For a team that made a lot of noise this season, from opening a new stadium to winning the Eastern Conference title, it was probably the Red Bulls’ signing of Thierry Henry that garnered the most attention.

Many thought it was bigger news than David Beckham’s move to Los Angeles, that it was the start of a new era not just for the Red Bulls, but for MLS as a whole.

Henry, they said, was more than an aging ambassador of soccer. He seemed like the kind of star player who could take over the pitch and light up scoreboards across the country.

So far, however, that star power has netted just two goals in 11 MLS games. And then there's the knee injury.

After sitting out his third consecutive game as the Red Bulls began the playoffs in San Jose, Henry hopes to be available for the November 4th meeting with the Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena. It is unlikely, however, that he will start. 

He has shown flashes of the Thierry Henry of old—he still has the delicate finishing touch that won him a pair of Golden Boots, a World Cup and plenty of other honors back in Europe—but he was never the type to win games or score goals on his own. He was always a part of great teams.

Understanding this, first-year Red Bulls general manager Erik Soler did his best to remake the New York midfield. He brought in Joel Lindpere, Mehdi Ballouchy, the rookie Tony Tchani and most notably Rafael Marquez. Not to mention the addition of head coach Hans Backe, whose job it’s been to make all the pieces fit. 

The result? Well, Dane Richards has gotten a lot better, hasn’t he?

Faced with a slew of injuries, Backe had to look to 17-year-old striker Juan Agudelo against San Jose, and short of scoring a goal, he showed that he could fit in just fine. Between him, Ibrahim Salou and Juan Pablo “Hey, I’m still here” Angel, Henry is looking a little bit less than essential.

When looking at the transformation of the Red Bulls over the course of the season, at how the team that lost four games in May was able to right the ship, Henry is only a small part of the story. His mark on the team so far has been mostly about marketing.

To this end, the Red Bull management will likely not be dissatisfied. To the extent that Henry’s job was to sell tickets and souvenirs, he has done it, and this may be a role that Henry is comfortable with.

The weight of winning is only lightly on his shoulders, and he has plenty of time to pose for photographs and enjoy the luxury of his new SoHo triplex apartment. While he may indeed come up big in the playoffs this week, the Red Bulls won’t win or lose because of him.

Next year, however, on-the-field expectations may linger. With the impending departure of Juan Pablo Angel and a full preseason’s worth of preparation, fans will want to see something spectacular from the legendary Frenchman, and he will need to be fit enough to oblige.

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So often championship competition is resolved by strong defensive effort and one spectacular breakthrough.

Such was the case Sunday night at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field in the 2010 MLS Playoffs.  Scoring ace Edson Buddle of the L.A. Galaxy took advantage of one long range opportunity, which proved to be the difference maker in a 1-0 triumph over the host Seattle Sounders before 35,521, marking the home team’s 32nd consecutive sellout and the second largest crowd ever for a conference semifinal.

The premier team of MLS soccer during the season’s first half was a red hot L.A. Galaxy.  The club with second half momentum was the Seattle Sounders.  So in what could be termed the MLS third season, meaning the playoffs, who would get hot?

The result on the Xbox Pitch Sunday night was scoring stalemate and this was anything but a surprise to anyone familiar with the nuances of professional sports.  Seattle’s Sigi Schmid and Los Angeles mentor Bruce Arena are two bona fide legends, so accomplished that each stands in the rarified orbit of having won more than one MLS Cup during long and productive careers.

Couple the brilliance of two experienced coaches alongside the fact that they are both in the Western Conference and know each other’s tendencies exceptionally well and what is the expected likelihood of a playoff matchup?

The answer is a tight defensive struggle.  The resolution of such a struggle often is one exceptional play.  It often takes one brilliant effort to make the difference, a play destined to succeed beyond the most accomplished defensive effort.

Each team had opportunities during a strategically fascinating first half and only one found the net, resolving the tight defensive struggle and putting the road team one goal up in the first of the two week home-and-home series between the evenly matched teams.  The second round will be Sunday, November 7 at 6 p.m. PT on the Galaxy’s pitch of Home Depot Center in Carson.

The Sounders had their breakthrough opportunity at the incredibly early 32-second mark of play.  Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts had just made a superb save of an Ozzie Alonzo scoring attempt. 

The best of goalkeepers are rendered vulnerable on quick rebound efforts.  Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani received such an attempt and drilled his into the net before Ricketts had an opportunity to react.

