Switch It Up!

After Wednesday's 4-2 preseason defeat to the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy were split into two squads. One squad of 17 defeated the U.S. Under-18 National Team 1-0 while another squad of nine did a 90-minute pool and gym workout at Athletes' Performance.

Midfielder Dan Keat and forward Chad Barrett were both nursing injuries, while forward Adam Cristman had personal business to attend to in Virginia.

DeLaGarza Relishes in Versatility

Defender A.J. DeLaGarza enjoys the role he has on the back line for the Galaxy, but being versatile has its drawbacks.

“I have to keep an open mind,” DeLaGarza told MLSsoccer.com. “I just want to get on the field.

“I think I’ve become a better player. The thing now is just getting one position down consistently, day in and day out, and being able to play there and practice there day in and day out, just getting used to that.”

Last year, DeLaGarza appeared 17 times en route to the Galaxy capturing the MLS Supporters' Shield.

“I can kind of fill in at each spot more so than some of the other guys, but just being ready, as a professional you have to be ready to play when your number is called and I’ve been able to do that the last two years no matter where that’s been,” DeLaGarza said.

The University of Maryland product credits the U.S. Men's National Team camp as a key part of his development as a player.

“The national team camp helped me mature a lot, being able to play with those guys, and I kind of had a preseason before this preseason, getting fit and getting touches on the ball and things like that,” DeLaGarza said. “I came in more confident from that camp, already playing for three weeks hard.

“I’m a lot more confident then I was the last two years, but I’ve still got a lot to show.”


Another International Roster Slot

Yesterday, the LA Galaxy announced that the club has acquired an international roster slot from D.C. United in exchange for allocation money.

With the additional spot which expires after the 2012 season, the Galaxy now have eight international slots on their 2011 roster.


Galaxy's Cobi Jones in Hall of Fame Ballot

Former Galaxy midfielder/assistant coach Cobi Jones is among five new additions to the Player ballot for the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Jones joins Chris Armas, current Real Salt Lake manager Jason Kreis, Chivas USA assistant coach Carlos Llamosa and Eddie Pope.

Others on the ballot include New England Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel Mike Burns, the Galaxy's Mauricio Cienfuegos, Raúl Díaz Arce, Marco Etcheverry, Chivas USA manager Robin Fraser, Seattle Sounders technical director Chris Henderson, Roy Lassiter, Joe-Max Moore, Philadephia Union manager Peter Nowak, Carlos Valderrama, Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes, Earnie Stewart, John O'Brien, Steve Trittschuh, indoor soccer goalkeeper Victor Nogueira and five members of the USA women's national team.

Any player whose name appears on at least 66.7 percent of the ballots will be enshrined.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here