According to SBI, Norwegian powerhouse Rosenborg have made a $1 Million dolalr bid for Galaxy forward Edson Buddle. The 27 year old has been red hot so far this season, scoring 11 goals in 14 appearances. Rosenborg has been actively scouting several American players recently, as they are also currently targeting Brek Shea and Kenny Cooper. It’s unlikely LA will want to part with a red hot Buddle, but we will keep you updated. Do you think a move to Norway would be good for Buddle? 

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According to multiple sources, LA Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz could be on his way to New York. The Galaxy have been looking to unload Ruiz, for some time, in an effort to free up salary cap space and New York are one of few MLS sides capable of taking on Ruiz’s salary. Juan Carlos Osorio has been quoted as saying that he is interested in a striker abroad, and one striker that is currently MLS based. Ruiz has shown to be a goal scorer in MLS although he hasn’t been able to achieve previous seasons form so far this season. The LA Galaxy are in New York to play the Red Bulls on Saturday, and could negotiate a trade. I think this could be a good short team answer for the Red Bulls, the main question is whether or not Ruiz can stay healthy for the remainder of the season and find his past form. What do you think?

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LA Galaxy announced Friday that they have waived 35 year old defender Abel Xavier. Xavier joined the club in 2007 after being released by Premier League side Middlesbrough. Xavier started 19 games in just over a year with the LA based club, making his debut on June 16th 2007. The 35 year old is well traveled, having played for Liverpool, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, AS Roma and Galatasaray among others. He has also earned 20 caps for the Portuguese national team. This move seems to indicate that the Galaxy are lining up for another transfer and needed to free up the cap space. What do you think?

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So I said in last weeks entry that Friday’s match up with the Revs was Abel Xavier’s chance to make it or break it as a starter for this LA team. He broke it like Nancy Kerrigan’s shin bone. The guy put up a howler in which he was partly responsible for both NE goals as well as a sitter that was denied by the upright. He, quite simply, can no longer be counted on to consistently compete at this level. That must be heart breaking to him too, because you can see he mentally knows what to do, but his body just can’t keep up.

Suddenly there is another problem for the Galaxy, two goals in two games. For a normal team this isn’t too large of a concern, but for the Galaxy you have to average three goals a game to even have a chance. Two reasons I’m not concerned about back to back one goal games:

1. Landon Donovan was a sickly shadow of himself last game, and he STILL raised the level of the Galaxy attack.

2. The team is creating chances, and bunches of them. The finishing has lacked the last few games, but I’ll chalk that up to being unlucky rather than a dip in form.

Enough about the past, this week is HUGE. Perhaps I should start prefacing such exclamations with the notation of “by Western Conference standards”. Because it is becoming quite apparent that the East is the class of the league. Hate me if you want, but it’s true. Hell, I hate myself for saying it, because the sad thing is my Galaxy should be disproving this fact by now. They have the stars and the style of play to take it to the Eastern teams, but they are wasting it with their defense. So this week against Chivas has to be a statement game. A statement to the rest of the league that you cannot lump LA’s one true team with the rest of this conference. A statement that the Galaxy started making with the 5-2 drubbing of Chivas the first time around.

The message to the team Thursday night needs to be “Mark your territory.” And I mean that in the most animalistic, primal sense of the phrase. These players need to stand up and become the Alpha Males of the West. Chivas walks down our halls, plays on our fields and parks their Taurus’ next to our Escalades. If we don’t lay the smack down on them the four times a year we get the chance, then all that separates us is body odor, little red horns and six inches on our rims. We can’t have that. We have to do more than simply win this game, we have to deny them their pride.

That’s what an Alpha Male would do…

One Liners:

-Heard at my house during Friday night’s game, “Why isn’t Big Bird out there playing any defense.”

-So I’m trying to get almost 40 group tickets to the Chivas home game versus the Galaxy in August. Left a message with their ticket rep 2 days ago and still haven’t got a call back. Are they really in any position to turn away spectators?