The partisan crowd had only a moment to celebrate before the whole early goal experience was squelched.  It was disallowed for offside.

The evening saw two of the premier and highly experienced goalkeepers of MLS soccer in superb form with Jamaican Ricketts and 40-year-old veteran Kasey Keller.  At the seven-minute mark Keller showed his prowess with a brilliant save.

The save thwarted an effort by the number one name in world soccer seeking to move his club on top early.  England’s David Beckham showed why during his halcyon Manchester United days the term in vogue was “Nobody can bend it like Beckham.”

A Beckham corner kick possessed the blend and swerve that enabled him once more to live up to his name as a specialist in such rare endeavor.  The ball curved toward the net and an alert Keller was able to leap into the air and get a hand on it, enough for a timely save, as Sounders patrons heaved a collective sigh of relief.

In the 38th minute the evening’s decider was achieved.  Buddle got his opportunity from 30 yards away.  A less daring player would have passed the ball, but Buddle finished second in league scoring with 17 goals, one behind San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski, and without a time absence for World Cup competition might have won top honor.

Buddle delivered a shot that appeared to have eyes.  It contained sufficient arc to elude the outstretched hands of a leaping Kasey Keller to land in the net for the only score of the contest.

The Sounders put consistent pressure on the Galaxy in the first half and it was here that the talented Ricketts saved the evening for L.A. with 7 first half saves and 8 for the match.  Keller recorded 4 for Seattle.  Overall the Sounders held a 15-10 edge in shots and an 8-5 advantage on goal.

In that Buddle’s long shot was the only score of the evening, post-game speculation abounded concerning it.  Seattle defender Patrick Ianni called it a “wonder goal” while Keller, speaking like an accomplished veteran, supplied understanding and insight befitting someone who in a long soccer career has seen it all.

“It was just one of those things that guys try one hundred times in their careers and never make it happen,” Keller said.  “Great goals change games and that’s part of it.”

Bruce Arena was delighted.  The first leg of the two game competition was in a road setting known for being a tough place for visitors to win, given Seattle’s large and loudly cheering followers.  

"Tough game, tough conditions,” Arena said.  “This field wasn't easy to play on for either team. (This was a) pretty classic playoff game where you go on the road and defend and try to get out of here. We were playing to win. It certainly keeps the series really tight and there's everything to play for in the next game. "

Sigi Schmid sought to put the game in perspective for Seattle.

“I told my players that this is the first half of a 90-minute game,” he explained.  “We play well on the road and we are one goal down at halftime.”

The Sounders need to make up the Galaxy one goal advantage achieved Sunday in next week’s Home Depot encounter.  Should they be one goal up at the end of the regulation 45 minutes the teams will square off for a 30 minute overtime extension.  If the teams are dead even after that phase then the issue of advancement to the next round will be decided on penalty kicks.

Sunday’s game was the final Sounders’ Seattle appearance of the season.  The team ended the campaign with an 8-5-3 mark at home counting regular season and playoff matches.

Seattle defender Jeff Parke was replaced in the 65th minute by Tyrone Marshall after sustaining a twisted ankle.  The seriousness of the injury along with Parke’s availability November 7 are presently undetermined.

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Halloween Night proved to be nothing but a haunted house of horrors for the Seattle Sounders Football Club.

Victoria Street's Frankenstein, known only to mortals as Edson Buddle, helped Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy monster mash their way to a 1-0 victory over Sigi Schmid's side at Qwest Field in Seattle on Sunday before 35,521 brave souls.

The genius that is the mad scientist Bruce Arena discovered a winning formula on the plastic pitch, subbing starter Eddie Lewis while placing Gregg Berhalter in the middle.

With Blaise Nkufo and Nate Jaqua posing as a last-ditch threat in the second half, Berhalter's presence neutralized Seattle's attack and took slack off Omar Gonzalez's back.

Landon Donovan—the Dracula of the bunch—sucked the blood out of the Seattle attackers, holding Sanna Nyassi and James Riley at bay with his speed. That is the type of form that could pay dividends next week at the Home Depot Center.

And of course, the Wolfman known as David Beckham was showing that he could play some defense.

I do believe that Mike Magee was playing like the mummy he was. He wasn't bringing the same intensity and finish in the front, wasn't fast enough to receive his passes...overall, he underachieved.

