With the Seattle Sounders FC already playing two attractive friendlies with Boca Juniors and Celtic visiting the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field, there is more of the same type of international activity slated to begin at the end of July.

The Sounders will face a yet-to-be-determined Central American team in the Preliminary Round of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League. The pairings were determined by a draw held Wednesday at the CONCACAF offices in New York.

The first leg of the Preliminary Round will be July 27-29 with the second leg a week later. The winners advance to the six-round Group Stage, which will begin August 17-19.

Sounders FC will play its home match on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Competition dates and ticket information will be announced soon.

"Champions League is the most important tournament in our region," said General Manager Adrian Hanauer. "As we assessed opportunities to make this a prominent event, Qwest Field became the logical choice."

Winners of the Preliminary Round series will advance to the Group Stage, which begins August 17-19. If Sounders FC advances to the Group Stage, it would join Monterrey (Mexico), Saprissa (Costa Rica) and either Tauro (Panama) or Marathon (Honduras) in Group C.

Seattle earned a berth in the Champions League Preliminary Round by virtue of winning the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Two Champions League berths were originally allocated to El Salvador, but FIFA has suspended the country due to governmental interference in the federation affairs. The government has until June 8 to comply with FIFA's non-intervention requirements or its teams will be barred from international competition, including the Champions League—and its berths will be reassigned.

CD FAS has already qualified with one of El Salvador's berths, and the second would go to either Aguila or Metapan.

The Los Angeles Galaxy, last season's MLS Cup finalist, will also participate in the Preliminary Round. Supporters' Shield winner Columbus Crew and MLS Cup victor Real Salt Lake have berths in the Group Stage.

The CONCACAF Champions League is open to the leading teams from federations throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Pachuca of Mexico won the CONCACAF Champions League last month.  It will represent the CONCACAF in the FIFA Club World Cup Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in December.

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MLS club Los Angeles Galaxy is eager to sign up Iranian midfielder Ali Karimi, according to the team's Technical Manager Heshmat Mohajerani.

The Iranian international player's contract expires at the end of the current season. Karimi is not willing to play in any other Iranian team except his former club Persepolis; however, he cannot play in that team either since he quarreled with the team's current coach Ali Daei.

Karimi was expected to travel to the U.S. to negotiate with the Galaxy officials over the past two weeks.

"Ali (Karimi) has two offers from LA Galaxy and the UAE's Al Ahli, but I think he would prefer to play in the American major league soccer," Mohajerani said.

Karimi played in Bayern Munich from 2005 to 2007 before leaving the team for Qatar SC. The 32-year-old will probably join the well-known British midfielder David Beckham in Galaxy.

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With the New York Red Bulls signing French "star" Thierry Henry, speculation has begun— Is this the signing that puts the MLS at the table with the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL? 

Well, we can put that speculation to rest right now — No.

Thierry Henry is a fading player from Barcelona, who has shown considerable signs of slowing down. 

But, where does fading talent go? A weaker league, where their skills, comparatively, do not seem as poor to the untrained eye.

The equivalent of a 45-year-old Michael Jordan going back to the NCAA, playing for NC State, instead of North Carolina. It'd be easier for him to still have "it."

But what is "it" for Henry when he comes to the MLS?

Will he light up the scoreboards? Maybe.

Will he increase attendance? Probably, for his home club, NY.

Will he make the MLS mainstream? Not. Even. Close.

The problem here, is not that Henry is a good signing or a bad signing, or even if he is losing a step or two, skill wise.

The issue, lies within the overall MLS talent pool.

For great competition, the MLS needs great players. And, I don't mean they need to just buy every great player from Europe, Spain, Italy, etc. 

Talent needs to be home-grown in a way. For Americans to turn off a baseball game and turn on the World Cup, that's a step in the right direction, for soccer popularity in the US.

However, the MLS (and the US Mens' National Team) needs American talent we can see develop in front of our very eyes.

Wouldn't it be a great story, if a great American athlete who chooses soccer over baseball, football, track, etc plays high school soccer, setting state records along the way and wins a state title, is a hyped recruit going into college, and wins a few rings at a top college in the US, one with media exposure?

And, then this player stays in the US to be a part of a soccer movement which finally (it seems like the last thirty years, the US was supposed to really embrace soccer) takes off, and he becomes Jordan-esque, taking the sport to new levels of popularity?