-Thank You MLS for scheduling Thrusday nights match at 8pm. Coming from the Inland Empire ain’t easy at 6:00pm in California.

-Can’t wait to see what the Riot Squad has planned for Thursdays match up. They always bring it for the Super Calssico. Here are some examples of years prior:

The Infamous Chivas Blow-Up Girls

Mariachi’s in 138

And my favorite from this year’s Classico, the giant poster of this:

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The LA Galaxy introduced Argentine defender Eduardo Dominguez to the media on Tuesday afternoon. The 29 year old defender joins the Galaxy from Argentine club Huracan. Dominguez began his career at Velez Sarsfield where he made 98 appearances. Los Angeles has been looking to bolster a young and mostly ineffectual defense, and Dominguez will surely help the backline. The Galaxy are still waiting for the defenders P1 Visa and International Transfer Clearance. What do you think of the signing? 

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After watching, along with the rest of the nation, LA get outclassed on Sunday, it is apparent that the time is now. Time to fix this problem before we lose our season. Time to stick our nose in and play some defense. We need players on the defensive end that would smack their own momma in the mouth to win the ball. We need Jim Malone.

No, he is not some transfer from the Premier League or an up and coming youth player. He’s Sean Connery’s character in the Untouchables. I was up till 3am this morning watching this movie and I’m convinced we need a guy like this in LA. A guy that will make you wish you had never crossed him. We don’t have a player like that. Yes, Joey Franchino would break your leg for fun, but obviously he has fallen out of favor with Ruud quickly since his arrival. I’m talking about players like Gattuso. I’m scared of that guy just watching through the TV.

I don’t think this is a mystery either. So my question is… Why haven’t we already pulled the trigger? Alexi Lalas has known for 3 months this was an issue and we had nothing ready to go for the toughest stint of our schedule? We are hosting the #1 team in the East tomorrow and trotting out the same sorry defense we have had since the 2nd game of the season. Every point matters and we can’t afford to lose this game tomorrow.

Yes I know there are defenders in the mix and help is coming. I guess I just expect more from LA. Alexi has told us for two years that as LA fans we SHOULD expect more than other MLS fans. Well, just like Bush on that carrier, “Mission Accomplished.” Now deliver on your end of the deal.

Onto the game tomorrow. For the first time this season I won’t be in my seats for a Galaxy home game, but you can bet your behind I will be making everyone at my 4th of July party watch this game come 7:30.

New England are a complete team, plain and simple. Strong at the back, led by the best defender in the league in Michael Parkhurst. Classy through midfield with Ralston and Joseph. And dangerous in the finishing third with Christman, Dube and Mansally all having break out seasons. Oh, and they have a guy named Taylor Twellman who has yet to really even contribute this season. But this could be Taylor’s day. Most of the goals the Galaxy defense gives up are the exact type Twellman thrives on, dirty, scrappy, ball bouncing in the box goals.

This is Abel Xavier’s chance to show Ruud he can still be a piece of this team. I love Abel’s style of play, I really do. He just can’t keep the pace. Everytime he gets turned its a scoring opportunity. He needs to make a statement Friday night in a big way.

One final mention before I wrap up. The only time I was ashamed of being a Galaxy supporter was when Alexi convinced Chris Albright to sign a deal for less money, only to blindside him with a trade. Albright worked too hard for us for too long to be treated with such disrespect. I am really looking forward to seeing him again, I just wish I was going to be there to applaud him in person. So the onus falls to those of you who will be there. Give it up for the guy when he’s announced… then commence to booing.

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WANTED: Central defender under 32 years old for emergency backline upgrade.  Perks include sunshine, superstar groupie leftovers and a free copy of Alexi Lala’s new CD.  Crazy hairstyle preferred but not mandatory.

