Landon Named MLS Player of the Month

We told you that we'd have more news about the Galaxy captain today.

In a month that saw him return from the Confederations Cup, win an individual ESPY and part of a team honor and help the Galaxy extend their unbeaten streak to five games, Landon Donovan has been named the MLS Player of the Month.

Donovan had two goals and an assist in three games this month, helping LA to a 2-0-1 record in those three games. Click here to read the entire MLS release.

And don't forget to catch him on The Dan LeBatard Show on ESPN Radio 790 AM in Miami at 1:30 p.m. (PT) this afternoon. You can click here to listen to that interview.

Toomorrow We're Gonna Party Like it's 1996

Is this picture worth more than one thousand words?

That was a rhetorical question, the answer is an obvious, Max Bretos-like, Yeeeeees!!!!

With an LA Galaxy Soccer banner now prominently displyed underneath the iconic Rose Bowl sign, the stage is set for the LA Galaxy's international friendly against FC Barcelona Saturday at the Rose Bowl, presented by Farmers Insurance Group.

Both Barcelona and Galaxy will hold their final training sessions ahead of Saturday's game (8 p.m., FSC and FSE) tonight.

This is the Galaxy' first game back at the Rose Bowl since winning the MLS Cup title in 2002 and moving to The Home Depot Center.

The scene will be much different than that of the Galaxy's inaugural game in 1996, but the lessons from that match (and last week's Chelsea-Inter Milan match) should be the following: Arrive to the stadium early.

If you are unfamiliar with the Rose Bowl, here are some helpful tips to aid you with your travels.

Tune in to KROQ

Even with more than 85,000 tickets sold for Saturday's game against Barcelona, the guys are still out there spreading the word and getting people out to the game.

Landon made the drive over to the KROQ studios this morning to talk with Kevin and Bean.

Click here to listen live and we'll try to get a clip later on today when we return with more news about the Galaxy captain.

Landon will also make an appearance on the Dan LeBatard Show on ESPN 790 AM ESPN Radio in Miami at about 1:30 p.m. (PT) this afternoon. You can click here to listen to that interview.

Galaxy-Barcelona Media Day

Players and coaches from both the LA Galaxy and FC Barcelona met with the media today ahead of Saturday's match at the Rose Bowl.

Bruce and David talked this afternoon's after the Galaxy's training session while Barcelona held a press conference at their hotel. We'll start with audio from Bruce and David and see what we can do about having audio and photos from Barca's press conference.

Bruce...

David...

Back At It

After receiving almost three days off, the Galaxy were back in training this evening for a short evening session at The Home Depot Center.

The numbers were a bit small with Landon and Chris Klein in Salt Lake City for tonight's All-Star Game. Landon came on in the second half of that game after flying to Utah earlier today, while Klein was in his former stomping grounds helping MLS WORKS, the charitable arm of MLS. Additionally, Donovan, Alecko, Edson, Sean and Julian all working out inside with the training staff.

That left Bruce and Co. just 18 field players to work with, but it was more than enough to train as the guys went through an extensive warmup before moving to some simple passing drills that got everyone moving freely and ready to go.

The majority of the session focused on possession games, with the guys going 9v9 and 10v8 before wrapping up with even more fitness drills.

On the other side of town, Barcelona was going through their first training session since arriving in LA earlier in the day while Galaxy fans gathered en masse in Pasadena for the club's Block Party that was helping to get everyone into the mood for Saturday's game back at the Rose Bowl.

We'll be back with more tomorrow with the guys saying how fired up they are to play Barcelona, and based on the response that we've gotten from the fans, it seems like you guys are to which is sure to make Saturday and unbelievable experience that you won't want to miss.

Video Vault

With the players receiving the day off today, there's no real news coming out on the Galaxy front, other than the fact that Donovan Ricketts was named an MLS All-Star. He is on the inactive list for the game and therefore does not have to travel to Salt Lake City, but he is the first LA goalkeeper to be named to the All-Star Team since Kevin Hartman was in 2005.

With the All-Star Game upon us, join us as we clear out the video vault and take a look back at a hectic last two weeks with the Galaxy.

Starting with an extended look at the trip to New York with This Week Inside the Galaxy...

Then highlights from the draw with AC Milan...

And postgame reaction to that game...

As well as a short interview with Ian Sarachan about playing against Inter Milan on Thursday...

Finally, listen to Joe Tutino's call of the highlights from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Kansas City...

Landon Up for Award Again

The game's other goal may have gotten the most attention in the last couple of days, but we think that Landon Donovan had a pretty nice goal himself in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Kansas City.

The folks at MLSnet.com shared our sentiment and have named it as one of the five Goal of the Week nominees. Maybe this has a little to do with Landon (and Alecko for that matter) being robbed of the award last week, but he's nominated none the less and hopefully he can become the Galaxy's first winner of the award this season.

Check out the goal below and be sure to click here to vote.