Juninho should have buried his chance in the 85th minute. The fact that the young Brazilian's tap missed a foot wide left can be interpreted as a silver lining for the Sounders.

What could have been the first goal of the game in the first minute for Seattle was disallowed due to Steve Zakuani called back for offsides.

No one in the crowd of 35,000-plus would have imagined that this was a sign of things to come for the men in Rave Green.

I have to personally wonder what was Nkufo thinking late in the contest to delay a restart and come after Ricketts?

It's one of the biggest brain explosions I have seen from Seattle, and a surprising act from one of Switzerland's finest imports to come to MLS.

I also have to wonder about this: there is NO away goals rule in the conference semifinals. The casual soccer fan needs to know about this rule because I am sure that every just about every league around the world that has a home-and-home as part of the playoffs.

Examples—the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and any two-legged playoffs used in qualification for the FIFA World Cup or European Championships.

If Los Angeles is given home-field advantage, then this 1-0 scoreline would put them in the driver's seat. This is not an insurmountable margin for the Sounders, and the Galaxy will need to up the ante on Nov. 7th if they are to progress to the conference finals.

Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

INS & OUTS

Youth Academy Update


The Los Angeles Galaxy Youth Academy Under-18s and Under-16s were back in action this past weekend.

On Saturday, the Galaxy U-16s defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 through goals from Drew Murphy in the 46th minute and John McBean in the 78th minute. Earlier on Halloween morning, the Under-16s routed Cal Odyssey 4-0.

After trailing the San Jose Earthquakes Under-18s at halftime, the Galaxy regrouped with two goals in six minutes to give Los Angeles a 2-1 victory.

Neil Ignacio drove home a 70th minute equalizer while Jake LaPorte scored the game winner in the 75th minute.

The score for the Under-18s match between Cal Odyssey and the Galaxy was unavailable as this article was being published.

The Young G's will only have one match for all of November: a November 20 contest with the California Development Academy. Kickoff for the U-16s is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PT, while the U-18s kick off at 10 a.m. PT.

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With a 1-0 playoff road win over the San Jose Earthquakes, the New York Red Bulls reminded both New Yorkers and New Jerseyans that they are the only "New York" soccer club that currently plays in Major League Soccer and is competing for the 2010 MLS Cup.

For all the media attention the New York Cosmos organization has been receiving as of late, tonight's Red Bull win will remind Major League Soccer fans that they are the NY team who opened up a new stadium, brought in a new coach along with world class athletes to give the states of New York and New Jersey a 2010 competitive soccer club.

In a game without Thierry Henry, Joel Lindpere once again demonstrated that he's been most consistent players for the 2010 Red Bulls. Playing against a well balanced defensive San Jose Earthquakes team, Joel Lindpere was able to give his Red Bull teammates a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute of the second half.

A week after he scored the last Red Bull goal in the regular season, Joel Lindpere ironically scored the first game winning postseason goal. For all the attention, the trio of Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez receive, the trio of Joel Lindpere, Tim Ream and Dane Richards have been the most consistent and productive for the past few weeks.

Overall, the San Jose Earthquakes played a well game. Their goalkeeper Jon Busch played a marvelous game as he made six out of seven saves.Tragically, the Earthquakes attempted three shots on goal and didn't capitalize on their fast break attempts.

Even with the MLS Golden Boot winner, Chris Wondolowki in their corner, the Earthquakes weren't able to find the back of the net. No matter how aggressively they pushed the ball, tonight wasn't their night. As a result, 10,525 pro-Earthquakes went home without a win. 

Their second game will take place on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at Red Bull Arena. In order for San Jose to advance to the next round, they will have win by a two goals.

With their playoff destiny in their hands, the Red Bulls need a win or a tie in order to advance to the Eastern Conference Championship. With Juan Pablo Angel possibly playing his final home game next Thursday, it'll be interesting to see how the fans will acknowledge that evening.

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for Latino Sports. Please email him your questions and concerns to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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This time last year, the New York Red Bulls ended their season with a resounding 5-0 victory over Toronto FC in their final game at Giants Stadium. That result, however, was a complete anomaly in what was a disastrous season for the Red Bulls, who finished with a league-worst 21 points from 30 games.

Fast forward 12 months, and the Red Bulls ended the season with a 2-0 victory over New England, which ensured the team first place in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs.

Not since 2000 has the team headed into the playoffs with such anticipation from the fans, and thanks to a couple of key midseason additions, they are arguably the league's leading franchise in commercial impact on the sport in the United States.

