Well it's just a preseason match and doesn't count for anything, but the Dynamo's 1-0 victory over the LA Galaxy does give us the ever so slightest bit of retribution after last season. Nathan Sturgis scored his second goal of the preseason as the Dynamo defense continued it's streak of clean sheets with their fifth straight shutout of the preseason.

From Joe Roth to Adrian Hanauer to Sigi Schmid to players like Mike Fucito Seattle Sounders FC has been quite clear about their goals for this year. Another US Open Cup title will not be enough. It is a consistent organizational chorus that started at the End of Year Business Meeting and is hinted at in most conversations about the upcoming season.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Feb 9, 2012) US Soccer Players -- Tony looks at an innovative marketing plan by the Rapids, asks about Edson Buddle's childhood role models, and sees the Western Conference getting more difficult. Who is the 31st best player in the English Premier League, according to the latest Castrol Rankings?

Less than a week after bringing American Edson Buddle back to Los Angeles, the team has bolstered the roster further by unveiling two Brazilians.

Earlier this week, the Galaxy officially announced that the club had reached an agreement with Brazilian club São Paulo FC, allowing midfielder Juninho to return on loan for the 2012 season.

"You are just on loan Dave..."A SALARY CAP FAR, FAR AWAY
In the most uneventful (in a good way) pre-season of Toronto FC's history, we can't help but gaze into the distance at our next meaningful opponent, LA Galaxy. In one of the shrewdest moves in MLS governance, Galaxy persuaded the league to allow them to use Mexican Pesos as their salary cap currency.

I woke up this morning to Josh Mayers of the Seattle Times reporting that the LA Galaxy had managed to secure Leonardo on a free transfer and they got Juninho back on a free loan.Suffice it to say that my initial response was not fit to print.

The top of the LA Galaxy roster boggles the mind.

After winning MLS Cup, earning a place in the Champions League and become the MLS equivalent of a SuperClub, the LA Galaxy had questions to answer at the end of 2011.
The possible departures of David Beckham, Juninho and the confirmed loss of Donovan Ricketts raised questions. Add to that the threat of extend loans from Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, the Galaxy had quiet cause for concern.

After winning MLS Cup, earning a place in the Champions League and become the MLS equivalent of a SuperClub, the LA Galaxy had questions to answer at the end of 2011.
The possible departures of David Beckham, Juninho and the confirmed loss of Donovan Ricketts raised questions. Add to that the threat of extend loans from Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, the Galaxy had quiet cause for concern.

The Los Angeles Galaxy's search for Juninho's replacement has ended with Juninho himself.

The Sao Paulo central midfielder is on his way back to Los Angeles for another loan spell with the Galaxy. Multiple reports out of Brazil say that Sao Paulo manager Emerson Leao had no plans to use the 23-year-old Juninho, who signed a new three-year deal with Sao Paulo during the MLS offseason.

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

Sometimes items from Soccer America can be a total miss but check out today's MLS Confidential on the Galaxy. For anyone out there that couldn't get how the LA Galaxy was able to squeeze in Edson Buddle to their salary cap, check this article out.

By bringing back Edson Buddle into the fold, even if he costs slightly more than the $178,488 salary he earned in 2010 before leaving for Germany, the Galaxy probably hasn't crunched its salary cap to any great extent, because of player departures as well as amassing allocation money.

Sometimes items from Soccer America can be a total miss but check out today's MLS Confidential on the Galaxy. For anyone out there that couldn't get how the LA Galaxy was able to squeeze in Edson Buddle to their salary cap, check this article out.

By bringing back Edson Buddle into the fold, even if he costs slightly more than the $178,488 salary he earned in 2010 before leaving for Germany, the Galaxy probably hasn't crunched its salary cap to any great extent, because of player departures as well as amassing allocation money.

Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIPhotos.com

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- Fresh off his year and a half long stint in Germany, Edson Buddle does not feel like the same player that departed the Los Angeles Galaxy after a stellar 2010 season.

He believes that he's even better.

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

Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIPhotos.com

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- With Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Keane, the Los Angeles Galaxy boasted one of the strongest rosters in MLS.

Now with the addition of Edson Buddle, the Galaxy's attack may be the finest in league history.

The beginning of the 2012 Major League Soccer season is right around the corner and the folks over at MLS Soccer have released their first preseason power rankings. As expected the LA Galaxy are on top, while the New England Revolution get no love, as MLS Soccer ranks them below the expansion side Montreal Impact.

Their Words "He has been an outstanding player for us in the past and we look forward to him continuing that success for many years to come." LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, on signing Edson Buddle. Other Sources Buddle return might mean repeat - from ESPN LA's Scott French: How big is this? This is Toronto FC's make-or-break season - from The Toronto Sun's Kurtis Larson: It's one of the few remaining question marks the.

He's baaack!

I like to think my post yesterday made the difference. That it was the final piece that brought Buddle back. Okay, maybe not. But I can still think that.

I was excited when Buddle first joined the Galaxy. He was not so highly rated, but I had seen him play and thought he had a lot of potential.

BY ADAM SERRANO

The Los Angeles Galaxy enjoyed a banner day on Wednesday, but it was by no means a perfect one.

After signing forward Edson Buddle and acquiring midfielder Kyle Nakazawa in a deal from the Philadelphia Union, the Galaxy learned that homegrown signing Jose Villarreal will be out for six weeks.

After spending a year in Germany playing for FC Ingolstadt of the German 2. Bundesliga, United States striker Edson Buddle is returning to the Galaxy after signing a free transfer.

The Galaxy garnered suspicion early Wednesday when they posted a picture of a blank #14 jersey on their official Twitter account, asking fans whose name they would like to see on the jersey.