That's all we have right now, is "hope" or, "wouldn't it be great if...," because at this point, soccer isn't embraced enough to pull in tens of millions of viewers like the NFL, or put 50-70,000 fans in every stadium, every game like the NFL.

It's a growing process. MLS has only been in competition for 14 years. Where was the pro football in 14 years after being part of the US sports scene? Well, considering the NFL really has it's first roots around 1920 or so, 1934 baseball was BY FAR superior to the football game. 

Same applies with soccer in the US.

For the sport to be successful, a few things need to happen:

Motivation.

Until our culture embraces soccer as "entertaining, popular etc," children who choose soccer over football won't have the same level of popularity, not always, but it may factor in that it's "cooler" to be on the football team than on the soccer team. 

Also, financially.

Athletes like LeBron James in the NBA or a Hanley Ramirez in baseball, are really athletic players, athletic in such a way, that their talents are capable of more than basketball or baseball.

However, why would they choose to turn down 50-60 million (In LeBron's case to play soccer over basketball?)

James' speed, power, and size would make him at least a competent soccer player, had he gone that route as a child.

Or, Ramirez, for his speed, ability to cover ground, and overall athleticism. It's yet to be determined if either of them would be capable of kicking a soccer ball well, but if Chad OchoCinco can attempt an extra-point field goal in an NFL game, pretty much anything can happen.

So, what can the US and soccer fans do to increase the exposure or popularity of the sport?

For talent and competition to increase nationally in the US (so our few "great" players don't follow the money to England, Italy, Germany, etc) participation must continue to increase.

Soccer camps need to be in the same level of accessibility of those for football and basketball and baseball for youth players.

With these players getting involved earlier, there is a greater chance they'll stick with it.

Also, lets not neglect the fact that increased participation, increases the chances of a once-in-a-generation type athlete.

If the US's best athletes start coming to soccer (even just because its currently a weaker game and they stand a better chance to stick with a team, or even dominate than in other sports) it will create a following. 

I'm sure some Syracuse fans have become fans of the Denver Nuggets to watch and see how Carmelo Anthony develops as a basketball player.

The same would be true for soccer.

If the hypothetical player above chooses soccer as a youth sport, plays and dominates through high school, he'll have a media attention comparable to college football or basketball signing day when he announces where he'll be playing college ball. 

ESPN loves to label young players as "NEXT" so, lets see if the US can't get a soccer player on the cover once, hmm?

With ESPN's partnership with soccer leagues, enhanced coverage gives US players an outlet to shine through to the masses once they hit the pro scene.

In all honesty, all Americans want is a winner.

A winner in the World Cup. A winner in the World Baseball Classic. A winner in the Olympics.

If these are the expectations, fans will never be satisfied. However, adding players like David Beckham and Thierry Henry, will not do the job to get USA soccer where the sport is headed.

It's the home-grown talent we can follow, the stories behind championships or dynasties. That  is how the MLS will get a seat at the table with the big five in American sports.

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The Los Angeles Galaxy's dangerous tandem of Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle are on the campus of Princeton University, training with Bob Bradley's USA Men's National Team as they prepare for a couple of friendlies with the Czechs and the Turks prior to the trip to South Africa.

As for the rest of Bruce Arena's club, Saturday's dismal scoreless draw with Toronto FC begs the question for the league leaders of Major League Soccer: Just who will fill those big shoes as they tangle with FC Dallas on Thursday at Frisco's very own Pizza Hut Park?

“We didn’t spend a whole lot of energy worrying about that,” Arena said during practice at the Home Depot center, “We know who our team is.”

That team, of course, is the Galaxy's depth.

“We’ve had about seven or eight injuries over the last four weeks so our choices have been somewhat limited, but in the next week or two we’re going to return a number of players,” Arena added, “So there’s going to be a lot of options to fill those spots.”

Among those players have been injured include Leonardo, Dema Kovalenko, Sean Franklin and Eddie Lewis.

“We’re losing two good players, but we’ve lost players all year,” Dunivant said during training, "[But] we have a deep team and guys are going to have step up.”

