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NEW YORK (Monday, May 3, 2010) – One of the nation’s most successful grassroots soccer initiatives returns to fields across America this summer, as thousands of soccer players of all ages and from all walks of life will lace up their cleats to participate in the eighth edition of MLS Futbolito, Major League Soccer’s official 4-v-4 tournament. The 13-event national tour, presented by Panasonic, kicks off in Miami on Sunday, May 23 in celebration of this World Cup summer.

MLS Futbolito, the largest touring Hispanic event hosted by a U.S. professional sports league, is a series of all-day events targeting the League’s growing multicultural fan base and hosted by the local MLS team. 

“MLS Futbolito represents a bridge that connects the soccer community around the country to our League and our clubs,” said David Wright, Major League Soccer's Vice President of Partnership Marketing. “Entering its eighth year, MLS Futbolito has become a well-known and highly anticipated event where soccer is celebrated by the entire family.”

Approximately 50,000 people, including participants ages 6 to 55 and spectators, attended MLS Futbolito 2009 across 13 markets from coast to coast. Highlights included the event in Foxborough, MA, held in conjunction with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium that took place on the same day as the Revolution’s SuperLiga match against Santos Laguna. This event included a record-breaking 208 teams, making it one of the most successful MLS Futbolito events in its history. Each participant was able to play in at least one match on the grounds of Gillette Stadium, making it an unforgettable experience for participants and their families. In 2010, Futbolito will once again take place at Gillette Stadium on July 10.

Univision, a league broadcast partner, and their popular sports show, “Republica Deportiva”, Univision’s sports lifestyle program on Spanish-language television in the U.S., will broadcast its fourth consecutive live annual show from the Miami MLS Futbolito event to officially kick off the 2010 grassroots series.

Soccer legends and TV personalities who have assisted and participated in MLS Futbolito in the past include former World Cup legends Marco Etcheverry, Teofilo Cubillas, George Weah, Carlos Valderrama, Mauricio Cienfuegos and Noticiero Univision’s lead anchor Jorge Ramos.

MLS Futbolito will continue to work with the League’s community outreach initiative, MLS W.O.R.K.S., in supporting their initiatives such as Active Bodies Active Minds, a soccer-centered initiative that provides reading and fitness resources to motivate and reward children for being mentally and physically fit. 

In addition to MLS Futbolito presenting sponsor Panasonic, associate level partners include Adidas, Degree Deodorant, Fox Sports en Español, Glidden Paints, Makita, NAPA Auto Parts, Pepsi, The Home Depot, Visa, Volkswagen and Xbox 360.

For further information about MLS Futbolito, visit the event’s official site: www.MLSFutbolito.com .

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In competitive athletics a phrase can be worth a thousand words in defining motivation.  This was the case leading up to Seattle Sounders FC’s important match with tough rival Columbus Crew last night.

The result was a 1-1 tie between two strong and well-coached rivals, but once again the Sounders came away from a match with a strong feeling that they should have won.

Coach Sigi Schmid recognized the importance of a speedy attack strategy in facing one of the MLS’s premier teams, and the operative phrase preceding the contest was that of intending to “turn loose the hounds” in the pursuit of goals and victory.

The team strategy involved a tactical switch in the starting lineup.  Veteran Freddie Ljungberg was positioned in the middle of the midfield scheme of a 4-3-3 deployment.

Before the match Schmid, whose last coaching stop before Seattle was Columbus, remarked, “It’s tougher to lose to your friends.  If you lose you never hear the end of it.”

The Sounders have been plagued this season by having victory chances stymied by late goals, particularly in stoppage time, which to Seattle fans has loomed like a voodoo hex.

With that thought in mind it was realized that a sound strategy for the Sounders lay in a quick start and so it was at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field last night.  Just as the 36,219 Sounders faithful were settling in Steve Zakuani deposited a goal in the Columbus net in the fourth minute of the match.

The goal was a thing of beauty made possible by excellent team interaction.   Peter Vagenas played a ball to Fredy Montero.  Despite being knocked to the ground, Montero managed to find Freddie Ljungberg near the middle of the field. Ljungberg instantly lofted the ball over the defense for Zakuani.

Speed is Zakuani’s game and his sprint goal ward was reminiscent of a premier running back.  As he moved into close striking range 10 yards from the goal Zakuani was met by Columbus goalkeeper William Hesmer.

The former Akron University star executed a nifty juke, a fake that enabled Zakuani to sprint past Hesmer and deliver the ball into the net.

It was Zakuani's third goal of the season and set a record for the fastest in Sounders  history.  Zakuani had held the club's previous record for earliest goal, having scored in the fifth minute at D.C. United on September 12, 2009.  It was Zakuani’s first home goal in 370 days and gives indication of future promise as the African player receives the benefit of continuing experience and moves into the ranks of league superstars.

The Zakuani goal enabled Montero to secure his third assist of the season while Swedish veteran Ljungberg notched his second of the 2010 MSL campaign.

Zakuani spoke later about the goal.  "In the first half of the game, I checked the clock and there were three minutes in and I hadn't touched the ball yet. So I kind of wanted to find the ball and they stepped up high and beat the outside and I was just one-on-one.

"I waited for him (Hesmer) to make a move. He didn't. He stood up well. So then I just took it around him because he had space behind him and fortunately I got around him and got a goal."

The team did not let up and remained in a sharp attacking mode, continuing until first period regulation time ended.  It was then that the Sounders team hex of 2010 resurfaced, that of stoppage time problems.

While Columbus’ most heralded player is veteran Argentine Guillermo Barros Schelotto, its star last night was forward Steven Lenhart.  In the 46th minute Lenhart took a cross from Danny O’Rourke and delivered a superbly placed header past Kasey Keller for his first goal of the season.

“We fell asleep right before the end of the first half and gave away a goal that we shouldn't give away,” Schmid said after the match. 

“Those things are starting to become very bothersome and something that we have to address. Overall I thought when I looked at the majority of the game I was very proud of how our team played, the effort we put in I thought was very good. We created and if we continue to play along that vein, I think luck will return to us."

Schmid also commented in his opening statement to the media,  "We obviously wanted to play more offensive, we've been working on that. We wanted to do a better job possessing the ball, creating opportunities again because in Toronto we did a little better with that but we wanted to grow. I thought the 4-3-3 suited us well. I thought we created a number of chances.”

While the blonde, powerfully constructed forward Steven Lenhart was a strong force throughout the contest, Danny O’Rourke became the most controversial player of the night.  In the 28th and 59th minutes he received yellow card warnings for reckless tackling.  In the 85th minute he received a red card and the Crew was put in the disadvantageous posture of finishing the match one player short.

Including second stanza stoppage time, the Sounders had approximately 10 minutes to take advantage of the O’Rourke banishment.  Fredy Montero delivered a goal during stoppage time but it was nullified by a foul on Sanna Nyassi.

As in the case of the disappointing 1-0 home loss to the New York Red Bulls the second game of the season, the Sounders maintained a decisive advantage in shots and corner kicks.  A goal was almost achieved in the 52nd minute when a 25-yard drive by Montero deflected off defender Andy Iro before hitting the right post.

Seattle enjoyed a 16-7 advantage on the night in shots and a 9-4 edge on corner kicks.  Each team had 3 shots on goal.

Crew Coach Robert Warzycha commented accordingly, “I think Seattle probably had the better game, they controlled the possession. They were playing pretty well; we played better in the second half. We were happy with the result."

William Hesmer, Columbus’ talented goalkeeper who made some excellent saves during the match, spoke regarding the second half and his save opportunities.  “I don't think we had our best half with the ball, but our defending has been great all year. I'm proud of our guys on how we defended throughout this season.

"We got our rhythm this second half, and I thought we were the better team the second half. I'm sure Seattle is disappointed they didn't come out of here with three points, but you have to defend. We have been successful because of our defense."

Hesmer’s counterpart, veteran Kasey Keller, made a pair of saves in the game, including a stop of Guillermo Barros Schelotto's shot from 16 yards in the 73rd minute.

The tie left Columbus unbeaten at 2-0-2 and the Sounders at 2-2-3.

The Seattle team will be back in action Saturday afternoon against another tough foe.  The Sounders host a Los Angeles Galaxy team that remains dangerous despite the harsh  blow of losing superstar David Beckham via the injury route.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

In competitive athletics a phrase can be worth a thousand words in defining motivation.  This was the case leading up to Seattle Sounders FC’s important match with tough rival Columbus Crew last night.

The result was a 1-1 tie between two strong and well-coached rivals, but once again the Sounders came away from a match with a strong feeling that they should have won.

Coach Sigi Schmid recognized the importance of a speedy attack strategy in facing one of the MLS’s premier teams, and the operative phrase preceding the contest was that of intending to “turn loose the hounds” in the pursuit of goals and victory.

The team strategy involved a tactical switch in the starting lineup.  Veteran Freddie Ljungberg was positioned in the middle of the midfield scheme of a 4-3-3 deployment.

