This is Part 16 on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.

Trinidad and Tobago's men's national football team is known as the Soca Warriors. Last year proved to be a year of sheer disappointment for the small island nation, finishing dead last in the final round of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification through CONCACAF.

One of the members on that Soca Warriors side that gave it a valiant go is midfielder Chris Birchall of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

A member of the 2006 team that competed in Germany, Birchall will look to ease the pain of qualification failure with success in Major League Soccer.

Christopher Birchall was born on May 5, 1984 in Stafford, England. Located in the West Midlands, Stafford is the county town of Staffordshire.

With a population of 63,681 (as of the 2001 Census), Stafford is home to St. Chad's Church, one of the oldest in England. It was also a major shoe manufacturer during the 19th and 20th centuries.

A notable former resident of Stafford is author J.R.R. Tolkien, who used the cottage owned by his wife Edith as the inspiration behind notable works such as The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Birchall graduated from Alleyne's High School in nearby Stone before beginning his football career at Port Vale, a club competing in Football League Two. He started out as a youth player for the Valiants in 1993, rising up the ranks before debuting for the first time a day after the September 11th tragedy.

On October 18, 2003, Birchall earned his first start for Port Vale. As time went on, the young man from Stafford blossomed, scoring seven goals in 39 games during the 2004-05 season to earn Young Player of the Year honors.

In the 2005-06 season, Birchall helped lead Port Vale to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. The season would also be his last, as he would with Football League Championship side Coventry City. Birchall scored seven goals in 78 appearances with Port Vale.

During his time with Coventry, Birchall made 29 appearances and was loaned off to St. Mirren of the Scottish Premier League and Carlisle United of Football League One.

After returning to Coventry in November 2008, Birchall chose not to have his contract with thr Sky Blues renewed. There was no need for him to sign with the Cumbrians after negotiations to join the Los Angeles Galaxy (who, at the time, were the unnamed American club in the negotiating).

In January of 2009, Birchall signed with Brighton & Hove Albion for the remained of the 2008-09 season, making just nine appearances.

However, it didn't look as if the move to the Galaxy was going to be set in stone. The Seagulls chair at the time, Dick Knight, blocked the move by Birchall to join the Galaxy.

It didn't work.

At the end of the 2008-09 season (which save Brighton spares relegation to League Two), Birchall was released from his contract, allowing him to join Los Angeles.

After signing to a four-year deal with the G's, Birchall made his Major League Soccer debut on July 16, 2009, replacing David Beckham 70 minutes into the Galaxy's match against the New York Red Bulls.

Birchall is the first white player to represent Trinidad and Tobago in sixty years.

He has been able to don the red and black of the Soca Warriors because his mother was born in the Trinidadian capital of Port-of-Spain. Birchall's upbringing has led to his Soca Warrior nickname, "Me Mum."

Currently, Birchall has made 36 appearances for Trinidad and Tobago, scoring four goals while making a splash at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

But while he has the honor of being a Chaconia Medal recipient, Chris Birchall is not satisfied with earning a national award in the land where his mother was born.

This year, the White Soca Warrior himself, the no.11, is pursuing a prize bigger than a Chaconia Medal: an MLS Cup.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

This is Part 15 in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.

In the game of soccer, the job of a center-back is to stop opposing players, particularly the strikers, from scoring and to bring the ball out from their penalty area.

Besides having a good jumping, heading, and tackling ability, successful center-backs need to be able to concentrate, read the game well, and be brave and decisive in making last-ditch tackles on attacking players who might otherwise be through on goal.

One example of a successful center-back is Gregg Berhalter, one of the four towers that comprise the Los Angeles Galaxy backline.

Berhalter's leadership has allowed him to don the captain's armband for Bruce Arena's club when Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle are out on safari at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His years of footballing experience have led him to play in the Netherlands, in England, and in Germany before joining Major League Soccer.

Gergg Berhalter was born on Aug. 1, 1973, in Englewood, New Jersey. Englewood is a small town of 26,203 located in Bergen County, outside of New York City. Englewood got its name from the first primarily English-speaking settlement on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River in former New Netherland after the annexation of New Netherland by England in 1664.

A local high school lays claim to being the place where one of the great coaches in American football started his career. Vince Lombardi began his career with the Saints of St. Cecelia High School.

