Friday, February 29, 2008

Three Hours to Kickoff

Just a reminder to all Galaxy fans, Fox Soccer Channel will be showing today's game against FC Seoul live, starting at 11:30 p.m. (PT). The game will be rebroadcast in primetime on Saturday, starting at 8 p.m. (PT).

FSC will also air the game from Shanghai on tape delay at 8 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, March 5.

Sunday's game in Hong Kong will be shown live at 11 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, March 8 and in primetime (8 p.m.) on Sunday, March 9.

Harmse Heading North

The Galaxy today acquired a fourth round pick in next season's SuperDraft from Toronto FC, in exchange for Kevin Harmse. The Galaxy now have five picks in next season's SuperDraft, their natural picks in rounds 1, 3 and 4 as well as a second round pick from Chivas USA and the fourth rounder gained from Toronto today.

The full press release can be found at www.lagalaxy.com.

Galaxy visit adidas

LA Galaxy's Celestine Babayaro, David Beckham, Sean Franklin, Chris Klein, Carlos Ruiz, Peter Vagenas, and Julian Valentin visited a local adidas store in Seoul, Korea on Friday afternoon. The players' signed autographs for a group of 40 kids hand chosen by adidas. Here is a quick montage of the appearance.

Training Day in Korea

On Thursday afternoon, the Galaxy hosted an exclusive open training for VIPs and the media on the outside training field at Seoul World Cup stadium. After a light morning workout in the pool of the team hotel, the Galaxy returned to the field and went through their paces in front of more than 900 fans and 150 media members. Beginning with a series of shuttle runs that were broken up with two small sided 5v2 evasion games, the players then went on to a crossing and finishing drill to the delight of both the fans and media.
The session concluded with a drill that Ruud introduced in Australia as the players had 15 shots and the goalkeepers would call out have many saves they could make with the loser(s) having to do pushups. Let’s just say that Cronin and Wicks do not have any sore arms today.
Meanwhile, the defenders worked with Chris Neville on an accuracy drill with eight balls in a line nine yards out from the goal. The player would run from a designated point and then shoot, returning to the point before shooting the next ball.

Here is how the scoring worked:
Goal = 2pts
Goal off ground = 5pts
Goal in side netting – 10pts
Goal off bar or post and in = 15pts
Goal into upper 90 = 25pts
Failure to score = -25pts

In a dominating performance, Abel Xavier won all three games and even took the final single shot championship, nailing his shot off the post and in for 15 points.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

From Surf to Snow

Forward Alan Gordon and Midfielder Peter Vagenas took a moment to check in with us regarding the team's recent travels from Honolulu, Hawaii to Seoul, Korea. An almost 24 hour day of travel gave the players a chance to spend even more quality time together in the airport and on the plane. In addition, the pair touched on the drastic climate change. Leave it to Gordo and Pete to approach it all with a bit of humor.

Hace Frio!

On Wednesday, the Galaxy had two training sessions in Seoul, Korea. The club went from 30 degrees celsius to about zero degress celsius in less than 24 hours. It was up to the coaching staff to properly warmup the players in these chilly conditions with snow on the ground. As you will see, the beanie is a popular item among the players. Below are a few photos from the first day of training.

Galaxy Address Media in Korea

Following the team's arrival on Tuesday night, Galaxy Head Coach Ruud Gullit, Defender Abel Xavier and Midfielder David Beckham addressed the media in an early morning press conference on Wednesday morning in Seoul, Korea. Check out the compete video below.


Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Closing out PPC on the Beach

On Sunday, the Galaxy enjoyed their last day in Honolulu, Hawaii with a little recovery on the beach. The players have had a tough week of the training and fitness coach Chris Neville rewarded them with a morning recovery session on the beach. Although the water was a little cold for some players, they jumped in any way with a little assistance from head coach Ruud Gullit. Here are a few shots to enjoy!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Clearing Out the Video Vault

For the 100th post in the short history of The LA Galaxy, here are a couple of pieces that Troy has put together for us over the past couple of days.