Before the match Schmid, whose last coaching stop before Seattle was Columbus, remarked, “It’s tougher to lose to your friends.  If you lose you never hear the end of it.”

The Sounders have been plagued this season by having victory chances stymied by late goals, particularly in stoppage time, which to Seattle fans has loomed like a voodoo hex.

With that thought in mind it was realized that a sound strategy for the Sounders lay in a quick start and so it was at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field last night.  Just as the 36,219 Sounders faithful were settling in Steve Zakuani deposited a goal in the Columbus net in the fourth minute of the match.

The goal was a thing of beauty made possible by excellent team interaction.   Peter Vagenas played a ball to Fredy Montero.  Despite being knocked to the ground, Montero managed to find Freddie Ljungberg near the middle of the field. Ljungberg instantly lofted the ball over the defense for Zakuani.

Speed is Zakuani’s game and his sprint goal ward was reminiscent of a premier running back.  As he moved into close striking range 10 yards from the goal Zakuani was met by Columbus goalkeeper William Hesmer.

The former Akron University star executed a nifty juke, a fake that enabled Zakuani to sprint past Hesmer and deliver the ball into the net.

It was Zakuani's third goal of the season and set a record for the fastest in Sounders  history.  Zakuani had held the club's previous record for earliest goal, having scored in the fifth minute at D.C. United on September 12, 2009.  It was Zakuani’s first home goal in 370 days and gives indication of future promise as the African player receives the benefit of continuing experience and moves into the ranks of league superstars.

The Zakuani goal enabled Montero to secure his third assist of the season while Swedish veteran Ljungberg notched his second of the 2010 MSL campaign.

Zakuani spoke later about the goal.  "In the first half of the game, I checked the clock and there were three minutes in and I hadn't touched the ball yet. So I kind of wanted to find the ball and they stepped up high and beat the outside and I was just one-on-one.

"I waited for him (Hesmer) to make a move. He didn't. He stood up well. So then I just took it around him because he had space behind him and fortunately I got around him and got a goal."

The team did not let up and remained in a sharp attacking mode, continuing until first period regulation time ended.  It was then that the Sounders team hex of 2010 resurfaced, that of stoppage time problems.

While Columbus’ most heralded player is veteran Argentine Guillermo Barros Schelotto, its star last night was forward Steven Lenhart.  In the 46th minute Lenhart took a cross from Danny O’Rourke and delivered a superbly placed header past Kasey Keller for his first goal of the season.

“We fell asleep right before the end of the first half and gave away a goal that we shouldn't give away,” Schmid said after the match. 

“Those things are starting to become very bothersome and something that we have to address. Overall I thought when I looked at the majority of the game I was very proud of how our team played, the effort we put in I thought was very good. We created and if we continue to play along that vein, I think luck will return to us."

Schmid also commented in his opening statement to the media,  "We obviously wanted to play more offensive, we've been working on that. We wanted to do a better job possessing the ball, creating opportunities again because in Toronto we did a little better with that but we wanted to grow. I thought the 4-3-3 suited us well. I thought we created a number of chances.”

While the blonde, powerfully constructed forward Steven Lenhart was a strong force throughout the contest, Danny O’Rourke became the most controversial player of the night.  In the 28th and 59th minutes he received yellow card warnings for reckless tackling.  In the 85th minute he received a red card and the Crew was put in the disadvantageous posture of finishing the match one player short.

Including second stanza stoppage time, the Sounders had approximately 10 minutes to take advantage of the O’Rourke banishment.  Fredy Montero delivered a goal during stoppage time but it was nullified by a foul on Sanna Nyassi.

As in the case of the disappointing 1-0 home loss to the New York Red Bulls the second game of the season, the Sounders maintained a decisive advantage in shots and corner kicks.  A goal was almost achieved in the 52nd minute when a 25-yard drive by Montero deflected off defender Andy Iro before hitting the right post.

Seattle enjoyed a 16-7 advantage on the night in shots and a 9-4 edge on corner kicks.  Each team had 3 shots on goal.

Crew Coach Robert Warzycha commented accordingly, “I think Seattle probably had the better game, they controlled the possession. They were playing pretty well; we played better in the second half. We were happy with the result."

William Hesmer, Columbus’ talented goalkeeper who made some excellent saves during the match, spoke regarding the second half and his save opportunities.  “I don't think we had our best half with the ball, but our defending has been great all year. I'm proud of our guys on how we defended throughout this season.

"We got our rhythm this second half, and I thought we were the better team the second half. I'm sure Seattle is disappointed they didn't come out of here with three points, but you have to defend. We have been successful because of our defense."

Hesmer’s counterpart, veteran Kasey Keller, made a pair of saves in the game, including a stop of Guillermo Barros Schelotto's shot from 16 yards in the 73rd minute.

The tie left Columbus unbeaten at 2-0-2 and the Sounders at 2-2-3.

The Seattle team will be back in action Saturday afternoon against another tough foe.  The Sounders host a Los Angeles Galaxy team that remains dangerous despite the harsh  blow of losing superstar David Beckham via the injury route.

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One day following the announcement of the trading of midfielder Stephen King to DC United a new deal was announced, the signing of Colombian forward Miguel Montaño.  As per Major League Soccer and Sounders FC policy, terms were not disclosed.

With the receipt of his P-1 work permit and international clearance, Montaño was added to the official roster and is eligible to play. He had been training with the Sounders since March 17.

Montaño, 18, most recently played for Quilmes Atletico Club in the Quintata, the fifth tier of the Argentine development structure. He scored 13 goals in 19 games last season. In 2008, Montaño scored 18 goals in 24 games for the reserve team of Colombia's Envigado FC.

Just prior to being signed by the Sounders, the 5'11", 150 pound forward made his first international appearance for the Colombia under-20 National Team.

Montaño is a Colombian citizen who makes his home in Palmira, Colombia.

"Montaño is an exciting, young attacking player with a big upside," Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid said. "He has pace and is two-footed. We look forward to his stay with Sounders FC."

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This is Part Four in a series on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.

At 69 minutes into the Los Angeles Galaxy's 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Independence, a familiar face returned to the pitch in the colors of Los Angeles. As Alan Gordon took his spot on the bench, in his place was Clint Mathis.

For Mathis, this was his 250th appearance in a regular season match. One of MLS's most celebrated veterans, 250 appearances with five clubs in the same league is no small task.

Think about it. Here is a 33-year-old veteran who has spent nearly his entire career in Major League Soccer. This is a decade we are talking about, if you take away his time in Europe.

Clint Mathis was born on November 25, 1976 in Conyers, Georgia. Conyers, located 24 miles east of Atlanta, is the county seat and is named after Dr. W. D. Conyers, a banker from nearby Covington. Its legacy to the 1996 Summer Olympics is the Georgia International Horse Park, used for the equestrian and mountain biking competitions.

Conyers is also known for being the setting for a number of episodes of the Dukes of Hazzard, its notoriety for the juxtaposition of saloons and brothels next to churches and schools in the late 19th Century, and even more notoriety for being the centerpiece of a documentary involving a syphilis outbreak among local middle and high school students.

For Mathis, soccer was his passion. At a young age he began his career playing for the Rockdale Youth Soccer Organization and Georgia youth soccer bookends AFC Lightning alongside fellow U.S. international Ricardo Clark, who played for the Houston Dynamo before making the jump to Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga.

After leading the Heritage High Patriots to a state championship, Mathis played his college ball at the University of South Carolina, where he earned All-American honors in 1995 and 1997. Mathis would then be selected sixth in the first round of the 1998 MLS College Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy.

In the early days of the league, the SuperDraft didn't exist; there was a College Draft and a Supplemental Draft for those who already graduated from college. This was eliminated in 2000 with the creation of the SuperDraft.

In his 65 appearances with the Los Angeles Galaxy from 1998 through 2000, Mathis scored 15 goals. Mathis would also go down in history for scoring the fastest goal for the Galaxy: 33 seconds, in a 1999 game against the Kansas City Wizards.

Midway through the 2000 season, Mathis was traded to the NY/NJ MetroStars (the forerunners of Red Bull New York) for Luis Hernandez. The MetroStars loved Mathis, and Mathis loved them back with his "I ♥ NY" shirt.

On August 26, 2000, he set an MLS record by scoring five in one game against the Dalls Burn (now FC Dallas). Mathis would finish the season with 16 goals and 14 assists and was named to the MLS Best XI.

More glory awaited Mathis, as he won the 2001 Goal of the Year Award. However, he tore his ACL in June. Mathis never got on track after recovering from that injury, and scored 13 goals in his remaining two seasons. Aggravating the issue was the league blocking a move by Bayern Munich to acquire Mathis, news that he did not take very well.

Eventually, Mathis was able to sign with Hannover 96 after 33 goals in 67 appearances for the MetroStars. With four goals in his first five games for Die Roten , the prospects of Mathis in the starting 11 for the lineup were looking quite rosy. However, then-manager Ralk Rangnick was sacked, and Ewald Lienen took over managerial duties.

