Now I know how Augustus Gloop felt. That wicked Willy Wonka putting so many tempting treats all around him and expecting him to be able to focus. I mean can you really fault the kid? There was a Chocolate River for god’s sake! Like Augustus, I don’t know where to start, there is just too much to choose from this week.

I know, let’s start with the Classico. I, like the Galaxy supporters groups, was banished to the upper deck for the game. Thankfully it put me farther from that terrible excuse for a pitch the teams played on Thursday night. I know Chivas is probably more at home playing on a dirt lot, but it was an ugly view from up high. The only good thing about my location on the north side’s 18 yard line was that I had a perfect view of the linesman’s terribly missed offside call on Chivas’ second goal. I watched the TV replay and they never gave a good camera angle. Let me tell you how bad it was. Even Alex Prus thought the player was off. He kept looking to the linesman for the sure flag that was coming. It finally took the linesman motioning to Stott before he blew the whistle to signal the goal. The linesman blew that call plain and simple.

My man Cobi needs to be given a little credit, he inserts Michael Randolph and Alan “Look Ma’, No Feet” Gordon into the game late. They both did him proud by hitting the crossbar and scoring the late equalizer respectively. Part of me is glad, however, that that game will be Cobi’s last as head coach for a bit. Now he can “Stay Gold” like Ponyboy. By the way, how pimp was that suit my man was sporting? Showing chest like he was Hasselhoff!!

So on to the big news this week. The Bruce wants to get a tan. Lured by the smell of In-N-Out burgers and the chance to dabble in scientology with Mr. Cruise, Bruce Arena has flipped coasts to become both the GM and Head Coach of the Galaxy. While it is not what I was hoping for, I get it. He will give an air of stability to the team. He’s a players coach. Maybe not to the extent that Yallop was, but Arena has the ego to go with being in LA. He can take the scrutiny. As long as we don’t see any 4-5-1 formations I’ll be a happy man for a bit. Because with The Bruce comes just enough US Soccer goodwill to appease most fans for a short span of time. We are waiting to see which incarnation of Bruce Arena we will see. Will it be the coach that won 5 NCAA titles, 2 MLS Cups, and had that great WC2002 run? Or will it be ineffective one that we saw in New York last season. One thing I do like? Bringing in Dave Sarachan. I always felt that he was all heart when he was in Chicago and that he got a bit of a bum rap there.

Speaking of the Windy City, they are blowing into town Thursday night here in LA. I can smell the Blanco fans already. However, it remains to be seen if he, along with Donovan, will be able to see quality minutes after both being involved in their country’s World Cup Qualifiers Wednesday. My money is on Donovan playing pretty significant minutes Thursday night. I’m happy to report that I will be back in my normal plastic season ticket bucket seat, complete with cup holder and no little red horns. I just hope Brian McBride will look as ineffective in a red Chicago uniform as he did in a white USA one in the Olympics. Sorry McHead, I love ya, but you’re wearing the wrong colors Thursday.

One-Liners:

-Give a raise to Maurice Edu’s agent for getting the kid to a quality team in Rangers FC

-Fire Michael Bradley’s. If he can’t sell a young kid with 15 league goals in the Eredivisie, than he ain’t worth the Bluetooth in his ear.

-Unlike some, I’m liking the potential Eddie Lewis acquisition. Quality service from the left side and someone to teach Mike Randolph and Ely Allen.

-Is it bad that I like that Jesse Marsch felt pain? Not career ending pain, or deathly pain, just enough to make me twirl my handlebar mustache.

-Loving Julian Valentin’s blog. Especially like how you can feel his hunger to get on the pitch. Give the kid a chance. I think Bruce might be the guy to do it. He is much more familiar with his time with the US Youth Teams than Ruud ever was. He’s gotta be better than Vanney right?

-For all the crap that Pete Vagenas catches about back passing and his hair line, you gotta give it up for the only guy in the locker room that you KNOW would bleed for this team. Let’s hope the kids take notice.

