This week it was announced that the Mexico-US match at Azteca next month will only be available on Telemundo and Mun2, with Mun2 carrying the English feed. This means many USMNT fans will have to watch the Spanish language feed. This would not be so bad if it was on Univision or Telefutura, but the Telemundo commentators are over the top in their Mexico bias.

Much has been written about the"The Beckham Incident" and it has made the mainstream talking-head media. Now the supporters have their say in a press release of there own:
What/why were we booing?We want to support our teams and our players, and we do that week after week.

Excellent sports' writing is not simply about analyzing players, teams or organizations. It's largely about painting a picture that fits into society's perceptions of the surrounding world. It's about writing a narrative and properly explaining the parts. It's about playing historian and social critic while discussing competitions and complex organizations.

Hang yourself, brave Crillon! We fought at Arques, and you were not there!
- Henry IV
I should have been there, but I wasn't. I apologize to all of you. I had absolutely no inkling anything important would happen. I know the people involved, and oh my but do I have opinions on the matter, many of which I will shove down your unwilling gullets.

The Scarfing of MLS = The Future of MLS Marketing
In the wake of the huge success of expansion to Toronto and Seattle, MLS said they would be bolstering their club services at the time of MLS First Kick 2009 in Seattle. They said that they would promote a set of best practices which covers marketing to be adopted by current and future MLS clubs.

David Beckham.
He returns to the U.S. on July 11 and his MLS debut will be five days later in New York. He caught up with the lads at MLSnet.com and filled 'em in on his goings on.

"I'm committed to being one, an ambassador for the MLS and soccer in America, because I still believe that in 10, 15 years that this game will lift to the level where it can compete with some of the big teams in Europe and some of the big leagues in Europe," the midfielder said in an interview with MLSnet.

When David Beckham signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007, I wrote the following:

Even if Beckham's price is half the figure mentioned above, the league will recoup its investment. Beckham will put fannies in the seats and bring domestic and international exposure to MLS. This will attract even more sponsors at higher rates.

Relax - this post is nice and short.*
The "Summer of Soccer" was bullshit. But, it was important bullshit.
Take a look at the attendances from the big international summer friendlies MLS played these past couple of months. The numbers are damning. Take the statistics closest to me (and therefore, the most important) - high-priced sell-out for AC Milan, 81,000 for Chelsea Inter, another 90,000 to see Barcelona, plenty of great seats available for Galaxy-Chivas.

I would like to see Landon and David as a tag team wrestling duo. No masks though, because they are too pretty for that and it would take away from the gate receipts (got to keep the ladies, and AEG --who would be the exclusive promoters for all of their bouts-- happy). The could each have signature moves though; Landon could cross himself before he jumps from the top rope and David could deliver a paralyzing free kick to the groin.

There is something about the PanPacific "Championship" that is the epitome of AEG's management of the Galaxy since the death of Doug Hamilton. It's a trumped-up tournament featuring clubs from mostly secondary Asian leagues, some of whom, at least, _are_ actual champions, and the LA Galaxy who is involved because.

Technically, the Home Depot Center hosts a play-in game between the Galaxy and the Rapids. So while the tournament does not begin tonight, it will end for at least one team.
The other MLS play-in games are a few weeks away - even the USASA qualifying games don't start for two weeks. The reason Colorado and Los Angeles are playing tonight, of course, is that the Rapids were in town on Saturday, and apparently it's cheaper to have one round trip flight plus three or four days of hotel rooms than it is to book two round trip flights.

Here is the article from the Daily Breeze today about the AEG funded crackdown on the dangerous and threatening "Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog" vendors outside of Home Depot Center...I swear every day I hate A.E.G. more!

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_12745246

The tentacles of Los Angeles-based Anschutz Entertainment Group have infiltrated not only Southern California pop culture and civic life, but now extend around the world to include such figures as dead pop icon Michael Jackson and nominal Galaxy midfielder David Beckham.

But AEG, always it seems unnecessarily heavy-handed given their increasingly powerful and visible corporate profile, are now going after bacon-wrapped hot dog vendors at tonight's Gold Cup doubleheader at Home Depot Center.

