While I realize that the above graphic may be a bit misleading (MLS has already stated their 2012 season will begin in early March), February start dates for the league may not be far off. In a surprisingly candid statement to the media today at a training session for tomorrow’s match vs. Ecuador, Jurgen Klinsmann aired his personal concerns about the way our pro leagues stack up with the rest of the world.

From AP/Fox Soccer:

Klinsmann had already made big changes since replacing Bradley on July 29, and more are ahead. For instance, he wants to eliminate the two-to-three months off that Major League Soccer players get each year.

”The big challenge is for MLS overall, how can they stretch that season into a format that is kind of competitive with the rest of the world?” he said. ”Right now it’s not competitive. If you have a seven-, eight-month season, that’s not competitive with the rest of the world.”

First off, this is very interesting to hear Klinsmann open up about these beliefs. His predecessor, Bob Bradley, rarely spoke out of turn about any qualms he had with our domestic league. When Klinsmann was hired, there was speculation that USSF President Sunil Gulati may have given Klinsmann the promise of more latitude to assert influence when Gulati offered him the coaching job. This type of statement, in a relatively stunning fashion, appears to put pressure Commissioner Don Garber to at least consider this feedback and what MLS could do to accommodate.

The timing of this statement is also very interesting. The US just defeated Honduras 1-0, earning Klinsmann his first victory as Coach. If there’s ever a time where US Soccer fans were ready to give Klinsmann their full support, it is now. It’s not just the result, either; the style of play in the recent friendlies has been a more creative, attacking style than we’ve seen for awhile under Bradley. This may have been the perfect time to throw an opinion out in the open, to gauge the response across the board. Klinsmann does have his detractors, pointing to his troubles managing Bayern Munich; supporters, however, seem optimistic thus far with the German coach’s progress in the National Team.

Add to this the logic of Klinsmann’s statements, and the way he’s applying this to his selections for the National Team. For a player in the Barclays Premier League, barring any bans or injuries, a player competing in every match would see 38 league matches in a season. For the top teams, you get UEFA Champions (or Europa) League, which adds 6-10 matches. The domestic Cups also allow teams another 2-4 matches, and that’s not counting return legs in the case of a draw in an FA Cup match. So for a team like Arsenal, a player could see 45 or more matches counting all competitions.

Compare that to MLS. This season, MLS clubs played 34 league matches, 4 fewer than in England. CONCACAF Champions League only allows 4 American teams per season (and one Canadian team) to get those extra half-dozen matches. There is only one “traditional” domestic Cup competition, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. There are no return legs in the USOC, and the recent setup dictated that the lowest 12 teams in MLS face each other, effectively cutting out 6 teams with only one match played. Now, 10 teams make the MLS Cup playoffs, which does add matches, but it adds only a match for most teams in the playoffs. Perhaps this is one explanation for why Klinsmann has seemed to prefer players in European leagues in his recent lineups.

Is an extended schedule feasible going forward in a Spring-to-Fall league setup? By my estimation, MLS would have to start the season about 2 weeks early and maybe sprinkle in two extra midweek matches. That would put the start of the season in mid-to-late February. I don’t see this as a problem. The main argument is that bad weather would hurt attendance. From what I’ve seen, most MLS crowds are resilient, and even if the stadium is 60-75% full for those few matches early on, it serves the purpose of getting these pros more opportunities to play. Additionally, for World Cup years, this eases any desire to accommodate a midsummer break. But at some point, one would have to consider a synchronization with the Fall-to-Late Spring FIFA calendar, something the world governing body has requested in the past.

Regardless of what the impact might be, I think Klinsmann’s candor is refreshing, and may be the perfect contrapuntal voice for US Soccer at the moment. He is a guy who has played and coached on some excellent European squads. He garners respect, and it’s easy to believe he possesses a good barometer for advancing the sport in our country. It doesn’t mean throwing out everything that has been instituted by Major League Soccer. Garber has recently indicated he would like to unbalance the schedule. You could have an unbalanced schedule while still extending the season. Klinsmann made no assertions about other hot-button issues like finances, the fall-to-summer schedule, or the US soccer pyramid. What he has done is show that we have a National Team Coach who will speak his mind if he feels it may improve our chances on the world stage; for my taste, I think that’s a great quality for a coach to hold.