The first is the press conference from the start of the Pan Pacific Championship



The second is a look at some of the work done by new Fitness Coach Chris Neville



And this final piece is a look at a few of the rookie faces who played such a big role in the two Pan Pacific matches.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Galaxy Win Third Place Match 2-1 (UPDATED)

Ely Allen and Josh Tudela scored and the goalkeeping duo of Steve Cronin and Josh Wicks combined to make a string of saves to give the Galaxy a 2-1 win in the Pan-Pacific Championship Third Place Match on Saturday night.

On Wednesday night the Galaxy fell behind in the 3rd minute, tonight, they're up 1-0 as a long ball from Beckham found Ely Allen alone at the back post for a first time finish, putting LA in front.

The score stayed 1-0 until the 42nd minute when Sydney equalized with a long range strike from Brendan Renaud.

But the score was 1-1 for just a short time before Josh Tudela put LA back in front. Becks sent a low cross across the face of goal which the Sydney goalkeeper got to just before Bryan Jordan, but he fumbled the ball and the rebound fell straight to Tudela who slotted the ball into the empty night, giving the Galaxy a 2-1 halftime advantage.

Starting Lineups

The lineups are in for tonight's third place match and the Galaxy will be going with a more traditional 4-4-2. LA has made only one change to the starting eleven from Wednesday night by giving Jordan his first start uptop along side Buddle. Meanwhile, Beckham and Allen will play out wide in the midfield on the right and left, respectively. Here are tonight's lineups:

LA Galaxy (4-4-2):
GK - Steve Cronin
D - Chris Klein, Troy Roberts, Greg Vanney, Michael Gavin
M - David Beckham, Alvaro, Josh Tudela, Ely Allen
F - Edson Buddle, Bryan Jordan

Subs:
GK - Josh Wicks
D - Julian Valentin, Sean Franklin
M - Kelly Gray, Brandon McDonald
F - Israel Sesay

Sydney FC (4-4-2):
GK - Ivan Nexevski
D - Ian Fefe, Ryan Walsh, Tony Popovic, Brendan Renaud
M - Steve Corica, Alex Brosque, Terry McFlynn, Mark Robertson
F - Brendon Santalab, Benjamin Vidaic

Subs:
GK - Clint Bolton
D - Nikolas Tsattalios, Jacob Timpano, Patrick
M - Adam Biddle, Robbie Middleby
F - David Zdrilic

Lots to Talk About

We're back at Aloha Stadium for tonight's game against Sydney FC and the lineups are in.

Before we get to that, there has been plenty to talk about over the past couple of days as a beyond hectic schedule has kept us away from the computers.

A few of the guys received a private tour of Pearl Harbor on Thursday that we were lucky enough to be a part of, a couple of the guys had appearances here in the local Hawaiian comunity and the team has continued to train ahead of tonight's game.

One of the training sessions featured a 60-minute game against Houston that saw the Galaxy win 4-0 behind goals from Gordon, Randolph (2) and Ruiz. However, the game was marred at the end by injury as goalkeeper Charles Alamo suffered a left knee injury. The full extent will be announced shortly and we all wish Charles, who was offered a developmental contract with the club earlier today, the speediest of recoveries.

Lineups to come.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Galaxy Fall 1-0

Despite creating a number of chances, Ruud Gulit's side could not get on the board tonight and fell 1-0 to Gamba Osaka. Bare scored the games only goal early in the first half, meaning that the Galaxy will now play Sydney FC game at 8pm (PT) on Saturday night in the Third Place Game on ESPN Classic.

Halftime Changes

A bevy of halftime changes for LA as Ruud has brought on Julian Valentin in central defense, Sean Franklin at right back, Brandon McDonald as the defensive midfielder and Josh Wicks has replaced Cronin in goal.

That leaves Bryan Jordan and Israel Sesay on the bench and the Galaxy lineup to look like this.

Buddle upfront, Allen and Beckham on the wings, Gray and Tudela in central midfield, with McDonald as the defensive midfielder in front of Gavin, Valentin, Roberts, and Franklin with Wicks in goal.

