This is Part 15 in a series of players who will play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012.

A primary reason for the Los Angeles Galaxy's lack of winning form comes from the fact that their defense is not exactly one of the best in all of Major League Soccer.

So how do you try to fix this ongoing issue? It's simple. Just bring in another central defender like David Junior Lopes, formerly of Chivas USA, to plug the hole left by Omar Gonzalez's injury.

A Brazilian with years of experience, Lopes joins fellow countrymen Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas Fazzio as members of the Galaxy for the 2012 season.

David Junior Lopes was born on July 19, 1982, in Maringa, a city located in the state of Parana, Brazil. Maringa is home to two local teams, Grêmio Maringá and Alvorada Clube.

After beginning his career as a youth player for Adap Galo Maringa FC, Lopes broke through the ranks of Clube Atletico Paranaense and made his debut for the team in 2002. His skills playing for the Hurricane were noticed by FC Porto, who assigned him to the reserve side for the 2003-04 season.

Lopes was unable to make the bench, let alone start, for the Porto first XI, so returned to Brazil to play for Iraty Sport Club, a small club that plays in the Campeonato Paranaense.

In 2005, Lopes returned to Europe to sign with NK Osijek, a Croatian outfit. Lopes appeared in 35 league matches for Osijek before transferring to Russian Premier League side Terek Grozny for the 2008 season. Lopes made 14 appearances for Terek

Continuing his journey through Europe, Lopes played for Cordoba CF from 2009-10, making 13 appearances. His last European stint came in the 2010-11 season, where he was signed by Universitatea Craiova, a Romanian club.

However, Craiova were excluded from competing in the Romanian leagues due to misconduct involving  the top brass. This meant that was Lopes was in search of a new club.

Chivas USA was the first to jump at the opportunity and signed Lopes into their team. However, in the 2011-12 season, he only managed eight appearances for the Goats.

This season, Lopes was traded to the LA Galaxy in exchange for Paolo Cardozo. Now with Lopes in  the lineup, a new option in central defense brings promise to an otherwise beleaguered back line.

Journeymen footballers have had several trips across the Atlantic, with varying degrees of success.

David Junior Lopes is no exception. Whether his footballing journey ends in the City of Angels or continues to another footballing destination is up to the sporting gods to decide.

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If you are a Major League Soccer fan, you must be proud of the evolution the league has experienced these last several years.

From expansion to soccer-hungry cities in Canada and the Pacific Northwest, to the construction of more soccer-specific stadiums, all this progress has helped MLS become a more desirable league both domestically and internationally. 

Of course, no league would ever grow if not for the passionate fans who attend these matches week in and week out.

Therefore, I've created list to rank all 18 MLS stadiums based on the atmosphere that is created by fans. It is all about elements that make these stadiums an intimidating place to play for opponents, and exemplify the true definition of home-field advantage.

I'm certain there will be many disagreements on the order of this list. So don't just bash the list if you disagree, but use it as an opportunity to prove to MLS why your team stadium's atmosphere should be considered one of the best in the league.

Enjoy...

*I am omitting the Houston Dynamo from this list, as its new stadium, BBVA Compass Stadium, is set to open May 12, 2012.

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy are finding their 2012 MLS Cup defense to be more and more challenging with every match, and it doesn't get any easier when they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday at the Home Depot Center (kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET, KDOC-TV and KWHY-TV).

With just a paltry 1-3 record, the Galaxy have the worst record in the MLS Western Conference and take on a Portland Timbers side that is having similar issues with gaining results.

Here are 10 bold predictions for Saturday's tilt between Los Angeles and Portland on Bleacher Report.

1. LA...simply snaps

At some point in time, the Los Angeles Galaxy reach a point where they are simply fed up with their recent lack of form that they control the game early and actually play the type of soccer that defined them last year.

In the first half, I see the Galaxy finally hearing the alarm clock and scoring early to break the game open.

2. Introducing...David Junior Lopes

This match should debut the new guy: David Junior Lopes, formerly of Chivas USA. Traded to the Galaxy for Paolo Cardozo, Lopes should match well with Tommy Meyer and finally move A.J. DeLaGarza to right back. Thus, the Galaxy have two imposing central defenders that are capable of limiting the damage.

Plus, Portland is not one of the stronger teams in the West, so Saturday would be a good day to go for a Lopes-Meyer combo.