In retrospect, it didn't seem to be a very wise decision by Lienen to keep Mathis on the bench; actually it may have contributed to his own dismissal in the 2004-05 season. Mathis showed his discontent with the decision-making in a September 25, 2004 contest, tapping his watch to Lienen as if to say "You should have brought me on the pitch sooner!"

That would be his penultimate match with Hannover 96. During his stay with the club, he scored five times in 17 apperances.

In December 2004, Mathis joined John Ellinger's Real Salt Lake, who were in their inaugural season. It wasn't a productive return to MLS, as he managed just three goals in his first stint for RSL (27 apperances). The following December, Mathis was traded to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Jeff Cunningham. This time, it was even worse for Mathis, who scored just twice in 25 appearances for Colorado.

Another trade awaited Mathis, who was swapped on March 29, 2007 to the renamed and rebranded Red Bull New York for draft picks in 2008 and 2009.

With a return to the old stomping grounds of Giants Stadium, Mathis was instrumental in his first home match donning the colors of the Red Bulls, tallying a goal and an assist in a 3-0 shutout of FC Dallas. In his second stint, which lasted nearly seven months, Mathis scored six goals in 26 appearances for New York.

Mathis had a brief second stint with the Galaxy, now with David Beckham, after being traded for a third round pick in the 2008 SuperDraft. At Stadium Australia in Sydney, he made his debut in front of 80,000 fans during a friendly with Sydney FC.

Fans of Crete club Ergotelis FC will see Mathis as a hero that saved the Canaries from relegation in the 2007-08 Super League Greece season. Down 2-1 in a match with Apollon Kalamarias, he scored a goal in the 91st minute to salvage a draw and save Ergotelis from the drop. That would be his only goal in eight appearances with the Heraklion club.

As a result of his heroics, Real Salt Lake signed Mathis in the offseason. In 39 apperances for RSL, Mathis only managed two goals but was instrumental in earning his first MLS Cup title by converting his penalty in the shootout over the Los Angeles Galaxy last November.

Mathis has also been called up to the USA Men's National Team. He earned his first cap against the Socceroos on November 6, 1998. Mathis made his mark during the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and finals. He was also featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated's 2002 World Cup preview issue. As of this article date, Mathis has scored 12 goals in 46 appearances for the Yanks.

On January 14, 2010, Clint Mathis was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy for a number of draft picks during the 2010 SuperDraft. And after nearly five months of waiting, May 1 marked the day that Mathis finally returned to the club that launched his professional career.

250 appearances for club, 46 for country. 67 goals for club, 12 for country. Over a decade of playing the beautiful game for both.

You do the math. But don't forget to put the "-is" at the end. Otherwise you wouldn't be doing justice to the storied career of Clint Mathis.

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Ever heard of the song by AC/DC entitled "Back In Business?" For those of you who have, it doesn't take a minute to realize the the Los Angeles Galaxy's scoring touch was back in business again. And would you believe it: by the grace of the football gods, they were able to diversify their portfolio for once.

Only 53 seconds into LA's initial ordeal with the Philadelphia Union, it was A.J. De La Garza who opened the proceedings. Edson Buddle—known more for his finishing than his facilitating ability—proved he can also deliver in other ways. His delivery found De La Garza, and it set the tone for a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 15,453 at the Home Depot Center.

De La Garza's goal was the second-fastest in club history. The fastest goes to current Galaxy member Clint Mathis, who scored one against the Kansas City Wizards in a match that took place during the 1999 season.

Coincidentally, Mathis made his season debut on Saturday, marking his 250th appearance for the Galaxy. Well done, you vet.

Let's go back, however, to Mr. 14. As you all know, this year's Buddle would not be this year's Buddle without this year's Buddle getting one, right? Right? So he did, starting with the 27th minute. A scramble of the corner from Landon Donovan almost saw Alan Gordon earn his first of the season. Instead, it was Buddle who got this eighth of the year doing it the tried and true way.

Note to self, Edson: don't try to pull off a Chaleira if you are in traffic inside the box. Stick with your bread and butter, please?

Buddle completed his brace late in the first half with a pass in the transition from Landon Donovan. The goal in the 45th minute was his ninth of the season.
And that was, for all intents and purposes, all that the Galaxy needed aside from some sound defending in the second half.

But wait a minute here. Holy smokes, let's look at this again: nine goals in six matches. That's a blistering 3 to 2 ratio. Now here is how it's all done in Major League Soccer (and this is what I am most proud about). Everybody plays each other once on the road and once at home. There are 24 matches remaining.
 
So let me get this straight: could Buddle be on pace to score 45 goals this season? Really? No way, you have to be kidding me, oh statistics! The current MLS single-season record is 27 goals by Roy Lassiter, in 1996, the inaugural year. Buddle's already a third of the way there, and we aren't even a fourth of the way into the season.

If you are out there in Austin, Roy Lassiter, you'd better be keeping an eye on this one. At this rate, Buddle couls pass him by World Cup's end, if not before. And this is assuming that Bradley commits suicide by not calling up Buddle, or if no team outside of the league tempts Edson with an offer he can't refuse. Stay tuned, pardner.

Now it's time for some ins and outs from this match:

Chicken Thief No. 2 - Jack McInerney

This week's Chicken Thief comes from the unlikeliest of culprits. Why, it's none other than big Jack McInerney. Fresh from his role as a member of the USA Youth National teams, McInerney shows what he can do when a team's defense bites on the transition. His goal late in the 84th minute is a clear sign of things to come. Look out for Jack, he's on his way.

Donovan Ricketts...a potential three-sport athlete?

Fans inside Victoria Street got treated to something normally reserved for the diamond or the gridiron. In the 42nd minute, Ricketts threw the ball well into the Galaxy's attacking half.

This brings up an interesting question: could Ricketts be a successful three-sport athlete? That had all the muscle of a quarterback and the arm of a center-fielder. If Jamaica had their own baseball team or American football team, Ricketts should be under consideration to play international matches for those sides. That is one heck of an arm.

I am going to take the Fifth on speculating if Ricketts had a future bowling for the West Indies cricket team.

More musings off the streets of Philadelphia

Apologies, Bruce Springsteen.

Where the heck was Danny Mwanga? Don't tell me you were trying to save him for the match against the Sounders, Piotr Nowak. I am sure the fans wanted to see what the overall top MLS SuperDraft pick could do; he WAS available, you know.

Actually, forget about Mwanga; where was Sebastien Le Toux? I could have sworn that the match would have been a shave closer if Le Toux was starting today. Zis is an outrage!

Speaking of outrageous, how about the brain explosion by Stefani Miglioranzi. Mama mia, Stefani, come on you didn't have to go late on Juninho, capisce? A late tackle on the Brazilian was enough for Yader Reyes to send the former Galaxy player marching with a head full of steam while the supporters sung a certain classic ditty by a band with the same name.

I leave it to you to figure that out. As for me, I'm still trying to figure out why Nowak decided to make the team run sprints after their Open Cup defeat to the New York Red Bulls. It sure didn't make any difference Saturday night, that's for sure.

Finally, the Sons of Ben were A.W.O.L. at the Home Depot Center. While they should be lauded for their hard work in getting an MLS team to Philly, these fellows were nowhere to be seen. I reckon the flights to Los Angeles and back played a big factor in the absence, but that's just me.
 

Big road trip twin-around for Galaxy

This contest with the Union is the first of three matches in eight days for the Galaxy. This Wednesday, Dick's Sporting Goods Park welcomes LA as they clash with the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.

Next Saturday, the Galaxy will be in Seattle to take on the Sounders. Kickoff for that match at Qwest Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Ever heard of the song by AC/DC entitled "Back In Business?" For those of you who have, it doesn't take a minute to realize the the Los Angeles Galaxy's scoring touch was back in business again. And would you believe it: by the grace of the football gods, they were able to diversify their portfolio for once.

Only 53 seconds into LA's initial ordeal with the Philadelphia Union, it was A.J. De La Garza who opened the proceedings. Edson Buddle—known more for his finishing than his facilitating ability—proved he can also deliver in other ways. His delivery found De La Garza, and it set the tone for a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 15,453 at the Home Depot Center.

De La Garza's goal was the second-fastest in club history. The fastest goes to current Galaxy member Clint Mathis, who scored one against the Kansas City Wizards in a match that took place during the 1999 season.

Coincidentally, Mathis made his season debut on Saturday, marking his 250th appearance for the Galaxy. Well done, you vet.

Let's go back, however, to Mr. 14. As you all know, this year's Buddle would not be this year's Buddle without this year's Buddle getting one, right? Right? So he did, starting with the 27th minute. A scramble of the corner from Landon Donovan almost saw Alan Gordon earn his first of the season. Instead, it was Buddle who got this eighth of the year doing it the tried and true way.