Imagine Major League Soccer as a city nightlife.  In this scenario, the Western Conference is a high-priced club: VIP room for the high rollers, a separate section for those wishing they were the high-rollers (or convince the media/opposite sex they could be), and those on the outside waiting in line for a gift entrance from the bouncer.  The Eastern Conference then is the sports bar down the street during a college football game.  Everyone is crowded around the main bar trying to jostle their way to the front and grab the attention of the bartender.

Thus is life in the MLS playoff race.  The race in the Eastern Conference is down to four points, as in four points separate first place Houston (!) and outside-looking-in DC.  The West has settled into clear levels (unless there’s an epic collapse) of LA at the top, Seattle/Real Salt Lake/Dallas chasing, and Colorado/Portland/Chivas fighting for a playoff spot, with the rest on the outside looking in.  This weekend helped clarify the playoffs a little, if just to say that at least a few seemingly worthy playoff teams will be left out, but they can only blame themselves.

Here is a roundup of this weekend’s action:

Sporting Kansas City 1, Philadelphia Union 1

(Bravo ’56, Le Toux ’63)

The weekend started off with a bang as these two teams played a quality back-and-forth game that appropriately ended in a draw.  Kei Kamara looked like he would put Kansas City up early a few times (including an excellent chance off a header in the 40th minute), but fans had to wait until the second half to see some goals.  Two substitutions played a role in the goals, with Julio Cesar helping KC maintain possession early in the second half leading to a Kamara-to-Bravo goal.  Michael Farfan found Bravo eight minutes later for the equalizer, but Jack McInerney almost equalized himself in the 60th minute.  A high intensity game all around and their second draw against each other this season (0-0 in June).

Houston Dynamo 1, FC Dallas 0

(Cameron 87′)

Congratulations, Geoff Cameron, you win a Howitzer!  Houston wins El Capitan, the symbol of the Texas derby, but more importantly wins control of its playoff destiny by moving into first in the Eastern Conference.  FC Dallas struck the woodwork three times in this match and have been held without a goal for 270 straight minutes.  They certainly had their chances and could have easily won this game if they could have found a way to have converted.  Ten-gallon hats off to Houston for doing just that.

DC United 4, Real Salt Lake 1

(Najar 13′, De Rosario 22′/27′/31′, Saborio 86′)

The talking point (and rightfully so) after this game will be De Rosario’s incredibly performance, scoring the quickest hat trick in MLS history.  But to focus too much on that misses a couple of other issues.  RSL did start a number of second-string players in this match, but that in no way excuses the yards of space DC United had in this game.  The Najar goal and the second De Rosario goal may have been prevented with a defender simply pressuring the pass instead of allowing DC tons of space.  DC’s defense also was suspect in this match on set pieces (as usual) and if RSL could have converted on one or two early corners, this could have been a different game.  Two things to watch going forward.

Los Angeles Galaxy 1, Columbus Crew 0

(Barrett 90+’)

Speaking of second-string sides, Columbus failed to get a much needed point or three facing a Galaxy team at home missing its three biggest names in the starting XI.  As I mentioned in my pre-game column, the return of Chad Marshall and Emilio Renteria helped the Crew create some chances, and the Man of the Match award goes to Josh Saunders for keeping the score at nil with some incredibly saves.  LA sub Donovan had his initial blast saved late in stoppage time before Barrett collected the rebound for the goal.  Columbus now faces a critical week, hosting Kansas City and DC United but have gone 0-4-1 in their last five.

New York Red Bulls 2, Portland Timbers 1

(Richards 21′, Rodgers 66′)

We have coverage from both sides of this game on the site, so I will simply add this: I want to see how New York do on the road against Toronto before I can accept them as a playoff team.  As odd as that sounds, their two most recent wins came against a stumbling Dallas team on the road and a poor road team at home.  Toronto has enough talent to cause them issues as well as a style of play that could be a challenge.

Colorado Rapids 1, San Jose Earthquakes 1

(Wondolowski 19′, Moor 71′)

If you are a Colorado optimist, you can see this match as Colorado improving as the game went on, especially in the second half.  The backline, which allowed Wondo to score off a rebound and almost allow a breakaway goal in the 35th minute, actually scored the game tying goal and held down a Quakes team that is doing just too little too late.  Colorado is now just three points clear of the final playoff spot and with the CCL still going, they have a legitimate chance of falling out of the playoffs and the CCL within the next few weeks.