We've Hit Halftime

An early Bare goal is all that separates the two sides as Gamba Osaka leads the Galaxy 1-0 at halftime. Despite the early deficit, the Galaxy have started to create a string of chances with Ely Allen and Edson Buddle each creating chances. Troy Roberts cleared a shot off the line and Cronin's made a couple of saves to keep the deficit to just a single goal.

All to play for in the second half.

Recap: Kicking With the Kids

On Tuesday, David Beckham, Bryan Jordan, Charles Alamo, Ely Allen, Brandon McDonald, Michael Gavin, Sean Franklin and Julian Valentin along with four players from Gamba Osaka took time for community outreach as part of the leadup to the Pan-Pacific Championship in Honolulu. Over 150 kids from Leeward AYSO particiapted in the hour long clinic at Waianae High School.


Galaxy defender Brandon McDonald observes the technique of one young clinic particiaptant.


Galaxy defender Sean Franklin congratulates a young on a nice in a wall pass drive into small goals.

The Starting Lineup Is In

The Galaxy will open the Pan Pacific Championship in a 4-3-3 formation.

Steve Cronin will start in goal with Michael Gavin, Greg Vanney, Troy Roberts and Chris Klein across the back from left to right.

Alvaro will be the defensive midfielder with Josh Tudela and Kelly Gray together in central midfield.

Ely Allen starts on the left wing and Beckham is on the right with Edson Buddle playing as the central forward.

As the match is on TV there won't be a running diary, but leave your comments here and we will add on as the game kicks off.

Off to Aloha

The boys are on the bus and the first official game of the preseaon is just hours away. Seventeen players have been named in the squad, leaving ten players who will not dress for tonight's contest.

The ten are, Charles Alamo, Ante, Landon, Harmse, Abel, Pete, Baba, Fish, Gordo and Mike Randolph.

Starting 11 to come...

Day Two: PPC Training

Here are a few shots from today's training at the Waipio Soccer Complex. On Wednesday, Feb. 20 , the Galaxy will face off against Nabisco Cup Champion Gamba Osaka. The boys went through a lengthy warmup, led by Fitness Coach Chris Neville.

PPC Press Conference

LA Galaxy Head Coach Ruud Gullit and team captain David Beckham did not have long to rest and change into their training gear following the Airport Arrival on Monday afternoon. Head Coach and Captain headed straight to the PPC press conference, which featured PPC participants Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), David Beckham( LA Galaxy), Tony Popovic (Sydney FC) and Satoshi Yamaguchi (Gamba Osaka).
The players spoke to the press at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Monday afternoon. In addition, local goverment officials, the Lt. Governor James R. Aiona and Mayor of Honolulu Mufi Hannemann, participated in the opening press conference.

Following the PPC Press Conference, the Galaxy went straight to work at the Waipio Soccer Complex ahead of the Pan-Pacific Championship and their first match on Wednesday, Feb. 20 against Nabisco Cup Champion Gamba Osaka. Check out exclusive footage of the PPC Press Confernece from LAGalaxy.com, which includes highlights from training and a penatly kick ending that was all caught on video.

Traditional Hawaiian Welcome

The LA Galaxy coaches and players were official welcomed to Hawaii on Monday by a selection of Miss Hawaii contestants headlined by Miss Honolulu Racine Woolford, who had the task of presenting Head Coach Ruud Gullit and David Beckham with a traditional Hawaiian Lei. Here is the complete list of the welcome party: Miss Ko'Olina: Yvette Mi`i , Miss West Oahu: Caroline Chapman, Miss Leeward: Tiffany Ibale, Miss North Shore: Keolani Menco, Miss Windward: Alana Paulo, Camashiro. We will leave all of the bad jokes to the English tabloids. Below are a few photos from the official arrival at the Honolulu Airport.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

27 Players Arrive in Hawaii

Ruud took 27 players with him to Hawaii for the Pan Pacific Championship.

You can read the full release here or check below for the full roster.

LA GALAXY PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Charles Alamo, Steve Cronin, Josh Wicks

DEFENDERS (10): Celestine Babayaro, Sean Franklin, Michael Gavin, Ante Jazic, Brandon McDonald, Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Julian Valentin, Greg Vanney, Abel Xavier.