Indeed. Aside from Donovan and Buddle, other potential scoring threats loom in Omar Gonzalez, A.J. de LA Garza, Alan Gordon and Todd Dunivant.

Arena determined that the bid void was not in midfield or the attack, but the defense.

“Bryan (Jordan) did a very good job over these last three games. Chris Klein is obviously an experienced player [at right back],” Arena said, “We’re going to be returning (Sean) Franklin and Leonardo and (AJ) De La Garza very shortly so that will help us in that position."

"(Mike) Magee is back, (Clint) Mathis is back, Eddie Lewis will be back so that’s certainly going to help up us.”

And they will need all the help they can get. The taste of last year's 6-3 annihilation is still fresh in a number of players' minds, like goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

"I had that part of my memory erased," he said with a grin, "I moved on as soon as that game was over. In anything you do, you have setbacks and that was a major setback for the team. But I think we reacted pretty well and went all the way to the (MLS Cup) final.
That was last season."

"I don't know why anyone would waste any time thinking about a game last year," Arena said, "It's really not relevant to anything at this point in time."

No, Bruce, it isn't. But this is: Schellas Hyndman's FC Dallas currently sit 12 points behind the Galaxy in the MLS Western Conference with a 2-1-5 record (11 points). In the overall standings, the Hoops sit one point outside of the eight spot, currently occupied by the Seattle Sounders FC (3-3-3, 12 points)

Forward Jeff Cunningham leads FCD with four goals, while David Ferreira has been a solid facilitator for the Hoops attack with three assists this year. Dax McCarty, Heath Pearce and Atiba Harris are also dangerous with the ball.

Harris has two goals in eight matches for the Hoops. McCarty and Pearce each have two assists, while McCarty has also chipped in with a goal in their 2010 campaign.

FC Dallas has only suffered one defeat, a 2-1 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading New York Red Bulls, but it hasn't been in on the win column on a consistent basis, managing just two wins in their last five matches since their setback in April at the Red Bull Arena.

Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, a former member of the Galaxy, has a 0.75 goals against average, to go with 15 saves. He forms a stopping tandem with Dario Sala, who has also started and played in four matches like Hartman, and has amassed a 1.50 GAA so go with 10 saves.

It has been part of the Galaxy's contingency plan: To find someone to cover for the Buddlevan Connection. FC Dallas is going to make it very tough for LA to grab three points. But the G's will have what it takes to finish, something that has not happened against Toronto FC.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT, but will be delayed to 9:00 p.m. PT on Fox Sports West. A live play-by-play will be provided on the View and on Bleacher Report.

On the next Dr. Landon...
Tuesday afternoon in Old Nassau saw Landon Donovan fire off questions on his thoughts ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“I’m more real than I was, I’m more centered,” Donovan said, “I’m in a much better place than I was in the past.

“When you first come on the scene, it’s exciting in a way that you’re just genuinely happy to be there. Then I went through a period where there was a lot of attention and with that came pressure and a lot of soccer, and I got to the point where it just wore me down."

“And I thought to myself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ It’s just too much. Then you hope you get to a place where you find your way again and you find what this really means to you.”

Another big question for Donovan involved family. In 2006, Donovan married actress Bianca Kajlich. Nearly four years late, they parted.

"[She] has taught me more about myself than I’ve ever known and continues to do that," Donovan said, "Bianca is an actress, and if any of you know what that life is like, it can be miserable at times and she has fought very hard for everything she’s gotten."

"I, on the other hand, have been blessed and fortunate with the ability and the opportunities I’ve been given. When you get that perspective and realize that you can’t take things for granted, it hits you hard when it comes from your wife and your best friend. That’s been a really big part of this whole process."

“I think every comment I get when I would tell people I’m going through a divorce was that, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.' It’s not always the case that it has to be sorry. Sometimes you learn more from those moments than anything. For me, that was certainly the case. It doesn’t have to be ugly or nasty. It can be helpful and you can grow from it.”

Knowing that the mood in the room had turned into that of a funeral, Donovan changed the tempo in predictable fashion.

“Coaches have certainly helped, family, therapy and spending a lot of time looking at myself in an honest way,” Donovan added. “When you combine all that you don’t have much choice but to learn about yourself whether you like it or not.”

Sorry Dr. Phil, but Dr. Landon Donovan here owns you in terms of giving expert advice. Nice going, you dashing guru, you!