Note to self, Edson: don't try to pull off a Chaleira if you are in traffic inside the box. Stick with your bread and butter, please?

Buddle completed his brace late in the first half with a pass in the transition from Landon Donovan. The goal in the 45th minute was his ninth of the season.
And that was, for all intents and purposes, all that the Galaxy needed aside from some sound defending in the second half.

But wait a minute here. Holy smokes, let's look at this again: nine goals in six matches. That's a blistering 3 to 2 ratio. Now here is how it's all done in Major League Soccer (and this is what I am most proud about). Everybody plays each other once on the road and once at home. There are 24 matches remaining.
 
So let me get this straight: could Buddle be on pace to score 45 goals this season? Really? No way, you have to be kidding me, oh statistics! The current MLS single-season record is 27 goals by Roy Lassiter, in 1996, the inaugural year. Buddle's already a third of the way there, and we aren't even a fourth of the way into the season.

If you are out there in Austin, Roy Lassiter, you'd better be keeping an eye on this one. At this rate, Buddle couls pass him by World Cup's end, if not before. And this is assuming that Bradley commits suicide by not calling up Buddle, or if no team outside of the league tempts Edson with an offer he can't refuse. Stay tuned, pardner.

Now it's time for some ins and outs from this match:

Chicken Thief No. 2 - Jack McInerney

This week's Chicken Thief comes from the unlikeliest of culprits. Why, it's none other than big Jack McInerney. Fresh from his role as a member of the USA Youth National teams, McInerney shows what he can do when a team's defense bites on the transition. His goal late in the 84th minute is a clear sign of things to come. Look out for Jack, he's on his way.

Donovan Ricketts...a potential three-sport athlete?

Fans inside Victoria Street got treated to something normally reserved for the diamond or the gridiron. In the 42nd minute, Ricketts threw the ball well into the Galaxy's attacking half.

This brings up an interesting question: could Ricketts be a successful three-sport athlete? That had all the muscle of a quarterback and the arm of a center-fielder. If Jamaica had their own baseball team or American football team, Ricketts should be under consideration to play international matches for those sides. That is one heck of an arm.

I am going to take the Fifth on speculating if Ricketts had a future bowling for the West Indies cricket team.

More musings off the streets of Philadelphia

Apologies, Bruce Springsteen.

Where the heck was Danny Mwanga? Don't tell me you were trying to save him for the match against the Sounders, Piotr Nowak. I am sure the fans wanted to see what the overall top MLS SuperDraft pick could do; he WAS available, you know.

Actually, forget about Mwanga; where was Sebastien Le Toux? I could have sworn that the match would have been a shave closer if Le Toux was starting today. Zis is an outrage!

Speaking of outrageous, how about the brain explosion by Stefani Miglioranzi. Mama mia, Stefani, come on you didn't have to go late on Juninho, capisce? A late tackle on the Brazilian was enough for Yader Reyes to send the former Galaxy player marching with a head full of steam while the supporters sung a certain classic ditty by a band with the same name.

I leave it to you to figure that out. As for me, I'm still trying to figure out why Nowak decided to make the team run sprints after their Open Cup defeat to the New York Red Bulls. It sure didn't make any difference Saturday night, that's for sure.

Finally, the Sons of Ben were A.W.O.L. at the Home Depot Center. While they should be lauded for their hard work in getting an MLS team to Philly, these fellows were nowhere to be seen. I reckon the flights to Los Angeles and back played a big factor in the absence, but that's just me.
 

Big road trip twin-around for Galaxy

This contest with the Union is the first of three matches in eight days for the Galaxy. This Wednesday, Dick's Sporting Goods Park welcomes LA as they clash with the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.

Next Saturday, the Galaxy will be in Seattle to take on the Sounders. Kickoff for that match at Qwest Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Washington - The New York Red Bulls remain on top of the Eastern Conference, as they scored two "second-half" goals in a ten minute span to defeat rival D.C. United 2-0 at RFK Stadium.

With the win, the Red Bulls matched last year's win total and remain atop of the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-1-0. The win also snapped a 10-game winless streak at RFK Stadium where the Red Bulls were 0-8-2 dating back to last season. There last win over the United was in Oct. 5, 2005, when they won 2-1.

Since their loss to Chivas USA, the Red Bulls has over-powered their opponents in the second half. By making second half adjustments on their passing and defense, they have out-scored the opposition 6-2.

D.C. United has yet to win a game this season. Desperately seeking their first win of the season, D.C. United started the game aggressively. Despite their "run & gun" efforts, goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul held them at bay with his defense.

Six games into the season, Bouna Coundoul has already recorded his third shutout, and has allowed only four goals thus far. 

After being scoreless for the first three games of the season, Juan Pablo Angel has scored his team-leading fourth goal in the 59th minutes of a spectacular free kick lob from Joel Lindpere. A few minutes earlier, Salou Ibrahim scored for the second time in as many games in the 51st minute. 

Even though D.C. United hasn't won a game this season, the Red Bulls needed this win. With this win, the Red Bulls have won their second road game of the season. Last year, they went winless on the road.

Next up for the Red Bulls is the San Jose Earthquakes. The match will take place next Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

Cesar Diaz is the Soccer Editor for Latino Sports. Please send your questions and comments to Cesar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

T-180 minutes to kickoff: In my 25-plus years of doing productive and non-productive activity, I have never tasted a genuine Philadelphia cheesesteak. I know that it must require a set of ingredients to make it authentic. The list is shown below.

*Rib-eye or Top round for the steak
*Cheeze Whiz
*Grilled onions
*Amoroso or Vilotti-Pisanelli rolls
*Bell peppers
*Mushrooms

Optional: A "This Is America. When Ordering, Speak English." sign.

T-170: This is just another shifty way to segue into this week's play-by-play and other miscellany between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Philadelphia Union. The Union's noses are put to the grindstone early with a 1-3 record, good for next-to-dead-last in the MLS Eastern Conference Standings.

Despite the scoreless draw at CommunityAmerica Ballpark against the Kansas City Wizards, the Galaxy are 4-0-1, good enough for tops overall in the MLS Western Conference and the overall league table.

T-160: Other matches going on today include D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution vs. FC Dallas, Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo vs. Kansas City, Real Salt Lake vs. Toronto FC and San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids.

T-155: Earlier this week, Toronto dispatched the Montreal Impact 2-0 in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Outside of the league, Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan will face Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich in the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League final at Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 22, 2010.

Also, D.C. United...can you believe it...actually WON a match. They defeated FC Dallas 4-2 in the US Open Cup. Cue the, gulp, Red Bulls...

T-150: When you think of the Philadelphia Union, you have to mention the Sons of Ben. Established in 2007, the supporters group was instrumental in getting an MLS team to Philadelphia and the neighboring Chester area. In 2008, the major announcement came that the teams beginning play this year are the Union and the WPS's Philadelphia Independence.

T-145: It takes dedication to start up an organization before the team even starts. It's what we call "grassroots support." Congratulations to the Sons of Ben. Interesting how the moniker was chosen. It's a tongue-in-cheek reference to the initials SoB, which are seen as an insult, as well as Benjamin Franklin, one of the city's famous Revolutionary War-era residents.

T-140: More on the Union: The motto is "Jungite aut Perite." Join or Die. A double meaning. For those of you who have taken American History back in high school, you know that this is a reference to a cartoon made by Ben Franklin. The other meaning is a no-brainer: support the club or else it goes away, plain and simple.

T-135: Even more: The official nickname of this team is the "Zolos." Zolo looks like the numbers 2010, the year of the Union's first season. The Union's colors are navy blue and gold, representing the primary colors of the Continental Army's uniforms during the American Revolutionary War. The team's primary logo is circular, symbolizing unity. Its thirteen gold stars represent the original Thirteen Colonies, while the shield's contour derives from the Philadelphia coat of arms.

T-130: Finally, the rattlesnake pays homage to a political cartoon by Benjamin Franklin that was featured in the 1754 Pennsylvania Gazette. The rattlesnake eventually became a national symbol during the American Revolution, representing the danger of disunity, and was featured on the Gadsden flag. The light blue in the middle of the badge is a tribute to the Sons of Ben, and is further derived from the civic flag of Philadelphia. The song "Union of the Snake" by Duran Duran comes to mind.

Whew, what a mouthful.