MIDFIELDERS (8): Ely Allen, Alvaro, David Beckham, Kelly Gray, Kevin Harmse, Chris Klein, Josh Tudela, Peter Vaganas

FORWARDS (6): Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Carlos Ruiz, Israel Sesay

Monday, February 18, 2008

Hawaii Here We Come

A myriad of bags, boxes and boys have arived at LAX meaning the Galaxy is headed to Hawaii. For those of you who thought we travelled a lot of bags to Australia and New Zealand, you haven't seen anything yet. We'll have more once we're on the ground in Hawaii as the first official games of the preseason are just around the corner.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Pan Pacific Preparations

David, Kelly, Steve, Josh (sporting much longer locks) and Peter talk about the upcoming Pan Pacific Championship in Hawaii.


More Comings and Goings

A couple of roster moves were made today with Quavs Kirk being traded to D.C. United in exchange for returning hero Greg Vanney. Vanney was with the club from 1996-2001 and joins the club fresh off one of his best seasons in the league with Colorado and D.C. United last year.

The club also announced that defender Ty Harden, the club's 2007 Visa Defender of the Year, has left the club to pursue philanthropic endeveaors.

You can read both press releases on the website here.

Also, Brazilian midfielder Alvaro is training with the squad. We will have a travel roster for Hawaii either late on Saturday or Sunday, with the team leaving on Monday.

Everyone will also be happy to know that the blog staff is getting packed up and will be hitting the road with the club for three weeks of training, matches and whatever else we can squeeze in between. We've put the team masseuse on alert that we plan on posting a lot so to prep a series of finger massage sessions. We'll have text, photo and video so let us know what you want to see and who you want to hear from and we'll post it all right here on The LA Galaxy!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

A Busy Wednesday

It was a busy Wednesday here at The Home Depot Center with the friendly in Edmonton being announced, the six and ten game ticket plans going on sale and Vito Higgins completing his first training sessions with the club after making it through the open tryouts this past weekend.

We also chatted with goalkeeper Charles Alamo, the Galaxy's second round Supplemental Draft pick. The Southern California native had just moved to New Orleans about a month prior to being picked by LA and quickly packed up his car and headed west upon hearing the news.

Hear all about Alamo's wild ride, and his thoughts on wearing the Galaxy uniform below.

LAG - Did you know that your name was in the player pool in the Supplemental Draft?
CA - It was in the back of my head. Earlier in the process, I had waited for a Combine invite and when that didn’t happen, being from a school that’s middle of the road, it’s tough to get an invitation, which was disappointing, but I understood it. I knew there was a chance that I could go into the Supplemental, but for all intents and purposes I had said I’m going to take the next step, I’ve gotten this job and I’ll accept it. It was funny—the Combine invitation list came out the day after I got the job. I said give me 24 hours, let me wait and see because this is what I really want to be doing. It didn’t happen, and I call them back and took the offer. It was something in the back of my head, but it wasn’t something I was waiting on necessarily.

LAG - What was the job in New Orleans?
CA - It was working with an environmental non-profit, lobbying at the federal legislative level. I was only there for a month, so I was more or less just moving my stuff into the office. I was dealing with the congressmen, senators, some local elected officials, but mostly on the federal level, trying to effectively either pressure the lawmaker to vote for progressive environmental legislation or vote against what we considered poor environmental legislation.

LAG - Who was it that told you that you got picked?
CA - I was sitting home on a Wednesday, the day before the Supplemental Draft. I got a called from my assistant coach from university and he said, “I just got off the phone with Trevor James from the Galaxy, and they were thinking they would like to pick you up but they don’t know what you’re doing, we don’t know what you’re doing.” I told him OK, let me talk to my folks real quick and I’ll get back to you by the end of the day. Ten minutes later I called him back saying let’s do this. Obviously, it was an opportunity of a lifetime. It was up in the air—you never know. Draft day is all over the place. It’s not televised so you can’t really watch. You’re kind of sitting around holding your breath. I got a 3-1-0 call that afternoon. I was thinking this has probably something to do with the draft. It was Alexi Lalas. He said, “Mr. Alamo” and I was like ‘yes’. He was like, “This is Alexi Lalas, President of the Los Angeles Galaxy.” I’m all like, Alexi, anyone who is 23 or younger growing up—Alexi Lalas was an icon, a hero. It was pretty surreal. He said, “I know you’re out in New Orleans. Be safe, but get yourself back here to California.”