Seattle Sounders 3, Vancouver Whitecaps 1

(Camilo 22′, Evans 33′, Montero 64′/67′)

The last match at Empire Field gives Seattle the first all-MLS Cascadia Cup and pushes Fredy Montero into the MVP discussion.  The way to tell a playoff team and a high draft pick team is what they do with their chances: Kasey Keller kept Seattle in the game early with some good saves and only allowed the Camilo goal when the score could have easily been 3-1 at the half.   Jay DeMerit had a game to forget – he was involved in all three Seattle goals.

Chivas USA 3, Toronto FC 0

(Angel 12′/77′, Braun 71′)

I stated in my preview that this match revolved around two players and who would continue their hot streak.  The answer was the continued resurrection of Juan Pablo Angel, who added two goals to his total since moving to Chivas.  While Toronto had some early threats, Koevermans could never get on track.  Even though Angel may get the attention for his goal scoring, Dan Kennedy’s inspired play has also been a major key to the Goats late playoff push.  He had another good game Saturday days after making a key penalty save in DC.

Chicago Fire 3, New England Revolution 2

(Grazzini 5′, Oduru 9′, Nyarko 30′, Guy 90′/90+’)

The difference in the streaking Fire is simply a matter of goals.  The team that used to only find ways to get draws now can find ways to win, and that makes a huge difference.  I attribute some of this to the first goal scorer, who has made a major difference in their midfield play.  Dominic Oduru being able to convert chances also helps.  Hats off to Ryan Guy for making the final scoreline interesting.

Sometimes life gets in the way of art, and that is the way this week’s Major League Soccer Talk Podcast ended up.  Technology has impeded host Chris Riordan from recording the podcast, so if you’re like me you unfortunately will miss out on some good Thursday night/Friday morning soccer talk.

But we here at MLS Talk want to make sure you get your American soccer news and analysis from the past week.  And while we can’t do it through your iPod, we thought instead we would allow you, the reader, to share your thoughts on the week that was in MLS and American soccer.  Since the Emmys were this weekend, we want you to vote award style.  Below are some questions that we want you to weigh in on that cover a variety of topics that occurred between September 17 and September 22.  Place your votes and then explain how and why you voted for what you did in the comments section.  Tomorrow we will have a preview of the weekend coming up, and next week the MLS Talk Podcast will return.

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There’s a full slate of MLS action this weekend, but we begin the weekend preview with a farewell to Brian McBride.

McBride, former Fulham captain and U.S. international, announced that this season would be his last for the Fire on Friday.

It’s the end of a long and successful career for the target man, who was a faithful servant to every shirt he pulled on.

American soccer fans owe him a debt of gratitude, and I, for one, will miss him.

And now, on with the preview…

Here’s a look at this weekend’s games:

Saturday, Sept. 4
Philadelphia Union vs. Kansas City, 3:30 p.m.
Chicago vs. Los Angeles, Tele­Fu­tura, 4 p.m.
DC United vs. Columbus, FSC, 7:30 p.m.
New England vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.
FC Dallas vs. Toronto FC, 8:30 p.m.
Colorado vs. Chivas USA, 9 p.m.
Real Salt Lake vs. New York Red Bulls, 9 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 5
Houston vs. San Jose, 8:30 p.m.

Here’s a look at the table:

]]> 2 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/mls-weekend-preview-aug-21-22-10051 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/mls-weekend-preview-aug-21-22-10051#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:06:09 +0000 Randy Capps http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=10051

Fresh off a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions League play in mid-week, Toronto FC will try to ride that momentum when it hosts the New York Red Bulls Saturday afternoon at BMO Field.

The Red Bulls and Toronto are both chasing Columbus in the Eastern Conference standings, and with the Crew hosting Colorado later on Saturday, picking up some points in this match is important for both sides.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s games:

Saturday, Aug. 21
Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls, 1 p.m.
San Jose vs. Los Angeles, TeleFutura, 4 p.m.
Columbus vs. Colorado, 7:30 p.m.
FC Dallas vs. Chivas USA, FSC, 8:30 p.m.
Houston vs. Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Kansas City vs. New England, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 22
DC United vs. Philadelphia Union, 2 p.m.

