Intrasquad game, Terps Hoops and Europe

In the afternoon session, Bruce and Co. closed out the week by splitting the squad into two for a full field game of two 25-minute halves. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with goals being scored by Alan Gordon and rookie Josh Boateng (pictured above).

Notes
-First half ended 0-0. Gordo came closest to scoring, but an offside call waved off the play.

-In the second half, Boateng was on the receiving end of a cross from Bryan Jordan. The play started in the back with Dema Kovalenko sending the ball up top. Israel Sesay used his shoulder to pas the ball to Stefani Miglioranzi near midfield. Miglioranzi then gave it up to Mike Magee who spotted Jordan streaking down the right side. Jordan then lobbed the ball into the box for Boateng who headed in.

-Gordo tied it up with about 13 minutes left in the match. A very good through ball from Ely Allen and a perfectly timed run by Alan (pictured below), allowed him to slip behind the defense and beat the keeper on a one-on-one.
-After the match, Bruce said it was a good day and praised the guys for a strong week of preparations.

- Can you say ready for the PPC? Omar González and A.J. DeLaGarza will be traveling back to Maryland for the weekend. Maryland's Men's Soccer team is going to be honored at halftime of Saturday's Terrapins' men's basketball game against Miami for their national championship season.

Across the pond, Landon Donovan made his Bayern Munich Bundesliga debut earlier in the day. Last season's MLS-goal scoring champion came on in the 77th minute for Bastian Schweinsteiger and provided some nice crosses, but Bayern lost to Hamburg on a goal allowed right before halftime, 1-0. In Italy, David Beckham will look to keep two streaks alive this Sunday when AC Milan takes on Lazio. David has started the last three games for Milan and found the back of the net in the last two.

Friday Notes

The second week of training is now nearly in the books with a couple of noteworthy items to pass along.

Donovan Ricketts and Omar González each arrived in camp this week and have begun training with the club. Also arriving in LA this week was defender Yohance Marshall. A four-year starter at the University of South Florida, helping lead the Bulls to the Big East title in 2008, Marshall went undrafted in the SuperDraft but has now joined the Galaxy on trial as you can see below.

Additionally, Tristan Bowen had a big day today, celebrating his 18th birthday. While he said that he was disappointed that he missed out on the chance to vote in this latest election, he said he is looking forward to having that opportunity going forward.

Lastly, with these guys spending so much time together during preseason, there is bound to be more than a fair share of hi jinx as we found out last night. Turns out that Bryan Jordan pulled a prank on Brandon McDonald, taking all of his left cleats, leaving him with nothing but right cleats in his locker. In return, Jordan was greeted at his locker this morning by this site.

The ball is now in BJ's court.

Ricketts In Camp

Galaxy offseason-acquisition Donovan Ricketts trained for the first time with the club this morning. The Jamaican goalkeeper arrived in L.A. last night and got up at 5 a.m. this morning for his physical.

We caught up with 6-foot-4 keeper after the training session.

The Schedule is Here

The 2009 MLS Schedule is now available.

Click here to see the Galaxy's schedule

or here to see the entire MLS schedule.

Coming Tomorrow, 2009 MLS Schedule

Make sure to be in front of a computer tomorrow morning. Major League Soccer will release the entire 2009 regular season schedule tomorrow at 9 a.m. PT on MLSnet.com.

The announcement will include the national broadcast schedule for the 2009 season including times and dates for games broadcast by Major League Soccer’s national television partners ESPN2/ESPN Deportes, Fox Soccer Channel/Fox Sports en Español and TeleFutura.

Tuesday's Training Session Recap

The team looked good during today's training session, with a four goal-drill providing the majority of the highlights.

Steve Cronin, whose offseason was longer than most because of the season-ending injury he suffered last season in New England, was back to his old self and Bryan Jordan scored a nice goal. Omar González looked more comfortable in his second day with the team and Dema Kovalenko appeared to be everywhere, fighting to win what seemed to be every loose ball that got near him.

