MLS Cup 2009: Real Salt Lake vs LA Galaxy

posted by kidpurple November 15, 2009

MLS Cup 2009

real-salt-lakevs LA Galaxy

Real Salt Lake (#4 East) vs LA Galaxy (#1 West)

The semi-final tonight between Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire was a wild one.  Some people might say 120 minutes with no scoring is a boring game – but this was far from boring.  The game eventually went to a shootout and went to 7 shooters before Nick Rimando took over saving the last couple of Fire PKs.

Real Salt Lake had the better of the Galaxy during this past regular season with a single win and a single draw.  Will they be able to continue in their first ever MLS Cup Final?  Any predictions?  I’ll have mine later this coming week.

Posted in Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake | Tagged , , | Comments (4)

The new erratic schedule is messing with my MLS viewing

posted by kidpurple April 30, 2009

I didn’t like it when it was first announced, and I’m not enjoying the crazy new schedule that Major League Soccer is going with this year.  I’m used to Thursday night games – now I don’t always get a Thursday night game.  I was really looking forward to a game tonight…

So Toronto FC is on top of the east and the defending champions Columbus Crew are on the bottom only one point below MLS Cup runners up New York Red Bulls.  Something doesn’t seem right in this world right now.

I guess we have to wait for FC Dallas vs DC United on Saturday if you have FSC.  This game is going to be a re-match of a US Open Cup play-in game these 2 teams played in just over a week ago.  DC United won that game 2-0 to move in to the US Open Cup.  FC Dallas won’t have those pesky extra games messing up thier nice MLS schedule.  I imagine DC will win this one again.  FC Dallas could be in competition with the LA Galaxy for bottom of the league this year.

Can’t wait for that game!

Posted in Columbus Crew, DC United, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, US Open Cup | Comments (0)

What is going on in Major League Soccer?

posted by kidpurple March 2, 2009

The Houston Dynamo are going to into Mexico with after a 1-1 tie in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal. The Dynamo play Atlante FC Tuesday at 8PM (Fox Soccer Channel). Houston is the only remaining MLS team in the competition. Don’t miss this one.

David Beckham has been doing good in Italy and every day there is a new story about how he is never coming back to play for the Galaxy. I don’t know if anything is certain in this situation – but sounds like he may finish the season with AC Milan and then come back to the Galaxy for the 2nd half of the MLS season.

Brand new to the league Seattle Sounders FC will open the season against MLS Cup runners up New York Red Bulls. They will only remain the new team for a single season. I had plans to get out to Seattle for that season opener, but my plans changed and I won’t be able to get there until the day after they play the Red Bulls. Sad day for me.

In totally unrelated to MLS news I’ve started a new job that will take up a lot more of my time. I will likely be looking for others to write on this website. I am going to have a revenue sharing program that will allow writers to make money by writing MLS articles here. Contact me if you are interested in writing on the site or stay tuned for more details.

Posted in Atlante FC, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, David Beckham, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, Seattle Sounders | Comments (0)

Playoff race is on

posted by kidpurple September 24, 2008

With just about 5 weeks remaining in the regular season schedule the race to the playoffs is heating up. Here is a quick look at the current situation of each team

Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew 14-6-5 47pts

The Crew missed the playoffs last year and are on the top this year.  They have at least a spot in the playoffs clinched and are the only team to do so yet.

Last 5: W T W W W (13pts)

Remaining Schedule:

@ New England Revolution
LA GALAXY
@ Chicago Fire
@ New York Red Bulls
DC UNITED

New England Revolution 12-7-6 42pts

The Revolution are always near the top, usually going far into the playoffs and collecing some trophies (just not the MLS Cup).  This could be the year they get that MLS Cup.  They got SuperLiga and aren’t doing so bad at 2nd place in the league.

Last 5: T W L L T

Remaining Schedule:

COLUMBUS CREW
REAL SALT LAKE
@ Kansas City Wizards
@ DC United
Kansas City Wizards 

Houston Dynamo

Houston Dynamo 10-5-9 39pts

Defending MLS Cup champions have a habit of starting the season slow and peaking at the right time and they could do it again this year.

Last 5: T W W L W

Remaining Schedule:

@ Toronto FC
@ Colorado Rapids
DC UNITED
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
LA GALAXY

Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire 11-9-5 38pts

The Fire started out with a bang this season – for a while they held the top spot in the league.  Now they are in a slump but if they come out of it at the right time they can bean anyone and could add to their collection of silverware.

Last 5: L L W L L

Remaining Schedule:

LA GALAXY
@ Kansas City Wizards
COLUMBUS CREW
@ Toronto FC
NEW YORK RED BULLS

New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls 9-8-8 35pts

The Red Bulls have been all over the place, near the top and near the bottom.  You never know what the Red Bulls are gonna do.   They are currently 5th overall but currently 4th in the East with DC and KC within striking distance.  They could go either way in the playoff hunt but I’d expect to see them get in.