Here’s a look at the (hopefully correct this week) table:

And here are a few news items:

Seattle on the road tonight

The Sounders will visit Marathon in CONCACAF Champions League play tonight. This game is on TV tonight at 10 on Fox Soccer Channel.

Seattle shares a group with Monterrey, Saprissa and Marathon.

Fire knock off Revolution

Calen Carr scored in the 85th minute to push the Chicago Fire past New England, 2-1, at Toyota Park Wednesday.

Hernandez suspension doubled

San Jose’s Jason Hernandez got in a bit of extra trouble after MLS reviewed his actions against Kansas City, adding to his fine and extending his ban to two games.

Seven games dot the Saturday schedule, and the main attraction has to be the Galaxy’s visit to New York to face the Red Bulls.

New York is coming off a 1-0 win over Toronto on Wednesday, while the Galaxy is in the news for a decent showing in a 3-2 loss in a friendly to Real Madrid last weekend and the return to training for David Beckham.

It’s a game that has no shortage of star power, with Theirry Henry, Rafa Marquez, Juan Pablo Angel and Landon Donovan sharing the pitch in a sold-out stadium.

Should be fun.

Here’s a look at the schedule:

Saturday, August 14

Philadelphia Union vs. Colorado, TeleFutura, 4 p.m.
New York Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles, FSC, 6 p.m.
D.C. United vs. FC Dallas, 8 p.m.
New England vs. Houston, 8 p.m.
Real Salt Lake vs. Columbus, 9 p.m.
San Jose vs. Kansas City, 10 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 11 p.m.

And here’s the table:

In a post-game interview after last night’s All-Star game, Landon Donovan said “We have had transfer interest and we will have some time to think about it and see where it goes.  There is interest from a number of teams.”

To be explicit, what Donovan said he is going to Europe, and it is not a matter of when (next month) but of who (Everton, Man City, Serie A or somewhere else) and at what price.

Landon Donovan is, simply said, the best American soccer player of all time.  He has speed, ball skills, game vision, and a scoring touch that are unmatched by any US player to date.  For American fans of the game, for followers of MLS, and for those of us in Los Angeles who have been privileged to watch him play for the past seasons, he has provided some truly inspirational moments.  We will miss him.  But it is truly time for him to go.

He simply has nothing left to prove here in the States.  He has done all he can do to promote the game and inspire the next generation of players.  He has provided some memorable moments.  He has played in three World Cups and will probably add a fourth before he hangs up his cleats for good.  In order to improve, and in order for him to show both the rising generation of American players and a skeptical (though increasingly less so) European community what American soccer has to offer the world football community, it is time for him to take this step.

Will Major League Soccer suffer for his loss?  Perhaps a little, in the short-run.  In the long run, for MLS to have credibility with American fans, it cannot exist as a closed market.  American soccer fans are not dim.  They know the best leagues are overseas, and that for MLS to have credibility, and to one day be seen on a par with those leagues, MLS has to be able to produce players that can succeed and star in England, Germany, Italy and Spain.  Every MLS player that succeeds in Europe reflects well on MLS, gives it more legitimacy, and makes it more interesting as a spectator sport.  The millions of dollars a Donovan transfer, and other similar transfers, will generate will enable MLS to recruit, market and develop with greater resources.

In the near-term, this is the best use of MLS – a developer and exporter of North American talent and an importer of famous European players on (but not past) the downslopes of their careers.  The fact that four months ago Theirry Henry and Rafa Marquez were playing for arguably the best team in the world (Barcelona) and are now in MLS while Landon Donovan is going from being the unstoppable player in MLS to a valued asset in Europe is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Will American fans suffer for Donovan’s loss?  No.  We are not “losing” him.  For most American fans, Donovan will be playing on FSC on Saturday mornings rather than FSC on Saturday evenings.

And finally, the American soccer community could simply not be so cruel as to deny Donovan the opportunity  to play every week among the best.  Donovan only has a few years left before his skills and abilities begin to irretrievably slip away.  For all he has done for MLS and soccer in this country, he is owed the opportunity end his career without unanswered questions.  Donovan scored as many goals in South Africa (three) as the entire English team.  He deserves the chance to show the world why that was not a fluke.