LAG - It was a pretty quick turnaround…
CA - Thursday was draft day. I have to be completely honest. I hadn’t played or trained at the level for about eight weeks or so. I hadn’t done any high level training. I was keeping my fitness up with jogging and what not. I knew I wanted to get back to California as soon as possible to get with my old coaches and get in as many days in as I could to get my fitness level up, my technique up, all that kind of stuff up to where it needed to be, so I could come in and show well. I packed up Thursday night, drove from New Orleans to the border of Texas and Louisiana, and spent the night there at about two in the morning. Then went from the eastern border of Texas to the western border of Texas in El Paso. It was the first long day. It was about 900 miles. And then from El Paso to Los Angeles the next day, so about 48 hours roughly.

Texas is incredible. It goes on. It’s the same scenery. You hit Houston and then you hit San Antonio and then there is nothing until El Paso. From San Antonio to El Paso, I was like if my car breaks down, I’m screwed. I have this old beat up car. It’s something out of a comedy movie. It was fun coming home, knowing what I was coming home to. I was very excited about it and wanted to get training and hit the ground running so to speak.

LAG - You’re family is local.
CA - Southern California (San Luis Obispo). And, I went to school an hour from here (UC-Riverside). I’ve been here at The Home Depot Center, in fact last spring my college team played against the Galaxy and Chivas USA. So, I’ve been around. I know the environment. It’s nice to be home and close to friends. And, be somewhere that’s familiar to me and my parents are close, which is great.

LAG - You made it made it back in two days (without getting pulled over!) and then had a week of training.
CA - It was about five days in Riverside with my old team. And pretty much I set up two and three-a-days. I wanted to get all that soreness all out of my legs as soon as I could. So a lot of fitness in the morning and technique in the afternoon, and some long runs in the evening. I was definitely more sore that week than my first week here, which was good. I did that right. If I had come into camp first here (without training), I would probably died after the first afternoon. It worked. I feel like I’m playing near or at the top I’ve ever been.

LAG – How has it been working with Ian Feuer?
CA - Ian’s great. Having Ian, it’s the first opportunity I’ve had to work on a day-to-day consistent basis with a goalkeeper coach that played at the top level. It’s one thing to have played at the top level, but its also to be a good coach. And Ian does both. We clicked right off the bat and it’s been an amazing asset to have him. Steve sets the bar for training, technique, work rate. He’s very collegial with other goalkeepers, which I was surprised. You could come in this situation, and Steve could be like this is my spot I don’t care about you, you know. That was not the case at all. If anything he kind of said, alright guys you’re new, but this is what we expect. I’m looking forward to playing with Steve to get myself into a position to push him along to the next level, to be able to get where I need to be so he feels pressure from that level. But it’s good to see someone who does everything so well.

LAG - It must have been good to come into a team that Joe (Cannon) left a short while ago, so there are open goalkeeper spots. You’re not fighting against an impossible path.
CA - It’s not a situation where there is four quality, quality goalkeepers that have been here a year or two longer than I have. It’s definitely a situation where I think, Steve’s worked hard and he’s been with the organization, so he deserves the position he has now, with Joe Cannon leaving and Matt Allen signing in Norway, its kind of turn out where I need to reassess, but I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. It’s one training session at a time, but its sure is exciting to think of the potential of being in a position where in a couple of weeks I’m maybe a number two spot. I’m really trying to do my best to get better myself and push Steve.

