So who plays the LeBron James role on the LA Galaxy: Landon Donovan, David Beckham or Robbie Keane?
That’s one of the questions we’re left with after the LA Galaxy’s White House visit yesterday during which US President Barack Obama referred to the defending MLS Cup champions as the “Miami Heat of soccer.”
The visit received widespread coverage with two of the world's most recognizable figures standing side-by-side — President Obama and David Beckham. The English “up-and-comer” was the topic of a few playful jabs from the commander-in-chief: “Rare man who can be that tough on the field and also have his own line of underwear.”
Beckham’s retort? "I'll have to send him some long johns and some of the different pieces. … He'll definitely be getting a package."
For the full transcript and video from the event, check out this link.
The trip wasn’t without controversy, however. Former LA Galaxy player Chris Birchall expressed his disappointment that his ex-club didn’t invite him or Frankie Hejduk “after we gave everything to win the cup.”
The Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers gave their all last night in a rare Tuesday regular season game, but it wasn’t enough. The match ended in a scoreless draw at BBVA Compass Stadium (watch the highlights here).
“You have to give credit to [Portland 'keeper] Troy Perkins for not letting us score,” said Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear. “It was probably his best game of the season,” echoed Kinnear’s Portland counterpart John Spencer.
Tonight it will be the turn of D.C. United vs. Colorado Rapids in the league’s other midweek match (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). We’ll see if Harrison Henao or Edu make their MLS debut for the Rapids and whether Perry Kitchen sees the field for D.C. United after an injury scare.
Following the match at RFK Stadium, fans can tune in to the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship when the Vancouver Whitecaps host Toronto FC in a rematch of last year’s title series (10 pm ET, Sportsnet).
Vancouver forward Eric Hassli feels the cup was “stolen” from the Whitecaps last year after weather issues erased their aggregate-goal advantage. So it’s no surprise to see that his teammate Joe Cannon says: “We want it bad.”
Speaking of the Whitecaps, find out which player likes Banzai Magazine, Lana del Rey, his 1970 Chevy Camaro and a “little smiley” that never leaves his side.
Many US national team fans hoped Timmy Chandler would never leave the USMNT side, but the Bundesliga defender once again declined a call-up from US manager Jurgen Klinsmann. FoxSoccer.com’s Ives Galarcep says it “sounds very much like he’s just not that interested in representing the United States.” For the first wave of players selected by Klinsmann, click here.
In televised soccer action today, there are two Copa Libertadores quarterfinal first legs: Libertad vs. Universidad de Chile (6:30 pm ET, Fox Deportes) and Vasco da Gama vs. Corinthians (9 pm ET, Fox Deportes). Meanwhile, GolTV is carrying the UEFA Under-17 match between Germany and the Netherlands (noon ET).
A total of 16 matches were held yesterday in the first round of the US Open Cup. Catch up with all the results and the teams that advanced.
The Lionel Messi Foundation is reportedly hosting a star-studded exhibition match to collect funds for the star player’s charity efforts on June 23 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. Diego Forlan, Edison Cavani, Didier Drogba and Radamel Falcao are some of the names expected to participate. (SPANISH)
After the Colin Clark situation in MLS, another incident involving a ball boy has resulted in suspension in Switzerland. An FC Sion player reportedly received an eight-game band for slapping this ball boy in the face. (VIDEO)
Every now and then longtime NPR commentator Frank Deford makes an appearance in the media with a statement about soccer. Most recently, he urged MLS to get rid of ties. The headline reads like this: “The American Way: Winners and Losers, and No Ties.”
The soccer haters are a subject of a special edition of KickTV’s The Mixer with US World Cup veteran Jimmy Conrad. (VIDEO)
Have you ever wanted to get back at those media talking heads that takes jabs at soccer? Well then Univision’s Republica Deportiva icon Fernando Fiore is your hero after he snapped back at NBC’s Chuck Todd for a snide soccer remark.
Lastly, for the most passionate supporters out there — like these well-traveled Red Bulls supporters — there’s an academy made just for you. KickTV’s Jo Ankier tells you all about it on "The Whip." (VIDEO)
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
The Week 10 Power Rankings: What’s the fuss all about?
Supporters Week: RSL’s Rancid-inspired anthem
The latest edition of the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week
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