Club Tijuana fans cheer on Sunday during a 3-1 home loss to Santos Laguna, but they're mainly just happy to have a team in the highest echelon of Mexican futbol (Photo courtesy Club Tijuana). There is no doubt that Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente has aspirations of drawing Americans soccer

*Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza and the U.S. plays Panama at 5:30 p.m. today live on Galavision. *Mexico faces Chivas USA's Alejandro Moreno and Venezuela in Houston (live 6 p.m. KMEX). More here. *FOX Soccer announced today it will air live the FA Cup showdown between Americans Landon Donovan, Tim Howard

Golden girls: UCLA product Sydney Leroux and Diamond Bar's Alex Morgan celebrate one of the numerous goals the U.S. scored Sunday against Guatemala (AP Photo). Having scored an incredible 27 goals in its first two Olympic qualifiers, the U.S. shifts its attention today to sturdier prey: Mexico. The USWNT is

Tigres Triumph: Tigres' players, seen here celebrating their team's league title after beating Santos de Torreon Dec. 11, begin their championship defense this weekend as the Mexican league begins anew (AP Photo). If it isn't enough that American soccer fans will experience the longest MLS season ever this year, while

*The Galaxy have formally announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Sarvas from Costa Rican club Alajuelense, the day after Coach Bruce Arena told reporters about the acquisition conference call. Sarvas, 30, received his work visa today, although judging by his career path so far fans shouldn't get too attached

*Dave Werstin, Staff Writer with sister paper the Long Beach Press-Telegram, has the game story.

Notable: With the win, Long Beach State improved to 18-5-1 overall and extended its winning streak to a school record eight games.

In other women's soccer news:

*Pepperdine and Pali Blues forward Anisa Guajardo was called up to the full Mexican national team for the first time for a friendly against France Sunday.

*With 12 days top go until MLS Cup 2011 in Carson, the trophy arrives in Southern California at 11 a.m. today at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier with a police escort accompanied by former Galaxy players Alexi Lalas and Mauricio Cienfuegos in a VW convertible.

*Meanwhile, Dynamo fans have gobbled up their allotment of tickets for a game the club insists it can win without star player Brad Davis - just as it has won big games without big names in the past.

As well, it should - and he has been dropped by Mexico, I'm guessing for his ghastly form of late, not anything related to the disciplinary action. Also, NYRB defender Teemu Taino, who appeared to grab Galaxy midfielder Juninho around the neck during the melee that followed Marquez throwing a ball at the Galaxy's Landon Donovan after last weekend's game, was given a fine:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Major League Soccer has extended the suspension of New York Red Bulls defender Rafael Marquez to three games.

Back to Southern California: David Beckham and the Galaxy and Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls play the second leg of their Western Conference Semifinal Thursday in Carson (AP Photo).

Landon Donovan has never been afraid to criticize anyone, even David Beckham (who incidentally is listed as questionable for Thursday's game in Carson with back spasms).

Sammy Ochoa, the former U.S. Under-20 forward, is set to return from Mexico to the U.S. - and could join Chivas USA, 100 Percent Soccer has learned.

Chivas USA remain atop the MLS allocation order and the 24-year-old who is from the Los Angeles area and living in Corona would seem the type of young Latino player that should form the backbone of the club.

Bradley doppelganger: In a welcome contrast to his predecessor, Jurgen Klinsmann wore his heart on his sleeve during his USMNT coaching debut Wednesday against Mexico (AP Photo).

I have returned (sort of) and so has the USMNT (sort of, too) after Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Mexico in Philadelphia.

*David Beckham's affection for Manchester United won't allow him to play for Tottenham Hotspur or any other EPL team once his MLS contract ends.

*Chivas USA fans are still waiting for the club to make any sort of movement in the transfer market, but Saturday night's opponent in Carson, the Houston Dynamo, have been busy and could showcase a new face at Home Depot Center.

Marked man: David Beckham trains Friday at Home Depot Center ahead of today's game against former club Real Madrid at the Coliseum (AP Photo).

*Staff Writer Phil Collin scored an exclusive interview with David Beckham as the former England international and the Galaxy prepare to face Real Madrid today.

*Some Mexican soccer fans made the wrong sort of impression at the Club America-Atlas game Wednesday night in Carson.

Operations Sgt. Josh Stahl of the Carson station said this morning that the incident involved about 200 people outside the stadium watching fights involving "several" people.

Winning Wambach: Another Abby Wambach header, another U.S. win. I believe she missed this attempt, but connected on another header and scored in the 3-1 U.S. win (AP Photo).

*Southern California stars shone brightly this morning at the World Cup with UCLA's Lauren Cheney getting the first U.

Stars of the future make their mark now: Mexico's Luis Guzman and Arturo Gonzalez hold the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy in Mexico City Sunday after defeating Uruguay in the final (AP Photo).

This is what summer soccer weekends are about.

I can't remember a weekend packed with as many dramatic games as those we saw over the last couple of days.

The Gold Cup may not have done much for the reputation of the USMNT program, but it did wonders for broadcasters.

Los Angeles-based Fox Soccer Channel drew the largest audience in its history - 954,000 viewers - for the Mexico-U.S. final.

From FSC:

"(That's) by far a new Fox Soccer record and the most-watched soccer match on English language cable television since the 2010 World Cup.