After spending a year in Germany playing for FC Ingolstadt of the German 2. Bundesliga, United States striker Edson Buddle is returning to the Galaxy after signing a free transfer.

The Galaxy garnered suspicion early Wednesday when they posted a picture of a blank #14 jersey on their official Twitter account, asking fans whose name they would like to see on the jersey.

As if the defending MLS Champions needed any more offensive firepower, the LA Galaxy announced today that Edson Buddle would be rejoining the Galaxy after terminating his contract with FC Ingolstadt by mutual consent.

Buddle's addition gives LA the league's best forward tandem, as he and Robbie Keane will lead a line that should feast on the service provided by Landon Donovan and David Beckham.

The past few days have altered the landscape of MLS, the Western Conference and, specifically, Cascadia. While many of us have always believed that the West was much stronger than the East, the amount of talent that has flooded in during the past week alone has only strengthened that belief.

Let's review: The Portland Timbers have added Kris Boyd, the leading scorer in Scottish Premier League history; the Vancouver Whitecaps traded for Sebastien Le Toux, who's contributed to 45 goals over the past two seasons; and the LA Galaxy brought back Edson Buddle, who scored 19 goals during the 2010 season.

"I have a squad thiiiiiiis big"FILLING HOLES, FEELING WHOLE
Isn't it refreshing to hear Aron Winter and his troops talk about how the club is "almost complete"? Barely a week in to training camp and the club's depth charts are nearly full. With the most recent acquisition completed, Chilean defender Miguel Aceval, the biggest hole of the off-season - the defence - has pretty much been taken care of.

"I have a squad thiiiiiiis big"FILLING HOLES, FEELING WHOLE
Isn't it refreshing to hear Aron Winter and his troops talk about how the club is "almost complete"? Barely a week in to training camp and the club's depth charts are nearly full. With the most recent acquisition completed, Chilean defender Miguel Aceval, the biggest hole of the off-season - the defence - has pretty much been taken care of.

The day after reports that Edson Buddle had been released from his contract with Ingolstadt in Germany's 2.Bundesliga, Major League Soccer announced that he has signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Buddle left the Galaxy following the 2010 season. "I am thrilled to be able to return to MLS and a club that has meant so much to me in my career," Buddle said in a press release.

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

Edson Buddle is back. (Getty Images)

Edson Buddle is back in a LA Galaxy uniform. The deal to bring back one of the league's all-time best goal-scorers happened today.

Buddle rejoins the Galaxy after being released from his contract with FC Ingolstadt 04 on Tuesday. Los Angeles maintained his MLS rights following his free transfer to Ingolstadt last January.

Edson Buddle is back. (Getty Images)

Edson Buddle is back in a LA Galaxy uniform. The deal to bring back one of the league's all-time best goal-scorers happened today.

Buddle rejoins the Galaxy after being released from his contract with FC Ingolstadt 04 on Tuesday. Los Angeles maintained his MLS rights following his free transfer to Ingolstadt last January.

Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

For the other 18 teams in MLS, knocking the Los Angeles Galaxy off their perch atop the league just became a bit more difficult.

U.S. national team forward Edson Buddle is rejoining the Galaxy after being released from his contract with FC Ingolstadt 04 on Tuesday, sources told SBI.

It's gone around Italy that newly freed-agent Edson Buddle has had calls from Lazio. I am here to tell you this is not the case. As I stated yesterday, he's on his way back to Los Angeles. It's all done, I promise.- Greg Seltzer

Photo: Earl Gardner

Le Toux talks

It just won't stop.

As suggested by the 130 readers' comments posted on PSP in less then 24 hours since the Le Toux transfer news broke, if the sadness felt by Union fans at the news of Sebastien Le Toux's transfer to Vancouver wasn't enough, subsequent comments from Peter Nowak and Le Toux will, for many, see that sadness turn to anger.

While it's possible something else wiggled through the window, it appears Edson Buddle rejoining L.A. and Charles Renken heading to the Portland Timbers will stand as our late fireworks.As I was informed to be likely, the DaMarcus Beasley move to Nancy did not come off, most likely because Puebla execs are too busy trying not to go to jail.

Edson Buddle's European venture has come to a screeching halt.

Despite Buddle scoring six goals for FC Ingolstadt this season, the club released him from his contract Tuesday for unspecified reasons. Buddle had been sent away from the team prior to the 2. Bundesliga's winter break, the first indication that his time in Germany may have been coming to a premature close.

Ingolstadt has just released Edson Buddle from his contract. I've been told he's headed back to the Galaxy. Looks like a go, multiple sources checked here.UPDATE: I had been trying to nail this one down for several hours. Ingolstadt suddenly made it easy for me. And somewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt execs are cursing.

FC Ingolstadt's Edson Buddle has decided not to sign with Belgian Pro League team KVC Westerlo.

I'm not sure where this started, but the reports that Edson Buddle is now training with Belgian side Westerlo are flat false. He's back in Germany.And from what I've been told, he remains an option for Everton, though I am not precisely sure how much of one.- Greg Seltzer

After trialling with Everton FC of the Premiership last week, American Edson Buddle has arrived at KVC Westerlo of the Belgian First Division where he is considering signing on with the Flemish side.

photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

Robbie Rogers' move to Leeds United has not yet been completed, but the move seems all but done after Rogers was approved for a work permit.

Not having played the required amount of games for the U.S. men's national team, Rogers qualified for a work permit on special dispensation.

Today's du Nord post is dedicated to one of our heroes: Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr on this day, January 17, in 1942. Happy 70th my man!
STARTERS
I spent 2 great days last week in Kansas City at the NSCAA Convention, including taking in the MLS SuperDraft.