Galaxy U-16 and U-18 Wrap Up Successful Academy Showcase

The U.S Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase wrapped up today in Lancaster, Calif. with 220 games being played from Thursday until Monday.

The Galaxy U-16 and U-18 teams opened the Showcase on Thursday night, with all of the 148 teams (representing 74 clubs) in action a day later on Friday.

The U-16's went 3-0-0 during the showcase, outscoring their opponents 9-2, while the U-18's were 1-0-2.

Both teams defeated North Meck (Cornelius, N.C.) in the opening games, with the 16's claiming a 1-0 win behind Gabriel Rivera's first half goal.

The 18's also opened the Showcase with a win, defeating North Meck 4-1. Jonathan Zurita scored twice in the opening 20 minutes to give the Galaxy a 2-0 lead, before North Meck pulled on back just after the hour mark. However, Brian Angel and Alan Hernandez each scored in the game's final 10 minutes to give the game it's final 4-1 scoreline.

A day later, the 16's claimed their second win in as many days, defeating FC Greater Boston Bolts 3-1, while the U-18's played the same club to a 2-2 draw.

After a day off on Saturday, the Galaxy rounded out the tournament against the IMG Academies. The U-16's thoroughly defeated IMG, claiming a 5-1 win behind a hat trick from Patrik Bohac while Trent Clifton added a pair of goals.

In the other game, the 18's led IMG 2-1 at the half behind goals from Marquis Brooks and David Velasquez, before allowing a late goal and finishing with a 2-2 draw.

All totaled, the Galaxy teams went 4-0-2 during the showcase, which wraps up with 69 games on Monday. Going into those games, the academies of MLS teams were 19-8-11 in the Showcase.

Back on Solid Ground

Yesterday was a long day worth of travelling that saw all of us get to experience Sunday twice. Not in the Bill Murray, Groundhog Day sense, but rather a flight that departed Auckland around 8 p.m. on Sunday night and got us back to LA on Sunday morning.

To say that all of the guys (and the blog staff included) were more than a little tired would be an understatement. But with that said, we promised you a string of videos and photos upon our return, so here is the start of those.

This is a piece that was put together looking at Mt. Smart Stadium, where we trained and played all week long.

It didn't come into play with the 7:30 p.m. start time for the game on Saturday, but during training (as you can see in photos one and two) there was a definite role played inside the stadium by the sun. Guys on the bench side of the field were able to play in the shade, while the guys on the far side were caked in sunscreen.

And finally, here's your video.

Galaxy Cruise to 3-0 Win Over Oceania All-Stars

LA Galaxy 3, Oceania All-Stars 0
December 6, 2008
Mt. Smart Stadium – Auckland, New Zealand

The LA Galaxy wrapped up the year 2008 with an impressive 3-0 win over the Oceania All-Stars at Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. In the Galaxy’s second visit to New Zealand in as many years, Jovan Kirovski, Alan Gordon and Brandon McDonald scored first half goals to give the Galaxy the win in front of 16,600 fans, many of whom were wearing Galaxy jerseys.

Just two minutes into the game the Galaxy nearly went in front as David Beckham lashed a right-footed shot from the top of the box, only for his former Manchester United teammate Mark Bosnich to dive to his left to parry the ball away for a corner.

However, Bosnich would not be so lucky a minute later as the Galaxy went in front 1-0. Mike Randolph’s cross from the left wing found Chris Klein at the top of the box. He headed the ball forward to Alan Gordon, who knocked it down for another former Man United man, Jovan Kirovski. Kirovski hit a first time volley past Bosnich at his right post, giving LA a 1-0 advantage.
The Galaxy continued to dominate the run of play as the match continued, with Eddie Lewis going close with a low, left-footed shot that skidded just out of the reach of the sliding Alan Gordon and just outside the far post.

It was 2-0 in the 14th minute when Alan Gordon got free inside the box to beat Bosnich with a header from eight yards out. Beckham collected the ball in the center of the field and played it forward on the left to Eddie Lewis. With plenty of space in front of him, Lewis placed a pinpoint cross onto the head of Gordon, who easily beat Bosnich with a header and proceeded to celebrate his goal with an improvised version of the famous Maori Haka dance.

Oceania had their first chance of the half in the 27th minute, but Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Jarrod Smith fired a shot high and wide of Josh Wicks’ goal.

Five minutes later the Galaxy made it 3-0 as Brandon McDonald beat Bosnich with a free header inside the box off a Beckham corner from the left side. A Beckham freekick was deflected out for a corner, which was curled to the back post for McDonald who was unmarked, leaving him the easiest of finishes.

McDonald nearly had a second five minutes later as a Beckham freekick from the right found him free again in the box. This time however, his low header was saved by Bosnich. The rebound fell inside the six yard box, but Oceania defender Ivan Vicelich was able to clear the ball off the line just before Chris Klein could reach the ball.

Down three goals, the All-Stars tried to pull one back in the 39th minute. An Edgar Davids freekick from the right flank found Steven Old in the box, but his low header was saved and held by Wicks.

