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In the wake of discussions these past few days over the quality of refereeing in MLS and David Beckham's ability to earn yellow cards this season, I thought I'd take a quick look at patterns in MLS refereeing with data from last season. As I mentioned in my comparison of fouls and yellow cards between MLS and the big European leagues on the New York Times Goal blog, so far this season, teams in the Premier League have been called for an average of 11.

In the wake of recent discussions over the quality of refereeing in MLS and David Beckham's ability to earn yellow cards this season, I thought I'd take a quick look at patterns in MLS refereeing with data from last season. As I mentioned in my comparison of fouls and yellow cards between MLS and the big European leagues on the New York Times Goal blog, so far this season, teams in the Premier League have been called for an average of 11.

Donovan Ricketts protected by the Galaxy in advance of Wednesday's Expansion Draft.

Thanks to the work of Nick Green and the team at Soccer By Ives, I can bring you the list of who the Galaxy protected and who they exposed in advance of the 2010 Expansion Draft that will bring 10 players each to Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers.

Rookie Michael Stephens looks to build on a solid rookie campaign heading into the MLS offseason.

Folks,

I apologize for not being around to actually give some commentary, insight, and analysis of the Galaxy's playoff run and disappointment in the Western Conference final. But why should actually writing something end that drought?

Confetti for an Edson Buddle goal earlier this year.

Getting it done.

I admit, I was nervous about the outcome of the game. Yes, the last time the Galaxy was in Seattle they turned the Sounders in the to Refunders with a 4-0 spanking that was the epitome of the first half of the season.

Bryan Jordan makes Chris Birchall believe that the Space Needle really goes to space.

Not necessarily in that order.

First, the update. For folks who are worried about Chris Birchall's game-ending first half injury, things are looking up. Sunday afternoon Birchall took to his Twitter account, @chrisbirchall7, and said, "Thanks everyone.

Omar Cummings scores Colorado's third goal in a picture that says everything about how the night went for Los Angeles. (Getty Images)

30 minutes to build on, 60 minutes to forget.

For the opening 25 minutes, the Los Angeles Galaxy looked like a team that no one could beat. They were quick to the ball, aggressive on offense, monsters on defense, playing a quick, crafty, creative game that presented them with dangerous chance after dangerous chance, including a just-offside gol from Edson Buddle in the 1st minute.

Edson Buddle and Sean Franklin celebrate Buddle first-half game-winning header

Get in, get out, get away with three points.

That was the story of last Thursday's match, which ended up resembling a bit of a smash-and-grab run by the Los Angeles Galaxy as they descended on PPL Park in Chester, PA, the home of the Philadelphia Union.

Galaxy celebrates a goal against the Union from May.

Game number 28.

League leading team vs latest expansion outfit, eliminated from the playoffs.

Away at a stadium the home team has only lost twice in.

Supporter's Shield and home field advantage are on the line.

It is time to put up or shut up.

Edson Buddle races for the ball in Galaxy's 2-1 victory over Chivas USA. (Photo by Victor Delcolongon)

More of that please.

Just when it looks like there's nothing new to write about with regards to the Galaxy's tactical approach to a game (Kirovski _again_?, Not Cazumba!, Please put Donovan up top, etc.

Becks leaps Tony Tchani in vain pursuit of offense (Photo by AFP)

And those words are: Defense wins championships.

The much-hyped Friday night match-up between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls wasn't much of a game if you were a neutral futbol fan. If you were a Red Bulls fan, it was great.

Totally copied promo pic from LA Galaxy official website

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FUTBOL!?!?!

Sorry. Couldn't resist. The overwhelming hype generated by the promotional engines of MLS, Red Bull, and AEG for today's match-up between the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls swept me away.

Landon Donovan burns Troy Perkins for Galaxy's first goal. Photo by AFP.

And those words are: Comeback victory!

It was ugly. It was frustrating. It was nerve wracking. It was ungainly and choppy and, in the end, it was a refreshing reminder of what this team can do when it puts its shoulder to the grindstone and grits it out.

