Yes, you read that right. Southern California's own Landon Donovan, a Redlands native, is ranked three places higher than global superstar and part-time underwear model David Beckham on the just released Bloomberg Businessweek Power 100 list of the most powerful professional athletes in American sports.

Clearing up a few odds and ends before the weekend (that would have posted hours sooner had our soon-to-be-replaced blogging software not freaked out): *Galaxy midfielder Michael Stephens, Chivas USA's Jorge Villafaña (formerly Flores) and UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe were named today to the U-23 camp set for Sunday through

Big guns: Aging stars like, from left, Robert Pires, retired Brazilian striker Ronaldo (well, OK maybe it's a little late for him) and Chelsea's Didier Drogba, seen here at a charity game in Hamburg, Germany today, may have less motivation to take MLS money now that China's newly rich have

Pujols presented: Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno introduces Albert Pujols during a news conference Saturday in Anaheim (AP Photo). Say, haven't we seen this before? I thought so, too. Read today's column here.

Is this goodbye? David Beckham could play his last MLS game for the Galaxy Sunday in the MLS championship game - and not even the club knows whether he will return (AP Photo).

Or, at least David Beckham, whose five-year MLS contract expires at year's end, has not shared his decision privately - if he has made one - with Galaxy owner Anschutz Entertainment Group and President Tim Leiweke, who spoke to reporters Friday at Home Depot Center during the MLS MVP presentation ceremony.

The move would affect every Galaxy and Chivas USA fan, since both clubs broadcast the bulk of their games on the Prime and Fox Sports West, as well as those of us who subscribe to Fox Soccer and Fox Soccer Plus.

I don't know which side is to blame with this impasse; but if DirecTV loses the soccer channels I will drop the service ASAP and I'm sure other soccer fans will do the same.

Associated Press Sports Writer Graham Dunbar has the scoop:

ZURICH (AP) -- A FIFA official with knowledge of the decision says Fox has won the U.S. television rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Fox was awarded the English-language rights and Telemundo the Spanish-language rights.

How many bribery allegations can a Chuck Blazer chuck? The American soccer bureaucrat has announced his resignation from the region's governing body of soccer (AP Photo).

Of course, since Chuck Blazer, the second in command at CONCACAF made the bribery allegations he, too, has come under scrutiny for his offshore bank accounts (which are not mentioned in this story by Associated Press Sports Writer Ronald Blum:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Chuck Blazer is resigning as the No.

FIFA took down Jack Warner and are now taking aim at his cronies in CONCACAF. AP Writer Graham Dunbar has the details; ZURICH (AP) -- Delving further into a scandal that shook the sport, FIFA will investigate 16 Caribbean soccer leaders about a bribery scandal involving former presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.

Fun and games at the All-Star Game: David Beckham and Thierry Henry share a laugh Monday while practicing for Wednesday's game (AP Photo).

Regular readers know I'm no fan of the MLS All-Star Game, an American sporting tradition that has no place in a global game. And after some of the antics and overall performances we've seen recently at games between MLS clubs and foreign opposition, combining the All-Star game with an exhibition against Manchester United is just combining two bad ideas.

Another reason to dissolve CONCACAF?:

ZURICH (AP) -- Caribbean soccer leaders were given 48 hours by FIFA to explain their part in a Trinidad meeting where Mohamed bin Hammam allegedly offered them bribes or face life bans from the sport.

Caribbean Football Union members have been asked for their "truthful and complete" versions of events, FIFA said Tuesday.

I've often wondered why no enterprising South Bay bar owner hadn't rented a bus to haul soccer fans back and forth from Home Depot Center.

Especially pub owners in Old Torrance, where, for instance, some LA Riot Squad members already gather for a cold one at the Red Car Brewery & Restaurant before and after games and some leave their cars in the parking lot and car pool together the 15 minutes or so to the stadium to avoid the ridiculous parking fees at the stadium.

The whistleblower and the beneficiary: FIFA Executive Committe member Chuck Blazer, left, and newly-relected FIFA president Joseph Blatter in Zurich today where Blatter was elected to a final term as president of the world governing body of soccer (AP Photo).

Last man standing:

ZURICH (AP) -- Sepp Blatter was re-elected FIFA president on Wednesday after a major bribery scandal left him as the only candidate to deal with a sport reeling from a wave of corruption allegations.

In observance of Memorial Day.

But here's three links to chew on for Tuesday:

*Here's more on the status of the Whitecaps ahead of Vancouver's game Wednesday night against Chivas USA in Carson.

*New disclosures today on the scandal enveloping CONCACAF head Jack Warner.

*Former Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez claims Mexican soccer is 100 years ahead of the U.

Brandishing the (apparently all but worthless) FIFA Code of Ethics, a not exactly contrite Sepp Blatter went on the offensive in Switzerland today, scolding reporters and upbraiding some fellow FIFA officials (AP Photos).

FIFA President Sepp Blatter may deny it, but the world's governing body has been shaken to the core and no resolution is in sight.

Soccer scoundrels? Mohamed bin Hammam, right, of Qatar, chief of the Asian Football Confederation, is accompanied by FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF official Jack Warner, of Trinidad & Tobago, during a meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago earlier this year. The pair have been summoned to FIFA headquarters Sunday to discuss possible wrongdoing (AP Photo).

Sunday's Super Bowl was seen by a record number of American TV viewers.

By comparison, soccer has a way to go - in this country.

But the Super Bowl pales in comparison to World Cup soccer on a global scale.

And, in terms of passion, American football doesn't really compare anyway.

*The club will play the expansion Portland Timbers Feb. 8 and the San Jose Earthquakes Feb. 10 at Home Depot Center, although there's no word whether fans will be able to peer over a fence and watch or the games will be behind closed doors.

The Galaxy will also play three games against MLS opponents while training in Arizona from Feb.