As a Galaxy season ticket holder, I know that this Sunday against Chicago may be the last time Donovan leads his team onto the Home Depot Center turf.  I will miss him as much as any athlete I have ever seen play for any of my local teams and I will be sorry to see him go.  It would be sorrier to see him stay here, and wonder about what could have been.

And this meant something.

Bruce Arena fielded a somewhat — though not very — weakened team against the USL conference’s basement dwellers and most likely expected to end up taking a comfortable lead down to Bayamon for the return leg. He won’t be.

The Islanders went on to smash the Galaxy 4 goals to 1, and LA didn’t even have the pleasure of putting the ball in the net, Islanders defender Martinez may have been feeling sorry for them when he scored a terrible own goal.

It was an almost mind boggling match in which the Galaxy dominated possession and every other measurable offensive statistic other than the only one that actually means anything. But this isn’t out of character for Puerto Rico, they often play Champions League matches like this, relying on an organized defense and the incredible goalkeeping of Bill Guadette while waiting to spring a counter attack. Colin Clarke’s tactics worked to perfection tonight as his Islanders took their chances well.

The result is especially frustrating when you consider the victories scored by Major League Soccer teams against European opposition in friendlies this weekend, while they are only friendlies you’d like to think that the results show a degree of improvement among MLS teams but it’s hard to say that when the league’s best team gets throttled by a second division team from its own federation.

Why does it seem like every year we have to talk about MLS teams failing in official competitions?

Since I don’t want to end this on doom and gloom I will mention Toronto’s result tonight. 1-0 against Motagua is nothing to sneeze at, the Honduran league is stronger than many people may like to believe and I firmly believe that TFC has what it takes to at least manage a draw in Tegucigalpa, but it won’t be an easy task.

Congrats to Puerto Rico on a well deserved win, while they haven’t finished off the Galaxy yet, they’ve given their opponents a very tough road to travel.

No Donovan.  No Buddle.  No Beckham.  No problem.

The L.A. Galaxy continued their astounding early season form this evening with a 4-1 bulldozing of the Houston Dynamo this evening at the Home Depot Center.  The Galaxy continued their absolutely torrid pace and are still undefeated with 10 wins and 2 draws for 2010.  In the past three weeks, they have lost MLS’s leading scorer (Edson Buddle) and leader in assists (Landon Donovan) to National Team duty and have not slowed up by any measurable amount.

In Houston’s favor, they did manage to do something that no other team had done in a little more than a month – they scored a goal against the Galaxy.  That being said, it was clear that the goal scorer – Cam Weaver – knew little about it.  Weaver was rushing towards the goal with the ball in front of him, but Galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts got their first and cleared the ball solidly into Weaver’s thigh where it rebounded and gently rolled into the goal.  Weaver caught Ricketts’ boot straight in the chest and was probably not aware that he had scored for some time.

That goal was only the third the Galaxy has surrendered all season.  Although Ricketts and the rest of the back line have been like a wall in front of the net, the Galaxy are proving the soccer adage that you cannot shoot what you do not possess.  Although the possession stats are not posted on the MLS website, I have to believe that the Galaxy have possessed the ball for 70% of their combined games.  The Galaxy midfield pressures, challenges, tackles, and passes with a fluidity rarely seen in this league.

That type of movement was on full display for the Galaxy’s second Jovan Kirovski goal.  Before Kirovski took his shot at goal, there was a 13 pass build-up.  The ball moved from the right to the left side of the pitch and went forward and backwards several times before Sean Franklin got free going down his right on the overlap, completely cut open the Dynamo’s defense and found Kirovski unmarked at the penalty spot.  From the time the Galaxy got possession during that long, complex sequence the only Dynamo to touch the ball was Pat Onstad when he picked it out of the back of his net.  It was as if Barcelona had relocated to Carson.

Some other notable facts about the Galaxy so far:

• Last season the Galaxy won the Western Conference with 12 wins.  We have just said hello to June and the Galaxy already have 10 wins in the bank.
• The absent Landon Donovan leads the league with 9 assists.  In third place with 6 assists is Galaxy Rookie of the Year contender Michael Stephens.
• Stephens main competitor for Rookie of the Year?  It could be Galaxy’s Tristan Bowen who has scored in the last two Galaxy games (three if you count the friendly against Boca Juniors).
• Buddle may be the Galaxy name on everyone’s lips, but 11 different players have scored for the Galaxy so far this year, and 11 different players have collected assists.
• Of the Galaxy’s league-leading 22 goals, none of them have come from the penalty spot.
• The Galaxy have had 22 different starters this season.