All-in-all, it was a solid day at work for the boys.

Here are today's pictures.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

We've had our first cut of the preseason and it is none other than rookie defender A.J. DeLaGarza. But it's not what you think.

The second round draft pick out of Maryland arrived at camp looking like this...
But after a week's worth of training, the Bryans Road, Md. native decided to chop the long locks in favor of a much shorter and cleaner look.
What do you think? Right move for the rookie or should he have kept his trademark tresses?

We'll talk with him tomorrow to see what led to the big change and ask how he found a good barber after just a few days in Southern California.

Video, Video and More Video

Take a look as we meet Leo Bautista...


Look ahead to the Pan-Pacific Championship...


and the PHX Soccer Clasico.


Also, head over to Goal.com where Chris Klein answers questions straight from you, the fans.

Becks Scores First for Milan

In his third consecutive start, David Beckham scored his first goal for AC Milan on Sunday in a 4-1 win over Bologna. In addition to MLS, Beckham has now recorded a goal in the EPL, La Liga and Serie A. Check out this Goal.com recap. What did you think of the goal?

Meanwhile, Landon Donovan continues to score goals Bayern Munich boasting four goals in just five matches. Here are updates from the LA Times and NY Times blogs. What did you think of his goals?

Beckham and Donovan, who are scheduled to return from loan on March 8, will be back on the field for LA in the PHX Soccer Clasico as the Galaxy take on the Chicago Fire on Saturday, March 14 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

Edson and Ely Talk About Week One

The first week of preseason is officially in the books with everybody getting through the week injury free and looking forward to the coming weeks as we approach the season opener.

Before we get to what Edson and Ely had to say, there were two faces in the locker room today who Galaxy fans know and will get to know as the season goes on. First, Sean Franklin was back in to meet with the training staff following his surgery in Germany earlier this week. He will begin his rehab under the watchful eyes of the trainers starting next week.

Additionally, Omar Gonzalez arrived today after completing some school work back in Maryland this week. He will train with the team for the first time on Monday, leaving Donovan Ricketts as the only player who is yet to arrive in camp, though he will be in next week.

After today's session, we caught up with Ely Allen to talk about his second preseason with the Galaxy and what camp has been like so far. We also chatted with Edson to see how it has been getting back out on the field for the first time since the end of the 2008 campaign and how he feels at the end of Week One.

Ely


Edson

Day One for Dema

Dema Kovalenko made his Galaxy training debut this afternoon and he appears to have brought some inclement weather with him from the East Coast. A cold and steady rain fell at The Home Depot Center throughout the morning session, that saw the team broken up into groups with half of the guys working on attacking play and finishing, and the other half working on defensive shape and starting the attack from the back.

The day finished with the team being broken up into three teams to play a series of small small sided games.

Thursday Night Notes

In addition to announcing the March 14 friendly against Chicago at Sun Devil Stadium, there have been a couple of other news items that have come up today.

• The club has also finalized a preseason friendly against the Houston Dynamo on Thursday, February 12.
• Josh Boateng arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday night and made his training debut this morning under a light rain at The Home Depot Center. A native of Ghana, Boateng will wear the number 33 shirt this season.

• Dema Kovalenko arrived today and will participate in training for the first time on Friday morning. That will leave David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Omar Gonzalez and Donovan Ricketts as the lone absentees from camp so far.
• Goalkeeper Charles Alamo has announced his retirement and will return to school. Alamo played in one Reserve Division game for the club in 2008 but suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in a preseason friendly against Houston in February and again in his Reserve Division appearance against San Jose in August.