After a seven-year itch, a first time revisited for Edson Buddle

As for Buddle, Tuesday felt like his debut in 2003 in a friendly for Venezuela in 2003.

“It feels like the first time again,” Buddle said after training with the USA men's national team, “It’s been so long and the first time was so short.”

Sure, Buddle's nine goals got him to camp, but what does it really take to earn your stars and stripes when playing for the Stars and Stripes?

“What I hear is that you have to have your play set before it comes to you,” Buddle said, “And just be more aware. Can’t take too many breaks on the field. Actually, no breaks at all once you’re on the field.

"Hopefully my quick decision-making will make things easier.”

Too bad it didn't amount to much on saturday against TFC. Oh well.

“This opportunity comes once in a lifetime,” he said, “Not everyone gets to have this chance and I realize that. So I was really happy, eyes watering a little bit. But I know there’s more work ahead and that’s a challenge.”

And that challenge is to make the short-list after making an impression at Rentschler and Lincoln Financial Field.

Stay tuned.

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

In the game of soccer, players will get injured. Sometimes the knocks will tend to last a few days, sometimes weeks, sometimes months, and in a number of cases the injuries are severe and cruel enough to cut a promising career short.

Los Angeles Galaxy backup goalkeeper Josh Saunders is an example of how those waiting in the wings will need to be ready to step up to the challenge. Once upon a time, they rode the pines and warmed the sideline benches. Nowadays, they are the target.

Saunders knows this all too well, having delivered a brave performance in place of starter Donovan Ricketts at the 2009 MLS Cup.

But one would be misled to think that Saunders's experience hasn't led him to places never before thought of. After all, he plays for Puerto Rico, a relative soccer minnow situated in the middle of Caribbean.

And while Puerto Rico faces a state of uncertainty regarding its existence, Saunders has brought stability and depth to the Galaxy at the goalkeeper position.

Saunders was born on March 2, 1981, in Grants Pass, Oregon. Named as an All-American City in 1986, Grants Pass is located in the southwestern portion of the state, and is also the county seat of Josephine County.

One of Grants Pass's mottos is "Where the Rogue River Runs." Salmon runs and whitewater rafting generate a good deal of the revenue for this Rogue River, which flows from Crater Lake National Park to the Pacific Ocean.

Another popular event in Grants Pass is Boatnik. Held on Memorial day weekend, this event features boat shows and races, the Boatnik parade, an F-15 flyover, and its signature event is the Boatnik hydroplane race.

Saunders arrived on the soccer scene as a player moving through the college ranks.

Two unsatisfying years at Cal State Fullerton gave way to a transfer up north to UC Berkeley. As a goalkeeper with the Cal Golden Bears, Saunders earned All Pac-10 first honors in his two years donning the Blue and Gold.

In 2001, he made 88 saves to go with a 1.13 goals against average and a 10-8-1 record. In 2002, Saunders reprised his heroics, and became the first goalkeeper to be named the Pac-10 Player of the Year. During his senior year, Saunders amassed 67 saves en route to an 0.85 GAA, and a 14-6-2 record with 10 shutouts.

Saunders was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, and won an MLS Cup in his rookie season as a member of the 2003 team.

But in an ironic twist, he never got to play a single MLS match in a Quakes uniform. Instead, he was loaned to the Portland Timbers, who (at the time) were competing in the USL A-League/First Division.

During the 2003 campaign, Saunders tallied a 0.90 goals against average, and earned six clean sheet while allowing just 15 goals for a 10-4-2 record. The following season proved to be a little bit more fruitful for the Timbers, who finished first in the USL A-League Western Conference, and progressed to the quarterfinals. Saunders would compile a 16-5-2 record, with a 1.11 GAA, and another six clean sheets.

In 2005, Saunders was a starter for all of Portland's 28 contests. He tallied a 10-9-9 record with six clean sheets, and a 1.50 GAA. However, just like in 2004, it was the Seattle Sounders (now Seattle Sounders FC) who eliminated the Timbers from the playoffs.

The 2006 season would go down as Saunders's last with Portland. Simply put, it was a campaign to forget, as he managed a paltry 5-11-5 record, a 1.49 GAA, and just four shutouts. In all, Saunders made 68 appearances for the Portland Timbers, before signing with the Puerto Rico Islanders in 2007.