Many current and former residents claim Englewood as their home including figure skater Dick Button, actor David Cassidy, singer Tony Bennett, jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, aviator Charles Lindbergh, singer Wilson Pickett, the Reverend Al Sharpton, The Jungle author Upton Sinclair, rapper group Sugarhill Gang, actor John Travolta, and actress Brooke Shields.

Berhalter began his career with the North Carolina Tar Heels. In 58 career appearances, he scored 13 goals and added ten assists.

As a junior, he set career highs with seven goals and six assists. He earned First Team All-ACC and Third Team All-American honors in 1992 and 1993.

Eventually Berhalter would forgo his senior season to turn pro, but not before helping North Carolina reach the NCAA Tournament in 1991 and 1993. For his efforts, Berhalter would be named as one of the top 50 players in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2002.

Berhalter spent one season with the Raleigh Express of the USL First Division (then named the USISL) before signing with the Bluefingers of FC Zwolle of the Dutch Eerste Divisie (First Division) in 1994. He made 37 appearances for Zwolle, scoring twice, before moving on to Sparta Rotterdam of the Eredivisie.

However, Berhalter never received the time he wanted, managing just 10 apperances for the Kasteelheren (Lords of the Castle) in two seasons with Sparta. After the 1997-98 season, Berhalter signed with current Eerste Divisie side SC Cambuur Leeuwarden, who were in the Eredivisie at the time. A regular on defense, Berhalter made 56 appearances for the club, with two goals.

After the 1999-2000 season Cambuur was relegated to the Eerste Divisie, and Berhalter left the club on a free transfer to join Football League Championship side Crystal Palace, joined by current Galaxy teammate Jovan Kirovski.

He appeared 19 times on defense for the Eagles, scoring his one goal against Bradford City on Dec. 29, 2001. With Berhalter's help on the back line, the Eagles were saved from the drop on the final day of the season.

Now it was off to Germany, where Berhalter signed with current 2. Fußball-Bundesliga side FC Energie Cottbus, where he became a fixture in the back.

During his four seasons, he made 111 appearances for Energie. Berhalter also earned team captain honors his final two years, helping them achieve promotion to the Fußball-Bundesliga in 2006.

Berhalter wrapped up his career in Germany with TSV 1860 Munich of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, scoring nine goals in 73 appearances for Die Löwen (The Lions). In 2009, he mutually agreed to have his contract terminated to join Landon Donovan, David Beckham, and the Los Angeles Galaxy on April 3.

Berhalter made his MLS debut on April 11, 2009 in a US Open Cup play-in game against the Colorado Rapids. His physical, aggressive style of play drew earned him a red card in the 79th minute, making him the first ever Galaxy player, and the seventh MLS player in history, to be dismissed in his debut. Berhalter also incurred another ejection on May 30 in a 1-1 draw with the Kansas City Wizards.

Otherwise, Berhalter was present for the full 90 minutes on defense and helped the Galaxy maintain a club-record 12 shutouts and 31 fewer goals than in 2008. In 2,298 minutes of action, he committed 41 fouls and suffered 29.

Berhalter was one of three players who played every minute of the Galaxy's postseason matches, scoring a game-winner in the 103rd minute of the MLS Western Conference Championship against the Houston Dynamo.

During the 2009 MLS Cup, Berhalter not only played all 120 minutes, but he also converted his penalty attempt in the shootout against Real Salt Lake.

As a member of the U.S. National Team, Berhalter made 43 appearances and was named to the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup sides. Berhalter earned his first cap for the U.S. national team on Oct. 15, 1994, against Saudi Arabia.

Now, as the 2010 season starts its course, defending still boils down to those simple intangibles: concentrate, read the game well, and show courage in making last-ditch tackles on opposing attackers.

Combine the toughness, aggressiveness, and leadership that only the Galaxy can get from the No. 16, and you get Gregg Berhalter, a reliable footballer that will look to bring Los Angeles back to the big stage once more.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Team USA came away with a highly credible 1-1 draw after they forced much of the game against an abysmally inept England who played about as bad as they possibly could.

Clint Dempsey's equalizer cancelled out Steven Gerrard's early strike as Team USA forced the game.

Huge question marks now stand against Fabio Capello who seems to be making the same mistakes Sven Goran Erikkson made in 2006, and one must wonder at his strange selection and long ball tactics.

For his part, Bob Bradley deserves great credit. After going 1-0 down his team showed great courage to come back into the game and were every bit the equal of their illustrious opponents.