As the team prepares to face San Jose in the first round of the playoffs, let's study some of the key reasons that jolted the biggest turnaround in MLS history (ironically, the 2000 New York franchise is the team they are tied with)!

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Sunday’s upcoming MLS playoff featuring the host Seattle Sounders and L.A. Galaxy has all kinds of star power, beginning with the two famous names coaching the teams.

Action commences Sunday at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time at the Xbox Pitch of Seattle’s Qwest Field, but that is just the first leg of a two-match series modeled along the lines of  CONCACAF competition.  The home-and-home series adds drama.  Part 2 of the unfolding scenario occurs Sunday, November 7, at 6 p.m. PDT at Home Depot Center in Carson, California.  

The rules for advancing to the next round are these: The team that has the edge in aggregate goal scoring after the two matches will advance.  In the event that the teams are tied, a 30-minute overtime period will occur.  Should they be deadlocked at that point, the issue will be resolved via penalty kicks.
    

Sigi Schmid contended that his Seattle Sounders were much better than their 4-8-3 first half showing indicated.  He proved his point as the rags-to-riches Sounders became the hottest team in the league, posting a dynamic 10-2-3 second-half record and winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open competition for the second year in a row. Their seasonal mark of 14-10-6 was good for 48 points.

Galaxy mentor Bruce Arena guided his squad to an impressive season that resulted in winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield, given to the team with the best record.  Whereas the Sounders shone in the second half of the campaign, Arena’s team got off to a blistering 10-0-2 start and secured the best record in MLS during the first half of the season. The team finished with 59 points and an 18-7-5 seasonal mark.

Arena’s legendary status began with stellar achievements in the East, including championships at Virginia University and his status as U.S. National Team coach.  He also coached the New York Red Bulls.  Arena finally decided to “Go West” and continued his success pattern with the L.A. Galaxy.

As for Sigi Schmid, he began in the West by starting as coach of the university where he played, UCLA, at the age of 27.  He enjoyed a stint with the Galaxy and had a brilliant run in the Midwest with the Columbus Crew.  From there it was back West to his current position with the Sounders, where he helped inaugurate the franchise last season.  

Schmid, in acknowledging Arena’s great achievements, noted this week that it will be fun facing a legend.  Arena assuredly feels the same way about facing Schmid.  Great coaches have competitive fire, and facing a brilliant opponent stokes the flames of competition.

Speaking of fire, there will be plenty of firepower on the field for both sides, including some of the most glittery star names in MLS soccer.  The biggest name in the game internationally, David Beckham, is back in action with the Los Angeles team after being sidelined by injury.

The Galaxy enjoyed its first-half surge when Beckham was out of action and was seen at courtside of Los Angeles Lakers games.  World Cup players Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle dominated MLS play in the assist and scoring categories, respectively.  This week Sigi Schmid called Donovan the best player in U.S. soccer.

For the Sounders, the solid play of Switzerland’s World Cup performer and Dutch scoring sensation Blaise Nkufo after his second-half acquisition was a catalyst in the team’s surge. Statistics tell the story: In games Nkufo started at forward, the Sounders are 9-1-1.

In terms of youthful star power for the future, the Sounders are stocked with two of the best. A recent MLS poll placed forward Fredy Montero and midfielder Steve Zakuani among the top five players in the league in the under-25 category.  Each player specializes in speed, but their respective games have developed so that, in addition to possessing great scoring prowess, their repertoire has been enhanced by achievements in the assist category as well.

The teams have met three times this season.  The first game in Seattle produced the most overwhelming loss in Sounders franchise history.  After grabbing a 1-0 halftime edge, Donovan and Buddle heated up for a quick second-half flurry.  When the smoke cleared, the Galaxy had won by a 4-0 score.  

An embarrassed Sounders management expressed an apology to fans for what they contended was an uncharacteristically poor performance.  They issued refunds to season ticket–holders applicable toward the purchase of seasonal renewals.        

The next match at Home Depot Center resulted in a 3-1 Galaxy win.  Despite the loss, the Sounders saw the match as a turning point in their season.  Schmid announced that changes would be made at midfield, where the defense needed “tightening up,” and the Seattle surge then moved into gear.