In his only season with the Islanders, Saunders appeared in 22 regular season matches in helping Puerto Rico achieve a 10-8-10 record, and an appearance in the USL First Division semifinals.

Making 71 saves, allowing only 26 goals, and shutting out the Montreal Impact at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Saunders was back in form and set the stage for his breakout year in 2008.

With Miami FC, Saunders earned a 1.22 GAA to go with 13 clean sheets, 33 goals allowed, and 95 saves. This drew the interest of the Los Angeles Galaxy, who were in a state of flux with three managers in one season. Interestingly enough, Saunders had a previous stint with the Galaxy, competing in the MLS Reserve Division, and was part of the 2005 team that won the US Open Cup-MLS Cup double.

September 2008 saw Saunders get his chance after being acquired by the Galaxy on a loan. He only played three matches, compiling a humble 1-2 record and a 2.00 GAA.

But it was a sign on things to come.

The 2009 season was the breakthrough year for Josh Saunders in Major League Soccer.

He started four of the six regular season games for the Galaxy, earning a 1.08 goals against average. In that campaign, Saunders faced the likes of Costa Rica's CS Herediano, AC Milan and FC Barcelona, in which he played the full 90 minutes, and delivered a valiant performance in spite of the Galaxy losing 2-1.

But Saunders's greatest performance had to be the last match of the season, the 2009 MLS Cup at Qwest Field. In the 66th minute, an injury to Ricketts forced Saunders to fill in. He made one save in regulation, and two more in the penalty shootout against Real Salt Lake.

Fast forward to May 15, 2010. After Ricketts suffered a hyper-extended right elbow during practice, it was up to Saunders to fill in against Toronto FC. And while the Galaxy could not send their fans home happy with a win, he did give them a reason to at least applaud. Saunders made only one save en route to his first shutout of the 2010 campaign.

A talented athlete at any position on the field needs to be ready to step up to the challenge, neutralize the opposition, and deliver in the clutch when he is summoned to do so.

Don't look now, but word on the streets of Bayamon, San Juan, Caguas and elsewhere in Puerto Rico is that El Huracán Azul could use Saunders' services real soon.

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After months of speculation, it finally has become official that French striker Thierry Henry will join Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls for the second half of the season after playing for France in next month's World Cup.

Rumors started to break on Henry joining the Red Bulls back in September, and only escalated from there as Henry continued to get less time for FC Barcelona as Barcelona moved towards another La Liga title.

But now, it has become official as Henry is due to officially become a Red Bull within the next several days.

Overall, Henry has scored the most goals in the history of the French National Team with 51, and already has participated in three World Cup's before the one next month.

In his first World Cup in 1998, Henry was the leading scorer on a French side that went on to win the World Cup.

And in 2006, Henry's France went all the way to the final, where they lost to Italy.

But overall, Henry will be most remembered internationally for his handball that sent France to the 2010 FIFA World Cup back in November of 2009 at the expense of Ireland.

And as a club player, Henry is considered to be the best player in the history of English Premier League side Arsenal FC, with whom Henry played for from 1999 through 2007.

With Henry now joining the Red Bulls, Henry will join the fabled New York sports scene that currently contains the likes of Derek Jeter, David Wright, Eli Manning, and Alex Rodriguez, among others.

But with his bad season with Barcelona, Henry should have no problems finding motivation to play hard in MLS, and his open playing style and great goalscoring touch could be tremendous hits for American soccer fans.

Along with that, Henry will also become the best striker New York City has seen since Brazilian legend Pele played for the New York Cosmos from 1975-1977.

Will Henry become the next Pele for American soccer? Who knows, but he will be the next big name European player to join Major League Soccer since David Beckham joined the Los Angeles Galaxy back in 2007.

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To say the Seattle Sounders have not met expectations is an understatement.

Seven games into the 2010 season, the team that many liked to make it to the MLS Cup final is in last place in the competitive Western Conference.

The team’s leading scorer in 2009, Fredy Montero, was benched. The defense that allowed the fewest goals in the league last season had allowed multiple goals against in three of the past four games and a horrid four goals against in their previous matchup against MLS points leader Los Angeles Galaxy.