Of course, this run the Galaxy are on cannot continue forever.  Two of the toughest road-games left on their schedule – trips to Salt Lake and Toronto – are coming next week and then after the bye week.  Those are challenging games, and Real Salt Lake is one of the few teams that seem intent on trying to match the Galaxy’s work rate.  That being said, it has been a long time since MLS has had a dominant team, and the Galaxy seem driven to become that intimidating force.

After completing two convincing road wins against Colorado and Seattle last week, the Los Angeles Galaxy have continued a simply jaw-dropping beginning of the 2010 season.  Although the Galaxy are on the brink of losing Landon Donovan and (probably) Edson Buddle to the World Cup after Saturday’s game at home against Toronto, they have built themselves a lead in the Western Conference that they are unlikely to relinquish during the South African festivities.

Statistically, the Galaxy are in another world from the rest the league.  After eight games, the Galaxy remain undefeated with 22 points out of a possible 24.  They have scored a league-high 15 goals and have given up a league-low of 2 (!!).  Edson Buddle has a league-leading 9 goals, none of which are from the spot.  Landon Donovan has a league-leading 9 assists.

While Buddle’s play has gotten the acclaim and has resulted in a call-up to the US National team, and Donovan remains the offensive weapon for which teams have no solution, the Galaxy success cannot be laid to just two players.  Several factors may not make the headlines, but have made a tremendous difference on the scoreboard.

 Omar Gonzalez – No sophomore jinx here.  Last year’s rookie of the year has barely put a foot wrong in 2010.  I doubt there is a better defender in the air in MLS right now.  Every ball that gets sent into the Galaxy box from distance goes right back out again.  Two years ago the Galaxy were a horror show defending set pieces.  With Gonzalez manning the box, there seems no way in now.  He is too young and inexperienced for our current World Cup squad, but he should be playing in Europe in two years and could be in the starting XI in Brazil four years from now.

Chris Birchall and Juninho – Birchall, who had been widely known as the white, English guy on the Trinidad and Tobago National team, and Juninho, who is on loan from Sao Paulo in Brazil, have been the Galaxy’s steel in the middle of the field.  Although Juninho speaks Portuguese and Birchall is fluent in Limey, their communication in the center of the pitch has been outstanding.  They have been tough tacklers and have distributed the ball terrifically well.  Their control of the middle has allowed Donovan to go wide and Buddle to go deep.  They are two great Bruce Arena finds, speaking of which….

Bruce Arena has turned a shallow, young team into a deep, experienced machine.  Two years ago, the Galaxy were the worst team in MLS.  They seemed to be composed of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and a bunch of kids who were trying to figure out which parent brought the post-game snacks.  Coach Ruud Gullit came to the US ignorant of the way MLS worked, and left only slight less so.  The transformation under Arena has been dramatic.  Operating under the same salary cap as everyone else and with no new DP slots to use, Arena has fashioned a team balanced with wily vets like Gregg Berhalter, Todd Dunivant and Eddie Lewis, young rising stars like Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza and the increasingly impressive Michael Stephens, and good imports like Donovan Ricketts, Birchall, Juninho, and Leonardo.  The Galaxy have a rare MLS asset – a deep enough team that most players are fighting for position.

Is the Best Yet to Come?  The Galaxy are set to lose Donovan and Buddle until (fingers’ crossed) mid-July, and though the schedule is a bit lighter during the World Cup, they will almost certainly drop points.  However, presuming that Donovan does not fly from South Africa straight to Merseyside, the Galaxy should have a blazing fall, especially if they are allowed to vacate the Beckham DP slot pick up a superstar like Raul.  At that point, the Galaxy will really be something to see.

The way the Galaxy are playing, they can be something the league has not seen in some time, a dominant team.  For a league that has thrived on parity, that is something new.  However, with soccer-awareness likely to be at an all-time high this summer, having a little bit of dominance in the team with the nation’s best player is not a bad thing for the league.  If the Red Bulls can add firepower and continue their improved start, there is nothing MLS would like to see more than a good Los Angeles versus New York storyline.  The Galaxy fans and the MLS front office will be anxious for Bruce Arena and his team to keep this momentum going.