Edson Buddle scores in July meeting at RFK

The biggest news of the week is that there is no news for this week. With the roster freeze coming at 2 PM PDT on Wednesday, the LA Galaxy announced only one change. That was bringing Yohance Marshall back from loan to the USSF D-2 Austin Aztecs, a team that enjoyed several weeks at the top of the second division of North American futbol this season.

The look of complete joy on Edson Buddle's face.

The look of utter dejection on Stephen King's face.

The Galaxy's next game is Thursday when they host the San Jose Earthquakes. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 7:30 woohoo, that's means HD for me!

The Galaxy head to RFK stadium to face DC United in the first game of a very congested stretch for the league-leaders. Starting today they play six games in 20 days including three league fixtures (United, San Jose, and Chicago), two CONCACAF Champions League matches (home and home to Puerto Rico Islanders), and an international friendly against some La Liga team.

A week or so ago, one of our readers hit us up with a private email on the rumor with nine lives, the one that claims that Ronaldinho is definitely on his way to the LA Galaxy and definitely during this transfer window – the one that officially opened today.

Specifically our confidante, who says he can't come out right and say how he exactly knows for sure that the player in question will be in Galaxy uniform, lays it out like this:

"Ronaldinho will join the Galaxy in August.

UPDATE BELOW!

A week or so ago, one of our readers hit us up with a private email on the rumor with nine lives, the one that claims that Ronaldinho is definitely on his way to the LA Galaxy and definitely during this transfer window – the one that officially opened today.

It's all about Edson Buddle. I don't expect that Landon Donovan will be in the 18 today or if he is to get the start (in fact, I'd be kind of pissed if he plays since he really needs a break and this is a game where the Galaxy don't need him). So it's up to Edson to amp up the Galaxy attack.

Today is the last chance to vote for the MLS All-Star team, which will be taking on Manchester United on July 28th in Houston.

Several Galaxy players have been nominated, including Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle, Michael Stephens, Omar Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter, AJ DeLaGarza, Todd Duivant, Juninho and Donovan Ricketts.

(Photo by Robert Mora)

It's been a week since Jen or I updated this blog, for which we profusely apologize and blame the World Cup and family vacations. It couldn't possibly be our own fault could it? No. Not in an America ruled by reality TV.

In that week the Galaxy played no fewer than three games league matches at Toronto and home to Seattle and a home tie with AC St.

Donovan Ricketts will face a strong New York offense on Friday

Here it is on Tuesday and already the Twittersphere is abuzz with chatter in anticipation of Friday's gigantic clash between New York Red Bulls and the Los Angeles Galaxy. You can get your fill by following the hashtags #ThisIsLA and #LAvNY as well as the standard #lagalaxy.

As reported by Steven Goff of the Soccer Insider:

"It will probably happen," one source said. "Knees can't take the beating anymore."

Now, that is a quote applicable to most any 30+ MLS player, but I'm afraid the source may be right.

Mathis' most recent injury was a torn meniscus in his left knee for which he underwent surgery in February.

Why this baseball map, showing the claimed territories of the various MLB teams on this futbol blog? Glad you asked. Jen and I got this intriguing email from a Portland Timbers fan, Rich who is known to Portland Timbers fan message boards as MannyJello, about the team's pending entry into MLS with the start of the 2011 season.

So, on the heels of the Rumor That Won't Die Ronaldinho to LA Galaxy I got to pondering the actual economics of such a move. Not the economics of paying a guy like Ronaldinho and his gut the full amount of whatever it is the parties agree to, or even the relatively modest transfer fee AC Milan are said to want for him (10 million Euros).

America's Favorite Footy Prognosticator puts on his thinking cap and continues his quest for a .500 or better prediction season. Will he do it? Will he become distracted by catnip? You'll just have to wait and see. Remember you can follow Mr. Wilco on Twitter and interact with him. He's a friendly cat and likes to chat, but he does not wear a hat.

America's Favorite Footy Prognosticator puts on his thinking cap and continues his quest for a .500 or better prediction season. Will he do it? Will he become distracted by catnip? You'll just have to wait and see. Remember you can follow Mr. Wilco on Twitter and interact with him. He's a friendly cat and likes to chat, but he does not wear a hat.