August 2007 Archives

The Labor Day weekend traditionally sees the college soccer season get under way in earnest. Here's a program by program look at what's going on where.

Bruins Rule

Or at least the No. 1-ranked Bruin's men's team did until today when they lost 2-1 to No. 9 Notre Dame in their 2007 season opener at the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic. Sophomore Chance Myers of Thousand Oaks High scored for UCLA.

Next up Sunday is seventh-ranked Indiana.

UCLA has 22 returning players, including 17 with starting experience this season.

They include the team's top two goalscorers from last year, sophomore forward David Estrada (12 goals) and junior midfielder Jason Leopoldo (8 goals).

Also back is junior forward Maxwell Griffin, who was leading UCLA in scoring with five goals before going down in the eighth game of the year with a knee injury; Palos Verdes Estates' Kyle Nakazawa (4 goals 8 assists); U.S. Under-20 National Team starter Tony Beltran; and 2006 UCLA Rookie of the Year Michael Stephens.

The major loss was Sal Zizzo who turned pro after the U-20 World Cup in July, forgoing his final two years of eligibility.

Zizzo made his debut with the full national team Aug. 22 in Sweden.

Detailed preview here as well as Cal State Northridge and LMU.

More Roaring

LMU's men's team opens its season at home Saturday for the first time since 2002, welcoming Cal Poly to Sullivan Field.

LMU then hits the the road for two consecutive tournaments, returning home for the LMU/UCSB Tournament that also features Ivy Leaguers Harvard and Columbia.

LMU's season preview is here.

Meanwhile, the LMU women lost 1-0 away to UC Santa Barbara Friday night on Joe Mallia's head coaching debut.

LMU hosts Dayton 1 p.m. Sunday in its home opener.

Beach beats Bakersfield

No. 25-ranked Long Beach State won their season opener Friday 5-0 at CSU Bakersfield with Nikki Myers getting two second half goals.

The CSU Long Beach women’s program is coming off a 14-5-1 season, the best in school history.

Their toughest schedule to date sees Beach face six of last year's NCAA Tournament teams, including Utah in its home opener 9 a.m. Sunday at George Allen Field. It's the only home game for Beach in the first five.

Toro Tech

CSUDH Athletics now offers live stats, a Monday emailed newsletter, Toro text messages, and an RSS feed to keep fans up on its sports programs including soccer.

Details at the newly-redesigned site.

Lakewood's Kelly Matosian scored two goals to lead the CSUDH women Thursday to a 4-0 win over host Grand Canyon University.

Also, the first of four soccer web casts on www.toroslive.com. is set for 6 p.m. Sunday against Seattle University. The others: 7 p.m Sept. 24 against Cal State San Marcos; 11 a.m. Oct. 21 against Chico State; 5 p.m. Oct. 28 verses Cal State San Bernardino.

CSUN Downs Detroit

The Matador men beat Detroit 6-1 Friday in the valley heat.

Trojans Trounce Weber State

Ali Khosroshahin, Jim Millender's successor at USC, started the season Friday with a 5-1 win over Weber State.

Millender, a long-time Torrance resident and former El Camino College and LMU head coach, did not have his contract renewed last November after 11 seasons.

Here's a belated season preview.

No Waves

Pepperdine and No. 22-ranked Duke deadlocked Friday in the Waves' regular season opener in San Diego.

The Galaxy's season went from merely horrendous to catastrophic late this afternoon when they received the official medical diagnosis: removal of the Beckham cash-making machine.

Wait, no make that a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee, discovered after a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed by team physician Dr. Ronald Kvitne at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.

So that's eight games and out for Beckham (five MLS, two SuperLiga and one World Series of Football).

That's in addition to the left ankle injury he has nursed ever since picking it up June 6 playing for England.

He's missed three of the Galaxy’s last six league games and all three in the opening round of SuperLiga.

By the time he returns the MLS season will almost be over and England's future in Euro 2008 decided.

The only MLS games left after you count six weeks out: the Red Bulls at the HDC Oct. 18 and Oct. 21 in Chicago.

He'll also miss an Oct. 3 friendly against the Vancouver Whitecaps that's being heavily promoted.

Here's the reaction from the BBC.

Updated 8 a.m. Friday: Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz has more on the $10,483.87 per minute man. (Yes, he did the math).

You can check out how Beckham sustained his latest injury plus see the rest of the Galaxy-Pachuca highlights below.

David Beckham said after Wednesday's magnificent loss to Pachuca he expects to miss most of the remainder of the MLS season after spraining a right knee ligament.

He is already, of course, struggling with a long-term left ankle injury he keeps aggravating over and over by trying to play.

"Maybe it's a sign for me to get it right and not come back until it's really right," he said. "If it's 4-6 weeks (I'm out) I wouldn't have thought I will fly to England" for Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Beck's will receive a scan in the morning and we'll know more then.

"At the moment, it doesn't feel great," he said.

Beckham removed his runners-up (losers?) medal immediately after it was placed around his neck.

"I wasn't being disrespectful," he said. "I hate losing."

It was a tough loss reflected by Coach Frank Yallop's evident frustration in the post-game press conference when he dropped a number of F-bombs.

"We're absolutely spent," he said when he stopped swearing

On top of it all, Real Salt Lake beat the Wizards 3-1 Wednesday meaning that the Galaxy are now at the bottom of MLS; they play RSL Saturday in what is now the biggest game of the season. Without Beckham.

"We're not as good when Beckham is not on the field," said Chris Klein. "He's one of the best players in the world.

"The guy's are 100 percent in Frank's corner, we know what goes on behind the scenes," he added, responding to press speculation the Galaxy may turn to former Germany Coach (and OC resident) Jurgen Klinsmann to replace Yallop. "The guy's want to see him stay -- this is Frank's team."

Landon Donovan was trying not to let his anger at himself show for missing the fifth penalty that would have clinched the title for the Galaxy.

"I was proud to be a part of it," he said. "I'm not angry, but I'd like to be happy."

Still, the result aside, the first SuperLiga seemed to capture the imagination of the Latino fans MLS is trying to attract.

"If I'm a fan how do you not want to come back next year?," Donovan said.

The Galaxy though, won't be based on their MLS record.

Want more?

Here are all the game details.

Here's the story in pictures.

Defender Abel Xavier missed the Galaxy's sixth penalty kick sending it far, far wide into the stands and Pachuca won the inaugural tournament on a PK from substitute midfielder Carlos Rodriguez.

(Pant, pant)

It was a breathless climax to a thrilling game.

Donovan had the chance with the fifth and last of the first round of penalty kicks to win it for the Galaxy, but his shot was saved by Calero.

The Galaxy may look woeful in MLS, but this was an inspired, determined performance that did them credit. They went to to toe with Mexico's champions and lost by the narrowest of margins.