The opening couple of minutes were very reminiscent of an English Premier League match as neither side dwelt on the ball for any longer than a couple of seconds. Before the match the USA's defence and league were compared unfavourably with their opponents and after just four minutes the differences were apparent.

A simple throw in on the right from Glen Johnson was picked up by Frank Lampard, he was over lapped by Steven Gerrard as Clarke was left in his wake, Lampard's pass found Heskey who laid it into the Liverpool man's path and England were 1-0 up.

A disastrously simple and avoidable goal for the US to give away.

Both sides then pressed forward without any real conviction and forced a couple of tit for that corners as the game began to settle into a pattern. Neither team seemed capable of stringing a couple of passes together never mind a training ground move, and Team USA's lack of any real quality suited England down to the ground.

For Team USA to break their duck it would either have to come from the creative boot of Landon Donovan, through the fierce pace of Real Salt Lake's Robbie Findley, or from a stroke of luck...

The ex-Everton man was being employed on the right side of midfield to curb Ashley Cole's penetrating runs and provided a couple of good crosses for Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore that both players really should have done better with.

England continued to allow the United States room in midfield, even though they were reduced to taking pot shots from 30 yards and living off the scraps from Tim Howard's goal-kicks.

It was from one of these pot-shots that Team USA drew level. Clint Dempsey picked up the ball following a flick from Michael Bradley. He ran at the heart of the England defense who backed off, leaving Steven Gerrard to deal with his man. Dempsey turned the goal-scorer inside out before tamely shooting at Robert Green.

The England stopper then made one of the great World Cup howlers by allowing the ball to squirm past him into the net. Team USA benefiting from England's reluctance to push home the advantage after going 1-0 up.

Playing Emile Heskey up front reduced England to a long ball team and their lack of ambition and creativity was incredibly disappointing to see. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were anonymous and looked as if they were playing with the fear of a relegation threatened outfit.

By contrast, the inferior United States were by far the better side. They were showing great courage and forcing the tempo of the game and it was now up to Fabio Capello to make changes to interrupt the pattern of the game.

A recurrence of Ledley King's knee injury combined with James Milner's stomach upset meant that the Three Lions had used two substitutions before the second half and it would make for a very interesting final period.

Every major decision made by Capello had so far back fired on the Italian. Robert Green...Ledley King's knee's....Gerrard and Lampard...James Milner's diarrhoea...

Aaron Lennon enjoyed a good start to the half, firstly he tore past Cherundolo like he wasn't there and put in a lovely ball that neither Rooney nor Heskey had read. Minutes later his weighted pass cut Team USA's defence in two as Heskey raced in only the 'keeper to beat, his dreadful finish letting Howard away with a simple save.

Frank Lampard then forced Howard into another save after he turned Michael Bradley on the edge of the box, Glen Johnson firing wide from the resulting corner. From the restart Robert Green started to make some amends as he tipped Jozy Altidore's fierce angled drive onto the post after the ex-Hull man had bulled his way into the box past Jamie Carragher.

England were reduced to ten men for a brief while after Glen Johnson left the pitch to receive treatment for a mouth wound, but you would have never guessed as it made no real difference to the flow of the game.

Shaun Wright-Phillips continued to play as a complete passenger, and one would have to wonder at the logic of that particular move.

The game remained tight, exactly what Bob Bradley wanted. On 70 Wayne Rooney had his first real attempt on goal but Steven Gerrard's whipped cross was just inches too high for the striker.

It was Gerrard's first real pass of the game as Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark shut England's supply lines off. As the game wore on England began to eke out more chances, Rooney the provider for Wright-Phillips but his tame shot was pushed wide by Howard when he should have really done better.

Gerrard's influence on the game was growing, his powerful run down the right past the ineffective Cherundolo found Heskey in the six yard box but his header ballooned over the bar. With England finally applying the kind of pressure that was expected of them it was only a matter of time before Peter Crouch was introduced, Emile Heskey making way for the final 12 minutes of the game.

Edson Buddle was introduced for Team USA as Robbie Findley's legs finally gave up, and it meant that England had to be incredibly wary for the last 10 minutes as possibly the slowest central partnership in international football were on the pitch, Jamie Carragher and John Terry.

With the game stretching as it was, all the United States needed to do was find one quality ball to expose either Terry or Carragher and the game was theirs.

