*If, like me, you took advantage of the holiday weekend and headed for areas of the state less traveled this weekend, here's a quick look at local soccer happenings over the weekend: *First off, the MLS Supplemental Draft gets under way at 11 a.m. today. *The Galaxy's Landon Donovan got

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

Happy 2012 folks. Hope you enjoyed the holiday break; I know I enjoyed the respite from what can be a blogging grind. Let's bring ourselves up to date with what's been going on over the holiday break: *While David Beckham has reportedly decided against signing for French side PSG, (before

*CHICAGO (AP) -- Borussia Dortmund forward Terrence Boyd and UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe have been added to the U.S. under-23 roster for a training camp ahead of men's Olympic soccer qualifying. Thirty players will gather for the camp with new coach Caleb Porter. It will be held from Thursday through

If its winter, it must be time for soccer camps. Here's a run-down: *The Galaxy's Michael Stephens was called into the week-long U.S. Under-23 camp scheduled to begin a week from today in Florida. The 2010 first round draft pick is one of 28 players participating. The full roster is

*Midfielder Jose Villarreal, a Leuzinger High product, and defender Zarek Valentin, who made 24 starts for the Goats this season, were among 31 players selected for the camp, which will run Monday through Nov. 16 in Germany under Claudio Reyna, U.S. youth technical director.

And check out all those German-based players on the full squad:

Goalkeepers: David Bingham (San Jose), Cody Cropper (Ipswich, England), Sean Johnson (Chicago), Jon Kempin (Sporting KC)

Defenders: Gale Agbossoumonde (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Sean Cunningham (Molde, Norway), Royal-Dominique Fennell (Stuttgarter Kickers, Germany), Greg Garza (no club), Perry Kitchen (D,C.

*Add Chris Birchall (left hamstring strain) to the growing Galaxy injury list released today. The midfielder, who has made 21 appearances for the Galaxy this season, is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against Morelia, along with the same players who remain in that category from Friday's update: David Beckham (back spasms), Robbie Keane (right gluteus tightness) and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (right quad tightness).

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.

*The Galaxy will meet new USL pro franchise the LA Blues in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup next week after the team disposed Tuesday of lower level opponent the Ventura County Fusion. The Fusion weren't helped by the fact their captain Andy Rose is on trial with the Chicago Fire and missed the game.

*Largely fielding a reserve team, the Galaxy beat the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 today for the second time in two days in Arizona, the victory coming from second half goals by Chad Barrett and Adam Cristman 16 minutes apart.

The Galaxy will now return to Southern California after spending 10 days in Arizona.

Newport Beach's Jack McBean, 16, just weeks after signing a pro contract with the Galaxy, has made the U.S. U-17 squad that will take part in CONCACAF qualifying next week with a place in the World Cup in Mexico at stake.

McBean is the lone professional on the 20-player roster, but is also one of the least experienced youth internationals on the squad.