LAG - You said it was kind of surreal to get the phone call from Alexi. How is it to walk into the locker room and you have Landon, David and Carlos Ruiz. Ruud Gullit is your coach; Cobi is one of the assistants.
CA - It’s a funny thing. I think surreal is the word you go with. I’ve watched these players my whole life and looked up to them as soccer players, athletes, individuals forever. You’re in the locker room or on the pitch, 95 percent they are like any other teammate. You respect them, they are veterans. They’ve been around the game for a long time and obviously, played at the highest level, but when you’re in the locker room, on the pitch or up at lunch, you play for the same thing—you’re teammates. That’s the bottom line. I think they understand that for the most time. David’s been incredibly nice, surprisingly so. He’s down to earth and really cares about his teammates. Then I go home and my friends call that I played high school soccer with and they are like you’re kidding me, you saved a shot from David Beckham today. When I think of it like that, in that context, it is kind of ridiculous. If you had told me a month ago, I would be doing this I would have probably laughed you out of the room. When you are in the situation, it’s like any other team. That’s the only way that kind of structure can be successful if everyone just things of them as teammates.

LAG - You’re into your second week of practice now. Are you enjoying it?
CA - Are you kidding me? We come in from the hotel in the morning, and I get to throw on the Galaxy uniform everyday, go out and train with some of the best players in the country if not the world. It’s one of those things when I was 15-years old; this is what I dreamed of. Eight years later, I’m doing it. I don’t have a complaint in the world. I’m loving it.

Monday, February 11, 2008

The Final Day of Tryouts

The group of 84 trialists has been trimmed down to 25 who have been brought back for one more day of training.

Tuesday will be the final day with the 25 finalist playing a 90-minute game on Field #7 in the morning. Once the game is done, Paul Bravo and Co. will make any final determinations as to whether or not any of the players will be given a chance to train with the club.

For a complete list of the players retuning for one last shot at a spot with the Galaxy, click here.

We wish you all the best of luck.

Passing the Time

With Ruud putting the players through two training sessions a day, all of the guys have been looking for ways to make the time in between sessions pass.

Some guys like to surf the web, some go in for a massage or a trip to the whirlpool or cold plunge, but Landon has found a new way to kill the time in between.

A true video game connoisseur, as evident by his dismantling of Drew Carey at the Drew Carey vs. U.S. Soccer 100K Video Game Challenge last year, and clearly impressed by the Grammys on Sunday night, Landon brought his Xbox in to the locker room as well as the latest version of Rock Band.

For those that don’t know, Rock Band gives gamers the chance to form their own bands, complete with guitar, bass, a drum kit and a microphone, and rock out to a number of modern and classic rock songs.

Most of the guys chose to sit back and watch the proceedings, but Landon, Cronin, Kyle Martino (who actually plays the guitar quite well both in the virtual world and in real life), Alan Gordon and Julian Valentin gave it a go.

We’d have more pictures, but unfortunately Julian is not the world’s best singer (ie, he’s not good) and may have in fact cracked the lens of our camera, so hopefully these will hold you over until we get more.

Quite possibly the world's greatest band and we were backstage. Jealous?


Steve Cronin looks good either in between the posts or behind a drum kit.


Kyle Martino with the power stance and his makeshift mic stand.

What can you say about Landon, the model of concentration.

Ok fans we need a name for these guys so let's hear them!

New Additions

The Galaxy announced the hiring of two new members of the backroom staff today as Armando Rivas and Chris Neville were officially brought on board. Rivas is the club's new Head Athletic Trainer, taking over for 12-year veteran Ivan Pierra who has joined the U.S. National Team, while Neville will assume the role of Fitness Coach.

Read more about them at www.lagalaxy.com.

ESPN CLASSIC/ESPN360.COM TO AIR PAN-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP

It's official! Galaxy fans will be able to follow all of the action for the upcoming Pan-Pacific Championship on ESPN Classic and ESPN360.com. ESPN Veterans Adrian Healy and Allen Hopkins will serve as play by play and color analyst on the broadcasts.

