profile and fairly recent cases. Its a rare athlete who doesn't want every penny he can get, as soon as he can, and usually the exceptions are for the chance to win a championship...and increase their marketability...

Don't get me wrong, I know there are holier than thou guys in hockey as well, but most of the guys, even the stars, aren't ridiculous. I can see Ovechkin heading that way as he is a crazy f off the ice. But most guys seem humble in hockey. Maybe it's just the canadian players that are like that, who knows.

I can only think that Real was embarassed at being out of the race so early. Nine points behind the champ is pretty rough. But, second does get them through to the gorup stage in Champions. I also think that a Portuguese guy would rather be in beautiful weathered Spain instead of miserable weathered GB. And when it comes to GB, Manchester is definitely not London.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 4, 2010, 8:11 pm

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Tr ... 14363.html

Henry on his way out of Barcelona

Thierry Henry has negotiated his exit from Barcelona this summer - and is preparing to head to the US.

Former Arsenal captain Henry, 32, failed to even make the bench for Barcelona's win at Villarreal last weekend and that has merely confirmed his departure.

Henry's representatives have held meetings with Barcelona's sporting director Txiki Begiristain and the Spanish giants are prepared to allow the France striker to quit 12 months before his contract is due to expire.

But it is understood that Henry has already dismissed any chance of a return to the Premier League and is destined to follow David Beckham to Major League Soccer.

New York Red Bulls are confident they will get Henry as a showpiece signing, but there is also interest from Washington's DC United.

Henry, who joined Barcelona from Arsenal in a £16million deal in 2007, has had a disappointing season as he has become a bit-part player and has known that he is on his way out for the past few months.

Barcelona will still want the remaining year of Henry's contract paid up but it has now been agreed that he can leave the Nou Camp this summer with his exit strategy to the MLS all agreed.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » May 6, 2010, 11:58 am

Worst kept secrect. Henry has said he would love to play in NY when he was making his Barca deal and already has a place in the city. Don't know if I like it as he strikes me as a me me me guy as opposed to one that would tutor the younger guys. I'll still keep going to games when I can, the new stadium is fantastic and the games are pretty high quality imo.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 6, 2010, 12:00 pm

yeah, it has been no secret that he was coming over. It was just a matter of time before a real date could be set due to his Barca contract. We need more players to come over that have more years left in them!

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » May 6, 2010, 6:29 pm

Chidoro wrote:Worst kept secrect. Henry has said he would love to play in NY when he was making his Barca deal and already has a place in the city. Don't know if I like it as he strikes me as a me me me guy as opposed to one that would tutor the younger guys. I'll still keep going to games when I can, the new stadium is fantastic and the games are pretty high quality imo.

Henry has been a solid team player (captain for Arsenal as well) for years. I wouldn't have many worries there. He's always been high in assists in addition to being a prolific goalscorer, and his ability and history on the left wing of the pitch gives him an added dimension in his game.

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » June 8, 2010, 5:11 am

Even without Beckham, Donovan, or Buddle, the L.A. Galaxy are still dominating the MLS. Beckham is out with the injury and their strikers Donovan and Buddle are on the US World Cup Team. Still...

Out of twelve games, not a single loss. 10 wins and 2 ties. That's outstanding no matter what league you're in.

The standings in the Western MLS division are crazy: http://www.mlsnet.com/standings

I still have faith in my team though: the Seattle Sounders have dominated possession, shots on goal, etc for most games this season, but they simply don't fucking score.

One of Seattle's young strikers, Montero, who has a great future ahead of him, hasn't done too well this season, but we can't bitch too much when the goals he does score are things like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMSuGScTK5k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1vnL33HAHI (look at the time on that one- he was just subbed in)

Can we get a Soccer forum?

With American football it's NCAA and NFL, but with Soccer it's dozens of leagues around the world with regional and international tournaments each year and the World Cup this year.

Dakanaf · Post by **Dakanaf** » June 8, 2010, 8:48 am

LA will lose this week at the RioT~

Dakanaf · Post by **Dakanaf** » June 10, 2010, 3:55 am