3. Four-goal festival...at the minimum

No shutout Saturday night for Josh Saunders. Why? You have two teams that are capable of scoring on anyone, and I expect Portland and Los Angeles to up the ante and deliver some goals. At least four will be scored at the Home Depot.

4. No start for David Beckham

David Beckham has been suffering from back issues this year, which has left an indelible impact on his playing time. Beckham is officially listed as "Questionable" and I expect him to sit this match out, allowing Landon Donovan to control the match in the midfield.

5. Two goals for Robbie Keane

The Irishman whose work ethic has kept the Galaxy in a number of matches will score twice this Saturday. The objective for Donovan is to create a series of sequences that will allow Keane to beat the offsides trap and beat Troy Perkins, who has had a rough year in goal for the Timbers.

6. Consolation goal for Kris Boyd

This year's scoring revelation? Kris Boyd. The Scotsman can finish when he has pace and space to work. I see Boyd becoming the Chicken Thief late in the second half for the Timbers. But it will be a consolation goal at best.

7. Donovan gets at least two assists

The team captain wears the armband for a reason: he can create plays better than anyone on the pitch. It has been a difficult season of all sorts for Landon Donovan, but Saturday is where he gets a break and creates chances for players like Keane and Chad Barrett to score. Donovan can make the deliveries, but it will be up to those on the receiving end to finish.

8. Chad Barrett gets the start this week over Edson Buddle

I think I made this prediction before, but I am going to try it again—Chad Barrett has to get the start over Edson Buddle. Barrett had one legit look on goal last week against Sporting Kansas City, and the mere fact that he did have a chance means that he gets the nod up top alongside Robbie Keane.

9. Physical match, over 25 fouls called

In this, a glorified pillow fight between an established veteran club and an ambitious sophomore establishment (not counting their time in the lower divisions and the old NASL), there will be plenty of fouls called. Look for at least 25 fouls, and two yellow cards minimum, on Saturday.

10. Galaxy win...with authority

This was the same scoreline from their last meeting at the Home Depot Center, so I am going for it again. The Galaxy win with authority, albeit in a scoreline that has been common this early in the season...

Los Angeles Galaxy 3, Portland Timbers 1

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A New Face Joins the Galaxy

This week, Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy acquired the services of David Junior Lopes in exchange for Paolo Cardozo, who was traded after a poor early-season outing.

Lopes will look to add some muscle in central defense, alongside Tommy Meyer and Andrew Boyens.

"Lopes is a big strong center back, left-footed with good athletic ability and it gives us physicality in that position that we haven't had, and experience," Arena told reporters in a conference call on Tuesday, according to Luis Bueno of MLSSoccer.com.

With Lopes in the lineup, a combination of him with Meyer could potentially move A.J. DeLaGarza  to his natural position of right-back. Alternatively, a three-man rotation of Lopes, Meyer and Boyens could be utilized if DeLaGarza remains in central defense.

Arena has kept the details of the trade under wraps.

"It's a discussion that we've had with Chivas for a while and gives us the ability to strengthen ourselves in that position,” Arena remarked. “It doesn't say anything. It's a move that we're making to make our team stronger."

A special on David Junior Lopes as part of the "This Is The Los Angeles Galaxy" series will be posted later this week.

'We Know We Will Do Better,' Says DeLaGarza

As for A.J. DeLaGarza, he knows that the there is only one direction for the club, and that is up.

Because of their position at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference, the detractors are loving every minute of it. And some of those detractors are coming from their own.

“That’s where the negative reaction is—the fans and everyone outside this team,” DeLaGarza told Bueno. “As a fan, I guess that’s their worries: ‘Are we going to play better?’ But inside this team, we know we can do better, we know we will do better.”

Arena is a manager that likes to emphasize the bigger picture. Actually that's what he could only do this week. Or is that to save face?

“These things all go in cycles and, whether you’re doing real well or real bad, there’s all these little cycles and you never know what it adds up to,” Arena said. “You really don’t. Sometimes you have periods where you don’t play real well and you steal one every now and then.”

Defender Todd Dunivant, the Iron Man on defense for the LA Galaxy, believes that the time is now for the club to rebound, starting this Saturday against the Portland Timbers (7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET, KDOC-TV, KWNY-TV).

