Franklin Called Into National Team

Sean Franklin's preseason will start a few weeks earlier than the rest of his Galaxy teammates as he was included in Bob Bradley's 25-man squad for the annual January camp at The Home Depot Center. This year's camp will run for three weeks starting on January 4 and culminating with a friendly against Sweden at The HDC on the 24th.

Click here to see the full 25-man squad.

The Holiday Break

Following yesterday's signing of Donovan Ricketts, we are going to take a few days off here at the blog to enjoy the Christmas holiday.

But before we go, check out this video that we put together as we get to know Tristan Bowen. We sat down with the 17-year old in Auckland earlier this month and here is a quick intro to the man himself in his own words.

Enjoy and have a very happy holiday.

Galaxy Sign GK Donovan Ricketts

The LA Galaxy have signed Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, the club announced today. An experienced goalkeeper at the international level, Ricketts joins the Galaxy after previous stints with Village United of the Digicel Premier League in Jamaica, Bolton Wanderers of the English Premier League and Bradford City of League Two in England. Ricketts, 31, will officially be added to the Galaxy’s roster, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Clearance (ITC). Per league and team policy, details of the contract were not disclosed.

“I have known Donovan for a number of years as a goalkeeper with the Jamaican National Team and have always been impressed with his physical qualities. After a closer examination of the player, I am absolutely amazed with his abilities both on and off the field,” said Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “It is also a position that we felt the need to improve and believe that he will be a great addition to our team and has the potential to be one of the best goalkeepers in MLS.”

At 6-foot-4, Rickets is a commanding presence in the box. A member of Jamaica’s 1998 World Cup squad as a 21-year-old, Ricketts has made 67 international appearances for his country. He boasts an impressive 11-7-6 record in 24 World Cup qualifying matches, including all eight of Jamaica’s games during qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Despite recording three consecutive shutouts at the end of the qualifying campaign, including one in a 1-0 win over Mexico in Kingston, Jamaica on October 10, Ricketts and the Reggae Boyz narrowly missed out on advancing to the final stages of the 2010 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, losing out to Mexico on goal difference. Earlier this month, he helped lead Jamaica to the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships where they defeated Grenada 2-0 in the final.

A native of Montego Bay, Jamaica, Rickets started his professional career playing for his hometown club of F.C. Waddadah before signing with Village United, who plays in Jamaica’s top league, in 2002. In January 2004, he moved to England, signing with Bolton Wanderers of the English Premier League. Ricketts never played a game for Bolton and in July 2004 was signed on loan by League Two side Bradford City, who then signed him on a permanent basis at the end of that season. He spent four years with the Bantams, appearing in more than 115 games for the club before returning to Jamaica to again sign with Village United this summer.

Photo Courtesy of ISI Photos.

Becks Arrives in Milan

David Beckham was in Milan this afternoon where he was officially presented to the media ahead of the start of his loan stint with AC Milan.

The Galaxy midfielder will wear the number 32 shirt for the Rossoneri before rejoining the Galaxy in March in time for the end of the preseason and the club's 2009 season opener against D.C. United at home on Sunday, March 22.

Galaxy Fantasy Camp Underway

The Fourth Annual Galaxy Fantasy Camp got underway on Wednesday afternoon at The Home Depot Center. Forty Galaxy fans from all around the world converged on Carson to live the life of a professional soccer player for one week. The campers receive professional instruction from a series of former Galaxy greats and current stars, giving them a once in a lifetime experience that they'll never forget.

Take a look at the start of the camp.

The Galaxy Visit Childrens Hospital

You guys seem to like our videos of the guys out in the community, and here is another one. Last week we told you about a few of the guys stopping by Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to deliver teddy bears and meet with many of the patients.

Now you can take a look at what they were able to experience at that event.

Holiday Cheer Continues

Following on yesterday's theme of helping out in the community, check out this video from just before we left for New Zealand. Edson Buddle and Julian Valentin pitched in to help at the annual Foundations' Feast, a Thanksgiving event that sees more than 200 local families come to The Home Depot Center to receive a warm Thanksgiving dinner.