Less than a week after the 3-1 Galaxy win, the teams squared off in U.S. Open Cup action at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash.  The Sounders scored a 2-0 win.  As Schmid has pointed out, however, that game featured a lot of reserve players on both sides as the coaches rested regulars out of deference to the long MLS schedule.

So each team feels it has something to prove in the two-match extension of the exciting Western Conference rivalry pitting Southern California against the Pacific Northwest.  Each side is equally determined as well to move on in 2010 MLS playoff competition.    

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It was New York Red Bulls Sporting Director, Erik Soler, who once said, "Nothing gold can stay." Or maybe it was Robert Frost?

...Either way, as the 2010 MLS Cup kicks off, one thing has become apparent: Juan Pablo will not be suiting up for New York next season.

Angel is arguably one of the finest to ever ply his trade in MLS, and unarguably the finest to do so for the Red Bulls, being the franchise's all-time top scorer and possible four-time MVP.  But at 35 years old, with a nagging back problem, it may sadly be time for him to move on as the Red Bulls look to build towards the future.

It is certainly up for debate if letting Angel leave is the right move for the Red Bulls to make, but here are five ambitious signings the Red Bulls could pursue in the offseason to fill their third Designated Player spot.

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy have an accomplished opponent on their hands in the Seattle Sounders in the first and second legs of the 2010 Major League Soccer Western Conference Semifinals.

“Let’s face it,” Arena said over the week, “there are no secrets at this point. We all know each other, we’ve seen each other play throughout the season. We’re well aware of the qualities of the Sounders, and I’m sure they’re well aware of our qualities as well."

“I think they’ve got a good balance in their attack, and they’re been pretty solid defensively. Their speed on the flanks has been dangerous for them and they have two guys in front of the goal who can finish off plays."

“They’ve been a well-balanced team and they've been able to have a little continuity in their lineup. In our case, that hasn’t happened basically all year. That’s another reason why they’ve been successful.”

“They’re a very good team,” Galaxy forward Mike Magee said. “They play really well at home, they’ll have probably 40,000 fans there and they play well on that turf."

“The last time we went [to Qwest Field, a 4-0 win on May 8] we got a good result, and that probably left a bad taste in their mouths. We have to have a good mentality this time.”

“They’ve been hot the second half of the year,” LA defender Todd Dunivant said. “But it all comes down to how you play in the playoffs. Momentum aside, it matters who comes out in these first two games and wins the series.”

Midfielders Steve Zakuani and Sanna Nyassi and forwards Fredy Montero and Blaise Nkufo spearhead a lethal attack for the boys in Rave Green. Their speed on the flanks is another item to watch out for.

“Speed’s always something that’s difficult to deal with, but we’ve done it all year,” Dunivant said on Seattle's speed.

In his second year, Zakuani garnered 10 goals and six assists, while while Nyassi's speed has helped him to two goals and three assists on the year.

“They’re very lethal up top and on the wings, so you’ve just got to be aware of that and be in good positions and hopefully take their speed away from them,” Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza said. “And make them play in front of us so that they’re not getting behind us and in a footrace with them.”

Of course, Montero has been the centerpiece of the Seattle scoring maching, with 10 goals and 10 assists to his name.

“Fredy Montero is a guy who, if you give him a lot of space he’s going to hurt you,” Dunivant said of the Sounders swingman. “He’s always headhunting in the box. He’s a very good poacher in the box and he’s always stretching balls out and finds himself in good spots where he’ll get knockdowns, he’ll be in a good spot to deflect a shot in, those kinds of things. They’re not accidents on his part. He gets those kinds of goals.”

Dunivant did note that their defense held the production of the Sounders at bay, even though Nkufo was not on the lineup at the time.

After the Sounders jettisoned Freddie Ljungberg to the Chicago Fire on July 30, Nkufo's presence along with the emergence of Nathan Sturgis has revitalized the Sounders with his five goals.

Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller has had a successful campaign, with 11 shutouts and a 1.15 goals against average.

“Usually around this time, the defense plays a massive role,” Dunivant said. “Teams that can keep other teams off the score sheet are going to have a good chance. We did a good job of that last year against Chivas and Houston, and if we can carry that in and keep a good defensive shape, it frustrates the other team.”

A big question to answer heading into the Oct. 31 clash is who will partner up with Omar Gonzalez in the central midfield: either veteran Gregg Berhalter or second-year player A.J. De La Garza.

“We’re getting a little healthier there with Berhalter coming back,” Arena said. “I think we’ll be alright. Whatever combination we go with, we’ll be fine.”