-THIS JUST IN: Bob Bradley enters the Betty Ford Clinic for treatment of his certain crack addiction, evidenced by his not calling Kenny Cooper into camp!

My Homer Line-Up:

Cronin

Klein - Franklin - Dominguez - Jazic

Beckham - Vagenas - Pires - Lewis (if Available)

Buddle - Gordon

Yes, to those of you that can deduce it from the title, I enjoy the musical My Fair Lady. What of it? A guy can’t leer at Audrey Hepburn for two straight hours anymore? But that’s beside the point. I’ve been away for two weeks due to my nuptuals and subsequent honeymoon. In that time the Galaxy decided to do me dirty on a few different levels.

First of all I take it of some personal offense that they decided to schedule the rematch of last years 5-4 thriller in the Meadowlands versus New York on my wedding day. My girl understands… but she doesn’t understand enough to push our time back on account of the game. Luckily I was able to watch it the following day, and let me say, the Galaxy don’t really deserve that point. Yes, LA created chances, but so did the Red Bulls. Plus Landon’s goal was a bit of a fluke. One thing I did like was the exciting finish in which we got to see the version of Landon Donovan that is willing to fight for his team’s survival. At least I was able to leave for Mexico on the note that maybe my guys could ride the momentum of those last few minutes in New York and carry it through the All-Star break.

Then Alexi decided to personally attack my post-wedding bliss. As I am packing to leave for Mex I remember I need to check and see that I Tivo my games for the week I’m gone. I knew the All Star Game was Thursday, so I set it up. Then I think, “Is there a Galaxy Game this weekend?” Luckily for me my Season Ticket Holder newsletter endorsed by Big Red himself had arrived that day, complete with the listing of the Galaxy’s remaining games. So I flip it open with pride (the kind of pride $1,800 in tickets buys you in LA), and quickly brush past the oh-so humble full front page over sized picture of Mr. Lalas himself and find the calendar. According to this sacred tomb of Galaxy lore, bearing the six inch stamp of Lalas approval, the next game wasn’t till the San Jose away game Aug. 3rd. Sweet!

Imagine my surprise a week later when I sit down to the computer to not only see the pathetic scoreline of FCD 4- LAG 0, but I don’t even understand it. Did the reserves play or something? Big Red wouldn’t lie to me, would he? He looked so warm and welcoming in his dictatorial pose on the cover of my source material. I must have mis-read it. So I looked again, because it is still hermetically sealed and framed in little twinkle lights on my desk right next to a lock of fire-red chin hair I had braided into a key chain. There it was, clear as day, no game scheduled for Sunday versus Dallas.

So Galaxy fans we really can’t be too mad at our boys for Sundays performance… I mean how could they adequately prepare when obviously the front office didn’t know there was a game.

All poorly conceived satire aside. This month has been abysmal for Galaxy fans. Yes, I know they have only lost 2 of the last four games, but they have won none. Combine that with our dangerous early flirtation with offensive supremacy and our subsequent arid run of goals and it is a tough mix for us fans. In the immortal words of The Dude, “This aggression will not stand, man.”

I have to agree with those saying to withhold much of the criticism of Eduardo Dominguez after only one game. Thank God it looks as if Sean Franklin is on the mend and can be back soon. It is a sad testament to LA’s current state when a rookie can put an entire fan base at ease. I really want to see those two get some quality minutes together, before handing any report cards out on Dominguez.

Luckily the doctor has prescribed the perfect remedy for what ails the Galaxy… A trip to San Jose. Surely LA can get a win against the leagues worst team, right? Well they are 2-0 versus the Smurfs so far on the season so conventional wisdom would say yes. However, these are not the same Little Boy Blues that were run off the field last time LA invaded the north. The addition of Arturo Alvarez, Darren Huckerby and Fransisco Lima make this shakier fixture then earlier this season.

Let’s hope someone told the team there is a game this week, and that they NEED to win.