ESPN Classic and ESPN 360.com Schedule (Subject to change)
Wednesday, February 20
• 6pm local (8pm PT): LA Galaxy vs Gamba Osaka - Live on ESPN Classic / ESPN360.com
• 8:30pm local (10:30pm PT): Houston Dynamo vs Sydney FC - Live on ESPN Classic / ESPN360.com

Saturday, February 23
• 6pm local (8pm PT): PPC Third Place Match - Live on ESPN360.com (via delay on Classic at 3:30am)
• 8:30pm local (10:30pm PT): PPC Championship Final - Live on ESPN Classic / ESPN360.com

For a complete schedule and latest news surrounding the Pan-Pacific Championship, please visit the tournament’s official site at http://www.ppchampionship.net/

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Round Two of the Open Tryouts to be Held on Monday Morning

Nearly 400 Galaxy hopefuls turned out to The Home Depot Center this weekend to show off their skills.

Of those who played this weekend, 84 have been brought back after the first set of cuts. The complete list of players who are invited back for another day of games can be found below, along with their game times and new uniform numbers.

Good luck to all of you and thanks to everyone who participated in the Open Tryout this weekend.

Here is the list of all 84 players that have been invited back for Monday morning's matches.

Our video crew was out there shooting some of the action on Saturday, so a few prospective players will rise to fame here on The LA Galaxy, whether or not they make the actual LA Galaxy.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Practice, We're Talking About Practice

Season ticket holders got a chance today to see the guys train for the first time this season as Ruud and Co. put the team through a, shall we say, interesting training session. Everybody, including the keepers, had a ball and did a circuit of the field, stopping eight times to complete a task. Our words cannot do the drill justice so we're going to have Troy our video guru send us something here soon.

But while we wait for that, here's a piece that Troy put together following Monday's training session.

Check it out...

Thursday, February 7, 2008

News and Nuggets

It's been a busy couple of days here at The Home Depot Center since the team returned to training on Monday so we thought that we'd offer up some quick snippets of information to whet your collective appetites.

  • The Galaxy's roster has seen its first cutdown of the year already as trialists Fed Bianchi, Prince Daye, Richard Duru and Jordan King were each let go. That leaves the Galaxy with 32 players still in camp and more to come, including Landon Donovan who is expected to return from Houston this afternoon.
  • Speaking of Landon he collected an assist for the U.S. on Wednesday night's 2-2 draw with Mexico. Landon has now recorded either a goal or an assist in seven of his last eight appearances for the U.S., with Bob Bradley's squad going 6-1-1 in that time.
  • There were a number of other internationals of note on Wednesday with two games garnering heavy viewing inside the Galaxy locker room. Following their morning training session, the players quickly grabbed their lunch and headed downstairs to watch both the England-Switzerland game, which was being shown in the lounge or the Portugal-Italy game which was on in the training room. There was about equal viewing on game with one very interested party in each room.

Check Your Schedule

The moment that you've all been waiting for, or at least we've all been waiting for is finally here as the Galaxy's 2008 schedule has been officially released by MLS. Gone are the days of yesteryear (or last year at least) when the boys played two-thirds of the season after July 10, instead it has been replaced by a schedule that sees Ruud and Co. host Chivas USA twice to regain the SuperClasico and a number of other mouth-watering encounters.

You already knew about the first two, at Colorado (3/29) and vs. San Jose (4/3 in their only road game against the Galaxy) but now have a look at the rest. We'll have more on the website and here later in the day, as well as some notes from the training ground.

-- LA GALAXY 2008 MLS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE --

DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME (PT) TV
Saturday March 29 at Colorado 6:30 p.m. FSC/HDNet

Thursday April 3 vs. San Jose 7:30 p.m. ESPN2
Sunday April 13 vs. Toronto FC 12:00 p.m. TeleFutura
Saturday April 19 vs. Houston 7:30 p.m.
Saturday April 26 vs. Chivas USA 7:30 p.m. FSC

Saturday May 3 at Real Salt Lake 6:00 p.m.
Saturday May 10 vs. New York 7:30 p.m. HDNet
Sunday May 18 at FC Dallas 12:00 p.m. TeleFutura
Saturday May 24 vs. Kansas City 7:30 p.m. HDNet
Saturday May 31 at Toronto FC 12:30 p.m.