England broke with menace as Frank Lampard led the assault, his through ball fed Lennon, who in turn drove in at the near post, only for Onyewu to somehow dispossess the Chelsea midfielder with some superb defending.

As the game moved into injury time Team USA won their first corner of the second half, the poor quality of the cross pretty much summed up their play in the second half, a lack of the same belief and courage that carried them through the first 45 minutes.

In the end it was a pretty poor match, a 1-1 victory for the United States over a distinctly inept England.

Player Ratings:

This article was first published on Tiger Beer Football where Willie Gannon is the featured blogger.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Southern California native Chris Pontius came west and scored three goals to boost DC United past the Seattle Sounders, 3-2, Thursday night before 36,146 fans on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

Pontius, who starred at the University of California Santa Barbara and was DC United’s first pick of the 2009 draft, broke the scoring ice at the 39 minute mark with one of two unassisted goals of the initial stanza.  The second came at the 44 minute mark.

The opening goal was a 25-yard effort that shot off of Seattle midfielder Patrick Ianni’s back and landed in the back of the net after catching goalkeeper Kasey Keller going the wrong way.

DC United’s second score was a drive from 17 yards out that deflected off the hands of Keller and rolled inside the left post.

The game matched a pattern of Sounders' performances in other close games lost, the difference being that in previous instances the team was often shut out by a 1-0 score that proved a jinx.  The Sounders believed that the figurative monkey had been removed from their backs with Saturday night’s 3-0 triumph over the New England Revolution.

Seattle Coach Sigi Schmid following the team’s Tuesday practice at Qwest Field warned that DC United “could be a dangerous team,” and that his comment was not “coach’s speak.”  He noted that in a highly competitive MLS that any team could defeat any opponent on any given day.

Schmid’s first comment at his post-game news conference was “We were beaten tonight by Chris Pontius.”

First year DC mentor Curt Onalfo nursed his 2-0 lead effectively by throwing up a defense consisting of 10 men at the Sounders’ end, working the clock in the process.

With omnipresent midfielder Pontius leading the way, however, the visitors had one shot in the second period and made it count when he headed in a free kick from Santino Quaranta.  In the confusion of the moment there was a dispute over whether Pontius or Adam Cristman scored the goal.

Pontius notched his final goal at the 79 minute mark.  Pontius stated after the game that he was unsure whether he or Cristman notched the goal but it was credited to the talented midfielder and he emerged with a hat trick for the evening.

At that point the stunned Sounders bounced back with intensity, scoring two quick goals.  With the electrified crowd cheering them on the locals battled until the final three minutes of stoppage play ended.

A bright spot of the evening for the Sounders was the driving intensity of Freddie Ljungberg.  Operating from the right flank at midfield, he exercised his independence with gusto as he drove time and again into DC United territory, providing crisp crosses to Fredy Montero and Steve Zakuani while keeping visiting goalkeeper and team captain Troy Perkins busy.

On one occasion overzealous defense by Pontius resulted in a yellow card.

With the Sounders down 3-0 Ljungberg and his mates went to work in earnest.  The first goal came at the 90 minute mark on a 12-yard shot by defender James Riley after receiving a pass from Nathan Sturgis.  The shot deflected off a DC United defender and landed in the net.

Fredy Montero, aided by crosses from Ljungberg, had been knocking on the visitors’ door all night long.  The team’s leading scorer reached fruition with his team leading fifth goal of the campaign.

The goal was achieved unsurprisingly on a cross from Ljungberg.

Montero performs effectively against DC United.  He notched his fourth goal against the DC contingent in as many meetings, including the U.S. Open Cup Final.

As for DC United coach Curt Onalfo, he likes Qwest Field.  The victory made him 2-0 in Seattle, including the win he notched last season while coaching Kansas City.

The Sounders continued battling, stepping up the pace and using stoppage time in an effort to achieve a tie while the crowd reached its highest volume pitch of the game.  Afterwards Sigi Schmid questioned the timing process as he spoke to officials.

As for the team reaction, the two quick goals reminded the Sounders of what they can achieve.

Despite the loss, the two goals against DC United alongside those in the impressive 3-0 shutout last Saturday night against the New England Revolution has thrown off the oppressive psychological yoke of the earlier shutout defeats.

In the dressing room the team was philosophical about the loss, taking the attitude that a long season remained and that the road to playoff opportunity resumes after the break with a June 27 date at Philadelphia.