And one of the few teams currently making a profit gave its season ticket holders a refund after the L.A. drubbing.

Still, Saturday night saved some light in what has been a mostly dark season.

The Sounders beat the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena—where New York had yet to lose, including preseason and U.S. Open Cup games—1-0 on a 85th minute goal from Montero.

The victory not only stopped a four-game winless streak but gives the team a new sense of optimism.

Firstly, the benching of Montero might have finally woke him up.

He has been ineffective this season. He had become complacent in the starting 11 and many have said that he looks disinterested and possibly distracted by a potential move to Europe.

However, his five-minute performance against the Red Bulls shows that he seemed to understand that he needs to earn his spot in the lineup. Montero was active and pressured the Red Bulls defense, namely center back Mike Petke and goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul.

His goal not only gave the team much-needed three points, but also was a nice change of pace for a team that has had enormous difficulty finishing all season. The Sounders had only scored one goal in their previous three games.

More promising was the overall effort the team gave.

The last meeting between the two teams saw the Sounders outshoot the Red Bulls 17-10 yet get shutout.

With the four-game winless streak, playing on the road against a team that hadn’t lost on their own turf, and again outshooting them but not being able to put the ball in the back of the net, it would have been easy for the Sounders to give up and settle for the draw.

They didn’t though. The defense held strong and Montero injected new life to the team and they came away with a very big road win.

Now the team will catch another break in the form of the World Cup.

The United States will begin their pre-World Cup training camp soon, which means players named to the preliminary roster will go missing from their MLS clubs. The league will play through the training camps and up until the beginning of the World Cup before it goes on hiatus during group play.

The Sounders however will not lose any players from their roster. They will remain at full-strength.

Compare that to the Galaxy, who suffered a disappointing draw against Toronto FC on Saturday, who will be without MLS leading-scorer Edson Buddle for at the period throughout training camp, and will lose captain Landon Donovan for the entirety of the United States’ run through the tournament.

It is a perfect opportunity for Seattle to make up lost ground.

The win does not fix Seattle’s problems. It does however provide a glimmer of hope.

If the team can gain some confidence and momentum from this victory then, in a league where parity is rewarded, they can still live up to lofty preseason expectations.

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For Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, the issue regarding the void that Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle will leave heading into the rest of May, June, and early July became an even bigger priority. And for good reason.

How could the leaders of Major League Soccer—whose margin on overall- and MLS Western Conference-second place Real Salt Lake shrank to seven points—botch a sendoff for the team's two best players at the Home Depot Center?

Simple. Fail to finish.

And let me tell you something. If Finishing 101 were a college course, they'd have to withdraw and retake it. Credit to Toronto FC for holding firm with their defending. Nonetheless, Los Angeles needed to put this game away.

They had to. They did.

Even from the press box it was hard to fathom that the Los Angeles Galaxy could not even get what normally would be a simple tap-in past Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei. In fact, I can name one, two, three...still counting my fingers here...10 chances—all in the second half—that didn't go through.

And look at the outcomes. Frei with a save. Well over the crossbar. Another save by Frei. Wide left. Yet another Frei save. Crossbar by Donovan. Another shot wide left. A shot wide right. There were 10 opportunities—well, at least 10—for Los Angeles to get three points past Toronto.

To only settle for one point each has to be something Schellas Hyndman will be grinning at. Let the Galaxy pay the price for their inability to capitalize on their chances inside their attacking third and use out patience to come up with a deciding goal in the second half.

TFC nearly pulled it off.

In the 72nd minute, Chad Barrett nearly tore the hearts out of the Galaxy supporters with what must go down as the best chance of the night for Preki's Reds.

Saturday's performance go down as a moral victory for Toronto. But for the Galaxy, this must be an area of concern. If the US National Team exceed even the expectations of the football gods, as many as six the Galaxy's next matches on the schedule (four of which will be on the road) will be with the services of Donovan and Buddle. And that's if they both make the shortlist.

This is why the depth of the Galaxy will be tested more than ever when they travel to Frisco's Pizza Hut Park and Columbus Crew Stadium. Can someone step up and finish? Or will the inept form that dominated a majority of the Galaxy's season before their late run to make the playoffs return?