T-120: Two hours to go to kickoff. Let's go to the lineups.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

Manager: Bruce Arena
Formation: 4-3-3
Colors: White tops with blue and gold accents, white shorts, white socks

1 Donovan Ricketts

20 A.J. De La Garza ---- 4 Omar Gonzalez ---- 16 Greg Berhalter ---- 2 Todd Dunivant

26 Michael Stephens ---- 11 Chris Birchall ---- 19 Juninho

14 Edson Buddle ---- 21 Alan Gordon ---- 10 Landon Donovan (C)

Substitutes:

12 Josh Saunders GK
88 Alex Cazumba DEF
7 Chris Klein MID
27 Bryan Jordan FWD
9 Jovan Kirovski FWD


PHILADELPHIA UNION

Manager: Piotr Nowak
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond
Colors: Khaki tops with midnight blue stripe and light blue accent, midnight blue shorts, khaki socks

1 Chris Seitz

30 Cristian Arrieta ---- 4 Danny Califf (C) ---- 16 Michael Orozco ---- 2 Jordan Harvey

8 Andrew Jacobson

11 Shea Salinas ---- 6 Stefani Miglioranzi

20 Roger Torres

7 Fred ---- 15 Alejandro Moreno

Substitutes:

18 Brad Knighton GK
23 Nick Zimmerman MID
14 Amobi Okugo MID
12 Toni Stahl MID
19 Jack McInerney FWD
10 Danny Mwanga FWD

T-115: A little soul music. Philadelphia, of course, is known for their soul music. Speaking of music, another of the Sons of Ben's themes is ironically written and composed by a band from out here. "What's Left Of The Flag" is a Flogging Molly classic.

T-110: This is the first of three matches in eight days for the Galaxy. After this, they will hit the road on Wednesday, May 5 to face the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park before facing off against the Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field next Saturday, May 8. The G's will then return to the Home Depot Center to face Toronto FC on May 15.

T-105: Philadelphia's next three games include a May 8 trip to Sandy, Utah to face Real Salt Lake; a May 15 home contest with FC Dallas and the first of three straight road matches, starting with the Houston Dynamo on May 29.

T-100: Run down on some WPS scores for you, all teams are in action today: FC Gold Pride defeated Sky Blue FC 1-0, the Washington Freedom pounded St. Louis Athletica, the Philadelphia Independence kept the Atlanta Beat winless 1-0 and the Chicago Red Stars picked up a 2-0 victory over the Boston Breakers.

As always, keep it here on the View and on Bleacher Report for next week's WPS Power Rankings.

T-95: Some MLS scores to run down for you here: Toronto FC defeated Seattle yesterday 2-0 while the New York Red Bulls shut out D.C. United 2-0 as payback for eliminating them from the US Open Cup; New England is leading FC Dallas 1-0 in the second half; Chicago and Chivas USA are scoreless and Houston is leading Kansas City 1-0. Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC are just getting underway.

T-90: Our game will go on at the same time as the match between the Sounders and Columbus Crew. Match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Colorado Rapids will take place 30 minutes prior.

T-85: Chris, one of the elevator people at the press box (a certified Real Man of Genius), is calling for an attendance of 12,000 tonight. A ballpark figure, literally. Let's see if he is on the money.

He's quite a ace when it comes to deadpan humor. "I've given out thousands of the [MLS Free Kick] and I have never opened one of those. I don't know what it contains."
I opened it.
He read it. "Your Opportunities."
It's probably a good thing. Maybe I shouldn't have opened that after all.

T-70: Shook the hand of Fox Soccer Channel's very own Mark Rogandino. He and Jenn Hildreth have been a winning combination, providing top-notch banter on WPS. And Rogandino can more than hold his own covering MLS on FSC.

On behalf of everyone at Bleacher Report, we salute and thank you for your hard work covering the beautiful game on Fox Soccer Channel.

T-65: Chivas USA and Chicago are scoreless.

T-53: Less than an hour to kickoff, and the keepers are warming up. Real Salt Lake is leading Toronto FC 1-0, while Houston has a 1-0 lead on Kansas City.

T-45: The crowd is now filing in. I've been feeling a bit under a weather the past few days with the flu. It must be the football that is keeping me alive to write this for you. Would you believe that.

T-24: Update on some MLS scores...Chicago now leads Chivas USA 1-0, Houston Dynamo lead the Kansas City Wizard 2-0 and Real Salt Lake now leads Toronto FC 2-0.

T-19: Chivas USA's Maicon Santos makes it 1-1. Kansas City also playing a man down.

T-18: Yader Reyes is our match official today, Chris Strickland and Eric Boria are the linesmen, and Jair Marrufo is our fourth official today.

T-15: Both teams heading off to the change rooms for their finals instructions. San Jose and Colorado underway.

T-10: Here is the Parade of Champions. To youth! Final: New England Revolution finish the match two men down, but salvage a 1-1 draw with the FC Dallas. Sons of Ben, somehow, are nowhere in sight. Also, this is a short parade of champions. Surprising.

T-0 National Anthem by Choir of Queri Catatores, San Gabriel Valley (what kind of a name is that?). Riot Squad is ready, Angel City Brigade is ready, Galaxians are ready, the Sons of Ben making the trip are ready (are there even any), and yours truly is ready for this inaugural meeting between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Philadelphia Union.

FIRST HALF START: 7:37 P.M.

1' - And we are off. JP Della Camera and Kyle Martino are also doing commentary for the Philadelphia broadcast. Le Toux will not be playing tonight. Hmmm...A goal kick to start things off from Montego Bay's Big Cat, Donovan Ricketts.

1' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 20 A.J. de La Garza Assist: 14 Edson Buddle
Tonight, Buddle shows that he can also facilitate. De La Garza opens up his account 53 seconds into the contest.

2' - All right, so the G's can diversify their scoring portfolio. Orozco had to mark Buddle ASAP, or that was going to be 2-0.

4' - Not a good pass in the back by de La Garza.

5' - The Union resets. Here they come. A nice shot by Andrew Jacobson, but that was snatched up by Ricketts. He's fearless, the #8 for Philly.

6' - Entry ball for Alan Gordon swept by Danny Califf.

7' - All right, now the Riot Squad is out in force. Offsides, Edson Buddle. Offsides on Alejandro Moreno receiving the entry pass from the young gun Roger Torres.

8' - Too far for Alan Gordon. Goal kick for Chris Seitz. The Angel City Brigade paying tribute to the Mexican national team. Too bad for Nery Castillo. I was hoping he would help his countrymen's cause. Oh well.

9' - Here is Todd Dunivant.

10' - Good tackle by Torres on Juninho. Cross for Moreno cleared away, and Ricketts is there to sweep. Michael Orozco fouls Gordon, but Philadelphia regains possession.

11' - Here is where the Galaxy defense will want to take advantage of the wide pitch. No dice for Shea Salinas.

12' - Finals as Ricketts clears this one: Houston Dynamo shuts out the Kansas City Wizards 3-0, while Chivas USA and Chicago Fire draw 1-1.

13' - Here's Roger Torres. The defense marks him. Easy offsides call on Buddle.

14' - Bruce Arena asking for more clamping. Seitz is there to intercept a chance for Alan Gordon via Landon Donovan. Unwise decision.

15' - Ricketts grabs that one. Good sportsmanlike gesture to Fred. Class act, the Big Cat. The Brigade and Squad rouse the masses while the G's look to add to their lead.

16' - The Galaxy reset. Some background is in order. Juninho is fouled. Reyes chooses not to break out the card.

17' - Set piece time for Donovan. First of the night. Too high.

18' - Seems he may be losing his form right now, the Galaxy's #10.

19' - The Union regroup. So do the Galaxy. About 20 minutes into the contest, it's 1-0 Galaxy after a goal by A.J. De La Garza 53 seconds into the ordeal.

20' - Another offsides. Dunivant is fouled again. The home supporters are clamoring for a card. None given.

21' - Set piece doesn't amount to much, and after the throw-in, the Union are back in "quest-for-that-elusive-equalizer" mode.

22' - Good old Piotr Nowak. After the loss to the Red Bull in the US Open Cup, he made them run sprints afterwards.

24' - Goal kick for Donovan Ricketts. 2nd fastest in club history for Galaxy. 33 second in a 1999 match against the Kansas City Wizards, Clint Mathis scored the fastest.

25' - "L.A. Rejects!", chant the Riot Squad as the Galaxy go on the offensive.

26' - Corner for Los Angeles. Donovan to take.

27' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 14 Edson Buddle
That's Buddle's eighth of the season off the corner scramble. He tried to be a bit cute with the back-heel. Maybe next time.

28' - Foul on Los Angeles. The Union do not do well on the set piece, and the G's hold.

29' - Goal kick for the Galaxy's Ricketts. It's 2-0, and the mayhem continues.

30' - Gordon is fouled. Philadelphia knows he is injured. Frustration mounts as the Galaxy go through this corner by Donovan. Seitz grabs that one.

31' - Good anticipation by the Union's keeper. Throw-in for Mr. Todd Dunivant.

32' - The confetti is still raining. Mercy, Miss Percy.

33' - Buddle rests the Galaxy offense. Danny Califf is there to take it away for Philly.

34' - This is trouble. Seitz is there to make a stop. No penalty on the incidental contact, says Yader Reyes. The boo birds are out in full force.

35' - That volley by Juninho goes into the seats.

36' - Here comes Philadelphia, can they get one back? The Union's first corner of the match beckons. Too high by Orozco. Goal kick for Ricketts.