“We’re kind of looking at it as an opportunity to get things right,” Dunivant said after training Tuesday to LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan. “If there’s ever a time in the season to do it, it would be now.

“It’s coming early and we have to sort out all of our issues, and we’ve got a lot of them.”

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This headline on an article 12 months ago would have looked incredibly silly and unprofessional, yet here we are five weeks into the MLS season and the title couldn't be more relevant.

Sporting Kansas City is the only MLS club still undefeated in the league and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Playing in front a revived fanbase, Kansas City is one of the toughest teams to earn a point off of as of right now. However, it is not just the enhanced support that is helping the Wiz Kids earn the W week in and week out. Here are five other reasons why SKC is taking the league by storm this season. Enjoy!

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In an apparent attempt to shuffle the deck defensively after what has been an abysmal start to their season, the LA Galaxy have traded Paolo Cardozo to Chivas USA for defender David Junior Lopes.

Cardozo is a 22-year-old Uruguayan who was formerly with Argentinian side River Plate's reserve team, Quilmes. After briefly going on trial with the Columbus Crew, Cardozo was chosen by the Galaxy in the first round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

The slightly-built attacking midfielder made a total of 18 appearances for the reigning MLS champs, registering a total of nine shots on goal but failing to find the back of the net or make an assist while wearing a Galaxy shirt.

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is apparently willing to take a chance on missing out on the potential that the forward displayed at times in an effort to shore up the Galaxy's badly ailing defense.

A Brazilian-born defender who stands at 6'3", Lopes would seem like an apparent suitor for filling the gaping hole left in the Galaxy's back line by the absence of Omar Gonzalez. The 23-year-old Gonzalez suffered a long term injury during an offseason training loan with Bundesliga side Nurnberg, and the 2011 MLS Defender of the Year will be sidelined until at least midsummer.

Lopes, 29, has enjoyed spells in South America and in Europe, most notably with FC Porto in Portugal. The lanky defender joined Chivas in late 2011, making a total of eight appearances for the club.

The Galaxy's defense, which was among the stingiest in the league last season, has been highly suspect so far this term. In four league matches, the defending MLS Cup and Supporter's Shield holders have scored five goals and given up a total of eight. Currently the Galaxy sit at the bottom of the Western Conference table, and hold a record of 1-3-0 for the season.

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Fox Soccer confirmed today that the English Premier League side Chelsea will be the 2012 Major League Soccer All-Star Game opponent. 

The annual match will take place July 25 at PPL Park, home of the Philadelphia Union.

"The 2012 MLS All-Star Game will feature English power Chelsea, which will face off against Major League Soccer’s All-Star team on July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa., sources within MLS confirmed to FOX Soccer on Tuesday," writes Fox Soccer senior writer Ives Galarcep.

As he further mentions, this will be the second time Chelsea headlines the MLS All-Star match. The Blues faces an All-Star side in the 2006 edition, which it lost, 1-0.

The MLS All-Star Game is just one stop of Chelsea's U.S. summer tour. The other confirmed stop is a match against the Seattle Sounders.

Nothing further is known about the 2012 MLS All-Star Game, as MLS has yet to release any official announcement. 

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With two goals—including an MLS Goal of the Week nomination—and an assist in the New York Red Bulls' 4-1 victory over the Columbus Crew on Sunday, Thierry Henry was named MLS Player of the Week.

It’s the third week in a row he’s earned those honors and he is the first player in MLS history to ever win three consecutive Player of the Week awards.

His historic run and impressive start to the season—seven goals and four assists—has New York Red Bulls fans excited. Since coming to the team in the middle of the 2010 season, he has delivered the goods and has been a great Designated Player signing, worth his hefty contract (second-largest in the league).

Signing a player as a Designated Player contract has not historically meant success on the field. Many players such as Luis Angel Landin, Blaise Nkufo and Geovanni have been failed signings.

Henry has been a success. In 42 MLS regular season games, he has 23 goals and 11 assists. Has the Frenchman been the best DP signing in league history, though?

To properly gauge his impact, we first have to exclude guys that graduated to DP salaries. Players like Landon Donovan, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Alvaro Saborio, Fredy Montero and Shalrie Joseph came into the league on normal contracts. They played so well that they earned a raise, one that put them over the DP threshold.

While they’ve had great careers in MLS, they weren’t typical DP signings. They were given the contract because of past success in the league, not as high-profile transfers from teams around the world that face the uncertainty of adapting to the MLS.