For the second home game in a row the LA Galaxy saw their hard earned goal differential slip away due to sloppy defense and mental lapses.  Normally you won’t see me call out Chris Klein in my breakdowns here at ASR.  No one out works this guy.  His endless overlaps and two way play really fuels the Galaxy’s dangerous right flank.  But he needs to be called out for what can only be defined as a senseless penalty Saturday night.  Now it is true that Robbie Rogers was probably not going to get to the ball, and to some that makes the call controversial, yet if we all knew he wasn’t going to get there, Klein should have as well which makes his foul that much worse.

While we are riding the blame wagon a few more people need to be piled on.  Steve Cronin’s “save”, the rebound from which resulted in Columbus’ third goal, was not what is expected of a starting keeper in MLS.   Cronin has two options, hold the ball or punch it WIDE.  Simply parrying the ball down into the middle of the six yard box is never an option and the Galaxy was justly punished.

But let’s give credit where credit is due.  Edson Buddle’s goal on the night was absolutely clinical.  It was the type of goal that shows a striker oozing with confidence.  For the second home game in a row Buddle has finished side netting from acute angles.  This bodes well for a Galaxy attack that is already the most dangerous in the league.   His continuing hot streak furthers my suggestion that the Galaxy should unload Carlos Ruiz in the upcoming transfer window in order to bolster their defense.

One Liners:

-How bad is Landon wishing he had chosen to hit that sitter with his left foot now?

-The call and response chants back and forth between LARS and ACB is now one of my favorite parts about home games.

-Maybe Beckham should not be expected to convert that last shot Saturday night, but he should definitely be expected to put the ball on frame.

-I am convinced the guy that sits in front of my season seats is the exact look-a-like of the captain of the Wizard from the Deadliest Catch.

-There is a 50/50 chance my fiance would leave me by my wedding day if Ante Jazic asked her out.

Coming up this weekend is cracker of a game.  Galaxy vs DC United.  It is the first MLS rivalry.  Every Galaxy fan remembers the feeling as Eddie Pope’s rain soaked head put the winning goal past our 96 team.  It is the Man U vs Arsenal of our little league.  The best part about this years matchup from a fans point of view?  NEITHER team can play a lick of defense and both are capable of dropping 5 goals on you.  It is the perfect game for a nationally televised network broadcast.

Like the Galaxy, I am on the road this weekend so check back in later this week for Julian Valentin’s blog to get your Galactico fix.

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Apologies for being late this week, but it was an intense weekend of sports here in So. Cal. You had our favorite Galacticos visiting our most storied rivals The Smurfs, the Lakers making history in all the wrong ways, and the US showing the rest of CONCACAF that they are, indeed, the biggest fish in this small pond.

God, I wanted to be on that bus to Oakland this weekend, but alas when you have a month till your wedding you don’t get to go away for many drunken weekends of debauchery, besides the bachelor party. For those who may not know, the Riot Squad in conjunction with the front office organized the fantastic opportunity to travel with 300 other Galaxy fans up to Oakland via bus to support the Galaxy. My hat is off to you guys. By all accounts, including mine on the Biggie HD (Yes I name my TV), you guys did great. Through the whole game chants of “L-A Galaxy” could be heard to a nationwide audience. Congratulations to the Riot Squad, Angel City Brigade, Galaxians and all the other Galaxy fans who represented.

The Galaxy’s 3-0 win was the type of performance that makes you feel, maybe it is finally safe to trust this team again. The shutout alone should hopefully do wonders for the defense’s confidence. The good news? They now have two shutouts on the year. The bad news? They both are against expansion side San Jose. The good news? They are both against expansion side San Jose. So while it feels good to beat those little Smurfs, it’s kinda like the bully beating up the kid at school with the helmet on… It’s just not very fulfilling and kinda sad.

