Kick Off: LA's Goats unveil plans to become all-SoCal squad

Take a good look at today’s version of Chivas USA. Because it will be very different in just a few years.

As they prepare to take on their rivals, the LA Galaxy, in the SuperClásico on Saturday night (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2 and ESPNDeportes), one Chivas USA executive outlines the future vision for the club: “We will play only with South California players. … It will be the real thing — homegrown players through development rather than hiring stars.” Call it the anti-Galaxy approach.

There’s a fair share of big news from the Galaxy side of the hallway, too. First, Landon Donovan says that the AS Roma transfer talk is hogwash while fellow Designated Player David Beckham will in fact miss an MLS match for the Gary Neville testimonial.

There might be one other game that Beckham misses this summer due to personal matters. A report indicates that his family is planning for the birth of his daughter to take place on July 4, the same day of a Galaxy match against Seattle. By the way, the name is apparently already picked out. Here it is.

Chivas USA will soon be dealing with one of their most influential players being away. Captain Alejandro Moreno could miss up to 11 matches with the Goats in order to play for the Venezuelan national team.

One player who won't be called to international duty with his country in the CONCACAF Gold Cup is Lovel Palmer of the Houston Dynamo. The snub even shocked his club coach Dominic Kinnear.

In addition to Donovan and Beckham, another MLS Designated Player is in the news. New York Red Bulls Frenchman Thierry Henry says his fellow countryman and friend Robert Pires “talks too much” and that rumors of a potential arrival to join him at Red Bulls are false. More importantly, a swollen knee may knock him out of the match in Houston (8:30 p.m. ET, Direct Kick and MatchDay Live).

The French media are undeterred. In France Football they claim that discussions are already underway between the Red Bulls and David Trézéguet, with the goal of reuniting the French national team strike force. (FRENCH)

Another new name being rumored as a target of MLS clubs is Panamanian international Blas Pérez, who currently plies his trade in the Mexican second division. (SPANISH)

For all the critics wondering when he will score again from open play, Philadelphia Union attacker Sébastien Le Toux wants you to know that you should be watching his games more carefully. "I know I can bring something up top, but I'm also asked to drop back.” Philly host Chicago on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, Galavisión).

For Chicago Fire goalkeeper Jon Conway, the match against Philly is a chance to play in front of his parents, who are Union fans.

Chicago Fire captain Logan Pause is nearly back to full fitness. But when he does return, does he get his place in midfield again? His manager give the answer: No.

You know how most coaches preach teamwork? Well Crew manager Robert Warzycha wants his players to be “selfish” when it comes to his attackers. It’s the only way they can score more goals. This weekend Columbus is in Portland (11 p.m. ET, Direct Kick and MatchDay Live).

The Timbers have moved on from the rivalry match against Seattle last weekend and are focused on the Crew. Manager John Spencer made sure of it by calling a truce in the war of words with Seattle manager Sigi Schmid.

In Seattle, they're wondering when Sounders forward Nate Jaqua will begin to hit the back of the net again. He has as good a chance as any this weekend against visiting Sporting Kansas City (10 p.m. ET, Direct Kick and MatchDay Live), a team against which he has five goals and two assists in his last seven games against them. He even admits that he's familiar with his stats vs. SKC.

The New England Revolution are feeling good about themselves as they head back out to the West Coast to face the San Jose Earthquakes (10:30 p.m. ET, Direct Kick and MatchDay Live). Revs right back Kevin Alston claims that his team is “just coming together.”

On Sunday, Real Salt Lake will have the challenge of getting their first point ever on the road to FC Dallas, the former club of RSL manager Jason Kreis (7 p.m. ET, Direct Kick and MatchDay Live). Captain Kyle Beckerman says that it’s one of RSL's goals this year and that they don’t “want them to keep that stat over us down there.”

D.C. United play a friendly against Ajax Amsterdam this Sunday and will not feature in league action. But they’re still in the news … in Honduras. They claim that D.C. United are pushing for Andy Najar to remain with his club although his country will be calling for matches on May 29 and June 3. (SPANISH)

In addition to the relegation scrap in most of the major European leagues that are winding down, the French league could crown a new champion if Lille can grab a point at Paris St. Germain. There are also the Turkish league promotion playoff semis, involving Freddy Adu’s Rizespor.

The Mexican league champions will also be decided on Sunday as Pumas UNAM take home a 1-1 first leg draw earned on Thursday night at Morelia. The evergreen Francisco “Paco” Palencia put Pumas ahead in the match.

Lastly, get used to the name “Luis Rendon.” He’s a 17-year-old from Virginia, who earned Gatorade National Player of the Year honors. The USA Under-18 player was informed about the award by former MLS star Alecko Eskandarian during art class.

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