• Former Cal State Dominguez Hills goalkeeper Miguel Benitez trained with the club today.
• Sean Franklin returned today from Germany where he underwent sports hernia surgery earlier this week.
• Shortly after his selection by the Galaxy at the SuperDraft, Kyle Patterson spoke with the Press Association (based out of England) about become a member of the Galaxy. Here is what the former West Bromwich Albion schoolboy had to say. Also, here is Patterson's headshot from back in his early days at West Brom.
• Landon Donovan continued his strong form on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring twice in their 5-0 win over Mainz 05. Landon now has four goals in five friendlies while on loan to the German club. His first competitive game with Bayern comes on the 27th against Stuttgart in the DFB Cup, with his first league game three days later against Hamburg.
• The Galaxy's other loan star, David Beckham has started each of his two Serie A games with Milan, helping the Rossoneri to a draw away to Roma and a home win over Fiorentina. Milan is back in action on Sunday away to Bologna.

Preseason to Wrap Up in Arizona

The LA Galaxy will close out the 2009 preseason by playing in the inaugural PHX Soccer Clásico against the Chicago Fire on Satruday, March 14 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The match will be the last preseason tune-up for both clubs.

Tickets for the PHX Soccer Clásico go on sale on Feb. 4.

The Galaxy kickoff the 2009 MLS season with a nationally televised game on TeleFutura against D.C. United on Sunday, March 22 at The Home Depot Center. 2009 Galaxy Kickoff Packs can be purchased here.

Day One is in the Books

Under significantly nicer skies than they'll experience today, the Galaxy were out on the field for the first time yesterday.

Take a look...

Catching Up With Some New Faces

We caught up with a few of the new faces at today's training session to get their thoughts on the start of camp with the Galaxy.

Here is what they had to say...

Mike















A.J.















Leo (in Spanish)

Sean Franklin Undergoes Surgery

The 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year Sean Franklin was not on the field today as the Galaxy opened preseason training at The Home Depot Center. Instead, the 23-year old Palmdale native was in Munich, Germany undergoing bilateral sports hernia surgery. Famed German surgeon Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck performed the surgery on Tuesday and Franklin will be back in Los Angeles on Thursday to begin his rehabilitation.

Franklin, who left National Team camp on Thursday because of the injury, is expected to be ready to play in time for the Galaxy’s season opener on March 22 against D.C. United.

Preseason is Officially Underway

Just after 10 a.m. this morning, the players hit the field for the first practice of the preseason. We'll be out there for the end to talk with a few of the guys, but for now, check out the scene from today's morning workout.

A Look at Day One of the 2009 Preseason

On Monday night the players had a quick meeting in the locker room. All the guys got to meet their new teammates and coaches while getting some insight into what the next two months of preseason would be like. After the meeting it was off to Santa Monica where everyone was administered their physicals.
After getting the all clear on Monday night, the players were back at The HDC on Tuesday morning to start the physical testing in the gym with the folks from Athlete's Performance.
Julian Valentin and Ely Allen did their VO2 testing shortly after the session began around 10 a.m.
Mike Munoz, Kyle Patterson and Leonard Griffin tested some movements with the staff from API. In order to stay loose before their testing began, some of the guys jumped onto the ellipticals.While some of the guys did some stretching so as to be ready to go when they hit the fields on Wednesday morning.

Preseason Roster Unveiled

We'll have photos and more from last night's introductory meeting and today's testing at The Home Depot Center later today, but for now, the moment that you've all been waiting for, the official unveiling of the Galaxy's preseason roster.

Bruce Arena and Co. have 33 players on the current roster, with 27 of those players already having arrived in Los Angeles or checked into the camp.

Here is your 2009 LA Galaxy...

Goalkeepers (3): Steve Cronin, Donovan Ricketts, Josh Wicks.

Defenders (11): Vardan Adzemian, Leo Bautista, A.J. DeLaGarza, Sean Franklin, Michael Gavin, Omar Gonzalez, Brandon McDonald, Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Tony Sanneh, Julian Valentin.