Steve Nicol called New England’s performance last Saturday their most complete since the season-opener against Houston. I couldn’t agree more. The team played like the Revs of (relatively) old, relying more on good passing and possession than makeshift lineups, a little goal poaching, and some more luck. Players of note include Mauricio Castro, who irrefutably played his best game of the season, Steve Ralston, who continues to impress with his guile and grit, and Michael Parkhurst with his game-saving block at the goal line.

This week, the Revs travel to LA for an Independence Day match-up against the Galaxy. David Beckham and crew (my apologies Galaxy fans) are coming off a less heartening game, having lost 4-1 to D.C. United on Sunday.

Friday marks not only the teams’ first meeting of the season, but also the first time New England encounters Beckham on the pitch. The Revolution has not yet experienced the Beckham-Landon Donovan linkup that has proved to be so dangerous this season. And Edson Buddle has landed his share in the back of the net up to now. But the Revs have a monster midfield and backline in place, and will work hard to limit the Galaxy’s attacking options. New England also cannot afford to give Beckham space. We all know that guy can put a ball anywhere at any time and too many teams have let him do just that.

The Revolution is just 3-10-3 all time at LA, but I don’t think that record matters much. The Galaxy scores goals, but they also allow goals. If New England can hold down the fort in the defensive third, they have four effective strikers (plus leading scorer Ralston) who can get the job done in whatever order they appear. I’m reluctant to make a numerical prediction for this game. It has the potential to be a high scoring one, but there are a lot of variables that could put either team on top. … Happy Fourth of July. 2-2.

United States Mens National Team Coach Bob Bradley named his 20 man roster for the upcoming friendly against Spain tuesday morning. This is the last Euro 2008 warmup for Spain, before they open up their tournament against Russia on Tuesday. The roster reads as follows:

Goalkeepers: Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (out of contract), Dan Califf (Midtjylland), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock).

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Benfica), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Eddie Lewis (Derby County), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado). Forwards: Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Nate Jaqua (out of contract), Eddie Johnson (Fulham), Josh Wolff (out of contract).

Notable exclusions: Landon Donovan(Injury), Jonathan Spector(Injury) Jozy Altidore(back in NY), Kenny Cooper(back in Dallas), Robbie Rogers(back in Columbus)

What starting lineup would you like to see Wednesday?  

Any result predictions? 

Greetings fans from cloudy and cool Los Angeles, CA.  No, that was not a type-o.  I am writing this weeks blog from my hotel room in LA as we prepare for our game this week against the Galaxy.  Or Beckham’s team, as some of you (especially the females) might refer to them as.  But all joking aside, the match will be a difficult one as Beckham and Donovan have formed a strong partnership this  year and have linked up for plenty of goals so far.  With Beckham you know you are always going to have the service and vision that he brings to the game, and Donovan is going to bring the speed, runs off the ball, and work rate.  I think that is why those two have gotten off to such a hot start this season because they are great compliments to one another.  For me the keys to the game for us are obviously going to be keeping an eye on Beckham and Donovan at all times and avoid committing silly fouls around the box (where Beckham provides great service and finishing).  Having said all that though, I think it is just as important that we not pay TOO much attention to those guys that it takes away from what we do well as a team.  So it will be a balancing act, but I believe if we keep passing the ball well, defending with urgency, and finish some chances we have a great chance to come back from LA with a good result.  More importantly, a chance to win the game!

Now I have looked ahead at our match this week, lets reflect a bit on last weeks match at Toronto.  Personally for me, it was GREAT to be back on the field.  I would be lieing if said that I didn’t have a few butterflies and nerves before the match started.  It was as if it were my rookie year all over again and I was about to make my debut.  Yet, after the whistle blew and I got my first few touches on the ball it was like riding a bike.  Oh, and about that foul!  I have to say that I have committed my fair share of fouls throughout my career, but the one that led to Toronto’s goal I have to say still boggles my mind.  I don’t want to say too much in fear of a fine, but I do not believe it was a foul.  However, that is soccer and things do not always go your way.  Unfortunately for us, that is exactly what happened, as I thought we had controlled play and had the better of possession and chances leading up to their goal.  However, we stayed strong and didn’t stray from what we were doing and it eventually paid off with a great free kick from DVB.  