38' - The Philadelphia Union are looking for answers at this point in the first half, down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Magnificent marking on Torres.

39' - I'm not sure the suicides are paying off for the Union.

40' - Another goal kick by Ricketts. Jacobson is getting hounded.

41' - And the Angel City Brigade sways from side to side. Fun stuff from the northern goal end.

42' - Too high a throw-in by Dunivant. Omar Gonzales and Donovan Ricketts are there to stop. Ricketts...with a big arm.

43' - I think Ricketts can be a three-sport athlete: soccer, American football and baseball. Goalkeeper, quarterback and center field. Okay, maybe replace that with bowler in cricket.

44' - Here comes Los Angeles. Seitz is there after Donovan gets shortchanged.

45' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 14 Edson Buddle Assist 10 Landon Donovan
That was all Landon Donovan on Buddle's ninth of the season. Welcome back, the Buddlevan Connection! Off the transition.

45' + 1' - One minute of stoppage time. And here is the pushing and shoving. And what was Miglioranzi thinking!?

Red card: 6 Stefano Miglioranzi
Philadelphia Union

And thus, the Union will play a man down into the second half.

HALFTIME

Los Angeles Galaxy 3
A. J. De La Garza 1'
Edson Buddle 27', 45'

Philadelphia Union 0

Halftime Stats:

Shots
Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles 6

Shots on Goal
Philadelphia 1
Los Angeles 4

Saves
Philadelphia 1
Los Angeles 1

Fouls
Philadelphia 7
Los Angeles 2

Corner Kicks
Philadelphia 1
Los Angeles 2

Offsides
Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles 3

SECOND HALF START: 8:41 P.M.

46' - San Jose leads Colorado 1-0, and Seattle and Columbus are drawn even 1-1 to start the second half. Early chance is safely in the hands of Chris Seitz.

47' - Handball by De La Garza. Free kick for Roger Torres.

48' - That's low, and that is cleared for a corner.

49' - Cleared away, and here comes L.A. Good clearance by Greg Berhalter. And now it's Buddle. Solid dispossession in the Galaxy's attacking third.

50' - For Piotr Nowak, it seems that the suicides have indeed backfire, but they do have some time to get at least one back. Ricketts will be wise to stop any chicken thiefs. Wide shot by Alejandro Moreno. He was close to being CHicken Thief Number Two.

51' - That chance by Alan Gordon is scooped up by Seitz.

52' - Here comes Landon and Chris Birchall. Throw-in for Dunivant.

53' - Too wide of a shot. Goal kick. Dwayne De Rosario is second on the goal-scoring table with six. His club? The Toronto Football Club, who the Galaxy will next face at home in two weeks' time.

54' - Here is Buddle, who now uses his top with long sleeves during the second half.

55' - Diving save by Seitz off the Juninho volley. Best so far from Chris Seitz.

56' - Substitution Philadelphia Union
IN 19 Jack McInerney
OUT 20 Roger Torres

57' - And it looks like one of the players is down for Philadelphia. THat's Michael Orozco. He gets up, though.

58' - Corner for the Union. Fred with a chance, marked by Omar Gonzalez.

59' - Didn't look good from up here. Here comes Los Angeles.

60' - Substitution Philadelphia Union
IN 13 Kyle Nakazawa
OUT 8 Andrew Jacobson

Nakazawa is a US Youth International, from UCLA. He makes his MLS debut.

Offsides by Buddle.

61' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 88 Alex Cazumba
OUT 19 Juninho

A Brazilian quick change.

62' - Good marking on Big Jack McInerney. They had to triple-mark his volley, the Los Angeles Galaxy defensive back line.

63' - Here is Alex Cazumba. Got tripped up, and here comes the Union.

64' - Good defense. Here comes L.A. That was an unimpressive effort by Buddle, but it's a corner.

65' - Cleared away, but the Galaxy maintain possession. Here is A.J. De La Garza, responsible for opening the scoring proceeding tonight.

66' - Ugh. That Dunivant pass was behind Donovan. Egadniks.

67' - Some of the possession by Los Angeles is suspect. McInerney almost became the Chicken Theif tonight.

68' - Nice clearance by Dunivant, and here comes L.A. The passing is fair, but the finishing could use a little bit of work. I don't know, I just seem to point out something they could work on. I'm a technical kind of guy.

69' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN 64 Clint Mathis
OUT 21 Alan Gordon

Welcome back, Clint. Hmph.

70' - Corner for Los Angeles.

Too high. 250th regular season appearance for Mr. Mathis. Happy birthday to-wait, that's not it...

72' - A free kick for the Union. Punched away, and here's the transition.

73' - Yellow Card 13 Kyle Nakazawa
Philadelphia Union

Welcome to the MLS, Kyle.

Attendance: 15,453. Exceeded Chris's expectations. Nice try.

74' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 17 Tristan Bowen
OUT 14 Edson Buddle

And thus, the wait for the hat trick continues.

75' - Garbage time now for the Galaxy. Good attempt on the cross by Bowen to Donovan. Timing was off.

76' - Substitution Philadelphia Union

IN 14 Amobi Okugo
OUT 2 Jordan Harvey

77' - Yellow card 4 Omar Gonzalez
Los Angeles Galaxy

And now the chippiness continues, to go with another save by Ricketts.

78' - These Union guys are frustrated as heck right now. Can't believe the Galaxy couldn't finish that one. No card, either.

79' - Here is a corner for the Galaxy. Not a good one after taking it short. Into the seats that volley goes.

80' - Alex Cazumba on the transition. Good work by Danny Califf defending.

81' - Philadelphia's noses are put to the grindstone by the Galaxy. It's as if the white shirts are in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi mode, smashing Nagaina to pieces. In this case, the Union is Nagaina.

83' - They can just melt this clock, the Galaxy can. Philly on the transition.

84' - GOAL! Philadelphia Union 19 Jack McInerney
It's Big Jack's first of the season, and he becomes Chicken Thief Number Two.

85' - Well, both teams are each a goal away from fulfilling my prediction, but I won't mind the margin being proper. But Bruce Arena can't be pleased on bit about the blown goal off the transition. And he has every right to be.

86' - Some fans are choosing to head for the exits, having seen enough. We'll keep it here for last few moments of this match.

87' - In spite of what amounts to be a consolation goal for the Union, Nowak's men will be looking to gain the winning touch.

88' - Perhaps starting Le Toux would have been a smart idea, Piotr Nowak.

89' - Michael Stephens getting some last-minute instructions.

90' - Offsides Galaxy. Three minutes of stoppage time. The banners are out now on the ACB end.

90' + 1' - And Alex Cazumba's timing on the Landon Donovan delivery. left much to be desired.

90' + 2' - Off the woodwork! Unlucky for Donovan. The wait may continue.

90' + 3' - Wide shot for Alex Cazumba. They will need to work on that heading into the road trip. And that is a wrap.

FINAL

LOS ANGELES GALAXY 3
A. J. De La Garza 1'
Edson Buddle 27', 45'

PHILADELPHIA UNION 1
Jack McInerney 84'


Stay tuned for my take on this match on the View and on Bleacher Report.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

T-180 minutes to kickoff: In my 25-plus years of doing productive and non-productive activity, I have never tasted a genuine Philadelphia cheesesteak. I know that it must require a set of ingredients to make it authentic. The list is shown below.

*Rib-eye or Top round for the steak
*Cheeze Whiz
*Grilled onions
*Amoroso or Vilotti-Pisanelli rolls
*Bell peppers
*Mushrooms

Optional: A "This Is America. When Ordering, Speak English." sign.

T-170: This is just another shifty way to segue into this week's play-by-play and other miscellany between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Philadelphia Union. The Union's noses are put to the grindstone early with a 1-3 record, good for next-to-dead-last in the MLS Eastern Conference Standings.

Despite the scoreless draw at CommunityAmerica Ballpark against the Kansas City Wizards, the Galaxy are 4-0-1, good enough for tops overall in the MLS Western Conference and the overall league table.

T-160: Other matches going on today include D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution vs. FC Dallas, Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo vs. Kansas City, Real Salt Lake vs. Toronto FC and San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids.

T-155: Earlier this week, Toronto dispatched the Montreal Impact 2-0 in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Outside of the league, Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan will face Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich in the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League final at Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 22, 2010.

Also, D.C. United...can you believe it...actually WON a match. They defeated FC Dallas 4-2 in the US Open Cup. Cue the, gulp, Red Bulls...

T-150: When you think of the Philadelphia Union, you have to mention the Sons of Ben. Established in 2007, the supporters group was instrumental in getting an MLS team to Philadelphia and the neighboring Chester area. In 2008, the major announcement came that the teams beginning play this year are the Union and the WPS's Philadelphia Independence.

T-145: It takes dedication to start up an organization before the team even starts. It's what we call "grassroots support." Congratulations to the Sons of Ben. Interesting how the moniker was chosen. It's a tongue-in-cheek reference to the initials SoB, which are seen as an insult, as well as Benjamin Franklin, one of the city's famous Revolutionary War-era residents.