Freddie Ljungberg and James Riley both stated that the Sounders did not attempt anything new tactically in launching the comeback.  It was just a case of coordinating the effort and achieving results.

Ljungberg has always been quick to remind questioners that the MLS plays a long season.  “This is one game,” he said afterwards.  “After the break we will resume with determination to pursue our goal of getting into the playoffs.”

Riley, delighted by the goal he scored, emphasized the spirit displayed in the comeback effort.

“We didn’t do anything new,” he said.  “We just went to work and achieved results.  Unfortunately we just ran out of time.”

As for DC United, Sigi Schmid was correct.  DC is a dangerous team and  now boasts a three game unbeaten string with two victories and a tie.  It is a young team beginning to find its niche under first-year coach Onalfo.

The Sounders go into the World Cup break with a 4-6-3 mark and 15 points.  DC United is 3-8-1 with 10 points.  The win moved DC out of the Eastern Conference cellar while the Sounders remain in sixth place in the West.

Once more the statistics reveal that the Sounders played solid possession soccer.  The 20 shots taken set a team record.  DC United took six shots.  Another Sounders record was set for the shortest time to score two goals.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Tonight I played in an after-work soccer league.  The game itself isn’t much to talk about, especially my contributions—which are never much to speak of.

But as I tried to stay warm on the sideline during a cold (for June) driving rain, I had a very interesting conversation that made clear a problem that I always guessed the New England Revolution had, but never saw so obviously. 

While chatting with a teammate I mentioned that I was hoping to see Brazilian club side Cruzeiro play the Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

He nodded, knowingly.  (Or so I thought.)

Ten seconds or so later, he said something like ”Wait, Cruzeiro, the Brazilian team?” 

“Yes.” I replied.

“Really?  Here?”  He questioned.

“Yup.  Against the Revs, at Gillette.”  I reminded him.

“Wow.  Cool.”   He remarked.

And then we went back to watching our team run around, mostly out of position, in a losing effort.

Nothing remarkable, for sure.

But let’s be a little more specific about this situation.

The person I was speaking with?   He was ON A soccer field.  He was an immigrant from Costa Rica.  He was asking me about who I supported in the World Cup.  He loved soccer.

His younger brother was also on the team, potentially even a better player—or at least one with flashier ball skills. It was clear to me that these brothers are close and no doubt talk, watch, and play soccer together.   If one of them didn’t know about a game, neither of them did.

If these brothers aren’t a logical target market for the Revolution, it’s hard to figure out who is. Local. Latin. Soccer fans.  Young and employed. 

Their knowledge of the visit of a popular South American team’s visit to their local professional team… zero.  Nada.  Zilch.   But I’m guessing this scene could have repeated itself with most Latin guys on most kick-around fields in New England.

It’s one thing for the Revolution’s local target market to know of games (both MLS and international) and not care.   That’s not a good situation, but it’s one we can discuss in another post.

But for them not to know at all?  That’s a problem.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

United States international Sacha Kljestan, who was one of the seven players cut from the 30-man roster, has transferred from Chivas USA (MLS) to RSC Anderlecht (Belgium).

After more than a week of speculation about a prospective move, Kljestan officially signed a four-year contract with the Belgian club after not playing in Chivas' most recent game against the New York Red Bulls.

Kljestan recorded 15 goals and 33 assists in 114 games for Chivas playing in the midfield.

He has scored four goals for the United States including a hat trick against Sweden on January 24, 2009.

After failing to make the final roster for the United States, Kljestan reportedly was looking to transfer to gain more experience by playing in Europe as well as improving his overall ability against tougher competition.

Anderlecht finished first in the Belgian First Division, earning a place in the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

This is Part 14 in a series of articles on the players who make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.

The number 28 has an interesting importance in terms of mathematics, science, and astronomy.

It's the second perfect number, the first being six and the next being 496. It's the atomic number of the mineral nickel and the fourth magic number in physics.

There are 28 days in a lunar month, and in mathematics, it is a harmonic divisor number, a happy number, a triangular number, a hexagonal number, and a centered nonagonal number.

In Gematriya, the system of Hebrew Numerology, the number 28 corresponds to the word koakh, meaning "power" and "energy." 28 is the number used by former NASCAR driver Davey Allison for his entire NASCAR Winston Cup career.

28 is the number of the postal code of the province of Madrid, where clubs like Atletico and Real Madrid ply their trade.