Check it out...

Spreading Holiday Cheer

The Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation culminated their annual Holiday Assist Program by hosting a holiday party for 100 children from various non-profit organizations at The Home Depot Center on Tuesday night. Earlier in the week, the foundation created 100 bears at Downtown Disney's Build-A-Bear Workshop and then delivered them to patients at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Because it wouldn't be a party without an arts and craft station, our guests were given the chance to play with glue and glitter as they created decorative ornaments and a snowman. They were also given a soccer ball, Galaxy T-shirt and fleece blanket as well as one Christmas gift.

Galaxy forward Edson Buddle, defender Mike Randolph and defender Troy Roberts were in attendance as was Galaxy President of Business Operations Tom Payne, Cozmo and Nicole Avalos and Samatha Vu from the Miss LA Galaxy Court.

But the stars of the night were definitely the kids.

Voting Opens in Los Angeles Sports Council "The Greatest Moments in Sports" 2008

The Los Angeles Sports Council is asking Southern California sports fans to help select “The Greatest Moments in Sports” for 2008 in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. Through balloting at http://www.lasports.org/ fans can cast their vote in 18 different award categories.

Voting will take place from December 15 - January 15, and the winners will be revealed at the Sports Council’s fourth annual LA Sports Awards dinner and show from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on Friday, January 23, 2009.

This year's top three Galaxy moments are...

• Sean Franklin being named the MLS Rookie of the Year
• Landon Donovan winning the MLS Golden Boot
• David Beckham's long range goal against the Kansas City Wizards to seal a 3-1 win on May 24

Last year, Becks' introduction and first game against Chelsea were named the Galaxy's Top Moment of 2007, beating the club's run to the SuperLiga final and the final season of Cobi Jones in a Galaxy uniform. Beckham's introduction was also named the No. 2 moment in all of LA sports in 2007, with only the Anaheim Ducks' Stanley Cup championship resonating more with the local media.

For the third straight year the awards gala will air on FSN Prime Ticket (dates and times of broadcast TBA). Appearances by many notable athletes, coaches, broadcasters and team executives are expected.

Each specific team or university has nominated its top three “greatest moments” of the year. Fans may vote in any or all of 18 categories, but are not permitted to vote more than once.

A “moment” refers to anything from a specific instant in time -- such as a winning goal, hit or shot -- to a special event, individual or team record, or career achievement. Nominated moments must have taken place in the local area, or have involved a local athlete or team.

Additionally, a blue-ribbon media panel will select and rank the overall Top 10 moments of the year and also will select the Sportsman, Sportswoman, Sports Executive, Coach, and overall Greatest Moment of the Year. Those winners will be announced on the telecast as well.

Previous winners are USC’s 2005 football national championship, Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006, and the Anaheim Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup victory. Past Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year honorees include Matt Leinart, Lisa Leslie, Elton Brand and Allyson Felix.

The “greatest moments” concept dates to 1995, when the Sports Council created a special event celebrating the “100 Greatest Moments in Los Angeles Sports History.” Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series home run was voted the No. 1 all-time moment.

This year’s event program includes a dinner, followed by the award presentations and video highlights. Winners will receive awards created by Tiffany & Co.

The “Greatest Moments” event is a fundraiser for the non-profit Sports Council, which will utilize the proceeds to further its mission of promoting economic development through sports in Southern California.

For more information about this event and to vote, please visit http://www.lasports.org/.

Galaxy Academy Player Called Into U-20 Camp

Galaxy Youth Program defender Marcus Watson is in Sunrise, Fla. today with the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team, kicking off a 26-player, eight-day training camp that will include matches against Haiti and Canada. You can see the complete roster here.

Watson is the second member of the Galaxy's Youth Program to be called into U-20's in as many months. Forward Tristan Bowen was called into the squad last month for three matches in Spain, scoring a goal against Real Madrid.