After Berhalter was sidelined with an ailment on Aug. 14, De La Garza filled in, helping Los Angeles wrap up the MLS Supporters' Shield in their 2-1 win over FC Dallas on Oct. 24.

“It was good having A.J. back there (against Dallas),” Galaxy right back Franklin said. “Gregg back there is more of a voice, more of a commander. It was good he was able to rest; it’s good to have A.J. in there getting some minutes. He’s been playing well in practice and he played well (against Dallas). Having A.J. back there brings some more speed to the backline.”

“People kind of wrote me off as being a center back in this league,” De La Garza said. “It would be great to be with (Gonzalez) and hopefully win a championship again."

Whoever will fill the shoes has a simple objective, and a simple objective only: Stop the bleeding and limit the Sounders production.

“It starts up top," De La Garza said, "and we’ve got to be solid in the back—keeping our marks—and we haven’t done that lately. We’ve got to do that. If we can do that, we’re going to have a good chance to win.”

Magee summarized the Galaxy's postseason prospects in a nutshell: “You gotta go with the best teams,” Magee said. “I don’t think you’re going to find teams at this point of the season that aren’t going to give you a good battle. If you’re looking to win the championship, you have to beat the next-best team.”

Kickoff between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders in the first leg is scheduled for Halloween at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

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David Beckham might be the most famous footballer on the planet and rich beyond his wildest dreams, but he's not lost his sense of humor.

The LA Galaxy midfielder appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this week and played the lead role in a hidden camera stunt at a massage parlour.

Following Ellen's instructions through an earpiece, the most-capped outfield player in England's history asked his masseuse to call him "Ricky" and demanded she avoid using her thumbs.

Take a look here...

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When asked about the Los Angeles Galaxy's regular season success against the Seattle Sounders, manager Bruce Arena didn't read too much into it.

“Every game is different and any game that we’ve played previously in Seattle is almost a wash at this point,” Arena said. “It’s a new season and we’ve got to be ready to play a team that’s been very good the last half of the MLS season. Our last result in Seattle means nothing."

On May 8, Los Angeles defeated Seattle at Qwest Field, the site of the first leg of their 2010 Major League Soccer Western Conference Semifinal, to the tune of 4-0. And on July 4, the Galaxy drubbed the Sounders 3-1.

“I prefer going to Seattle than going into altitude,” Arena said when asked about playoff destinations. “There was always a chance that we could go into Colorado or Salt Lake and the altitude’s an issue. What we’ve assured ourselves of [by winning the Supporters’ Shield] is that we’re not going to be playing at altitude, not that that guarantees anything.

"It’s a lot easier for the players to adjust to the artificial field than it is to the altitude.”

Defender A.J. De La Garza noted that the Sounders were rolling again. After the July 4 contest, Seattle finished the rest of the season with a 10-2-3 mark to end their regular season at 14-10-6 (48 points) and successfully defended a U.S. Open Cup to boot.

“They are probably one of the hottest teams in the league right now,”  De La Garza said of the Sounders. “They just lost to Houston [Dynamo over the weekend], but they are on a hot streak, so it’s going to be tough...especially on the turf, in front of 36,000 fans in Seattle.”

Another sellout crowd is expected, and the home fans will seek revenge—and hopefully no refunds—for their shortcomings in the previous two meetings in MLS play.

Kickoff for the first leg of this semifinal is scheduled for Halloween at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

INS & OUTS

Youth Academy Update

As mentioned in the past Ins & Outs, the Under-18s were drubbed by Seattle 5-0 while shutting out Crossfire Premier 2-0. In the match with Crossfire, goalkeeper Adam Zepeda played a full 90 minutes to maintain the clean sheet, while Riley Wolfe opened the scoring 15 minutes into the contest. A 25th-minute goal from Angel Ayala gave the Under-18s a lead they would not relinquish. With the results, the Galaxy Under-18s improve to 2-2-1 on the season.

Also as mentioned in the past Ins & Outs, the Under-16s defeated Seattle 3-0 and held Crossfire Premier to a 1-1 draw. In the match with the Sounders, Robert Casney, Drew Murphy and Cole Dimond were on the score sheet as keeper Josh McNeely earned his third clean sheet of the campaign. Sean Dhillon scored the Galaxy's lone goal against Crossfire.