There are some times when you can't help reverting from journalist to fan.

Meeting and talking to Pele at the opening of Home Depot Center in 2003 courtesy of AEG was one of them; interviewing Zinidene Zidane Saturday in El Segundo via a French language interpreter thanks to adidas was another.

First off, I've never seen anything like this situation, especially in American soccer. I can't really remember anything on this level in other American sports either.
I finished reading Grant Wahl's excellent book over the weekend. After reading it, I can completely understand why Galaxy fans would be upset.

Is anyone surprised that Beckham got all pissy last night after he was coldly welcomed by to Los Angeles by Galaxy supporters? He probably cried about it later that night in his mega-million dollar mansion.
(Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images / July 19, 2009)
You have to wonder why this guy doesn't understand that when you "commit" to a club and it's fans, then force a loan for selfish reasons that causes you to miss over half the season, then come back and again "commit" to a club and it's fans, you won't generally be treated well.

The LA Riot Squad has issued a statement regarding the incident between a member of their group and Galaxy midfielder David Beckham during last Sunday's friendly against AC Milan.
What/why were we booing?
We want to support our teams and our players, and we do that week after week.

We are honored to have Grant Wahl, from Sports Illustrated and author of the Beckham Experiment join us. Hear about Wahl's experience writing the book and about specific issues related to the Galaxy. AEG, Alexi Lalas, 19 Entertainment, and Alan Gordon are covered in full in this comprehensive interview.

Phil Anschutz is the latest addition to the USA Bid Committee persuing hosting rights for the 2018 or 2022 World Cups. "Phil Anschutz and AEG have played a key role in the development of soccer in this country over the last 15 years," US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said. "Phil and his associates have been instrumental in the continued growth of MLS, in particular, and we're pleased to have his experience and leadership as a.

A month ago, the marketing folks at Crown Books sent me a preview copy of The Beckham Experiment, Grant Wahl's inside look at David Beckham's Big US Adventure. I'd like to think this is because Grant has me on speed dial and we spend a lot of time dishing about sport celebs, but Grant's so busy never returns my calls.

The AEG prez wants the futures of David Beckham and Landon Donovan decided in the next two weeks:

LONDON (AP) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy want David Beckham's expected loan to AC Milan to be completed in the next two weeks so the deal doesn't distract from the team's bid for the MLS Cup.

Landon Donovan has signed a new deal with Major League Soccer that will keep him with the club through the 2013 season. The four-year deal was announced on Wednesday afternoon at a press conference with Donovan and Galaxy head coach/general manager Bruce Arena in attendance.
"I am excited to be able to pledge my future to the Galaxy by signing this new contract," said Donovan.

Everyone's favorite biggest star in the world of futbol, David Beckham has finally, officially, completed the switch to AC Milan, ending the soap opera in which millions of electrons were killed to provide up-to-the second speculation, rumor, and (mis)information. As about a trillion futbol and so-called news sites are reporting, Becks, AEG, AC Milan, the LA Galaxy, MLS, Scott Boras, Zelig, and my sainted aunt have reached a deal that follows the contours of the info leaked to the press earlier in the week.

''David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally,'' said Timothy J. Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, the sports and entertainment conglomerate that operates the Galaxy. ``David is truly the only individual that can build the bridge between soccer in America and the rest of the world.

Every once in awhile I get a google alert in my inbox that is so surreal I have to check the date to be sure it's not April 1.

This was one of those alerts.

Apparently Galaxy CEO Tim Leiweke will be speaking at the "Leaders in Football" Conference?

Yeah, seriously.

This is the first of what we hope will be a few book reviews of books involving MLS this summer. According to the publisher we were sent a pre-sale copy book on the 6th of this month to review but have yet to receive it and since much has already been written about it we have decided to run the review of someone who did receive their pre-sale copy, Kartik Krishnayer over at MLSR partner MajorLeagueSoccerTalk.