And for those wondering what exactly his celebration is after every goal when he kicks his leg straight up in the air…as most of you know DVB is from Holland.  In the Austin Powers movie, Goldmember, if you remember Goldmember is from Holland as well.  In one particular scene, he kicks his leg over his head to show his flexibility.  That is why DVB does that after every goal….I get questions about it from my friends every time he scores wondering what he is doing.  So I thought I would share that little tid bit with all of you!

Back to the game….overall it was a good result for us on the road against a hot team (Toronto had won 3 in a row), but at the same time we were a bit disappointed because we felt that we had enough chances where we could have put one away and possibly got all 3 points.  It was good to play all 90 mins, although I could have used a sub at about the 75^th min mark!  I felt pretty good, and overall was pretty pleased with my first game back from injury.  There were definitely some things that I could have, and should have done better, but that will come with time and more games.  I’m looking forward to building on my performance this week against LA, and I’m especially looking forward to making my home debut next weekend in front of our fans!

Now for your questions:

1. Hey Hunter, hope all is well!, I saw you training on Sunday, was 

great to see you!, I was wondering if you had been following the 

presidential primaries and whether you supported any candidates. Thanks!

-Kimberly J

Kimberly,

To be honest I do not follow the presidential primaries too closely.  Obviously watching the news I will get updated enough to know what is going on and who is in the lead at the moment.  Other then that, I couldn’t tell you much else!

2. Hi Hunter, I’ve read that a lot of teams have initiation rituals for 

rookies/new players, do you guys have anything like that?

-Steve M

Steve, 

I think that all varies from team to team to be honest.  I know with Red Bull during the preseason the rookies had to do some skits and a dance off while the team was in Austria.  Unfortunately, I was not with the team for that trip, so I am not sure exactly what all went on and who won.  

3. Hello Hunter, what player(s) in MLS do you look forward to playing/ 

beating most?

-John B

John,

Good question!  In this league, you play one another a lot.  So you build up some good rivalries and matches between players.  Playing outside back, you are marked up 1v1 a lot with one particular player throughout most of the game.  So I have definitely had some good battles.  I don’t think there is one particular player that sticks out in my mind, but here are a few for you.  They all have their different reasons why and are in no particular order:  

Khano Smith: tall, lanky, and fast. We have had some good battles

Fred- clever, skillful and quick first step.  Tough match up

Arturo Alvarez- Good friend, played against one another growing up

Stuart Holden- another good friend 

Francisco Mendoza- small, shifty, and skillful.  Tough match up

4. Hunter, it was great to see you included in the Olympic qualifying 

squad. It must have been exciting to play with so many fellow young 

talented US players. Any good off-field stories/happenings? Do you 

keep in touch with any of the guys playing abroad?

-Roberto A

Robert,

It was great to be a part of that team, and to play with a great group of guys.  As far as funny off the field stories there were plenty.  We are always joking around and giving each other a hard time.  No particular moment or story sticks out in my mind, but there have definitely been a lot of good times with that team.  As far as keeping touch with the guys playing overseas, I do.  Particularly with Charlie Davies.  Its tough to keep in touch because of the time difference, but every now and then we will catch one another online at the same time.

5. Hey Hunter, I’ve got a few either/or questions for you! Coffee/Tea? 

Grass/Turf? DC United/New England Revolution?(which do you despise 

less) TV/Movie? Soccer/Golf? Red Bull/Rockstar Energy Drink? Grilled/ 

Fried? and finally, Any relation to Morgan?

-Anthony S

Anthony,

Coffee in the morning, Sweet Tea with meals, and Hot Tea at night.

Grass

DC

Movie

Cleary its soccer, but if we are talking about in my off time it is definitely golf!

What is Rock Star? 

I am from the south, FRIED!

No relation unfortunately.