One thought: are the Galaxy now the second best team in Mexico and the U.S.?

No score in 30 minutes of extra time means the inaugural SuperLiga final will go to penalty kicks.

It will be five apiece to start, as usual, and then if the score is still tied we'll go until someone misses.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber is here along with his Mexican counterpart and Chuck Blazer, secretary general of CONCACAF. Bet they're all basking in this great ad for the competition.

Remember: $1 million is on the line.

Galaxy defender Chris Klein scored a spectacular bicycle kick from seven yards out in the third minute of stoppage time to send the final into overtime. The ball had come out to him via a couple of headers after a Mike Randolph header hit the bar.

Donovan had almost scored four minutes from time when Pachuca goalkeeper Miguel Calero failed to hold his shot from close range and it dribbled agonizingly past the post.

It was a dramatic end to a thrilling 90 minutes of regulation and sent the crowd of 12,500 into rapture.

The Galaxy looked like a different team and never stopped pressing.

It's two 15 minute overtime periods, with no golden goal.

Updated: Beck's is on the bench in his gray Burberry suit for OT.

Hold on.

Updated: It's still 1-1 at the end of the first abbreviated half.

David Beckham left the game in the 33rd minute with a right knee strain after going in hard for a 50-50 ball with Pachuca's Fernando Salazar, who suffered exactly the same injury.

Beck's immediately signaled he wanted to come out, probably to ensure he doesn't miss England's Euro 2008 qualifier Sept. 8 against Israel.

Frankly, he looked like he was going to cry as he sat on the bench disconsolately and he slowly limped off at the end of the half, cutting a lonely figure.

Striker Alan Gordon came in for Beck's.

Until then, with Beckham setting up most of the attacks for the Galaxy, the game had a wide-open feel with plenty of opportunities at both ends.

Upon his departure, Pachuca began to take control with Cacho and Alvarez combining well in particular. They have 10 shots to the Galaxy's two, although neither was on target.

In the end the Galaxy were fortunate to be down by just one goal.

Pete Vagenas scored it at the wrong end, almost slamming home a Christian Gimenez cross in the 28th minute with a touch he rarely displays at the right end of the field.

Cannon has made several fine saves to keep the Galaxy in it and Roberts cleared another near goal off the line.

Updated: They've changed Beckham's injury from strain to a sprain. Answers.com says a "sprain refers to damage or tearing of ligaments or a joint capsule. Strain refers to damage or tearing of a muscle."

Which is worse?

The Galaxy have most of their regular starters back, but the question is how fit are they and can they stay with Mexico's best team?

Joe Cannon is in goal as usual, while Chris Klein, Troy Roberts, Abel Xavier and Mike Randolph make up the back four.

Pete Vagenas is restored to what is an increasingly infrequent starting role as defensive midfielder, while David Beckham is in the center of midfierld. Kevin Harmse and Kyle Martiono are the other two midfielders; up front it's Carlos Pavon and Landon Donovan.

Pachuca have made five changes to the starting line-up they fielded against the Galaxy July 24 when the teams met in SuperLiga group play and they had players on international duty.

In come Mexican internationals Fausto Pinto at left back, Paraguyan international Julio Mansur in central defence, Argentine Damien Alvarez and Jaime Correa in midfield and striker Juan Cacho, who started for Mexico during the Gold Cup.

The game just kicked off. It's on Telefutura.

Updated: The Galaxy are wearing black armbands in honor of Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta who died Tuesday, three days after collapsing on the field during a La Liga game. He was just 22 years old.

Crunch Time

The Galaxy's season is on the line tonight in the SuperLiga final at Home Depot Center. Beat writer Billy Witz sorts through the rumors and maneuvers here.

And this link has been up on CNN.com for a while, but it's worth noting just for the headline as some copy editor strains mightily to get this T. Rex verses Bex story read. Guess it worked.

Toros Tie

The Cal State Dominguez Hills Women's Team tied visiting Azusa Pacific 1-1 Tuesday in Carson. Senior Corrie Hirokawa of North (Torrance) High continued her scoring streak eight minutes into the contest, but the game needed two overtimes before it was settled. Toro goalkeeper Rachel Rood (West Hills/Pierce College) saved a penalty in the 37th minute.

CSUDH travels to Phoenix to take on Grand Canyon on Thursday, before returning home for a 7 p.m. Tuesday kickoff against Marine Cano's Biola.

Former U.S. Soccer president Alan Rothenberg, former Cosmos defender Bobby Smith and retired U.S. internationals Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm donned red jackets Sunday for their induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Guess which one Tuesday's column pays tribute to.

No Beckham, no SuperLiga title

Looks like the half-empty Home Depot Center Wednesday will see less than half a team with less than half a chance to win the inaugural SuperLiga tournament.

Updated 3:45 p.m.
Beck's will play Wednesday after all.

Turns out the weekly Galaxy update issued every Monday had old info on players' injuries. Naturally, our reporter assumed a current press release contained current information. Not so, apparently.

Wonder when the last time Beckham played in front of just 12,500 people (the stadium's capacity was cut for the game because school has just resumed on the CSUDH campus)?

Harbor Hopes

September's approach signals the start of the college soccer season. Here's the Harbor College preview.

Sunday's MLS Games

Chivas USA won, the Galaxy lost.

Operation Soccer Chopper

Peace via soccer in Afghanistan.

OK, that's an exaggeration for the sake of a punny headline.

But at least the jammed toe that forced the U.S. Women's National Team's top scorer out of the Finland game Saturday in Carson is nothing serious, if we are to believe the folks at U.S. Soccer. They filed this story today on ussoccer.com.

And those who want the "inside" scoop on the USWNT in China can check out the official blog written by press officer Aaron Heifetz here.

Diverting and well-written, if not earth-shattering stuff.

"Not a pretty game tonight, kind of ugly," said Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan after the game.

But it's nine points from three games in seven days. How many did the Galaxy get during that span?

Chivas USA (11-6-3) are now second in the Western Conference, has nine shutouts (Guzan is tied for the league lead with the Revs' Matt Reis) and remain the only MLS team unbeaten at home.

"We've been taking control of games lately by imposing our style," said Man of the Match Jesse Marsch. "Everybody is kind of challenging each other."

And they're rising to that challenge.

RSL didn't get their first shot on goal until the 84th minute and in truth never looked like scoring. Chivas USA, on the other hand, could have scored plenty more with Ante Razov in particular guilty of not finishing chances.

But in the end it didn't matter.

Next up for Chivas USA: D.C. United Sept. 6 on ESPN2 in prime time.

Chivas USA dominated the opening 45 minutes against the league's worst team and actually had the ball in the back of the net twice.

Ante Razov's 37th minute header was clearly offside though; still, the build-up was nice.

The opening goal came in the 31st minute after Real Salt Lake failed to clear a Razov corner. Razov collected the ball again and sent a cross into the near post where it was met by Jesse Marsch who beat veteran defeder Ritchie Kotschau to the ball to poke it home.