The Galaxy nearly grabbed a fourth just before the intermission as a long ball from midfield put Klein in behind the Oceania defense, but his attempted lob went high and wide of Bosnich’s goal, keeping the score at 3-0 going into the break.

The fireworks of the first half would not be replicated in the second 45 minutes as the string of substitutions slowed the game down considerably, with neither team being able to get on the scoreboard.

Kirovski went close off a Beckham cross from the right and Eddie Lewis continued to cause problems for the All-Stars down the left flank, while second half substitutes Bryan Jordan and Tristan Bowen were active as well.

The Galaxy were reduced to 10-men in the 72nd minute when Josh Tudela was sent off for his second yellow card. But despite the sending off, the Galaxy were able to keep the clean sheet for Wicks and send the club into their winter break on a high.

Scoring Summary:
LA – Jovan Kirovski (Alan Gordon, Chris Klein) 3’
LA – Alan Gordon (Eddie Lewis, David Beckham)
LA – Brandon McDonald (David Beckham) 32’

Misconduct Summary:
OAS – Cole Peverley (Yellow Card) 62’
OAS – David Muta (Yellow Card) 63’
LA – Josh Tudela (Yellow Card) 63’
LA – Josh Tudela (Yellow Card/Red Card) 72’

Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Josh Wicks, Mike Randolph (Michael Gavin 78’), Brandon McDonald, Julian Valentin (Troy Roberts 67’), Sean Franklin, Josh Tudela (Sent Off 72’), Chris Klein (Tristan Bowen 75’), Eddie Lewis (Ely Allen 79’), David Beckham© (Leonard Griffin 80’), Jovan Kirovski (Mike Munoz 79’), Alan Gordon (Bryan Jordan 46’).

Subs Not Used: Josh Saunders.

Oceania All-Stars: Mark Bosnich (Jacob Spoonley 46’), Raimana Li Fung Kuee (Francois Sakama 92+), Steven Old, Ivan Vicelich (Fedy Vava 80’), Nelson Sale (Benjamin Longue 67’), Edgar Davids, Cole Peverley, Jarrod Smith (Seule Soromon 86’), Henry Faarodo (Aleck Maemae 85’), Christian Karembeu© (David Muta 17’), Esala Masi (Pierre Wajoka 46', Judd Molea 90’).

Subs Not Used: None.

Attendance: 16,600
Referee: Michael Hester

It's In the Books

The final game of 2008 is over and the Galaxy came out on top 3-0.

Jovan Kirovski, Alan Gordon and Brandon McDonald had the goals and Josh Wicks played the full 90 minutes in goal for the clean sheet.

We'll have the full match report shortly.

Not Again

Second straight year in New Zealand, second straight year that we're having internet issues at the stadium.

Unlike last year when a series of credit card snafus left us paying $75 for three hours of wireless, today, the wireless is down.

But as soon as it's up, we'll be here for you. But until then, enjoy Max and Sully on FSC!

Ready for Gametime

With kickoff just under three hours away, the players know the starting lineup and their responsibilities for the night as the Galaxy look to close out 2008 with a victory over the Oceania All-Stars.

But before we get to the lineups, just a reminder that the game starts at 10:30 p.m. (PT) on Fox Soccer Channel and 11 p.m. on Fox Soccer en Espanol. There are no penalties at the end if the games ends in a draw and each team will be given unlimited substitutions, though, once a player is out of the game he cannot re-enter.

Lastly, you may have noticed a lack of videos and photos over the last couple of days and we can say that we're as disappointed as you likely all are. However, do not fret as we will have a wealth of audio, video and photo options for you once we're back in the States. The "high-speed" Internet is not quite as pacy as the name would lead us to believe. As a result, the typically short process of upload all of this to the site is significantly more difficult and time consuming, so our apologies and you'll have plenty to look forward to upon our return.

Now on to the lineup.

-----------Kirovski-------Gordon-------------

Lewis--------------Beckham-------------Klein

--------------------Tudela--------------------

Randolph---Valentin-----McDonald-----Franklin

---------------------Wicks----------------------

Subs: Saunders, Randolph, Roberts, Griffin, Munoz, Allen, Jordan, Bowen.

The Final Practice of the Year is in the Books

Having travelled all over the world with the Galaxy, it still surprises us when we receive receptions like we did today upon arriving at training.

There were approximately 10,000 schoolchildren at the stadium for today's training session and just like last year, they made constant noise from start to finish, cheering on the players at every turn.

To add an extra level of excitement for a few of the kids, six children, three boys and three girls, all from different schools, were brought down onto the field to run through the warmup alongside the guys, instantly making them heroes to their schoolmates.

Today's session was a light one that featured a bit of possession and then a full field, 11v10 game, with Cobi and Dave making up the numbers. Jovan scored the game's opening and only goal just minutes into the game to give his team the lead and the win. It could have been more if not for a series of near misses and fine saves by Josh Saunders.

Additionally, it looked like Bruce was playing starters against the reserves in this one so we should have the starting lineup for you guys tomorrow morning.

After training all of the guys went to sign autographs for some of the kids while also doing a series of interviews for the local media that was in attendance.