Among the players called in by coach Thomas Rongen are five European-based players and four current MLS players.

Watson, 19, is a native of Rancho Cucamonga and has played with U.S. Under-18 squad and is expected to play for the Galaxy U-20 squad in 2009.

New Zealand Recap Continues

You've all seen some pictures and read a little about the open training session that we held in front of approximately 10,000 Auckland schoolchildren, but now you can get a feel for the event through the eyes of our video staff.

Check it out.

The Lancaster Showcase Photo Diary

U18's










U16's

Thanks to Juan Miranda for all of the photos.

'Tis the Season!

Every year, the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation mark the holiday season by hosting three events in the community via its Holiday Assist Program. Started in 2000, the Holiday Assist Program was created by the Galaxy Foundation to address the difficult holiday season many children endure and to brighten the holidays for all.

The Galaxy’s Steve Cronin with his fiancée Laura Kristi (star of the hit show SOS on Versus), Brandon McDonald and Troy Roberts, Miss LA Galaxy Katrina Lopez, members of the Miss LA Galaxy court, Karina Gutierrez and Sam Vu, and Galaxy Foundation volunteers visited Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Shriners Hospital for Children LA, distributing “Soccer Santa” teddy bears and Galaxy goodies while also signing autographs and taking pictures with patients and families on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Galaxy defender Troy Roberts along with Miss LA Galaxy Katrina Lopez, members of the Miss LA Galaxy court, Karina Gutierrez and Sam Vu, and Galaxy Foundation volunteers made 100 “Soccer Santa” teddy bears to deliver.

The Galaxy Foundation will host the culminating Holiday Assist Program event, its Holiday Party, on Thursday, December 16 at The Home Depot Center for children in need. A group of 100 local children from various non-profit organizations will be invited to the party to participate in arts crafts, enjoy holiday treats and visit with Galaxy players. All kids in attendance will receive presents and goodies, in addition to a special visit from Cozmo Claus.







Here are a few photos from the visit to Build-A-Bear at Downtown Disney.



We hope you enjoyed these photos from our visit!

On the Field in Auckland

The training session in Auckland were difficult, but the guys were able to stay light and have some fun with it.

Check it out.

Galaxy Pop Sightings

Ultra-cool Details and sexy-chic Latina talked about our LA Galaxy in the latest issues of their magazines. Charles Alamo and Michael Gavin were on the Price is Right earlier today as well. Did you see them?

In September Details and the designer Salvatore Ferragamo approached the club about having a few of the guys serve as the official hosts of a party that helped to launch the opening of the new Ferragamo Men's Boutique at the Beverly Center. This invitation-only soiree was held in mid-September (a few days before our 5-2 thrashing of D.C. United), with Edson, Cobi and Kleiner serving as the hosts and receiving a very nice gift from our new friends at Ferragamo.

In the pages of Latina magazine, part-time blogger, full-time cool dude Julian Valentin is featured in the latest issue, which hit newsstands late last month with the always gorgeous Eva Mendes on the cover. Check out the article, it's on Page 84. You'll see another side of Jules we guarantee you haven't seen before.

On TV, Alamo and Gavin were on The Price Is Right with Drew Carey. Participating? No. Modeling, wait for it, Galaxy gear and soccer equipment. The episode was taped on the morning of October 12, hours before the Galaxy beat Colorado 3-2 and aired today. In case you missed it, you can watch the full episode online at CBS.com here (in case you don't want to watch the whole thing, skip to the 26:50 minute mark).

Here are some behind the scenes pictures from The Price is Right. We'll try to have other shots from the magazines next week.

Auckland Day Two

Two days prior to the game against the Oceania All-Stars, Bruce Arena, David Beckham and Eddie Lewis were joined by Oceania Head Coach Jim Selby, their captain Christian Karembeu and former New Zealand international Ivan Viselich at a press conference to discuss the match.

Check out what the guys had to say...