Chivas USA will tie FC Dallas for second in the Western Conference if they win.

By the way, the Galaxy lost 3-0 to the Rapids this afternoon.

They rested quite a few starters -- Landon Donovan stayed home, for instance -- to ready for the only thing that can save their season, Wednesday's SuperLiga final against Pachuca.

The game just started. It's on FSN.

Chivas USA top scorer Maykel Galindo has a slight groin strain and is on the bench, alongside defender Shavar Thomas.

New signing Ramon Nunez gets his first start up front partnering Ante Razov.

Jonathan Bornstein returns to the starting line-up after being rested for last Thursday's Galaxy game. Alex Zotinca and Lawson Vaughn are both suspended.

Torrance's Jack Stewart, who had a ghastly outing the last time he returned to the South Bay, did not dress for the game for Real Salt Lake; former Galaxy striker Robbie Findley is starting up front, marking his first return to the South Bay since his trade.

World Cup Bound

Here are the details from last night's U.S. Women's National Team game in Carson.

Columnist Paul Oberjuerge has more on the declining profile of the women's game. Still, to be fair the Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain et al generation was akin to capturing lightning in a bottle. This version of the team is undoubtedly better, it's just that most Americans respond better to hype because of a lack of knowledge about the game.

Looking Good, Playing Bad

Back in the 1960s a group of American players trooped around the world in matching white cowboy hats playing games on a goodwill tour. They produced plenty of goodwill; they lost everywhere they went.

The modern-day version of this are the Galaxy with their splendid new team suits and horrible record. One of two MLS teams without a road win this season, today they come up against the Colorado Rapids.

The Galaxy had a slow start to the season, but pointed to what turned out to be the mirage-like number of games they had in hand as their ace in the hole.

Of course, their other ace (David Beckham) is injured, exhausted, and for this game, absent, the game schedule is murderous, the squad's lack of depth is being brutally exposed and no-one has any sympathy for the flagship MLS franchise many believe has always received preferential treatment.

"I wish the public at large had a better understanding of what this organization is going through," GM Alexi Lalas said after the loss to Chivas USA. "When we say it, it sounds like excuses."

Yes, it does.

Chivas USA are much more fun to watch.

Here are today's game previews.

Soccer Roundup

Here's the rest of Saturday's MLS action.

The story of the game: target practice.

Finland didn't get in its first shot in until the 80th minute; the U.S. ended up with 38 shots to Finland's two and neither of those hit the target.

Lindsay Tarpley and Heather O'Reilly got the two U.S. goals in the second half.

Both were well-worked pieces up the right wing, but the Finnish defense was largely snoozing this evening.

Still, it took a half hour into the game before the U.S. broke down the Finns, which as Coach Greg Ryan observed played a 4-5-1 and kept 10 players behind the ball for most of the first half.

Boxxy gave reporters the most alarming news of the game: "I think I broke my toe," Boxx said Wambach told her as she left the field. She's getting an X-ray at a local hospital and we won't know more for a while.

Ryan said that Boxx, who was playing in front of about 30 family and friends who were among the crowd of just 7,118 appeared back to her old self after her serious knee injury.

"She looked like a forward tonight, taking on players," he said.

"It must be the home crowd or something," Boxx said with a big smile, adding that she loves playing in the South Bay. "I'm not considered a goal scorer, but here I get up for scoring goals."

Perhaps the most significant news of the first half was that U.S. striker Abby Wambach was forced out of the game in the 27th minute with what turned out to be a jammed toe on the right foot.

She looked pretty glum sitting on the bench, but it isn't supposed to be a big deal. Carli Lloyd came in for her.

Torrance's Shannon Boxx scored the game's first goal, a header from about eight yards off a Kristine Lilly free kick. Lilly now joins Mia Hamm as the only U.S. player with 100 goals and 100 assists.

She's now scored five goals in five games at the HDC and more than 25 percent of her 15 career goals have come at her home stadium, where she made her national team debut back in 2003.

Veteran Kristine Lilly scored an easy second from five yards out after receiveing a square ball from Lori Chalupny in the 36th minute.

The Finns have had few attacks and the result isn't in doubt. The Finns have had zero shots, the U.S. 15 with eight on target.

The floodlights went out in the 40th minute and they played the last five minutes in an unusual twilight.

They're back on now.

U.S. Coach Greg Ryan starts the same 11 he did in the victory over New Zealand: Hope Solo is in goal, while the back four consists of Christie Rampone, Cat Whitehill, Kate Markgraf and Stephanie Lopez.

In midfield are Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny, Heather O'Reilly and Kristine Lilly.

The attacking duo consists of Lindsay Tarpley and Abby Wambach.

Looks like this is the starting line-up we'll see in the opening game of the World Cup against North Korea.

The game is on ESPN2.

Girl's Night Out

A crowd of fewer than 10,000 is expected tonight in Carson where the U.S. women take on Finland in the final World Cup tune-up. I'll be there blogging (computer willing) and here's a preview focusing on the South Bay's Shannon Boxx.

Galaxy Update

The Galaxy said late Friday that David Beckham will not travel to Colorado Sunday to play at a sold-out Dick's Sporting Goods Park in favor of resting his yet-to-heal ankle injury.

Also on Friday, the Galaxy announced that Assistant Coach Paul Bravo will be come the club's new (and I believe first) director of football.

This is a sometimes ominous sign for the current coach and/or general manager so time will tell what this means for Frank Yallop and Alexi Lalas.

Bravo is a former UCLA assistant coach and had a six-year MLS career with the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Clash.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy finally won something on Friday: the MLS lottery for U.S. Under-17 star Israel (he goes by Izzy) Sesay. The Sierra Leone native has made 10 starts for the U.S. youth team, collecting three assists in the process.

Toros begin season

Despite scoring first in the fourth minute, the 16th-ranked CSU Dominguez Hills men's team lost their season opener Friday 3-2 to Concordia University in overtime.

Next up: a trip to Phoenix to take on Grand Canyon, before returning home Sept. 2 for a 6 p.m. game against Seattle University.

The CSUDH women did better in their first game of the season, beating sixth-ranked University of Nebraska-Omaha in a come from behind 2-1 victory propelled by two goals from senior Corrie Hirokawao, a former North (Torrance) High star.

CSUDH returns to action 6 p.m. Tuesday, hosting Azusa Pacific at Toro Stadium.

Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz stirs the pot in his game story by focusing on the end of first half scrum at the Chivas USA-Galaxy game last night (which had no bearing on the game's outcome), but at least gave some indication of the passion involved.

Jesse Marsch said he apologized to David Beckham afterward, by the way.

The BBC has more on the effects of the Beckham roadshow.

Ivan Orozco has more on two-goal hero Maykel Galindo.