Saturday night's display of sheer scoring ineptitude by the Los Angeles Galaxy against the Toronto Football Club at Victoria Street begs the question loud and clear.

With every scoreless draw there are positives. Here are some that I can detect.

The most obvious one...the Galaxy held Toronto FC scoreless. The not-so-obvious one (until you do the logic)...the Galaxy held Dwayne De Rosario scoreless.

Toronto FC were down to 10 men by the end of the match after Maksim Usanov earned two yellows and was sent off. The Galaxy were relentless in their drive to bring home the winner, with 15 shots. No offsides were called on LA. A tribute to Greg Berhalter's leadership in the back.

Donovan Ricketts is a seeder. That's someone who snacks on sunflower seeds. According to DAVID, a major player in this market, "Seeders are cool, calm, and confident."

And of course, the few, the proud, the Marines Drum and Bugle Corps were on hand. Who would ever think that Jazzxercise would put on a show of their own, too? Not this columnist.

And with every scoreless draw there are negatives.

The most obvious one...the Galaxy were also held scoreless. The reason behind the most obvious one...poor shooting. Fifteen volleys, and not a single one of them passed the end line inside the nylon.

Donovan Ricketts was a little too overcommitted in practice, suffering a right hyperextended elbow. Let that be a lesson to know your limits, Big Cat...

The would-be present in the 72nd minute for Barrett on the Toronto FC transition. Would have been top of this list if it had gone through. Omar Gonzalez, what was up with that yellow, pray tell?

So the Galaxy first side managed a draw, right? Leave it to the Youth Academy U-16 and U-18 teams to bring home a win and a loss. The U-16 team, the stronger of the two, shut out Chivas USA 4-0. The U-18 team, however, was not so productive, and lost 3-2.

Now the U-16 side is so good, that a number of its players also play in the U-18 team. By themselves, they scored victories over West Ham and Ipswich Town in their England tour against a defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

I can now understand why the U-18 side were just awaful against Chivas USA. In their April tour across the pond, they gave up two unanswered goals against Manchester City, were shut out 5-0 by West Ham, and secured just a 2-2 draw with Ipswich (who aren't even a Premier League side). Some recruiting may be in order.

As a result for their effort, they were rewarded with a trip to Wembley to watch Chelsea shut out Aston Villa 3-0 in the FA Cup Semifinals. At least they were spared the imminent dishonor of being disemboweled by the Chelsea youth.

Speaking of Chelsea...

I would like to personally extend my humble congratulations to the Chelsea Football Club on earning what most people will call "The Double" of winning the Premier League and the FA Cup (1-0 shutout of Portsmouth), but also "The Treble" if you count their penalty shootout win over Manchester United. The rematch of that in the 2010 Community Shield is later in August.

The other home country to see a club earn a double is the Linfield Football and Athletic Club of Belfast. They defeated Portadown 2-1 to earn the Irish Cup to go with their IFA Premiership trophy.

Other kudos go out to The New Saints (Welsh Premier League), Bangor City (Welsh Cup), Dundee United (Scottish Cup) and Rangers FC (Scottish Premier League). Well done, you lot.

Underprepared FO for the Campero Rush!?

Well this can't go unpunished. At least one person close to the Galaxy front office forgot to tell them that there were over 20,000 expected attendees today. Fess up. As a result, instead of Pollo Campero coupons because of the clean sheet...people got tickets to Wild Rivers water park in Irvine.

Now, I have nothing against Irvine, and I know that UC Irvine just about will wrap up a successful Black and Blue Rivalry Series defense against Long Beach State (the 49ers are not having a good year to begin with) given that their baseball team seals the deal at Blair Field, but....Wild Rivers?

They might as well do the right thing and scrap the promotion if the fans are going to be shafted. You heard of Homer Simpson asking for where his burrito is? Well, the fans unlucky enough to get Wild Rivers tickets will chant "Where's Our Campero? Where's Our Campero?" until the owed tickets are dished out in full. As they should.

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The Seattle Sounders FC did not wish to offend.  They wanted, though, to be very offensive.

With goals in short supply, the emphasis in practice this week was penetrating the net of the Eastern Conference’s leading team, the New York Red Bulls.  The Red Bulls had yet to taste defeat since moving to their new stadium this season in Harrison, New Jersey.

