I'm under a directive to burn some vacation hours so will take an extended break through next Tuesday. That means no column next week, but one of this country's best soccer writers has stepped in with an apt Galaxy-centric column that breaks down the past and, hopefully, future sucess of

*Despite the presence of watching projected NFL top draft choice Andrew Luck in Carson today, the Galaxy lost 4-1 to the Portland Timbers at Home Depot Center. Dan Keat had a goal on a bicycle kick in the losing cause. The Galaxy starting lineup: Saunders; Jordan, Meyer, DeLaGarza, Dunivant; Franklin,

In an unexpected move, the Galaxy announced today that Brazilian midfielder Juninho, who became a fan favorite for his ferocious shot and high workrate, will return to the club after all for a second loan spell. In addition, the club announced that Brazilian central defender Leonardo will also return to

As the Galaxy's leading scorer for four consecutive seasons, which was topped off with a career-best 17 goals in 2010 before his departure overseas, Edson Buddle will go down as the best goal poacher to play for the club since Carlo Ruiz. Well, now Edson Buddle is back - and

Robbie Keane scores against Newcastle United Sunday, but couldn't prevent the Birmingham club losing 2-1 on Tyneside (AP Photo). *An uninvolving Super Bowl Sunday on this side of the Atlantic Ocean (even the commericials were pretty dull, I thought) was saved by a gripping game on the other side of

Even though he arrived early, about 30 Galaxy fans were on hand when Edson Buddle returned to Southern California Friday night, stepping off a flight from Europe (Photo courtesy LA Galaxy). Past and future Galaxy striker Edson Buddle will hold a press conference Monday at Home Depot Center after his

The Galaxy scored seven goals in their win at Home Depot Center, while Chivas USA managed five goals. Both wins came over minor league opposition. More on the Galaxy game is here. Chivas USA beat Conejo Valley-based FC Hasental 5-0 with goals coming from Michael Lahoud in the 22nd minute

Will you be there? Class move by the ACB. Also: *Chivas USA and presumably Blair Gavin play their second preseason game of the season at 11 a.m. Friday at Home Depot Center against FC Hasental. Fans are welcome to attend. Here's an updated Chivas USA preseason schedule. *It's the Yanks

Chelsea-Manchester United is live on Fox at 7:30 a.m. A preview is here. The "game before the game" marks the second live Barclays Premier League game in two weeks on Fox. On Jan. 22, Fox drew 1.3 million viewers nationwide for Arsenal's 1-2 loss to Manchester United, making it the

Buddle returns: The forward Galaxy fans never wanted to leave has returned to the club (Daily Breeze file photo). The rumors were true. Edson Buddle has returned to the Galaxy after spending a year in Germany where he scored 10 goals for second tier Ingolstadt. "I am thrilled to be

You can bet the former Bruin playmaker would like a return to Southern California. But is another midfielder a priority for the Galaxy? Read more here.

Disher Donovan: The Galaxy's Landon Donovan, seen here tackling Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov, led Everton to another victory with yet another assist today against the Mancunians in England (AP Photo). You remember that old "Seinfeld" episode about the proctologist with the license plate that read "Assman"?

Club Tijuana fans cheer on Sunday during a 3-1 home loss to Santos Laguna, but they're mainly just happy to have a team in the highest echelon of Mexican futbol (Photo courtesy Club Tijuana). There is no doubt that Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente has aspirations of drawing Americans soccer

Sometimes it seems Galaxy midfielder David Beckham spends more time on a soccer field showing off his abs than his set pieces as he wanders the field shirtless at the end of games. So this soft porn excerpt ad is nothing new to most soccer fans and will likely be

Got a little Morgan in ya? Alex Morgan celebrates her late goal that clinched a U.S. spot in London's Olympics Friday in Canada (AP Photo). Diamond Bar's fast-rising soccer star Alex Morgan further solidified her undoubted national team credentials by notching the third and final decisive goal: VANCOUVER, British Columbia