T-140: More on the Union: The motto is "Jungite aut Perite." Join or Die. A double meaning. For those of you who have taken American History back in high school, you know that this is a reference to a cartoon made by Ben Franklin. The other meaning is a no-brainer: support the club or else it goes away, plain and simple.

T-135: Even more: The official nickname of this team is the "Zolos." Zolo looks like the numbers 2010, the year of the Union's first season. The Union's colors are navy blue and gold, representing the primary colors of the Continental Army's uniforms during the American Revolutionary War. The team's primary logo is circular, symbolizing unity. Its thirteen gold stars represent the original Thirteen Colonies, while the shield's contour derives from the Philadelphia coat of arms.

T-130: Finally, the rattlesnake pays homage to a political cartoon by Benjamin Franklin that was featured in the 1754 Pennsylvania Gazette. The rattlesnake eventually became a national symbol during the American Revolution, representing the danger of disunity, and was featured on the Gadsden flag. The light blue in the middle of the badge is a tribute to the Sons of Ben, and is further derived from the civic flag of Philadelphia. The song "Union of the Snake" by Duran Duran comes to mind.

Whew, what a mouthful.

T-120: Two hours to go to kickoff. Let's go to the lineups.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

Manager: Bruce Arena
Formation: 4-3-3
Colors: White tops with blue and gold accents, white shorts, white socks

1 Donovan Ricketts

20 A.J. De La Garza ---- 4 Omar Gonzalez ---- 16 Greg Berhalter ---- 2 Todd Dunivant

26 Michael Stephens ---- 11 Chris Birchall ---- 19 Juninho

14 Edson Buddle ---- 21 Alan Gordon ---- 10 Landon Donovan (C)

Substitutes:

12 Josh Saunders GK
88 Alex Cazumba DEF
7 Chris Klein MID
27 Bryan Jordan FWD
9 Jovan Kirovski FWD


PHILADELPHIA UNION

Manager: Piotr Nowak
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond
Colors: Khaki tops with midnight blue stripe and light blue accent, midnight blue shorts, khaki socks

1 Chris Seitz

30 Cristian Arrieta ---- 4 Danny Califf (C) ---- 16 Michael Orozco ---- 2 Jordan Harvey

8 Andrew Jacobson

11 Shea Salinas ---- 6 Stefani Miglioranzi

20 Roger Torres

7 Fred ---- 15 Alejandro Moreno

Substitutes:

18 Brad Knighton GK
23 Nick Zimmerman MID
14 Amobi Okugo MID
12 Toni Stahl MID
19 Jack McInerney FWD
10 Danny Mwanga FWD

T-115: A little soul music. Philadelphia, of course, is known for their soul music. Speaking of music, another of the Sons of Ben's themes is ironically written and composed by a band from out here. "What's Left Of The Flag" is a Flogging Molly classic.

T-110: This is the first of three matches in eight days for the Galaxy. After this, they will hit the road on Wednesday, May 5 to face the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park before facing off against the Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field next Saturday, May 8. The G's will then return to the Home Depot Center to face Toronto FC on May 15.

T-105: Philadelphia's next three games include a May 8 trip to Sandy, Utah to face Real Salt Lake; a May 15 home contest with FC Dallas and the first of three straight road matches, starting with the Houston Dynamo on May 29.

T-100: Run down on some WPS scores for you, all teams are in action today: FC Gold Pride defeated Sky Blue FC 1-0, the Washington Freedom pounded St. Louis Athletica, the Philadelphia Independence kept the Atlanta Beat winless 1-0 and the Chicago Red Stars picked up a 2-0 victory over the Boston Breakers.

As always, keep it here on the View and on Bleacher Report for next week's WPS Power Rankings.

T-95: Some MLS scores to run down for you here: Toronto FC defeated Seattle yesterday 2-0 while the New York Red Bulls shut out D.C. United 2-0 as payback for eliminating them from the US Open Cup; New England is leading FC Dallas 1-0 in the second half; Chicago and Chivas USA are scoreless and Houston is leading Kansas City 1-0. Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC are just getting underway.

T-90: Our game will go on at the same time as the match between the Sounders and Columbus Crew. Match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Colorado Rapids will take place 30 minutes prior.

T-85: Chris, one of the elevator people at the press box (a certified Real Man of Genius), is calling for an attendance of 12,000 tonight. A ballpark figure, literally. Let's see if he is on the money.

He's quite a ace when it comes to deadpan humor. "I've given out thousands of the [MLS Free Kick] and I have never opened one of those. I don't know what it contains."
I opened it.
He read it. "Your Opportunities."
It's probably a good thing. Maybe I shouldn't have opened that after all.

T-70: Shook the hand of Fox Soccer Channel's very own Mark Rogandino. He and Jenn Hildreth have been a winning combination, providing top-notch banter on WPS. And Rogandino can more than hold his own covering MLS on FSC.

On behalf of everyone at Bleacher Report, we salute and thank you for your hard work covering the beautiful game on Fox Soccer Channel.

T-65: Chivas USA and Chicago are scoreless.

T-53: Less than an hour to kickoff, and the keepers are warming up. Real Salt Lake is leading Toronto FC 1-0, while Houston has a 1-0 lead on Kansas City.

T-45: The crowd is now filing in. I've been feeling a bit under a weather the past few days with the flu. It must be the football that is keeping me alive to write this for you. Would you believe that.

T-24: Update on some MLS scores...Chicago now leads Chivas USA 1-0, Houston Dynamo lead the Kansas City Wizard 2-0 and Real Salt Lake now leads Toronto FC 2-0.

T-19: Chivas USA's Maicon Santos makes it 1-1. Kansas City also playing a man down.

T-18: Yader Reyes is our match official today, Chris Strickland and Eric Boria are the linesmen, and Jair Marrufo is our fourth official today.

T-15: Both teams heading off to the change rooms for their finals instructions. San Jose and Colorado underway.

T-10: Here is the Parade of Champions. To youth! Final: New England Revolution finish the match two men down, but salvage a 1-1 draw with the FC Dallas. Sons of Ben, somehow, are nowhere in sight. Also, this is a short parade of champions. Surprising.

T-0 National Anthem by Choir of Queri Catatores, San Gabriel Valley (what kind of a name is that?). Riot Squad is ready, Angel City Brigade is ready, Galaxians are ready, the Sons of Ben making the trip are ready (are there even any), and yours truly is ready for this inaugural meeting between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Philadelphia Union.

FIRST HALF START: 7:37 P.M.

1' - And we are off. JP Della Camera and Kyle Martino are also doing commentary for the Philadelphia broadcast. Le Toux will not be playing tonight. Hmmm...A goal kick to start things off from Montego Bay's Big Cat, Donovan Ricketts.

1' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 20 A.J. de La Garza Assist: 14 Edson Buddle
Tonight, Buddle shows that he can also facilitate. De La Garza opens up his account 53 seconds into the contest.

2' - All right, so the G's can diversify their scoring portfolio. Orozco had to mark Buddle ASAP, or that was going to be 2-0.

4' - Not a good pass in the back by de La Garza.

5' - The Union resets. Here they come. A nice shot by Andrew Jacobson, but that was snatched up by Ricketts. He's fearless, the #8 for Philly.

6' - Entry ball for Alan Gordon swept by Danny Califf.

7' - All right, now the Riot Squad is out in force. Offsides, Edson Buddle. Offsides on Alejandro Moreno receiving the entry pass from the young gun Roger Torres.

8' - Too far for Alan Gordon. Goal kick for Chris Seitz. The Angel City Brigade paying tribute to the Mexican national team. Too bad for Nery Castillo. I was hoping he would help his countrymen's cause. Oh well.

9' - Here is Todd Dunivant.

10' - Good tackle by Torres on Juninho. Cross for Moreno cleared away, and Ricketts is there to sweep. Michael Orozco fouls Gordon, but Philadelphia regains possession.

11' - Here is where the Galaxy defense will want to take advantage of the wide pitch. No dice for Shea Salinas.

12' - Finals as Ricketts clears this one: Houston Dynamo shuts out the Kansas City Wizards 3-0, while Chivas USA and Chicago Fire draw 1-1.

13' - Here's Roger Torres. The defense marks him. Easy offsides call on Buddle.

14' - Bruce Arena asking for more clamping. Seitz is there to intercept a chance for Alan Gordon via Landon Donovan. Unwise decision.

15' - Ricketts grabs that one. Good sportsmanlike gesture to Fred. Class act, the Big Cat. The Brigade and Squad rouse the masses while the G's look to add to their lead.

16' - The Galaxy reset. Some background is in order. Juninho is fouled. Reyes chooses not to break out the card.

17' - Set piece time for Donovan. First of the night. Too high.

18' - Seems he may be losing his form right now, the Galaxy's #10.

