Chalk up another win for the Los Angeles Galaxy
Only this one wasn't just for them, it perhaps was an important win for MLS as well. Despite
massive offers from numerous European clubs, David Beckham officially chose to remain in the United
States, agreeing to new multi-year contract with the Galaxy that keeps the famed midfielder in Los
Angeles through the 2013 MLS season.
Photo by David Bernal/ISIPhotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
LOS ANGELES --It is official, David Beckham will be returning to MLS and it appears that he may
be staying for quite some time.
The Los Angeles Galaxy presented Beckham before a group of reporters on Thursday to announce his
new two-year-deal with the club.
Ladies, gentlemen, we have now entered the last 24 hours of the 2011 MLS Season. It's been a
good one, perhaps one of the best, and, as we prepare for the final in LA, I'm sure we all have our
bets on which team will take the cup. But first, let's catch up on the results of MLS's annual
awards.
By Kirsten Schlewitz / Senior West Coast Beer and Aston Villa CorrespondentIn the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you: I'msitting here wearing a "Beat LA"
sweatshirt. Sure, it's meant to be ananti-Dodgers sentiment, but it applies to Sunday's match
between the LosAngeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo.
Image via WikipediaDavid Beckham has been named the
MLS Comeback Player of the Year after
helping the LA Galaxy into this weekend's title decider against the Houston Dynamos. He got 59.8
per cent of votes cast by media, players and club officials, and won over the other finalists,
Charlie Davies (D.
Ginge is back with his reactions to the latest USMNT friendlies in France and Slovenia. He also
explains why he's pleased Charlie Davis didn't win the Comeback Player of the Year award in MLS and
sounds off on Sepp Blatter's latest nonsense and explains the only way change can possibly happen
at FIFA.
A video of Seba Le Toux talking about endurance (careful, it auto-plays!). This is perfect.
Nobody on Earth can possibly be more qualified to discuss this topic. Oh wait, he just says he
works hard? What!? This is like getting superman to talk about his powers and walking away with a
quote like, "I just do it, y'know?
We've got two awards on the docket today: comeback player of the year and coach of the year. And
finally we have our first controversy. We'll start with the easier COY, beginning with my selection
three months ago. Coach of the YearPiotr Nowak, PhiladelphiaIn the running: Robert Warzycha,
Schellas HyndmanNotes: Philly's eye-popping turnaround is the story of the league through July.
David Beckham has always been known as a fierce competitor and for his ability to return from
the injury that cost him a chance at the World Cup, he was awarded with the 2011 MLS Comeback
Player of the year.
The 36-year-old midfielder has enjoyed an MVP-caliber season, battling back from a potentially
career-ending Achilles injury that cost Beckham a spot on England's 2010 World Cup spot and caused
him to miss six months of the 2010 MLS season.
Payoff! It took five years, but AEG head honcho Tim Leiweke and the Galaxy finally got their
money's worth from David Beckham in 2011 (AP Photo).
MLS Cup 2011 at Carson's sold out Home Depot Center between the Galaxy and Houston Dynamo is now
just seven days away.
*David Beckham's 15 assists and the Galaxy's 10-1-3 record with him in the lineup earned him the
nod today as the MLS Comeback Player of the Year after missing six months and all but seven games
last year with a torn Achilles tendon.
Yes, I know it's been a week since I wrote. Sorry, school comes first. Here's something to tide
you lovely people over till I can write a proper article. Keep in mind that my offer to help
contribute to the MLS offside stands, and that if you're interested you should email me at
kaufmb@d-e.
Specifically, David Beckham is in the running for Comeback Player of the Year, GM and Coach
Bruce Arena is seeking a second Coach of the Year honor in three years, while Omar Gonzlaes, is up
for Defender of the Year. Gonzales has been voted Galaxy Defender of the Year two times in a
row.
Also of note: longtime South Bay resident Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders is another Coach
of the Year finalist, while former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman of FC Dallas is also up for
Goalkeeper of the Year.
Those who frequent TSG know we pride ourselves on accountability and the axiom, "you can't look
at a single observation, you have to look at the entire body of work."
On the former, witness Defense Exhibit A below. We probably should have doctored up
some of the predictions (Kenny Cooper for Comeback Player of the Year or Eric Alexander for
Breakout Player), but we didn't.
The time has come for us to pontificate on mid-season grades and awards for the New England
Revolution. Not that anyone really wants to; this season has, for lack of a better word, sucked.
Nevertheless, we'll begin today with an awards breakdown.
MVP: Shalrie Joseph
Could it have been anyone else?
By JOSE M. ROMERO
Much of Kenny Cooper's soccer career, from the U.S. to Europe, has been defined by potential and
promise that was deflated by injury.
But the big striker, still young at 26, had one very memorable season in MLS in 2008. He scored
18 goals and played in all 30 regular-season games for FC Dallas, winning Comeback Player of the
Year, Best XI and All-Star honors.
I love the predictions game! Truth is, as Beau Dure points out,
no one knows anything when it comes to season predictions. Since I accept this truth to be self
evident, I have decided to make my predictions with a heavy DC United bias. Thus, let me present
the MLS award predictions for the 2011 season with Black and Red colored glasses.