U.S. 2 Mexico 4

Golden boys: Mexico celebrates their win in style Gold Cup victory that featured a dazzling display of attacking soccer the U.S. just couldn't stay with (AP Photo).

*Staff writer Miguel Mendez has the game story.

But really you could boil it down to this comment from Tim Howard:

"We didn't get it done - that's what it's about.

U.S. 2 Mexico 4

Golden boys: Mexico celebrates their win in style Gold Cup victory that featured a dazzling display of attacking soccer the U.S. just couldn't stay with (AP Photo).

*Staff writer Miguel Mendez has the game story.

But really you could boil it down to this comment from Tim Howard:

"We didn't get it done - that's what it's about.

It's hot here in Pasadena, one of those soccer games where an air-conditioned press box and free water makes for a welcome respite.

A huge round of boos from the predominantly pro-Mexico crowd as the U.S. came out to warm up a few minutes ago, followed by a huge roar as the Mexicans emerged from the tunnel a few moments later.

Or at least most of those who made the leap of faith and ensured a sold out Rose Bowl before Wednesday's two semifinals were even over.

Questions:

*Were the belated appearances of Landon Donovan and Freddy Adu - co-creators of Clint Dempsey's winning goal - inspired subs or should at the very least Donovan have been on the field from the outset and given the U.

3:30 p.m. U.S.-Panama on Fox Soccer Channel, Univision

7 p.m. Mexico-Honduras on Univision

Red, white & blue redemption: The U.S. must prove to their regional foes they belong in the Gold Cup final after losing earlier in the tournament to semifinal opponent Panama (AP Photos).

Moore football: London's Wembley Stadium stands ready for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final dream match-up between Barcelona and Manchester United. That's a statue of late England captain Bobby Moore in front of the stadium in case you were wondering (AFP Photo).

The greater LA area tends to empty out on long summer weekends, which is why the Galaxy and Chivas USA avoid scheduling home MLS games in Carson.

While we await the delayed U.S. Gold Cup squad announcement there's time to note that;

*MLS now has serious competition in this part of the world - on Saturday Tijuana made history. Can you say road trip?

*Former Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz may have forced the cancellation of not only the MLS Goal of the Week award, but the MLS Goal of the Season award, too.

New York Red Bulls-Chivas USA, 4 p.m. Galavision live, 5 p.m. on Prime

Bulls brain trust: Thierry Henry, coach Hans Backe, and Rafael Marquez meet the press in Montreal before New York's midweek friendly for the Frenchman's French-Canadian fans against the Impact (AP Photo).

*Chivas USA midfielder Marcos Mondaini learned today he will be suspended for a total of four games - so that's three additional games in addition to the automatic one-game ban for being ejected - for his tackle last Saturday that left Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales with two broken bones and torn ligaments in his left ankle.

Here's what lies ahead for SoCal soccer lovers this week:

*The Galaxy and Chivas USA are both out of town.

The Galaxy headed to Arizona Sunday for a 10-day camp that will see them play the Colorado Rapids Wednesday and Vancouver Sunday and next Tuesday.

*Chivas USA dropped a 1-0 decision to the Seattle Sounders Saturday in Casa Grande, Ariz.

*Here's the Galaxy schedule.

ESPN2 will broadcast four Galaxy games: against the Sounders March 15 in the MLS opener as previously announced; against the Red Bulls May 7; against Chivas USA May 21; against the Sounders July 4; against New York again Aug. 28; and Chivas USA once more Oct.

The Galaxy announced today the club will play Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente of Mexico's Liga de Ascenso at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 at Torero Stadium on the University of San Diego campus.

Tickets starting at $25 go on sale 10 a.m. Wednesday. Call (619) 260-7550.

"We are very excited to announce this match against Club Tijuana in San Diego, a market that is important to our organization and one where we have wanted to play for quite some time," said Galaxy President of Business Operations Tom Payne.

The game was announced today:

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico will play Venezuela in an exhibition game March 29 in San Diego.

Mexico plays Bosnia-Herzegovina on Feb. 9 in Atlanta and Paraguay on March 26 in Oakland.

All three are FIFA fixture dates, making it possible for the teams to bring in top players from European clubs.

As I continue to catch up during my enforced break:

*Chivas USA announced Thursday afternoon that former defender and captain Claudio Suarez, one of the most respected figures in Mexican soccer, has rejoined the club he retired from in 2009 in an advisory capacity.

"Claudio is a true legend in the soccer world, and we're thrilled that he'll be working with us again at Chivas USA," said Interim General Manager Jose Domene.

*Chivas USA striker Justin Braun and former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu have been released from the U.S. Men's National Team in Carson because of injuries, officials announced today.

Braun sustained a laceration in the region of his left Achilles Tuesday during the morning training session.

Last summer I was a contributor to a KPFK show called "The People's Game" that aired during the World Cup.

A co-contributor/host/guest on the show was Altadena filmmaker Pablo Miralles who is in the final stages of making a documentary called "Gringos at the Gate" along with two other graduates of UCLA's film school.

*The EPL's Tottenham Hotspur hopes/believes/is trying to convince themselves (take your pick, one is as good as another at this point since the Galaxy never confirm any deal until every "i" is dotted) that David Beckham could be on loan to them by Sunday. Details here. And don't you just love those vague comments from Spurs boss Harry Rednapp.