Technical difficulties -- my laptop wouldn't boot up -- meant no blogging tonight from the Home Depot Center.

An apt analogy for yet another inept Galaxy performance that does not compute before a capacity 27,000 crowd.

This was a comprehensive, well-deserved, put-the-Galaxy-in-their-place victory by Chivas USA. They have suffered a series of small indignities at the hands of the Galaxy and parent corporation Anschutz Entertainment Group in their time at the HDC on and off the field and are now trying not to gloat. Too much.

"They've had too much publicity, too much attention," said two-goal striker Maykel Galindo, who is now tied for fourth with Taylor Twellman on the MLS scoring charts with 10 goals. "If they continue with that (sort of performance) they have a really hard time of making the playoffs."

Um, yeah.

"It's going to take something very special," said GM Alexi Lalas. He is talking more softly with every loss and frankly increasingly reminds me of a dead man walking (as in the team he has (de)constructed are pretty close to being members of the living dead already, to mix my movie metaphors).

"I'm not going to sugercoat it," he added. "We're in a very difficult position to make the playoffs."

How bad is it?

Most of the regular reporting corps seemed to take it easy on Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop in the post-game press conference. He appeared genuinely hurt when one journalist rubbed it in a bit and mentioned that the Galaxy were the worst team in Carson.

"I'm not sure where to start," Yallop said at the outset. "(That was), if not the worst result since I've been here, pretty close."

David Beckham played the entire 90 minutes, his second game in two days and clearly should not have done so, as Yallop conceded.

"At the end he looked hobbled," said Yallop. "I can't see him playing on Sunday (in Colorado).

"I feel sorry for him to be honest," he added. "His body's sore because of what he's done over the last 10 days."

There is an increasing air of desperation around the Galaxy these days, while for Chivas USA the prevailing atmosphere is vindication.

"Of course, I am proud of my guys," said Preki when asked if there was some measure of satisfaction in beating the high-profile, free-spending Galaxy, while Chivas USA is getting much smaller crowds, yet getting things done on a much smaller budget.

"Publicity or no publicity, we can't really worry about that," he added.

It's hard not to feel happy for co-owner Antonio Cue who is reaping the rewards of a slow, steady rebuilding process after a humiliating first season.

"It is a very important victory," said Cue. "It's not only how we played, but who we played against."

.

Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz breaks down tonight's SuperClassico between Chivas USA and the Galaxy at Home Depot Center focusing on the jet-lagged trio on both teams who played last night in Europe.

The Times (of London) has more on David Beckham's schedule of transatlantic treks.

Beckham is also the focus of a post-game analysis in the same publication. The less said on England's goalkeeping woes, the better, I guess.

And a round-up of last night's soccer action including the losing efforts by Mexico, U.S. and England is here.

Incidentally, former Southern California players played major roles in the Wizards-Fire game last night. Former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made a half dozen saves, including one on a penalty kick to help preserve the win for the Wizards, former Galaxy midfielder Sasha Victorine notched an assist and former UCLA striker Chad Barrett scored a goal for the Fire.

Brazil, the U.S and England games are all televised today on Fox Soccer Channel topped off with a choice of two MLS games for those fanatics with Direct Kick. And Mexico plays in prime time against Colombia.

Check your local listings here.

And most of the action is broken down into an easy to digest chunk here.

Hold my calls please.

Sean Hiller / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Shannon Boxx in action Sunday at Home Depot Center.


Sean Hiller / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A determined Abby Wambach practices for the Finland game.

Former South (Torrance) High star Shannon Boxx, Hermosa Beach resident Abby Wambach and the rest of the World Cup-bound U.S. Women's National Team as they prepare for the final tune-up game Saturday against Finland in Carson is the subject of this week's column.

Incidentally, I asked both Coach Greg Ryan and striker Abby Wambach who among the young(er) Americans they believed capable of emerging as a star in the tournament.

Ryan, who knows the value of a good defense, went with goalkeeper Hope Solo, who has now displaced Briana Scurry as the number one between the posts for the U.S.

Wambach went with midfielder Carlie Lloyd, who was named tournament MVP while scoring four goals at the Algarve Cup earlier this year in Portugal.

"When she's faced with a bigger challenge she rises to the occasion," said Wambach, adding that the Rutgers product has the potential to emerge as the new face of the U.S. team.

"I'd like to get that off my back," Wambach said.

Tuesday's column will have a preview of the final World Cup warm-up game for the U.S. women set for Saturday in Carson.

Meanwhile, here's a (belated) look at some of Monday's local soccer headlines.

And Then There Were Nine

The Galaxy lost defender Ante Jazic to a right ankle sprain Saturday in the 17th minute of the loss in New York.

That means nine of the 25 players on the club’s roster are on the injury list for Thursday's SuperClassico against Chivas USA:
Out – Chris Albright (R-Hamstring), Kelly Gray (R-Calf), Ante Jazic (R-Ankle).
Questionable – David Beckham (L-Ankle), Cobi Jones (R-Hip), Quavas Kirk (L-Foot), Troy Roberts (R-Ankle), Kyle Veris (R-Hip), Abel Xavier (L-Knee).

The Galaxy have lost 140 "man games" to injury in all competitions, with six players missing 10 games or more already this season.

Toros at Sweet 16

The Cal State Dominguez Hills Men’s Team, begins the defense of its unprecedented seventh California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title, with a National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas No. 16 pre-season ranking.

CSUDH won their fifth championship in eight years last season with a 15-7-1 record.

The Toros were the highest-ranking CCAA school chosen in the NSCAA/adidas poll and were joined by Cal State L.A. at No. 17.

CSUDH kicks off its regular season at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Toro Stadium against Concordia.

Tajikistan beats U.S. at U-17 World Cup

Tajikstan twice rallied from one-goal deficits to beat the U.S. 4-3 in the opening Group E game today at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. The winner came four minutes from time.

“It was disappointing for us, because we know we let a lead slip away,” said U.S. Coach John Hackworth. “We didn’t manage the match very well at the end, and I think we played a little bit too defensively and too conservatively. It’s not over. There are still six points out there, we still have two more games left to try and advance out of this group.”

The U.S. started the match without leading scorer Ellis McLoughlin (strep throat).

Next up: Group E leaders Tunisia at 12:45 a.m. Thursday on ESPN2 and ESPNU.

Full details of last night's Galaxy loss are here.

Here's the most important stat for Galaxy fans: The Galaxy remains 12 points behind the Columbus Crew (which lost to D.C. Saturday) in the race for the final MLS playoff berth. The Galaxy has 14 games remaining, the Crew nine.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy are getting all the attention, but Chivas USA are the best team in Carson, beating expansion team Toronto FC Saturday. Clink on the link for more on Chivas USA and other MLS action Saturday, find out what prompted Zinedine Zidane's infamous World Cup final head-butt and more.

