The Los Angeles Galaxy’s David Beckham desperately wants to add the MLS Cup to his trophy case and capture the final title that has escaped him in his career. He says it would be “one of the biggest things I’ve ever won.”
Fans hoping to see Beckham team up with Ronaldinho at the Galaxy ahead of the start of the 2011 season will be disappointed at the comments made by the Brazilian’s brother, who also serves as his agent.
LA’s Landon Donovan has apparently made an appeal for Seattle winger Steve Zakuani to be part of the US national team set-up. We’ll see if Zakuani is also on board, since he says he’s already made the decision as to which country he’ll represent. But he’s not telling.
Meanwhile, Soccer America’s Hall of Fame writer takes issue with Galaxy midfielder Dema Kovalenko and his play in Seattle over the weekend.
The Seattle Sounders are dealing with an injury to central defender Jeff Parke ahead of their trip to the Home Depot Center on Sunday. He may not train for most of this week.
Veteran Tyrone Marshall says he’s ready to replace Parke should he be called upon. He wants to help Seattle get by the Galaxy because the Sounders “want to go all the way.”
In other playoff injury news, Thierry Henry trained with the New York Red Bulls on Tuesday and although he looked sharp on his movements, he still is experiencing pain in his right knee. He likely won’t start against San Jose but he says he can be available off the bench if the situation calls for it on Thursday night vs. San Jose.
It is now a real possibility that Real Salt Lake will miss arguably their top two players for the second leg against FC Dallas at Rio Tinto Stadium. After the suspension to playmaker Javier Morales, manager Jason Kreis says he has concerns about Alvaro Saborio’s ability to be effective due to injury.
Ahead of the Colorado Rapids’ key second leg in Columbus, is owner Stan Kroenke ready to make his move to acquire Arsenal?
If you’ve been out of the country and are just catching up on the MLS Cup Playoffs, there really is no excuse. But here’s an SI.com article that will help you catch up on the stories of this weekend’s second legs.
It is expected to be a moving press conference at Gillette Stadium today, where alongside Steve Nicol and the Revolution’s owners, New England legend Taylor Twellman will call it a career.
D.C. United’s Bryan Namoff, who also suffered from concussion symptoms, is undergoing a unique rehab treatment (VIDEO).
While Chivas USA’s President and CEO officially left the club on Tuesday, the Goats say they will begin interviewing head coaching candidates this week.
Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad, who is reportedly out of contract in December, says the players in KC feel they underachieved this year.
The Vancouver Whitecaps are in full planning mode for 2011 and already have a goalkeeper in mind. Now it all comes down to contract negotiations.
Another big name is being linked with a move to MLS this morning: oft-injured Manchester United striker Michael Owen.
Also in the news in England is RBNY’s Henry, as Arsenal’s Arsène Wenger is hoping to transform Theo Walcott from winger to striker in much the same way as he did Henry.
Judging by all the ink he’s getting, there’s no greater in-form player in world soccer today than Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale.
Today’s Champions League schedule is highlighted by José Mourinho’s return to Milan as Real Madrid travel to meet AC Milan at the San Siro (3:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel). There is also Chelsea vs. Spartak Moscow (3:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Plus).
Back in the USA, there is a new No. 1 in the men’s college soccer polls and it’s a college few associate with its soccer.
Lastly, the story of Cleveland State’s head coach, who led his team to an upset win over No. 1 Akron on the weekend, but had to overcome even greater adversity on his path from Iran to Ohio.
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads
Real Salt Lake have a plan of how to get by without Javier Morales
Henry’s knee feeling better, could return vs. San Jose on Thursday
American Maurice Edu and Glasgow Rangers fall to Valencia in Champions League action
Dominic Kinnear wants veteran goalkeeper Pat Onstad to return to the Dynamo in 2011