Robbie Keane had a nice run at the end of the season for the Galaxy, scoring four total goals in nine appearances across all competitions, but he needs to play more games in MLS for us to be able to really determine his impact.

The real competition for the best DP signing is between Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the man the rule was created for, David Beckham.

Blanco was a huge success for the Chicago Fire. His team made the playoffs in each of his three seasons, and in 2007 and 2008 Blanco was selected as a finalist for the MVP award. He was an exceptional talent with a fiery attitude to match.

There could be two slight downsides to his time in MLS—and it could just be nitpicking—but one was that the Fire never made it past the conference finals. In 2009, his last year with the team, the Fire were upset by wild card (and eventual champion) Real Salt Lake.

He also played forward, but only scored 16 goals in three seasons for the team. A player’s value is not measure in goals alone, but as a forward it is your main job, and Blanco did not light up the stats sheet.

Juan Pablo Angel was a lethal scorer for the Red Bulls. He owns the record for most goals scored for the franchise in all competitions with 62, and he was a fan favorite.

Angel was eventually moved out in favor of Henry, however, and the Frenchman hasn’t disappointed, especially with Angel slowing down in past years.

Angel spent a lot of time in New York with injuries, struggled mightily with the Galaxy, and only scoring three goals all year, and now finishing with Chivas.

As for Beckham, the English midfielder was the reason the DP rule was made. Off the field, he has lived up to all the hype. Beckham-mania has hit the country with all the commercials, magazine covers and jersey sales.

He’s sold out MLS stadiums on the road and his presence has gotten the league more attention and more respectability, and has influenced other international players like Henry to come over and play in the league. It’s hard to imagine any player ever making the kind of commercial impact Beckham has had on the league.

His play on the field, however, has been more tumultuous. Yes, he was part of the league’s Best XI last year and was a major component in the Galaxy winning the MLS Cup. That being said, there has been so much negativity associated with Beckham’s on-field performance.

For the first four years of Beckham’s MLS contract, he spent time either on the bench injured or on loan in Italy. He openly talked about his desire to go back to Europe in order to continue to play for the English national team. He fought with teammates, most notably Landon Donovan.

All in all, he didn’t look like he really wanted to be in or play with the Galaxy, or even in America.

It wasn’t until the final year of his first MLS contract that Beckham seemed engaged and committed to Los Angeles and the MLS.

Since coming to the MLS, Henry has fully committed to the Red Bulls. He has retired internationally and is giving his full attention to his club team. He’s sometimes cantankerous as a player, he has high expectations for himself and his teammates, and he has no problem unleashing his emotions.

What he has done, on the other hand, is score lots of goals, and he is always the hardest working player on the pitch for the Red Bulls. He knows when to take charge himself or when to let his teammates step up. He was also part of the MLS Best XI last season, along with Beckham.

He still needs to score more goals in big games (like Angel), dominate the league, receive individual attention for his play (like Blanco) and win a championship to go along with his ability to bring in more fans to games (like Beckham), but Henry has only played in 42 games, just a bit more than one full season.

What he has done in a short amount of time has been incredible. He is absolutely one of the best DP signings in league history and he still has a lot of time to do even more for the Red Bulls.

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David Beckham and Landon Donovan. They are, without a doubt, two of the most high profile stars to ever play in MLS.

Both are skilled and can exhilarate fans in a way that very few other players in the league can.

That they're on the same team, the L.A. Galaxy, would seem to be guaranteed powerhouse. And while they have achieved many wins, the Galaxy have managed to win only one trophy (last year's MLS title).

Certainly the relationship between Beckham and Donovan has had its fair share of bumps. The two had a very public spat when Donovan accused Beckham of being a bad teammate in Grant Wahl's book, The Beckham Experiment.

Yet the two stars seem to have found a way to coexist.

Which has done more for the league though?

It's an interesting debate. Let's explore.

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Week five of the 2012 Major League Soccer campaign saw several teams reach important milestones. It was also a week where struggling teams didn't do enough to alleviate the worries of their fan bases.

Records were broken, and streaks were stopped. Teams continued to dominate, while others still struggle at the bottom.   

There are multiple ways of breaking down this week's actions, but let me simply start by naming the positive and negative trends that earned my interest this past weekend. 

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