Oh, and Chivas USA reserves won, too, 1-3, over Toronto.

Line-ups: Toronto FC Reserves (0-2-2) – GK David Monsalve (Srdjan Djekanovic, 45), D Tyler Hemming, D Marco Reda, D Nana Attakokora-Gyan, D Gabe Gala, M Chris Pozniak, M Christian Nunez (Kayin Jeffers, 78), M Joey Melo, Miguel Canizalez, F David Guzman (Stephen Lumley, 64), F Andrea Lombardo (Ryan Fante, 60)

Chivas USA (4-1-2) – GK Justin Myers, D Desmond Brooks, D Jorge Flores, D Brent Whitfield, D Oscar Garcia, M Rodrigo Lopez (Orlando Perez, 75), M Erasmo Solorzano, M John Cunliffe, M Ramon Nunez (David Arvizu,66) F Anthony Hamilton, F Laurent Merlin

Scoring Summary
CHV – Brent Whitfield 52’
CHV – Anthony Hamilton (Ramon Nunez) 60’
TFC – Miguel Canizalez (Christian Nunez) 66’
CHV – John Cunliffe 78’

Updated 2:45 p.m.

A glance at MLS stories around the country today yielded New England Revolution Coach Steve Nichol complaining to The Boston Globe about MLS teams' travel schedules, a recurring subject of criticism.

The Scot, one of the league's more colorful quotes, was unhappy because the Revs played last night in their seventh game in 21 days.

Of course, the Galaxy, who saw Beckham fly back to England after the game Saturday night are in the same boat, but can't really complain because their schedule was designed around Becks'.

Nichol doesn't have that concern so can happily blast away.

"Los Angeles' schedule is ridiculous," Nichol reportedly said. "The schedule they have doesn't particularly lend itself to success. It is important to allow players to recover from games. It's not like you are playing a game and then sitting on a bus for an hour. You are changing altitudes, time differences, all those things."

Something to keep in mind Thursday night when Beckham and the Galaxy will play Chivas USA; three of the players who could be involved that game (Landon Donovan, Jonathan Bornstein and Beckham) will all have played games in Europe the day before.

Which reminds me: Wednesday is good day to play hooky from work.

Brazil plays Algeria live at 9:30 a.m., U.S. plays Sweden live at 11:30 a.m., while England and Beckham takes on Germany at 2 p.m. All games are on Fox Soccer Channel.

Time to start acting like you're coming down with something.

In what was surely one of the best MLS games ever, New York just outlasted the Galaxy tonight in a goalfest at Giant's Stadium.

This was a game that had it all.

A crowd of more than 66,000 -- apparently the largest ever attendance for a stand alone MLS game in the Big Apple -- saw a back and forth battle.

There were three goals in the first 10 minutes and at the end Galaxy striker Carlos Pavon and Red Bulls stars Jozy Altidore and Juan Pablo Angel each had two goals while David Beckham clocked in with a pair of assists.

Each team took 21 shots, but the Galaxy had just five on goal and scored with four of them.

"It was great, it's the type of atmosphere we want to see in Major League Soccer," Chris Klein, a 10-year MLS veteran told me after the game via cell phone. "The difference was not much tonight, it really wasn’t. We played hard, we fought hard."

Rookie defender Ty Harden, out of the University of Washington, didn't get into details about what goalkeeper Joe Cannon was saying to his leaky defense during the game.

"It was so loud it was really hard to hear anything," he said. "The difference was defending in those key areas. The difference was very small tonight. It came down to they had one more chance than we did.”

And they took it.

Obviously, (do I sound like Sigi Schmid?) the Galaxy's precarious position in the Western Conference was not helped tonight.

But what a game and what an ad for MLS.

Chivas USA plays Toronto today at 12:30 p.m. on Prime, while the Galaxy is in New York. The game is on at 4:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz has more on the Beckham, I mean Galaxy, game.

Doncha hate it when actual work gets in the way of blogging?

So I'm (very) late in noting that, as expected, David Beckham earned a recall today to the England squad for the game against Germany next week.

It's impressive just to go down the list of players on the England squad and their teams and see "David Beckham, LA Galaxy."

It's a reminder that a player The Times (of London) recently called the 32nd best player in the world is now playing in MLS.

And if Wednesday's game is any indication, Beckham (when fit) won't just play. He'll dominate.

It's instructive to note that since Juan Pablo Angel joined the Red Bulls he has become the league's most exciting player. Today the third leading goalscorer in MLS, Angel never really blossomed in England. He was too small, not physical enough.

In MLS though, Angel's skill comes through.

It will be the same with Beckham. Judging by Wednesday's sterling performance, where frankly at times he looked like a man playing against boys, Beckham will shine.

His soccer brain, anticipation and touch were so superior to every other player on the field that in a sport where one player usually does not dominate the other 21 on the field, Beckham will become an exception.

"The difference is the game savvy," said Landon Donovan. "He understands the game on every level. And he knows how to win a game."

Judge for yourself by checking out Wednesday's action:

For more on Beckham's impact on MLS, this is what Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz wrote today.

F.C. Dallas has shipped moody malcontent Ramón Núñez to Chivas USA in exchange for a conditional 2009 draft pick.

Nunez' star is on the rise and the 21-year-old came close to making his national team debut with Honduras last year, but he reportedly had several run ins with management in Dallas.

In Nunez, Chivas USA gets the playmaker it has lacked since Chivas USA Coach Preki shipped the petulant Amado Guevara back to his native Honduras earlier this season. Hope he has bettter luck with Nunez.

He logged 67 regular-season games in four seasons for Dallas, scoring 14 goals and 9 assists.

The SMU product who has lived in the U.S. since age 5 could make his Chivas USA debut Saturday against Toronto.

"We are pleased to have secured a player of Ramón Núñez’ caliber at this point in our season,” Preki said. “This is the time of year when good clubs need good players to step up, as we continue our push toward a playoff spot. We hope that Ramón will increase the overall quality and level of competition within our already strong group of players."

The Galaxy's second goal was pure Beckham, too.

He made an inch perfect pass from inside the Galaxy's half of the center circle that eluded Josh Gros and was clinically finished by Donovan.

United didn't play poorly -- they out shot the Galaxy 8-4 in the first half, for instance -- but they didn't have a player of Beckham's undoubted class.

Clearly the outstanding player on the field, Beckham dominated the game, dictating the tempo, directing virtually all the Galaxy's attacks and making the game look simple, a trait of all the greats.

Even Posh clapped after his goal.

Beck's left in the 63rd minute, his job done and the field turf at Giant's Stadium looming Saturday.

There were 17,223 in attendance and you've got to think those ticket stubs will be quite the piece of memorabilia in years to come.

Steve McClaren picks his England team Friday, by the way, but Beckham is already all but guaranteed a spot.