Midfielders (11): Ely Allen, David Beckham, Josh Boateng, Leonard Griffin, Chris Klein, Dema Kovalenko, Eddie Lewis, Stefani Miglioranzi, Mike Munoz, Kyle Patterson, Josh Tudela.

Forwards (8): Tristan Bowen, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Jovan Kirovski, Mike Magee, Israel Sesay.

Of the players listed above, Josh Boateng and Dema Kovalenko are expected to arrive on Thursday and be on the field on Friday, Omar Gonzalez and Donovan Ricketts are scheduled to arrive next week, and David Beckham and Landon Donovan will remain on loan with AC Milan and Bayern Munich respectively until March 8.

The club has also invited two trialists into camp with defenders Henry “Leo” Bautista and Tony Sanneh joining the rest of the Galaxy players at The Home Depot Center.

Bautista, 25, is a native of Caracas, Venezuela who plays for Caracas F.C. of the Venezuelan Primera Division.

Sanneh is an MLS and U.S. National Team veteran who has appeared in more than 100 games during his seven years in MLS while also collecting more than 40 caps with the National Team, including all five matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The 37-year old last played in MLS in 2007 as a member of the Colorado Rapids. He has also spent time with D.C. United, the Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire in MLS, as well as Hertha Berlin and Nurnberg in Germany.

We'll be back with more (including uniform numbers and more) later.

Galaxy Add Kovalenko

In a trade that was first reported in the media on Thursday, the Galaxy have officially acquired veteran midfielder Dema Kovalenko from Real Salt Lake in exchange for allocation money and a conditional draft pick in 2011.

Kovalenko, who is currently in his native Ukraine, will arrive in Los Angeles on Thursday and is expected to train with the club for the first time on Friday.

Read the full release here.

Camp Opens on Monday

The offseason is over and it's time to get back to business.

The LA Galaxy will open their 2009 preseason camp on Monday, January 19 at The Home Depot Center. All contracted players and trialists will begin reporting for two days of testing starting on January 19 before heading out onto the field for the first time on Wednesday, January 21.

Unlike past seasons, the Galaxy are scheduled to remain in Southern California for the entirety of the preseason, with all training sessions to be held at The Home Depot Center. In addition to the Pan-Pacific Championship, which will see the Galaxy host three of Asia's top club teams from February 18-21, the club will also be announcing a series of friendlies as they continue to prepare for the start of the 2009 MLS season.

The Galaxy kick-off the season in 62 days on Sunday, March 22, when they host D.C. United at 12 p.m. at The Home Depot Center in a game that will be broadcast nationally on Telefutura. The club is currently offering a Kickoff Pack that includes 4 tickets, 2 Galaxy scarves for as low as $56. Find out about other packages at the LA Galaxy ticket section.

Ricketts Called Into Jamaica National Team

When Jamaica takes on Nigeria in an international friendly in London next month, LA Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts will be there.

Ricketts was named to Jamaica's roster for the Reggae Boys' game against the Super Eagles on Feb. 11 in Millwall's New Den Stadium today. Even though Jamaica didn't qualify for the 2010 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Finals, Ricketts posted three straight shutouts in Jamaica's last three WCQ games. The 6-foot-4, 31-year-old is one of three MLS players named to the roster by Head Coach John Barnes.

Too see the full roster, click here.

Meet Omar González

Our crack video staff has put together a couple of videos to help you get to know the Galaxy's latest acquisition, Generation adidas defender Omar González.

Check them out.

Sean Franklin Leaves National Team Camp

Galaxy defender Sean Franklin has left U.S. National Team camp at The Home Depot Center after being diagnosed with a lower abdominal strain. He will be evaluated by the club's doctors in Los Angeles and we will have more information once it is available.

Because of the injury, Franklin will once again miss out on collecting his first cap when the U.S. play Sweden in Carson on January 24.