And 28 is the number that defender Sean Franklin of the Los Angeles Galaxy wears. Franklin made his mark as a member of the Cal State-Northridge Matadors.

With great speed to go with an agile 5-foot-10 frame, Franklin now makes his mark by marking opposing attackers as a right back for the G's.

Sean Michael Franklin was born on March 21, 1985, in Panorama City, Calif. Panorama City is a district of Los Angeles, located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley.

With a population of 65,235, Panorama City is bordered by Mission Hills to the north, Arleta to the northeast, Sun Valley to the east, Van Nuys to the south, and North Hills to the west.

An American industrialist by the name of Henry J. Kaiser created Panorama City as a planned community for residents of L.A.

It was originally the home of a General Motors assembly plant and a brewery for Schlitz beer (now only making a comeback at its original plant in Milwaukee).

The GM assembly plant has been replaced with a commercial center replete with stores, theaters and restaurants, while the brewery is now under the auspices of Anheuser-Busch. Saticoy Street in Panorama City is the setting for NBC's comedy series "The Office."

Notable residents from Panorama City include silver screen siblings Kirk and Candace Cameron, boxer Jose Benavidez, actress Meagan Good, and actor Jonathan Iniguez.

Franklin began his footballing career with the Bulldogs of Highland High School in Palmdale, Calif. As a senior, he was named the Golden League's Most Valuable Player, earning first-team honors in 2003 en route to the league championship.

The decision for Franklin to play soccer for Terry Davila's Cal State-Northridge Matadors was a no-brainer. Not only was CSUN a matter of convenience, but his father played on the football team from 1975-1977.

Franklin redshirted the 2003 season and came out storming the gates in 2004. After starting all 19 matches that year, he earned All-Big West Conference second-team honors and was named to the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team.

In 2005, Franklin showed to Coach Davila that he can facilitate the play in the midfield, leading the Matadors with six assists, the highest among BWC defenders that season.

For his work, he was named to the All-Big West Conference first team while also garnering All-Far West Region third-team accolades. Franklin started all 21 matches in defense for Northridge.

In 2006, Franklin was once again a force in the defensive backfield for Cal State Northridge, starting all 19 matches.

He would be named to the All-Big West first team and All-Far West Region second team. The following spring, Franklin played for the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team during a February tour of Japan.

By the time he finished his college career at Northridge, he started all 67 games he appeared in, with two goals and 10 assists to his credit.

Outside of college, Franklin played for the San Fernando Valley Quakes of the USL Premier Development League. He helped lead the Quakes to the postseason in 2007, but he broke his arm in a playoff semi-final against Brigham Young.

But a broken arm couldn't prevent Franklin from chasing his dream of competing in Major League Soccer. That dream came true in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, where he was selected as the fourth overall pick.

Little did he realize that he would also storm the gates at the Home Depot Center, en route to becoming the first LA Galaxy player to win MLS Rookie of the Year.

In the 2008 season, Franklin played in 27 of the Galaxy's 30 games. He made his debut in the season opener against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 3, and went on to become a permanent fixture in the club's defense as a center back.

He earned the first assist of his MLS career on October 12 in LA's 3-2 win over Colorado.

2009, however, was not a nice season to Franklin.

He missed more than four months of action to repair a torn right hamstring sustained on May 17 against the Columbus Crew. However, Franklin recovered to play a key role in helping Los Angeles return to the MLS Cup.

On Sept. 19, he returned to help the Galaxy in their 2-0 victory over Toronto FC, as the team went on to claim the Western Conference regular season crown.

Franklin was also an integral part of LA's postseason run, starting every match and playing all 390 minutes.

As he watched the penalty shootout unfold and Real Salt Lake win it on that November night at Qwest Field, the hunger for a return to the promised land began in earnest.

So now, as the 2010 MLS season charts its course, the No. 28 takes on his role steering the ship to its new destination: BMO Field in Toronto.

And that No. 28 is Sean Franklin, a right back who aims to bring his Los Angeles Galaxy right back to the MLS Cup, where unfinished business awaits.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

For the first few months, the Los Angeles Galaxy established themselves as the top team in Major League Soccer this season.

But Real Salt Lake reminded the Galaxy and the rest of the league who the defending MLS Cup champions are.

Bruce Arena's Galaxy fell 1-0 to Jason Kreis's Real Salt Lake at Sandy's Rio Tinto Stadium in a match interrupted by lightning.