19' - The Union regroup. So do the Galaxy. About 20 minutes into the contest, it's 1-0 Galaxy after a goal by A.J. De La Garza 53 seconds into the ordeal.

20' - Another offsides. Dunivant is fouled again. The home supporters are clamoring for a card. None given.

21' - Set piece doesn't amount to much, and after the throw-in, the Union are back in "quest-for-that-elusive-equalizer" mode.

22' - Good old Piotr Nowak. After the loss to the Red Bull in the US Open Cup, he made them run sprints afterwards.

24' - Goal kick for Donovan Ricketts. 2nd fastest in club history for Galaxy. 33 second in a 1999 match against the Kansas City Wizards, Clint Mathis scored the fastest.

25' - "L.A. Rejects!", chant the Riot Squad as the Galaxy go on the offensive.

26' - Corner for Los Angeles. Donovan to take.

27' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 14 Edson Buddle
That's Buddle's eighth of the season off the corner scramble. He tried to be a bit cute with the back-heel. Maybe next time.

28' - Foul on Los Angeles. The Union do not do well on the set piece, and the G's hold.

29' - Goal kick for the Galaxy's Ricketts. It's 2-0, and the mayhem continues.

30' - Gordon is fouled. Philadelphia knows he is injured. Frustration mounts as the Galaxy go through this corner by Donovan. Seitz grabs that one.

31' - Good anticipation by the Union's keeper. Throw-in for Mr. Todd Dunivant.

32' - The confetti is still raining. Mercy, Miss Percy.

33' - Buddle rests the Galaxy offense. Danny Califf is there to take it away for Philly.

34' - This is trouble. Seitz is there to make a stop. No penalty on the incidental contact, says Yader Reyes. The boo birds are out in full force.

35' - That volley by Juninho goes into the seats.

36' - Here comes Philadelphia, can they get one back? The Union's first corner of the match beckons. Too high by Orozco. Goal kick for Ricketts.

38' - The Philadelphia Union are looking for answers at this point in the first half, down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Magnificent marking on Torres.

39' - I'm not sure the suicides are paying off for the Union.

40' - Another goal kick by Ricketts. Jacobson is getting hounded.

41' - And the Angel City Brigade sways from side to side. Fun stuff from the northern goal end.

42' - Too high a throw-in by Dunivant. Omar Gonzales and Donovan Ricketts are there to stop. Ricketts...with a big arm.

43' - I think Ricketts can be a three-sport athlete: soccer, American football and baseball. Goalkeeper, quarterback and center field. Okay, maybe replace that with bowler in cricket.

44' - Here comes Los Angeles. Seitz is there after Donovan gets shortchanged.

45' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 14 Edson Buddle Assist 10 Landon Donovan
That was all Landon Donovan on Buddle's ninth of the season. Welcome back, the Buddlevan Connection! Off the transition.

45' + 1' - One minute of stoppage time. And here is the pushing and shoving. And what was Miglioranzi thinking!?

Red card: 6 Stefano Miglioranzi
Philadelphia Union

And thus, the Union will play a man down into the second half.

HALFTIME

Los Angeles Galaxy 3
A. J. De La Garza 1'
Edson Buddle 27', 45'

Philadelphia Union 0

Halftime Stats:

Shots
Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles 6

Shots on Goal
Philadelphia 1
Los Angeles 4

Saves
Philadelphia 1
Los Angeles 1

Fouls
Philadelphia 7
Los Angeles 2

Corner Kicks
Philadelphia 1
Los Angeles 2

Offsides
Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles 3

SECOND HALF START: 8:41 P.M.

46' - San Jose leads Colorado 1-0, and Seattle and Columbus are drawn even 1-1 to start the second half. Early chance is safely in the hands of Chris Seitz.

47' - Handball by De La Garza. Free kick for Roger Torres.

48' - That's low, and that is cleared for a corner.

49' - Cleared away, and here comes L.A. Good clearance by Greg Berhalter. And now it's Buddle. Solid dispossession in the Galaxy's attacking third.

50' - For Piotr Nowak, it seems that the suicides have indeed backfire, but they do have some time to get at least one back. Ricketts will be wise to stop any chicken thiefs. Wide shot by Alejandro Moreno. He was close to being CHicken Thief Number Two.

51' - That chance by Alan Gordon is scooped up by Seitz.

52' - Here comes Landon and Chris Birchall. Throw-in for Dunivant.

53' - Too wide of a shot. Goal kick. Dwayne De Rosario is second on the goal-scoring table with six. His club? The Toronto Football Club, who the Galaxy will next face at home in two weeks' time.

54' - Here is Buddle, who now uses his top with long sleeves during the second half.

55' - Diving save by Seitz off the Juninho volley. Best so far from Chris Seitz.

56' - Substitution Philadelphia Union
IN 19 Jack McInerney
OUT 20 Roger Torres

57' - And it looks like one of the players is down for Philadelphia. THat's Michael Orozco. He gets up, though.

58' - Corner for the Union. Fred with a chance, marked by Omar Gonzalez.

59' - Didn't look good from up here. Here comes Los Angeles.

60' - Substitution Philadelphia Union
IN 13 Kyle Nakazawa
OUT 8 Andrew Jacobson

Nakazawa is a US Youth International, from UCLA. He makes his MLS debut.

Offsides by Buddle.

61' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 88 Alex Cazumba
OUT 19 Juninho

A Brazilian quick change.

62' - Good marking on Big Jack McInerney. They had to triple-mark his volley, the Los Angeles Galaxy defensive back line.

63' - Here is Alex Cazumba. Got tripped up, and here comes the Union.

64' - Good defense. Here comes L.A. That was an unimpressive effort by Buddle, but it's a corner.

65' - Cleared away, but the Galaxy maintain possession. Here is A.J. De La Garza, responsible for opening the scoring proceeding tonight.

66' - Ugh. That Dunivant pass was behind Donovan. Egadniks.

67' - Some of the possession by Los Angeles is suspect. McInerney almost became the Chicken Theif tonight.

68' - Nice clearance by Dunivant, and here comes L.A. The passing is fair, but the finishing could use a little bit of work. I don't know, I just seem to point out something they could work on. I'm a technical kind of guy.

69' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN 64 Clint Mathis
OUT 21 Alan Gordon

Welcome back, Clint. Hmph.

70' - Corner for Los Angeles.

Too high. 250th regular season appearance for Mr. Mathis. Happy birthday to-wait, that's not it...

72' - A free kick for the Union. Punched away, and here's the transition.

73' - Yellow Card 13 Kyle Nakazawa
Philadelphia Union

Welcome to the MLS, Kyle.

Attendance: 15,453. Exceeded Chris's expectations. Nice try.

74' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 17 Tristan Bowen
OUT 14 Edson Buddle

And thus, the wait for the hat trick continues.

75' - Garbage time now for the Galaxy. Good attempt on the cross by Bowen to Donovan. Timing was off.

76' - Substitution Philadelphia Union

IN 14 Amobi Okugo
OUT 2 Jordan Harvey

77' - Yellow card 4 Omar Gonzalez
Los Angeles Galaxy

And now the chippiness continues, to go with another save by Ricketts.

78' - These Union guys are frustrated as heck right now. Can't believe the Galaxy couldn't finish that one. No card, either.

79' - Here is a corner for the Galaxy. Not a good one after taking it short. Into the seats that volley goes.

80' - Alex Cazumba on the transition. Good work by Danny Califf defending.

81' - Philadelphia's noses are put to the grindstone by the Galaxy. It's as if the white shirts are in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi mode, smashing Nagaina to pieces. In this case, the Union is Nagaina.

83' - They can just melt this clock, the Galaxy can. Philly on the transition.

84' - GOAL! Philadelphia Union 19 Jack McInerney
It's Big Jack's first of the season, and he becomes Chicken Thief Number Two.

85' - Well, both teams are each a goal away from fulfilling my prediction, but I won't mind the margin being proper. But Bruce Arena can't be pleased on bit about the blown goal off the transition. And he has every right to be.

86' - Some fans are choosing to head for the exits, having seen enough. We'll keep it here for last few moments of this match.

87' - In spite of what amounts to be a consolation goal for the Union, Nowak's men will be looking to gain the winning touch.

88' - Perhaps starting Le Toux would have been a smart idea, Piotr Nowak.

89' - Michael Stephens getting some last-minute instructions.

90' - Offsides Galaxy. Three minutes of stoppage time. The banners are out now on the ACB end.

90' + 1' - And Alex Cazumba's timing on the Landon Donovan delivery. left much to be desired.

90' + 2' - Off the woodwork! Unlucky for Donovan. The wait may continue.

90' + 3' - Wide shot for Alex Cazumba. They will need to work on that heading into the road trip. And that is a wrap.

FINAL

LOS ANGELES GALAXY 3
A. J. De La Garza 1'
Edson Buddle 27', 45'

PHILADELPHIA UNION 1
Jack McInerney 84'


Stay tuned for my take on this match on the View and on Bleacher Report.

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