The 5 Ws of Omar González

WHO: Omar González

WHAT: New Galaxy defender

WHERE: St. Louis

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009

WHY: He's 6-foot-5, is a central defender, was a Hermann Trophy semifinalist, NSCAA/adidas First Team All-American and College Cup Defensive MVP.

Other Notes: He was born and raised in Dallas. Both of his parents are of Mexican heritage. After high school, UNAL Tigres of the Mexican First Division offered him a professional contract. Even though his family is orginally from Monterrey, he turned it down to go to the University of Maryland instead. He is the youngest of four children.



He also answered a question in Spanish.

LIVE DRAFT UPDATE: Galaxy select Kyle Patterson

With the third pick in the fourth round of the 2009 MLS Draft SuperDraft (48th overall), the LA Galaxy select England-born Saint Louis University forward Kyle Patterson.

Quick interview with Bruce recapping the draft coming shortly.

LIVE DRAFT UPDATE: Trade with Chivas USA completed

As part of a trade earlier in the draft today, LA Galaxy sent defender Ante Jazic to Chivas USA. The Galaxy also sent a third round pick (35th overall), which Chivas used to pick University of Denver forward Klye Christensen, and a fourth round pick (49th overall).

The Galaxy received the fourth pick in the second round (19th overall) and selected University of Maryland defender A.J. Delagarza.

Galaxy are scheduled to make their final selection shortly.

LIVE DRAFT UPDATE: Galaxy select Boateng

With the third pick in the third round of the 2009 MLS Draft SuperDraft (33th overall), the LA Galaxy select Liberty Univeristy midfielder Josh Boateng.

LIVE DRAFT UPDATE: Galaxy Trade Up, Select Delagarza

With the fourth pick in second round of the 2009 MLS Draft SuperDraft (19th overall), the LA Galaxy select University of Maryland defender AJ Delagarza.

The Galaxy moved up in the draft by trading with Chivas USA. In exchange for the 19th overall pick, Galaxy sent a third round pick (35th overall), fourth round pick (49th overall) and player to be named later.

The Galaxy now have two picks remaining, one in the third round (33rd overall) and one in the fourth round (48th overall).

LIVE DRAFT UPDATE: Galaxy select Omar González

With the third pick in the 2009 MLS Draft SuperDraft, the LA Galaxy select University of Maryland defender Omar González.

More info on the Galaxy player, as well as an interview, coming soon.

Welcome to St. Louis

We're here at the America's Ballroom at the St. Louis Convention Center just an hour out from the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. We'll be here all day with the latest news and views so keep coming back.

And to start off our day, even though the draft is an hour away, it already looks like we've made our first round pick.

And the pick is...


Mikaelovish Spiteriokaovsky, a defender from Moscow Technical Institute. From what we hear, he can't miss!

See you in an hour!

Before We Get to Draft Day; Meet Nicole A.

Before we tell you about Nicole, we just want to remind you to keep checking this blog all day long for pre and post-draft coverage. We will be updating the blog as soon as picks are announced and also posting interviews with new Galaxy players as soon as they come off the Convention Room floor.

Back to Nicole.


A Police Service Specialist during the day, and a member of the Miss LA Galaxy court at night, Nicole has participated in a lot of fun activities with the club since being named the Miss LA Galaxy 2009 second runner-up. Emerging from The Home Depot Center tunnel Sunday night with the 2009 InterLiga trophy is near the top. With a sold out crowd of 27,000 on hand, Nicole probably got the rockstar treatment.

Nicole posed for photos with the trophy as well as led the referees and teams onto the field prior to kickoff. If you would like to meet Nicole or any of the 2009 Miss LA Galaxy ladies in person, check out the Miss LA Galaxy page as we list their upcoming appearances there. You can also find out more about her and the other ladies by reading the Miss LA Galaxy diary.



Hope you enjoyed taking the time to get to know Nicole a litte better. Thanks go out to German Alegria for the pictures.

UPDATE: We found video of an interview with Nicole following the Miss LA Galaxy competition. Enjoy.