The intensity is gradually ratcheting up as MLS preseason training continues at a variety of locations around the world. Catch all the other news and updates from MLS training camps below. And for the entire February preseason schedule, click here.
MEXICAN EXCURSION: The LA Galaxy took a trip south to Mexico City on Sunday for a brief stay that will culminate against Liga MX side Pumas UNAM in a closed-door scrimmage on Tuesday.
The Galaxy arrived in Mexico on Sunday afternoon and enjoyed a training session on Monday morning at Pumas' stunning training ground, which is a sight to behold and one you can catch a glimpse of below.
LA are coming off a 2-1 victory over Armenian Premier League club FC Shirak (Recap). The Galaxy's goals in that one came courtesy of Gyasi Zardes and recently signed Brazilian forward Samuel.
MATURING MCINERNEY:
Jack McInerney
enjoyed a dream start to the 2013 season, but it did not end how he would have liked.
A more mature McInerney, heavy beard and all, spoke with PhiladelphiaUnion.com to discuss several topics surrounding the club ahead of its 2014 season. Jack Mac talked about how good it is to be back with his teammates and the club's offseason overhaul, but also touched on his strong start to the 2013 campaign and subsequent scoring drought for a Union team that failed to make the playoffs last year.
The 21-year-old forward, who scored 12 times last season and is currently with the Union in Florida, acknowledged that he needs to be more consistent in 2014. But he added that last year helped him learn quite a bit about himself and he is eager to get the ball rolling so as to show how much he has grown during the offseason.
FC DALLAS FALL IN BK HÄCKEN REMATCH:
The venue changed and so did the result.
FC Dallas continued their preseason preparations in the Middle East by going from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, where they had a rematch on Monday morning with Swedish outfit BK Häcken. FC Dallas picked up a 3-0 victory the last time these two teams met on Friday, but this time they suffered a 3-1 defeat despite initially going out in front.
Fabián Castillo opened the scoring for the MLS club with another early strike, but Häcken were able to find an equalizer, a winner and insurance goal. The match, which took place at 6 am Dallas time, was not streamed.
'PESCADITO' RETURNS TO MUNICIPAL:
Former D.C. United striker Carlos Ruiz made his return to his boyhood club official on Monday,
as he was presented by Municipal to nearly 1,000 fans at Estadio El Trebol
. The 34-year-old Guatemalan spent several of the early years of his career with Municipal before traveling abroad to try play for clubs in MLS, Greece and Mexico.
Ruiz, who is also known as "El Pescadito," made 13 appearances for D.C. United last season but never found the back of the net. He expressed frustration when his role with the club was diminished, but now has a fresh start with a club that he is very familiar with.
PORTLAND'S WINTER WONDERLAND: If you were wondering what a game at JELD-WEN Field would look in the winter, owner Merritt Paulson provided a preview on Monday.
Paulson tweeted a shot of a snowy JELD-WEN, in which the pitch was completely covered. At least the covering in the stands kept the "PORTLAND" visible.
ROOKIE GOAL CELEBRATION? New Colorado Rapids defender Grant Van De Casteele stayed loose during the team's media day. Though the team speculated he may be practicing a goal celebration, it appears more like he's trying to do a mash-up of MLS and "The Karate Kid."
CHIVAS BEAT ORANGE COUNTY BLUES:
Chivas USA played their second preseason scrimmage Monday,
defeating the Orange County Blues 2-0
at StubHub Center field six. Goals came courtesy of 2014 SuperDraft pick Thomas McNamara and former Blue Matthew Fondy. On the second tally, Fondy finished off a free kick from new Chivas midfielder Mauro Rosales.
DYNAMO TOP FC TUCSON: The Houston Dynamo took on FC Tucson on Monday and came away victorious thanks to gorgeous goals from Brian Ownby and Omar Cummings.
Ownby scored an impressive goal from distance just before halftime and Cummings knocked in an insurance goal in somewhat similar fashion late in the second half to give the Dynamo a 2-0 win over the PDL side. Houston started the match with their first-choice regulars, but fielded almost an entirely different lineup in the second half (Tony Cascio was the lone holdover from the opening 45 minutes).