Sorry this took a minute.
Earlier this week:
Quote: "I intend to stay until the end of my contract and maybe further," Beckham said Monday about his plans with the Galaxy. "I've always said that. I've always said, even when I went to Milan, that I'm committed to the Galaxy and to MLS, and that hasn't changed.

I gave David Beckham many chances. When the Galaxy schedule was fixed in 2007 so that 12 of the last 14 matches would be away, I assumed it was only the LA ownership being stupid. When stupid friendlies in the middle of the MLS season were arranged I assumed it was the same stupid ownership. When key players were traded away and crappy ones were brought it, I assumed it was ALL the fault of the coaching staff and management.

The fan group e-mailed it out this evening.

Here it is in its entirety:

What/why were we booing?
We want to support our teams and our players, and we do that week after week. We were really torn between our desire to support the team and the need to register our disappointment with the entire Beckham circus.

I've had this post in mind for a while now and it doesn't cast certain parts of the Rapids organization in the best light. This isn't to say that the Rapids Front Office isn't doing a good job most of the time, and I've had great interactions when I've dealt with them. I do want to point out where the organization needs to improve though, and I ask that you read it all and keep that point in mind.

Tomorrow is the Chicago Fire's birthday, and to mark the occasion the team and Section 8 Chicago, the Independent Supporters' Association, are co-hosting a birthday party at Toyota Park. Major League Soccer's first venture into expansion (along with its dead fraternal twin Miami) turns 12 on the 138th anniversary of the great conflagration that made the city, the Great Chicago Fire.

It was just announced at LA Live.

And as part of that agreement, Donovan is allowed to go on loan to Everton or another team from Jan. 1 to March 15 that's been in contact with MLS. Although it has "not been finalized," Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena said the front runner is Everton.

"This is further evidence the LA Galaxy and AEG are committed to building a strong team here in LA," Arena said.

It was a promotional event for adidas, community outreach initiative MLS W.O.R.K.S. and FieldTurf to announce "Footprint Fields," a program to develop new fields in urban areas.

While the one in El Segundo was not part of the program, five fields similar to that one either are or soon will be built, including one in Inglewood.

David Beckham is back, and fans of Major League Soccer are preparing for their next ride on the Goldenballs Rollercoaster. To spice up the moment, a book hit the shelves on Tuesday which has ignited interest in his return and will go down in US soccer history as a must-read.

The Beckham Experiment, by Sports Illustrated senior writer Grant Wahl, got another boost from the USA's Confederations Cup campaign in which Beckham's colleague Landon Donovan played himself not only into the affections of football observers worldwide, but back into those of the American fans who feel they've never seen the best from a man who should've been a superstar.

OK. I know a lot of you read that headline and either rolled your eyes, or muttered "dream on, sister."
I've been involved in a discussion on Big Soccer about Dan Loney's article, "Endless Summer". He opens with a reference to my post about the Galaxy/Barça game. Some Big Soccer readers have been baffled by my overtly political (feminist, Marxist) approach to the game (expressed in comments about Loney's article).

Manca poco ormai e David Beckham potr festeggiare. L'esperto centrocampista inglese è desideroso di riabbracciare l'Italia e la Serie A con la maglia del Milan. Il matrimonio, il secondo dopo l'esperienza vissuta lo scorso anno, si far , per il bene di tutti. La conferma arriva dai dirigenti della societ , l'Aeg, che possiede il club californiano (i Galaxy) nel quale milita il britannico: "Apprezziamo molto quello che David sta facendo qui - ha dichiarato Tim Leiweke, direttore generale dell'Aeg - e ora vogliamo trovare un nuovo accordo con il Milan, lo facciamo per lui e per noi".

All you who criticized Bruce Arena, said the game had passed him by, said he relied too much on old veterans...all you who said Dema Kovalenko was a one-dimensional hack...all you who said there was no way Ricketts or Berhalter would make it through the whole season...all you who said that Beckham and Donovan couldn't work together.

The Football Association announced today it had further narrowed its potential World Cup venue locations in England to 17 stadiums in 12 cities. The familiar names were there Old Trafford, Wembley, etc but one that will certainly have surprised observers at home and abroad was that of Home Park, Plymouth.