Wait a second. Did they actually watch their unbeaten streak end before that media circus of footballing haves and have-nots known as the FIFA World Cup ever got underway?

Regretfully, yes. And while they are still the top team in the league, this was not the best time for the Los Angeles Galaxy to have the wheels fall off and momentum sapped.

It was timing of the worst kind.

For the Galaxy, it was an unforgivable display of poor football exacerbated by a few factors: too much direct football by Juninho, the inability to cope with the altitude—which resulted in terrible passes—and atrocious defending that led to Javier Morales's goal in the 81st minute.

But the biggest factor that destroyed the match for Los Angeles was the absence of Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan. This is where the Galaxy misses their playmaking ability.

It doesn't get any easier for them, as they potentially—POTENTIALLY—could be unavailable for the road contest with Toronto FC, one of two teams the Galaxy have yet to defeat this season.

This Los Angeles Galaxy side showed to the whole world tonight that they indeed have a lot of work to do before they can get something done. They did tie an MLS record for most games unbeaten with 12, but this performance will not bring them to the MLS Cup.

As a matter of fact, the Galaxy played an un-Shield-like performance. They don't deserve to earn the Supporters' Shield with the lack of communication between the forwards, midfield, and defense.

I'll go so far as to say that Los Angeles may not even finish first in the Western Conference with this futile display.

It was horrible even to watch, if you were a Galaxy fan. LA were unable to do even the little things right, such as maintain possession. Real Salt Lake dominated the possession battle on Wednesday. Los Angeles cannot let this become a habit.

The Galaxy will have a fortnight and change to look at themselves in the mirror inside the halls of Victoria Street and say to themselves, "We can't afford to perform like we did at Rio Tinto if we want to hoist the Alan J. Rothenburg Trophy by November at BMO.

"This is not our style of football. We know this. And we will make sure that does not happen again."

Memo to Landon and Edson: after you're done making the rounds, come back soon. Your Galaxy need you back ASAP.

Youth Academy Update

The Los Angeles Galaxy Youth Academy Under-16 and Under-18 teams wrapped up their respective 2009-10 campaigns in the US Soccer Development Academy against the Irvine Strikers at the Home Depot Center.

The U-16s defeated Irvine 1-0, while the U-18s completed the sweep with a 2-1 victory at Field 7 (the David Beckham Field) of the HDC.

The U-18s finish second in the SoCal Division of the US Soccer Development Academy's U-17/18 West Conference with a 10-4-2 record (32 points), five behind champions Real So Cal.

The U-16s end their season 6-6-4 (22 points), good for sixth place in the SoCal Division of the US Soccer Development Academy's U-15/16 West Conference

The Youth Academy rolls right along. The U-20s kicked off their USL Super-20 campaign at the Bell Gardens Sport Center at John Anson Ford Park against Chivas USA.

A horrible display led to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of their rivals.

It added insult to injury for what has been an uncharacteristically futile outing for Los Angeles on Wednesday.


Edvin Jurisevic: Galaxy Supporters' Most Wanted?

Don't be surprised if officials Edvin Jurisevic, Frank Anderson, Eric Proctor and/or Tyler Ploeger get a very, if not severely, harsh treatment from Galaxy supporters at the next game that involves LA.

Anderson and Proctor let what looked to be an offsides goal by Morales stand. It was off a played ball by Pablo Campos in LA's defending third, and the backline were unable to get to Morales in time.

To make matters worse, Jurisevic gave Omar Gonzales a yellow card, effectively putting him among the Galaxy Supporters' Most Wanted.

I welcome the treatment. In fact, I encourage it. There is nothing more proper than to let it be known: in the end, the officials determine the outcome, and if the fans don't like it, they'll have to hear it.

Adds to the atmosphere, too.


Next up for Los Angeles...Toronto FC

Toronto FC is going up against a Galaxy side that will, for the first time this season, snap a losing streak. Boy, there sure has to be a first time for everything, isn't there?

Can this Galaxy team stay focused and ready—and healthy? Will the goals come in against the Canadian champions?

These questions will be answered on June 26 at BMO Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Steve Ralston is back with the New England Revolution. Revs fans are rejoicing the return of one of their favorite, most dependable, and talented players. 

As one of those fans, I should be screaming, “Thank God, the Ralston-forcements are here!” And to a degree I am—but only to a degree.