In terms of team analysis I really have one question for the Galaxy fans. Does this team need Carlos Ruiz? By that I do not mean to trivialize the man’s talents. His career speaks for itself. But consider the following, with no contributions from Ruiz this team already possesses the #1 offense in the league. Yet it lacks strength in defense. So is Ruiz’s max salary slot being used to its utmost potential? There are plenty of teams out there in need of strikers, with an unused DP slot available in trade. Both Real Salt Lake and San Jose could easily trade their DP slot for Ruiz, assuming that either team is willing to try to spend the money to resurrect their playoff hopes. The Galaxy could then turn that DP slot into a quality central defender.

In other So. Cal soccer events I had the pleasure of sitting with Sam’s Army for the United States’ thrashing of Barbados on Sunday. What a day. 8 goals and every time this was my view of the field.

I don’t know if I can ever go back to a regular seat again. Plus that flag provided the only shade on a brutally hot day. The best part about the 8-0 win for Galaxy fans is that this means Landon Donovan will be back in town for the return of Sigi and his Columbus Crew. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to getting a first hand look at Robbie Rogers. The kid has looked good so far this season.

Exciting announcement this week here at ASR. Julian Valentin has signed on to do a weekly blog. My question to him… Are there any interesting prop bets going on revolving around player’s Euro picks?

Lastly, a moment of silence for my fallen Lakers. I’m afraid in this scenario LA was the kid in the helmet.

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Welcome everyone to my new weekly column for American Soccer Reader!  My name is Julian Valentin and I’m a rookie with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

I’m really excited to be back in the blogging scene, and excited to have something productive to do in the afternoons after I get back from training – something rather than just sitting on the couch and watching Home Improvement reruns.  Now I can sit on the coach and write a blog!  In this new, exclusive weekly article, which will be delivered every Thursday, I will write under 5 primary headings and areas of interest.  (This will start next week as this is only an introduction and orientation piece this afternoon).

Looking Back & Looking Ahead

In this bit of each installment, I will look back at our last match with the Galaxy.  I’ll talk about the match, the result, and anything else interesting associated with the last game.  Hopefully this will all be positive as I look back at a Galaxy win!

After that, I will look ahead to our upcoming Galaxy match.  I’ll discuss the importance of the match for us, key players on the other team, and anything else worth noting as we prepare for the next fixture.

This Week

In this section of my piece I will talk about the comings and going of the week in LA.  I’ll try to pick out some things that are going on in my life that might be worth reading about.  I’ll share some stories and try to give you some insight about what it’s like to be a rookie in our league.  In this section I will also take the liberty to give special shout-outs or going on any rants – which may or may not be soccer related.

Around the League

Here I’ll discuss what’s going on in our league.  Which teams are impressing in MLS, which players are standing out, new signings in the league, stadiums, expansion, whatever.  There’s always something to write about around the league…

Around the World

I have a great passion and admiration for this game and soccer around the world.  This will be my forum to discuss news, rumors, international fixtures, Euro 2008, World Cup qualifying, any matches and tactics, or any anything else that is noteworthy in the world of soccer…outside the United States.

Q & A

Just like Hunter’s weekly blog I’d like to answer all (or most) of your questions.  Feel free to write to me at Julian@americansoccerreader.com and I’ll do my very best to respond to your questions and comments.

So that’s pretty much it.  That’s what you can expect every Thursday here, on American Soccer Reader.  I’m really looking forward to it and I hope that you are as well.  Feel free to start now by sending your questions or comments to Julian@americansoccerreader.com and make sure to come back to American Soccer Reader next week to see my first real entry.  Until then, be well…and I’ll get back to Home Improvement.

-jules

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 Rating: 1(Not Likely)

Edgar Davids has been training with the Galaxy over the past couple days while on vacation in Los Angeles during the offseason. Davids is a personal friend of Galaxy manager Ruud Gullit, and has 74 caps for the Netherlands. The 35 year old midfielder’s contract was not renewed by Ajax and is said to be searching for a club. Davids was close to joining FC Dallas last season but decided to rejoin his former club Ajax instead. Personally I’d say this move is unlikely, but knowing the Galaxy, it’s possible, although how they would fit him under the salary cap is beyond me. 

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