Last 5: L W L T W

Remaining Schedule:

COLORADO RAPIDS
TORONTO FC
@ Real Salt Lake
COLUMBUS CREW
@ Chicago Fire

DC United

DC United 10-12-3 33pts

One of the most successful clubs in MLS History, defenders of the Supporters’ Shield, DC United is going to make it close to the playoffs this year.  If they playoffs were to start today, they’d be the last team in.  There are a couple teams right on their heels.

Last 5: L T L T W

Remaining Schedule:

@ FC Dallas
CHIVAS USA
@ Houston Dynamo
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
@ Columbus Crew

Chivas USA

Chivas USA 9-10-6 33pts

Chivas USA were winners of the Western Conference last year and then took a first round exit from the playoffs.  Right now they have 2nd position in the West although they are 7th overall.

Last 5: W L W W T

Remaining Schedule:

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
@ DC United
@ San Jose Earthquakes
COLORADO RAPIDS
HOUSTON DYNAMO

Kansas City Wizards

Kansas City Wizards 8-9-8 32pts

The Wizards must like to cut it close.  They’ve gone down to the very last day of the regular season to determine their playoff fate a couple times in the past few years.  Right now they’ve got some ground to make up to get in this year.

Last 5: W W L L T

Remaining Schedule:

@ Chivas USA
CHICAGO FIRE
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
@ New England Revolution 

Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids 9-12-4 31pts

The Rapids have been up and down this year.  They missed the playoffs last year and hope to change that this year.  They are current tied on points with RSL for the 3rd position in the West – which will likely be the last position to get into the playoffs from the West.

Last 5: T W W L L

Remaining Schedule:

@ New York Red Bulls
HOUSTON DYNAMO
@ LA Galaxy
@ Chivas USA
REAL SALT LAKE

Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake 8-10-7 31pts

RSL have had a bit of a slide lately.  They had been on top of the West and looking forward to making the playoffs for the first time in their history.  Now they’ve got a battle to get there.  This could come down to the last game of the saeson when they play Colorado.

Last 5: L L T W L

Remaining Schedule:

@ San Jose Earthquakes
@ New England Revolution
NEW YORK RED BULLS
FC DALLAS
@ Colorado Rapids

FC Dallas

FC Dallas 7-9-9 30pts

FC Dallas could likely be one of the team that made the cut last year to drop out.  They have had their moments but not enough of them.  They are only 1 point away, but I think it is unlikely they move up.

Last 5: W T L L T

Remaining Schedule:

DC UNITED
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
TORONTO FC
@ Real Salt Lake
@ LA Galaxy

LA Galaxy

LA Galaxy 7-10-8 29pts

The Galaxy have had ups and downs as much as anyone in the leage.  For a while they got hot and led the west, they’ve also been on the bottom on the single table.  Chances of the Galaxy getting into the playoffs are not looking very good.

Last 5: W L T T L

Remaining Schedule:

@ Chicago Fire
@ Columbus Crew
COLORADO RAPIDS
@ Houston Dynamo
FC DALLAS

 San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes 7-9-8 29pts

The Earthquakes have been close to or at the very bottom for most of the year.  A first year team isn’t expected much more, but they have had a hot run in the 2nd half of the season.  They came up and threatened to take a playoff position, but now they’ve fallen back a little bit.

Last 5: T W W T W

Remaining Schedule:

REAL SALT LAKE
@ FC Dallas
CHIVAS USA
@ Houston Dynamo
@ Kansas City Wizards
TORONTO FC

Toronto FC

Toronto FC 7-12-6 27pts

TFC spent some impressive time in the playoff hunt, but now they sit at the bottom of the league.  It would take an amazing run to get them in now.

Last 5: L T L L T

Remaining Schedule:

HOUSTON DYNAMO
@ New York Red Bulls
@ FC Dallas
CHICAGO FIRE
@ San Jose Earthquakes

Posted in Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, DC United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC, Uncategorized | Comments (1)

TFC drop Laurent Robert and add Carlos Ruiz

posted by kidpurple August 20, 2008

Toronto FC have dropped French midfielder Robert Laurent and added Carlos Ruiz to their roster. The French midfielder joined TFC at the beginning of April this year and started 16 of 17 games since then. In those games he has 1 goal and 3 assists.

Carlos Ruiz joins after another short time spent with the LA Galaxy. With the great form of Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan, Ruiz didn’t get much playing time. Ruiz is tied for 7th place on the league all time scoring list with 82 goals in his career. The 28 year old striker has 59 goals for his team prior to joining the LA Galaxy the first time his career brought him to MLS. If those had all been goals in MLS Ruiz would be by far on top of the all time scoring list. Can Ruiz keep scoring lots of goals? Probably not at the same rate he scored during his first time spent at the Galaxy, but he should be able to help TFC.