Next up for the Galaxy in SuperLiga: Pachuca on Wednesday Aug. 29 in the final, two days after the Galaxy visit Kansas City.

Updated 10:45 P.M.

Keep a bunch of sports writers on a tight deadline waiting for 90 minutes for an interview after a game (he needed treatment on the ankle) and you're sure to get a hostile reception. Unless you're Beck's who disarms any hostility immediately with that "aw shucks" smile and a (genuine, you feel) comment of "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Anyway, modest Becks talked for 14 minutes, thanked the ref for not giving him a red card for the foul and described both goals as owing something to a "certain amount of luck," (!) but conceded "you create your own luck."

"I felt I was going to score as soon as I had the ball in my hands," he said of the free kick that was the first he'd taken in eight weeks. "If I hit it right I knew it was going in."

Beckham said he was surprised at the strength of his left ankle.

"I was happy to get an hour on the pitch -- I didn't expect to last an hour," he said. "It was a lot better than I actually thought it was going to be."

I did get a knock on my ankle tonight," he added. "It's slightly swollen."

Still, he hopes to play at least part of the game in New York before flying out to join up with the rest of the squad before England's game on Wednesday against Germany.

Beckham was the talk of the post-game press conference even before his belated appearance.

D.C. United Coach Tom Soehn was asked four questions -- and three were about Beckham.

Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop looked like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"It was good for the locker room to be buoyant and happy because we haven't had a lot of happiness this year," he said. "We've all been waiting for that free kick."

Landon Donovan said he had approached Beckham after training Tuesday to offer him the captaincy.

"I'm not stupid and I'm not naive," he said. "This is someone who's been the captain of England, one of the better teams in the world.

"(Becoming captain) made him immediately a part of the team."

And his performance tonight instantly made him the most important part.

Updated 1 a.m.

For more details on the game, here's what Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz had to say.

Here's how the Beckham goal was described on MLS' Match tracker:

"LA -27th Minute. Goal Scored by 23-David Beckham, 1st of season. In Goal was 1-Troy Perkins. Goal scored from outside penalty area."

Hmmm.

What the crowd at a half-empty Home Depot Center really saw was a strike of transcendent beauty, a stunning free kick from 27 yards that left goalkeeper Troy Perkins rooted to the spot and staring at the ball rippling the inside netting. This is why the MLS suits wanted Beckham.

Beckham is wearing the captain's armband and is displaying the sort of leadership the Galaxy direly needs.

Match Tracker does helpfully tell us Beck's has completed 13 out of 17 passes though.

He also found time to pick up a yellow card for a nasty looking foul on Moreno that would have earned some players a straight red.

Let's hope Beckham's ankle holds up and he comes out for the second half.

The game just kicked off (it's on Telefutura)

Joe Cannon is in goal as usual for the Galaxy ahead of a back four of Chris Klein (Troy Roberts is out injured) at right back, Ty Harden and Abel Xavier in the middle and Mike Randolph on the left.

David Beckham starts in central midfield in his first first competitive game for the Galaxy (let's hope his left ankle holds up on a terrible pitch thanks to the X Games), while Kyle Martino is wide on the left opposite Landon Donovan and Kevin Harmse is the holding midfielder.

Up front: Edson Buddle and Carlos Pavon.

Ante Jazic, Kelly Gray and Alan Gordon are all suspended.

Jaime Moreno has returned for D.C. United through injury, replacing Clyde Sims who is on the bench. Defender Marc Burch is out injured with former Galaxy defender Greg Vanney getting a start in his place, but otherwise it's the same starting line-up as in United's last game against the Galaxy, a 1-0 win last week in D.C.

Moreno just launched a 45-yard shot in the 11th minute that Cannon punched over the bar, an early salvo that should keep him from venturing too far off his goal line.

Beckham to play tonight*

About an hour after we learned David Beckham would play tonight's SuperLiga game against D.C. United the Galaxy were already hyping his appearance in an e-mail to fans. No asterisk in the e-mail though; Beckham will not play the entire 90 minutes in a move that seems aimed at ensuring he gets picked for England's next game more than anything.

The winner plays Pachuca in the final.

Donovan, Bornstein on U.S. squad

Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein and the Galaxy's Landon Donovan were two of just three MLS players picked Tuesday for the next U.S. game against Sweden.

Maybe time does stop in Vegas casinos because little changed over a long weekend.

Beckham sat yet again Sunday and the Galaxy lost yet again.

The next opportunity for both to break the string (or not): Wednesday's SuperLiga semifinal at Home Depot Center against D.C. United.

The victor plays the winner of today's Houston Dynamo-Pachuca semifinal.

It was once virtually impossible to place a soccer-related bet at Las Vegas sports books outside of the World Cup.

But the Hilton it seems has ramped up its offerings.

Action is available not only for the 2010 World Cup already (Bosnia-Hertzegovina at 2500/1 to win anyone?), but the opening weekend of the Mexican Apertura, MLS games and the EPL.

As far as the Hilton is concerned, there's only three teams with a good chance at the EPL title this season: Chelsea (3/2), Manchester United (6/5) and Liverpool ((/2), although Arsenal is enticing at 12/1.

Aston Villa, rebuilding with American cash under Manager Martin O'Neill, is available for 200/1, Fulham and its American contingent are an unlikely 2500/1 as are the likes of Derby County and Wigan Athletic.

In MLS games Sunday, the New England Revolution are a one-goal favorite over the Galaxy (apparently the experts here haven't caught too many LA games lately), while the Red Bulls are favored over Toronto. Sigi Schmid's improving Columbus Crew are one goal underdogs today against FC Dallas.

Possibly the best bet of the lot: the Houston Dynamo-Colorado Rapids game. Odds makers say pick 'em, but surely the MLS champions can beat Fernando Clavijo and Co., on the road.

For those with a longer-term perspective, England is 12/1 to win the World Cup three years from now, the U.S. is 60/1 and Mexico 50/1. Brazil are the favorites at 5/1, by the way.

No odds are available on David Beckham going 90 minutes for the Galaxy Sunday though.

I'm off to Las Vegas for the weekend so posting will be negligible (no column Tuesday either), although I will check out the EPL odds on opening weekend in the sports book.

David Beckham, nice guy that he is, got on the field for the Galaxy last night in the nation's capital. The Galaxy still lost, however, 1-0 to D.C. in a rather tepid 10-man performance (Kyle Martino was sent off) in a downpour.

There's close to two dozen (!) soccer games on TV this weekend, including the penultimate game Sunday in the U.S. Women's Send-Off Series against New Zealand. The final game before the World Cup is set for Aug. 25 at Home Depot Center against Finland.

I've set my TiVo for Reading against Manchester United (8 a.m. Sunday on Fox Soccer Channel) and Galaxy verses New England (4 p.m. Sunday on FSN), although with any luck I'll watch the latter game in a cabana at the pool.