Saturday June 7 vs. Colorado 7:30 p.m.
Saturday June 14 at San Jose 7:00 p.m. FSC
Saturday June 21 vs. Columbus 7:30 p.m.
Sunday June 29 at D.C. United 9:00 a.m. ABC

Friday July 4 vs. New England 7:30 p.m.
Thursday July 10 vs. Chivas USA 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday July 19 at New York 3:30 p.m. FSC


Thursday July 24 MLS All-Star Game 4:00 p.m. ESPN2/TeleFutura
at BMO Field, Toronto, Canada


Sunday July 27 at FC Dallas 4:00 p.m.

Sunday August 3 at San Jose 12:00 p.m. TeleFutura
Thursday August 14 at Chivas USA 7:30 p.m. ESPN2
Thursday August 21 vs. Chicago 7:30 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday August 30 at New England 4:30 p.m. HDNet

Saturday September 6 vs. Real Salt Lake 7:30 p.m.
Saturday September 13 at Kansas City 5:00 p.m. HDNet
Saturday September 20 vs. D.C. United 8:00 p.m. FSC
Thursday September 25 at Chicago 6:00 p.m. ESPN2

Saturday October 4 at Columbus 4:30 p.m. HDNet
Sunday October 12 vs. Colorado 5:00 p.m.
Sunday October 19 at Houston 4:00 p.m.
Sunday October 26 vs. FC Dallas 12:00 p.m. TeleFutura

Sunday November 23 MLS Cup 2008 12:30 p.m. ABC/TeleFutura
at The Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.

http://www.lagalaxy.com/

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Who are you...Who...Who...Who...Who...

...We really want to know!

Thirty-four players, including nine draft picks and eight non-drafted invitees took to the field for Ruud Gullit’s first session of the year. In addition to Allen and Folk who will not be in camp, the club drafted Sean Franklin, who has already signed with MLS, as well as Ely Allen, Julian Valentin, Brandon McDonald, Matt Hatzke, Charles Alamo and Daniel DeGeer who will be looking to earn a roster spot. Below is a complete list of the club's trialists:

Gabriel Aikhena - Midfielder
Last Club: Gombak United (Singapore League)

Fed Bianchi - Midfielder
Last Club: California Victory

Prince Daye - Midfielder
Last Club: CD Badajoz (La Liga)

Richard Duru - Midfielder
Last Club: N/A

Bryan Jordan - Forward
Last Club: Portland Timbers

Jordan King - Goalkeeper
College: UC – Riverside

Chris Sharpe - Goalkeeper
Last Club: Viborg FF (Danish League)

Josh Wicks - Goalkeeper
Last Club: Portland Timbers

Monday, February 4, 2008

Back to Work

The LA Galaxy players are back at back at work as they opened the 2008 preseason training today. While two familiar faces were missing from training, Landon Donovan and Kevin Harmse, several new faces were ready to take on whatever the coaching staff threw at them.

The start of training saw the guys begin with a few light laps around the field, followed by breaking up into small groups for some more running. After they completed some stretching, Assistant Coach Cobi Jones instructed them how to receive the ball before breaking into drills.

David Beckham, who was completing a test, arrived just in time for the start of two short-sided games. Even Cobi got in the action, proving that he isn’t quite ready to put those boots away for good. Returning for National Team camp, Steve Cronin jumped into goal for a moment, before Gullit told him that he didn’t want him playing. Ah the life of a starting goalkeeper. Don’t worry - the guys later ribbed him about not having to train.

Once training was over, the players were reminded that they only had two hours to rest and eat before they had to return for the afternoon training session. Below are a few photos from today's first day of training.

(From left to right): Edson Buddle, Troy Roberts, Quavas Kirs, Abel Xavier and Israel Sesay warm up with a few laps.Midfielder Kelly Gray and Forward Alan Gordon look happy to be back on the field.

A little preventative stretching on the first day.

Back to basic with a receiving drill.
Assistant Coach Cobi Jones, Head Caoch Ruud Gullit and Goalkeeper Coach Ian Feuer keep a close eye on the small sided games.
A strong media turn out for the first day, as David and Ruud speak to the LA media.