Posted in Carlos Ruiz, Los Angeles Galaxy, Robert Laurent, Toronto FC | Comments (1)

Cory Gibbs and Eddie Lewis coming back to MLS

posted by kidpurple August 12, 2008

Cory Gibbs and Eddie Lewis, both former MLS players, are coming back to the league. After Toronto FC used their top allocation spot the LA Galaxy moved to that top position and the Colorado Rapids have the 2nd spot. So when Cory Gibbs became available the Galaxy had a chance to take him, but they used the top spot on Eddie Lewis. This gave the Rapids a change to snap up Cory Gibbs.

Lewis played for the San Jose Clash before making the move over to England in 1999. The 34 year old California native played for Fulham, Preston North End, Leeds United and most recently Derby County. Lewis will likely fit into the midfield for the Galaxy but he has played on the left side in both midfield and defense.

Cory Gibbs played for the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) in 2004 before moving to play in the Netherlands. While there Gibbs spent time with 2 different teams before moving to Charlton Athletic in England for the past 2 years. Gibbs will be joining a Colorado Rapids team that could use a boost. As of today the Rapids have the 2nd worst record in the league next to the brand new San Jose Earthquakes.

Posted in Colorado Rapids, Cory Gibbs, Eddie Lewis, Los Angeles Galaxy | Comments (0)

Why is Clint Mathis training with the Galaxy?

posted by kidpurple June 16, 2008

The Early Bath has an image that appears to be Clint Mathis training with the LA Galaxy. At first I thought maybe it was an old image – but Joey Franchino is also there and he has not been with the Galaxy for too long. Mathis went to Greece long before Franchino came to the Galaxy.

So what is Mathis doing there? Is Mathis going to end up back on the Galaxy roster? Would he get into the starting lineup if he did come back to the Galaxy?

After posting this I thought maybe that isn’t really Mathis.  It really looks like Mathis so I looked at the Galaxy roster to see if they have a 33 on it.  There is no number 33 on their roster.

Posted in Clint Mathis, Joey Franchino, Los Angeles Galaxy | Comments (1)

Thierry Henry Rumors

posted by kidpurple May 22, 2008

Where will Theirry Henry be next year? Rumors were New York, now they are LA and Seattle. Some say he will still be in Barcelona and maybe has already agreed to stay in Barcelona. How could the Galaxy fit him on their team? Why would he go to an expansion team? New York seems the most likely to me, but is that even a rumor anymore of have they claimed they are not even interested anymore? I can’t keep up with the Henry MLS rumors anymore…

LA Galaxy

Where do you think the French striker will be playing a year from now?

Posted in Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders, Thierry Henry | Comments (3)

Darren Huckerby to replace Ben Olsen?

posted by kidpurple May 6, 2008

Ben Olsen may be done for the season, done for good. Olsen has a bad ankle situation right now. I think he must have broke it when he was chasing his kid outside of Dick’s Sporting Goods the day his son put on that Beckham jersey. See below:

Well anyway, rumors are going around that former Manchester City striker Darren Huckerby could be coming to to fill the Ben Olsen role. Huckerby has made a move from Manchester City to Norwich City but now has been told that he won’t be a part of Norwich in the future. His contract is up in June and there has been a lot of speculation about Huckerby coming to play in LA, Toronto, and DC. Now it seems DC is the only team that has shown interest in him, maybe due to the loss of Olsen.

I’d be pretty happy if Huckerby joined my team. What do you think – would you like Huckerby on your team?

Posted in Ben Olsen, DC United, Darren Huckerby, Los Angeles Galaxy, Toronto FC | Comments (10)

How Happy Is Gullit With The Galaxy?

posted by kidpurple May 2, 2008

We’ve all probably heard about the huge differences in Major League Soccer salaries from the top to the bottom.  The league minimum salary is a tiny $33,000/year – and there are plenty of players that make this salary.  For the amount of money that David Beckham is making you could fill a full league of players at this rate.

So if first team players can (and some do) make as low at $33,000/year, what does that leave for reserves?  Well apparently in LA it leaves practically nothing – and Gullit isn’t too happy about it.  Gullit has told English reporters that sometimes Galaxy staff are calling friends on a Friday to see if they can play in a reserve game on Sunday.

One week the Galaxy reserves had to play a match with only 10 players, and the next week they took a ticket salesman from their front office to get more bodies on the reserve team.  Maybe I can grab a spot on the team one week.

It must be a shock coming from some of the biggest clubs in Europe to a situation like that.

Posted in Los Angeles Galaxy, Ruud Gullit | Comments (0)