In fact, it pains me so to say that this is the worst good news I have heard for a long time.

Let’s start with why this is clearly good news for the Revolution.

Ralston is a great player. Be it his status as the first-ever MLS Rookie of the Year, his league leading number of starts or assists, or the simple intelligent play he brought to the hectic Revolution midfield for as long as fans can remember. It is clear that Ralston easily fits within the MLS elite.

Ralston appears to be a great guy. I’ve briefly met him a number of times at games and season ticket holder events. And while certainly I don’t know him, he always lived up to his reputation as an excellent person.

Ralston seems to be a great teammate and captain. As captain, he clearly had the respect of his teammates.  Many have talked publicly about how hard a loss he was to the team and the locker room when he left for A.C. Saint Louis.  It was no surprise that Sainey Nyassi gave up his No. 14 immediately upon Ralston’s return.

Ralston earned international caps playing for the United States. Though he hasn't been included on any recent rosters, no player that scored against Mexico is ever forgotten.

Clearly, I’m pro-Ralston and happy to see him back with my local team.

So, why is this the worst good news I have heard for a long time?

As I look around the league, I see things to get excited about.  New stadiums, exciting new players (designated or otherwise), and even attempts at fluid, attacking soccer.

When I see the Revolution, I mostly see a team that is trying to be as good as it once was and trying to regain that consistent strength through minimal, incremental steps.

For a moment, compare the Revolution to the New York Red Bulls, who  for years were a league laughingstock. 

All of a sudden the Red Bulls have arguably the best soccer stadium in the country, a dedicated and respected designated player who brings quality to their team, and it looks like they will be adding a top international player after the World Cup in the form of Thierry Henry. Sure, they have their issues, but that is a list worth getting at least a little excited about.

What newsworthy steps have the Revolution taken to improve? 

But the biggest news? We welcomed back a mid-30s, ex-Revolution captain with a knee brace.

Despite knowing that he will help our team, this is the “worst” good news because the Revolution’s fans expectations are now so low, this probably will keep them happy for a while. 

But it won’t add to their number. And it won’t fundamentally change much.

Welcome back Raslston. You were missed. The team should have made it so you never had to leave, and we’d instead be announcing some great big additions to the club this week.

Well, maybe next year…

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here

Michael Ballack was released today by Chelsea. He's officially a free agent.

He could be perfect for the Portland Timbers for next season.

Or, he could not.

He's 34. He's coming off an injury. It's doubtful any of Europe's big clubs will want him.

Ballack is a rock in the midfield. I'm a strong believer that any designated signees should play center midfield. It's where they can control the game, and guide the other players.

He's somebody that has another two or three good seasons in his legs. He could probably use the added rest of not starting a season in September, but rather waiting for next March.

But there are more political reasons the Timber ownership should look to sign a name such as Ballack to their roster.

He would be a considerable jump up from Freddie Ljungberg, the major signing of their rivals in Seattle. In the event that Vancouver, also joining the MLS in 2011, signs a major name, Portland won't be the last man standing.

There are, still, quite a bit of people in Portland who don't feel the MLS is a major league. They're upset that the Triple-A Portland Beavers baseball club is likely to leave town.

Signing Michael Ballack will bring instant credibility to the franchise. It will keep the naysayers quiet.

He won't come cheap. Perhaps as much as $5 million a season. For a small-market team in a stadium that max's out at 20,000 fans, that's a huge chunk of change.

That, of course, is the biggest reason that it doesn't make sense to sign an aging star like Ballack. In all probability, PGE Park will fill up with or without a superstar like Ballack. He's a big name, but is he big enough to get non-soccer fans interested in the game?

The MLS has done an outstanding job of not blowing their business model and signing a gaggle of aging superstars (like the old NASL), and running up massive debts. They've stuck with homegrown talent and players who can't make it in Europe, and the games haven't suffered as a consequence.

I'm of the opinion that the Timbers should stay away from the likes of Ballack, Thierry Henry, and David Beckham. They should continue to develop their own talent and build from within. I don't like to think of the MLS as a league for aging players grasping for one last paycheck. I'd rather see hungry, young players who are just happy to be making a living at a game they love.

Whether Portland is first or last, the Timber's Army will still fill the stands. The games will still be fun. I'd rather see them spend money on coaching, training, and scouting than on one player that will, in all likelihood, play another couple of years.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here