We'll find out tonight whether David Beckham is ready for MLS prime time when the Galaxy visits D.C. United. Kick off is at 4 p.m. on ESPN2.

Click the link for the obligatory update on Beckham's ankle and a game preview. (And it's worth going to the end of the story just to read the more than strained excuse for the racist chanting directed at American DaMarcus Beasley during a recent European game).

Updated 12:45 p.m.

Will Beckham play or not? Here's a sampling of today's headlines (in order of optimism):

Beckham hopes to make MLS debut tonight (The Examiner)
Ankle Is 'Looking Up' But Beckham Uncertain (The Washington Post)
Beckham appearance unlikely in D.C. (MLSnet.com)

That's settled then.

No local game for Brazil nuts

Mexico plays China Oct. 17 (that's a Wednesday) at the Coliseum in its fifth and final game of 2007 on U.S. soil, Soccer United Marketing officials announced.

Mexico will also play Brazil in Boston Sept. 12, a game that falls on a designated international fixture date, which means such stars as Ronaldinho and Kaka will be available. The game, which will be played three days after the U.S. faces Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, begins at 5 p.m. on Telemundo.

Tickets to the local game go on sale Aug. 24 for those with Visa credit cards and to everyone else Sept. 1. Tickets start at $25.

It's the first time Mexico has played in Southern California since beating Venezuela in May 2006 before more than 50,000 at the Rose Bowl.

Mexico has played China twice before, winning 3-2 in 1987 in Mexico and 3-0 six years later in San Diego.

UCLA ranked No. 1 (again)

Another pre-season poll, another No. 1 ranking for the Bruins' men's team.

Updated 3p.m.

Swiss Chivas

Swiss World Cup veteran Raphael Wicky is training with Chivas USA, club officials confirmed today.

Wicky, 30, a midfielder who was most recently with Germany's Hamburger SV, began training with the team Tuesday.

Wicky played in all four Swiss World Cup games last year and has made more than 70 appearances for the national team since making his 1996 debut. He's versatile and capable of playing as a holding midfielder as well as on the wing.

Wicky has also played (briefly) for Spain's Athletico Madrid, Werder Bremen and Swiss club FC Sion.

Also on trial with Chivas USA: Colombian forward Oscar Echeverry, who formerly played for Deportivo Cali.

Neither player is eligible to play in Saturday's friendly in Sacramento against a National Premier League All-Star squad.

Nowak named U-23 coach

This isn't much of a surprise, but Peter Nowak, who has assisted Bob Bradley with the full national team since December, was named Under-23 coach Wednesday by U.S Soccer in addition to that job.

The former Polish international, 43, was an MLS veteran with the Chicago Fire and MLS Cup winner as coach of D.C. United.

Nowak has the soccer cred, although most journalists would describe him as taciturn. In fact, he refused to talk to the media initially upon assuming the role as Bradley's assistant.

Let's hope that changes in the months ahead or you can expect short articles about the Olympic team.

Qualifying for the Olympic Games begins in earnest next year; the U.S. failed to make it to Greece last time around.

Has the Galaxy's season already ebbed away, with David Beckham merely making a cameo appearance so far?

That's the topic of Tuesday's column.

Here's the graphic that goes with the column:

Updated: For another perspective of what it's like to cover the Beckham circus (when he's actually on the field), here's the view of Staff Photographer Scott Varley.

The Galaxy drew 0-0 with Toronto Sunday night, a result that sums up the scale of the task facing Los Angeles in the second half of the MLS season if they hope to make the playoffs.

Having a half dozen or so games in hand over other teams doesn't matter unless you actually win.

I'll have more on the Galaxy's second season in Tuesday's column.

Beckham, um, Galaxy preview

Two of the worst teams in MLS meet for the first time ever today when the (3-5-4) Galaxy visits (5-9-4) Toronto.

Expansion Toronto, last in the East, reverted to early season form and looked horrible last Sunday when they merely became Cuauhtemoc Blanco fodder in the Mexican star's debut for the Chicago Fire.

Toronto's 3-0 loss meant the team has lost the last two games and hasn't scored in three, but the squad is ravaged by injury.

Out today is former UCLA defender Marvell Wynn (hamstring), goalkeeper Greg Sutton (concussion), dangerous midfielder Ronnie O'Brien (knee) and striker Jeff Cunningham (torn meniscus).

Last Sunday David Monsalve, 18, became the youngest goalkeeper in MLS history to start a game (beating the record held by Tim Howard back when he was a MetroStar) for Toronto.

On Friday, Toronto signed Canadian international Kenny Stamatopoulos on loan from Tromso (Norway).

Who knows what Galaxy team will show up after their last outing, a stunning 6-5 midweek SuperLiga win over Dallas.

The Galaxy, without an MLS game since July 4, are essentially starting the second half of their season, although they have busied themselves with lucrative tournaments and basking in David Beckham's presence, something that's rapidly becoming a bit of an anticlimax.

And no, he's not playing today (again).

Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. on FSN.

Ajax America are national champions

Rolling Hills Estates-based Ajax America Women (and yes, they are affiliated with the famous Dutch club of the same name) won the national championship Saturday in the Pacific Northwest.

It's the team's fourth national title in eight years.

Not too many details in this report (and I haven't heard from the team that undoubtedly was busy celebrating last night), but here's what the USASA Web site has on the game.

Ajax America Women plays for national title today.

Rolling Hills Estates-based Ajax America Women of the Women's Premier Soccer League, one of the top two women's leagues in the nation, plays at 2 p.m. today for the national title in Seattle.

Ajax America got to the final by winning 1-0 last night against Connecticut’s Soccer Plus, coached by former U.S. National Team Coach Tony DiCiccio.

Now Ajax plays WPSL champions FC Indiana, which beat the local ladies 4-3 on penalty kicks last weekend to win the title.

Ajax, which the likes of South Bay-based U.S. internationals Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach have played for in the past, must score more against former U.S. international and Carolina Courage goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill than in their last game. Luckenbill, who made her debut for the Indiana team against Ajax and signed especially for the final games of the season, made 10 saves including two from penalty kicks to preserve the victory.

It's exactly the rematch wanted by Ajax, which ended the regular season 16-0 as Western Division champions for the 2nd straight year, scoring 60 goals and conceding just eight in the process.

Ranked the second best female team in the world by one publication before the WPSL final four, Ajax was missing some key players last weekend, but will have them back today.

England's Cami Boswell (daughter of Coach Brian Boswell) was ill and didn't play last weekend, while U.S. Under-21 internationals Kendall Fletcher and Kiki Bosio endured nightmare airplane connections as they attempted to link up with the team upon their return from the Nordic Cup and didn't make it to Florida.

The game is being Webcast here.