The issue for coach Sigi Schmid’s Seattle team became increasingly critical after last week’s match against the Western Conference’s pacesetters, the Los Angeles Galaxy.  The 4-0 blanking prompted an embarrassed Sounders management to issue a refund to season ticket holders.

Those fans were provided with a credit applicable for one game in a 2011 season package, costing the club an estimated $1 million.

If there was one Sounders player who felt more embarrassed than anyone in the team’s worst ever home loss last week, it figured to be forward Fredy Montero.  He was pulled from the contest at the 58 minute mark and replaced with 18-year-old recent Colombian signee Miguel Montano and watched most of this contest from the sideline.

It was a moment presaging high drama as Mr. Excitement Montero, a high impact forward with an aggressive attacking style, was inserted into the match at the 77 minute mark, replacing Sanna Nyassi.

Eight minutes later Montero created his magic.  Montero took a pass from Brad Evans, who played his finest game of the season, leading attack after attack toward the New York goal.

Montero surged goalward.  The ball moved swiftly from his chest to his thigh to his left foot.  Rangy New York goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul dove forward and challenged, but the bullet-like Montero thrust landed in the net.

So Seattle had the only score of the night at the game’s 85th minute, but another five minutes remained with stoppage time included.  Considering the difficulties the Sounders have encountered all season from added time victory was anything but certain.

The Red Bull Arena faithful of 17,900 summoned the league leaders on, and valiant efforts were made.  Standing tall in the wall of resistance for Seattle was defender Tyrone Marshall, whose play was solid the entire evening.

Meanwhile the Sounders aided their own cause by keeping the ball away from the Red Bulls for an important segment of the late game interval.

The result was a crucial victory that Seattle out of the Western Conference cellar.

Veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller earned his third shutout of the season.

The loss was the second in a row for New York and dropped the home team to a 5-3-0 mark with 15 points.  The Sounders evened their record to 3-3-3 with 12 points earned.

The Sounders will be back in league play next Saturday afternoon as they host San Jose, the team that shut out New York 4-0 last week.

On May 26, Seattle hosts tough Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires in a friendly.

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The news MLS fans knew was coming has finally become official.

France international Thierry Henry will be coming to a MLS stadium near you. And if you reside in the New York Metro Area, that stadium will be frequently visited by the former Arsenal and current Barcelona forward, playing with his new team, the New York Red Bulls.

Henry has struggled at the Nou Camp this season, seeing his playing time cut by a combination of injuries and Pep Guardiola's preference to Bojan Krkic. Having Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi up front hurts also.

Henry will join the Red Bulls after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and is by far the biggest name to be named a designated player (also referred to as the "Beckham Rule") since the man whom the rule is nicknamed for came over in 2007 from another one of the two Spanish giants, Real Madrid.

Henry will become the eighth designated player active in MLS. In fact, one of the other seven will play alongside him up front in Juan Pablo Angel.

So, the question now is: How will this affect the Red Bulls and MLS?

The obvious effect will be seen once the World Cup is over with Henry and Angel forming a partnership up front, and if there is one thing Henry knows how to do well, it is score goals. Since he turned pro in 1994 with Monaco, the Frenchman has 232 club goals in official competitions and another 51 internationally.

The Red Bulls are currently in first in the East going into the weekend at 15 points, up four on second place Columbus, and this addition could propel them further ahead and to the Eastern Conference title.

For MLS, bringing another big name over from Europe, even if he his past his prime, into one of the biggest markets in the country is impressive. Many people consider the Beckham Experiment to be a failure even though the Galaxy made the MLS Cup last season. With the Beckham Experiment about to be over with, the league needed a new European star to promote the league with, and Henry will now be it.

The addition of Henry could also help bring over other older European stars. The most likely of the names being rumored to come over is Henry's former foe from the Premier League, Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Other names that have been thrown out in rumors are Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, and Raul.

If Henry has the success like that of his former Arsenal teammate Freddie Ljungberg, the response of older European players coming over will continue to be positive, especially if they are able to play in the big market cities like New York, LA, Chicago, and possibly another New York team in the future.

Thierry Henry will bring buzz to the MLS internationally that it needs, and Don Garber and all of the MLS clubs and fans are hoping for this to be a success to give the league even more international respect.

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