Also on Saturday, the Galaxy Youth Academy's Under-14 sides picked up wins. The "A" squad defeated West Covina FC, while the "B" squad trounced Cruz Azul USA Academy. Both are 6-1-0 on the season and trail Cosmos Academy West 96 for first place in the Cal South LA Futbol Circuit table. This Saturday, the "B" squad faces Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center while the A squad takes the week off.


Steve Nash and the quest for Landon Donovan

As the international smash hit videogame FIFA 11 by EA Sports hit shelves worldwide, NBA All-Star and Vancouver Whitecaps part-owner Steve Nash was in Carson to do a series of promos featuring Galaxy captain Landon Donovan.

Apparently, LA's No. 10 seems to be pretty busy doing the usual business...



No regrets for Buddle in failing to win Budweiser Golden Boot

Galaxy forward Edson Buddle had no regrets about failing to garner the Budweiser Golden Boot over the week.

“I enjoyed the win, getting the Supporters’ Shield as a team,” Buddle said. “We wanted to continue to lead and finish out strong. I’m very happy with that. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the Golden Boot. You keep the bitter and the sweet.”

“It’s always frustrating when you can’t get a player like Edson, who is chasing records and things like that,” midfielder David Beckham said. “Edson has got time to get as many goals as he wants to because he’s been great this season, again, and him going to the World Cup was great for him. For us, he’s been amazing.”

“Awards like that are always disappointing, because in the end, Edson gets punished for making the World Cup team,” Donovan noted. “But Wondolowski was there all year and had opportunities to play in more games. Taking nothing away from him—the kid did great this week to go out and win it—but I think Edson, from Day One through this weekend, has been by far the best player in the league.”

Of course, Buddle was named the Galaxy's Most Valuable Player.

“It’s richly deserved,” Arena said of Buddle's award. “There were certainly some other candidates but looks like a pretty good choice to me. He’s had a fantastic season. He was an important part in the beginning of the year when he scored seven of our initial goals. He’s consistently been good throughout the season."

As for Los Angeles's No. 14, he understood that there were bigger fish to fry.

“There is a lot more to be accomplished,” Buddle said. “The final is where my main focus is at.”


Lana Hosseinzadeh named 2010 Miss LA Galaxy

High school teacher Lana Hosseinzadeh of Riverside, California was named the 2010 Miss LA Galaxy at the match against FC Dallas on Oct. 24. As part of her award, she earned a paid position on the 2011 court, a $1,000 cash prize courtesy of COVERGIRL, a cruise vacation package courtesy of Bixby Travel Company, a one-year supply of COVERGIRL makeup, a flower bouquet, a crown and an embroidered satin sash and gifts from participating sponsors.

“This experience has truly been a blessing and I can't believe it has only just begun. I am so excited to take on the role of Miss LA Galaxy and start to make a difference in the lives of people I encounter,” said Hosseinzadeh.  “With my passion for education and helping the community, I feel in my heart that this experience with the Galaxy will be one that will last a lifetime.

"A big thank you to the Galaxy, COVERGIRL, Bixby Travel company and to all the fans who voted and supported me along the journey. I am eternally grateful. Go Galaxy!"

Hosseinzadeh, whose father is from Iran and mother is from Mexico and speaks both Farsi and Spanish, holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in education from the University of California, Riverside (UCR).

Hosseinzadeh defeated nine other finalists in the contest, which was held in the main concourse of the Home Depot Center prior to the Galaxy's regular season finale. All ten finalists have spent the past few months representing the Galaxy at over 40 events and appearances, as well as interacting with fans at Galaxy home matches and doing interviews for both radio and TV. 

Before the match, the ten finalists competed in one final competition consisting of sportswear, personal interviews, modeling, and a segment of team trivia.  The winner received the highest total points in a number of categories including congeniality, public and private interviews, sportswear, evening wear and trivia.

Those named to the 2011 Miss LA Galaxy court were:

First Runner-Up Kathleen Ibarra receives a paid position on 2011 court, a $500 cash prize, a flower bouquet and an embroidered satin sash

Second Runner-Up Monique Garcia receives a paid position on the 2011 court, a $200 cash prize, a flower bouquet and an embroidered satin sash

Third Runner-Up Chelsea McGrath receives a paid position on the 2011 court, a $200 cash prize, a flower bouquet and an embroidered satin sash.

All finalists, including the 2011 court, received a gift bag, including COVERGIRL makeup and various Galaxy prizes.

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