Here's a bit of background on the national championships from the WPSL Web site:

"The USASA National Cup Finals program is the oldest and most prestigious competition offered to all affiliated teams of the United States Adult Soccer Association. The Men's Amateur & Open divisions are over 90 years old. The program is also open to any youth soccer team whose players are registered with the United States Soccer Federation."

Armchair viewing

The Galaxy play Sunday and Chivas USA don't take the field again until Aug. 18, but there are three MLS games scheduled today including former Galaxy striker Herculez Gomez leading the Colorado Rapids against FC Dallas at 5:30 P.M. on Fox Soccer Channel.

In addition, overseas leagues are beginning play again after the summer break.

The Mexican league resumes play this weekend with at least eight televised games, including a match involving Mexico's most popular team, Chivas, taking on Pumas at 10 a.m. Sunday on Univision.

Spanish-speakers can get full details here.

Meanwhile, the traditional opener of the English season airs at 7 a.m. Sunday on Fox Soccer Channel when EPL champions Manchester United plays FA Cup winner Chelsea in the annual Community Shield, a repeat of the May final between the two teams.

The full EPL program begins next weekend.

And as always, the definitive guide to soccer on TV is here.

Last Sunday I wrote a story for the Daily Breeze about South Bay-themed YouTube clips.

Now this story has hit.

Check out the video.

YouTube may now be the most convenient place to see MLS highlights (am I the only person who misses the Saturday night highlight show on Fox Soccer Channel?) after launching a dedicated soccer channel earlier this year in conjunction with the league.

And of course there are other soccer videos there, too, such as this one for the L.A. Riot Squad.

Your Daily Beckham

Surprise, surprise Beckham won't play Sunday.

The bright side for Galaxy fans: It's looking increasingly unlikely England Coach Steve McClaren will pick Beck's for upcoming internationals that conflict with some games at Home Depot Center.

Media columnist Tom Hoffarth looks at the implications of an invisible Becks for TV and the game in general.

Another chance to see Beckham?

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for the Aug. 15 SuperLiga semifinal against D.C. United after the MLS team beat the Houston Dynamo Wednesday. (and were helped by Club America).

Another chance to beat Mexico?

The U.S. has beaten Mexico twice this year already, including a come from behind Gold Cup win, but a game at hostile Azteca Stadium is a different proposition altogether.

Here's more from the (edited) U.S. Soccer press release:

"The USA has never won a match on Mexican soil, holding a lifetime record of 0-22-1. The last 'friendly' in Mexico resulted in a 1-2 loss on Oct. 17, 1984. The teams have played south of the border five times since, the USA’s lone goal during that span coming in the 2-1 loss in 2006 World Cup qualifying. Despite the loss, the Eddie Lewis strike in the 59th minute proved to be decisive in the final standings, giving the U.S. a one-goal advantage in goal differential and a first-place finish in the group.

The U.S. has a lifetime record of 14-29-10 against Mexico in a series that dates to 1934. Since the rivalry between these two teams began in earnest in 1990, the sides have played 26 times, with the U.S. holding a 12-7-7 advantage.

Next up on the U.S. schedule: an Aug. 22 game in Sweden. Kick off is at 11:30 a.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

And also, the MLS game tonight kicks off at 4 o'clock on ESPN2 with the Kansas City Wizards playing the New England Revolution.

Freddy Adu has departed MLS to Portugal's Benfica for $2 million, but we can't let the former 14-year-old sensation leave without a final bad pun and a Southern California send-off.

After all, Adu was first paraded at Carson's Home Depot Center before MLS Cup 2003 upon signing a $500,000 contract that made him the league's biggest wage-earner. His entrance was a media event without equal until David Beckham joined earlier this year.

During his first season with D.C. United, the team's attendance rose 11 percent, second only to the Galaxy, road attendances jumped 54 percent (making him the league's top box office draw) and network television ratings leaped 27 percent.

On the field, he first played at the HDC before a capacity crowd in April 2004, scored his first goal in his third game and a month later scored his second against the Galaxy, leaving sprawling defenders in his wake before curling a shot into the net. At MLS Cup 2004, Adu was back in Carson coming off the bench in a D.C. United win over the Kansas City Wizards.

But despite occasional flashes of skill, Adu had his ups and downs.

His form was erratic, he wasn't a regular in the starting line-up, he sulked, he was benched.

In January 2005, he led the U.S. into what was then called the FIFA World Youth Championship at qualifying games held at the HDC, finishing the run with four successful penalty kicks in five games.

But in December 2006, United traded him after 87 regular season games, 59 starts and 11 goals to Real Salt Lake.

Adu said all the right things when he moved, but it was clear he was already looking forward to playing in Europe, not MLS.

In his last appearance at the HDC on June 17 against the Galaxy, Adu came off the bench, the first time he hadn't started for Real Salt Lake all season.

Several sparkling displays at the U-20 World Cup in Canada this summer earned him the move.

Although Benfica is no longer the European powerhouse it was in the 1960s during Eusebio's heyday, it's still an appropriate move for Adu, Galaxy coach Frank Yallop observed earlier this week.

Not the most physical league in the world, the style of play should suit the 5' 8", 145 pound Adu while he matures physically, mentally and tactically.

Adu leaves MLS with largely unfulfilled potential, but at age 18 is far from the failure one alleged commentator made him out to be.

Farewell, Freddy, we'll see you again in Southern California.

That score line pretty much says it all.

In one of the biggest goal feasts involving MLS teams ever seen, the Galaxy outscored Dallas Tuesday to make it through to the semifinals of SuperLiga in a game that managed to minimize the absence of David Beckham.

The Galaxy was up 4-0 within the first 20 minutes of the game, but wise Galaxy fans who remembered the traumatizing 5-4 aggregate loss to the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2003 playoffs (when the Galaxy was up 4-0 at one point in the second game) didn't budge from their television sets.

Indeed, Dallas improbably battled back, aided by a ultra-sloppy Galaxy defense. Goals were still popping in the back of the net in stoppage time.

It was the sort of game made more entertaining by mistakes. As if to confirm this, Pachuca beat Chivas (so superior to the Galaxy at the Coliseum Saturday) 1-0 in Denver in the other SuperLiga game of the night.

For those who missed the Galaxy game, the highlights are worth seeing here.

Those who missed the game included fans who apparently bought seats just to see the still-injured Beckham. Some of those disgruntled types did show up holding signs included one reading "David, Welcome to America Where People Like You Get Paid to do Nothing."

Ouch.

The Galaxy's semifinal is scheduled for Aug. 14, likely at Home Depot Center, just two days after a road game in Boston against the Revs. And Beckham thinks his ankle is sore now.

Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz was in Dallas for the occasion and filed this report.

The final two SuperLiga group games are on tap tonight: D.C.United meets the Houston Dynamo at 5 p.m. in the opener, while the Club America-Morelia game follows immediately after that. Both are live on Telefutura.