INCOMING: Nolberto Solano to LA Galaxy?

The first news of Monday Transfer Madness comes to us courtesy of an anonymous MLSR reader.

It appears the Peruvian midfielder and West Ham player that turned down Toronto FC over concerns about its artificial pitch is going to sign with the LA Galaxy.

According to this article:

"Luego de diez temporadas en la Liga Premier, el volante peruano dejaría el fútbol de Inglaterra para dar el salto a Estados Unidos y jugar en la MLS

Por estos días Nolberto Solano goza del verano norteamericano, quizá para ir entrando en ambiente, ya que en las próximas semanas Estados Unidos podría convertirse en el nuevo país de residencia del volante peruano si es que se llega a concretar su fichaje por Los Ángeles Galaxy de la Major League Soccer (MLS)."

Google Translation:

"After ten seasons in the Premier League, the wheel of Peruvian football in England will make the jump to the United States and play in MLS

For these days Nolberto Solano enjoys the American summer, perhaps to go into the atmosphere, because in the coming weeks the United States could become the new country of residence of the Peruvian steering wheel if you come to realize that their signing by Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer (MLS)."

Should be very interesting to see if Nolberto will be on the West Ham squad during the MLS All Star Game.

Here is video of Solano in action:

INCOMING: LA Galaxy Unveil Eduardo Dominguez

LA Galaxy today announced the signing of Argentine Eduardo Dominguez. For more on the story check out the details on American Soccer Reader.

HISTORY: LA Galaxy vs Saprissa CONCACAF Champions Cup 2006 (VIDEO)

In this edition of Flashback Friday we look back at the 2006 CONCACAF Champions Cup. History is not just about showing the good, but also the "if only...'
LA Galaxy one time winners of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2000 looked to repeat the feat again in 2006. It was not to be. So why is this a notable part of MLS history? Because after their defeat at Saprissa tragedy struck the club when Galaxy general manager Doug Hamilton had a heart attack on the flight back from Costa Rica.

Some have said that the club hasn't been the same sense and that until the arrival of David Beckham and Ruud Gullit, a dark cloud has hung over the club as the spirit of the successful Doug Hamilton haunts Galaxy and casts a large shadow over current GM Alexi Lalas.

TRADE: Carlos Ruiz to Columbus Crew? Frankie Hedjuk to LA Galaxy?

In further confirmation that the MLS Summer Silly Season is firmly upon us, we received the following email below yesterday afternoon and sat on it while we did what we could to confirm at least parts of this story. That confirmation has now come in the form of this article in the Columbus Dispatch.

The reason we did not publish this immediately was because it seemed too detailed on the LA side of things to be coming from someone whose only connection was a relative who plays for the Crew, also it seemed give LA almost too much and we have been the target of certain people in LA sending in a false story in the past (which ironically turned out to be true).

We have changed the wording so as to preserve the anonymity of our source and the player who fed him information but the details are still intact.

As always take this with a grain of salt and do with it what you will. It might be true but our hunch is that it isn't however there is a kernel of truth in it, regarding the Crew wanting Ruiz. If it is a spoof it is a well crafted one so kudos to whoever dreamt it up.

Anyway, here goes:

to MLSrumors@gmail.com
date Tue, Jul 1, 2008 at 5:07 PM
subject Crew-Galaxy trade


I have been sworn to secrecy but I think you guys get a bum rap and since this will be out within probably 18 hours I don't see the harm.

My relative is a Crew player. I live in LA and am a huge Galaxy fan, so he called me this afternoon with this story:

At practice this morning, both Sigi Schmid and Frankie Hejduk (sp?) were missing. The assiatant coach, the Polish guy Bob something ran practice for a while and nobdy said anything.

After about two hours they called the whole team back into the locker room and Sigi was waiting there. He announced to them that Hejduk had been traded to LA. He said that this was a deal that had been discussed as far back as the combine but the Crew had decided to pass but when the Noonan deal got cancelled Sigi called Lalas up and asked if he was still interested, and the deal was done and faxed to MLS just 20 minutes before the midnight deadline last night.

LA gets Frankie, since he's never made a secret that he'd rather be back where he grew up and can spend his spare time doing the thing he loves most, which is surfing. He can be the fast overlapping defender playing on the right behind Beckham that will stretch defenses laterally and also get back and play lock down defense behind becks, who will be spared the wear and tear on his legs.

In return, Crew gets Carlos Ruiz, who Sigi orginally signed and brought to LA when he was the coach. With the emergence of Edson Buddle as a scorer, Ruiz was unlikely to even crack the starting lineup let alone get regular time, and he's way too expensive. He saw the handwriting on the wall and has been asking to be traded. Sigi desperately needs another top class forward.

LA will pick up $250,000 of Ruiz salary this season, and he will be Crew's first DP.

Best part: LA frees up a DP slot, and the rumor apparently is that one of the players in the Free Kick contest in Houston this weekend is already in LA but nobody knows who it is. Could be Ronadlinho, but there are some others there, obviously.

The deal is not being announced because it's contingent on Ruiz passing a physical with the Crew's team doctors. He was supposed to be there this afternoon, NK if he made it or if he's seen the docs or will be seen tomorrow. If the Crew Dr's say he's OK then the deal will be sealed. LA has set a 48 hour deadline.

I'm givng this to you because, honestly I think you guys get a bunch of abuse you don't deserve, but please be careful how you refer to me since people with Columbus know me and I don't want to get my relative in trouble. Some players are easier to replace than others and I would feel really lousy if I cost him his shot.

If you have any questions I can try and get you answers, but that's about all I know until I talk to my relative again

Peace

INCOMING: Ronaldinho to LA Galaxy Rumor Resurfaces

It seems the Ronaldinho to the Galaxy silliness is starting up again. Courtesy of this story en Espanol.

Translated excerpt:

"Despite the denials of the U.S. club, a meeting could be held next Friday between the leader of the Galaxy and the representative of Ronaldinho, his brother Roberto Assis D'. The event is scheduled in Houston and during the meeting the U.S. club will present a financial offer spectacular relying sufficient to decant the will of the star Brazilian adviser.

The Galaxy would be ready to put on the table negotiating a contract between three and five seasons."


And now we have this English language article on Goal.

The troubled Brazilian is unsure what his next move will be after seeing interest from AC Milan waver and Chelsea not make any concrete moves, while an offer from Manchester City failed to interest him.

Now Ronaldinho could be given another idea to consider with LA Galaxy set to offer him a staggering €18m-a-year to play for them over the next three to five seasons.

While the amount is enough to make any player think twice, the club would recoup the money through marketing after pairing two of the world's most famous names together.

According to Sport, the 28-year-old's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, will have a previously planned meeting with Galaxy officials in Houston in the next few days.

It is then that the club will make their offer and then approach Barça with a bid of around €30m, which will be enough to see him leave Camp Nou.

TRADE: McBride-Ruiz-Conde Mega-Deal A Real Possibility?

It seems that our story yesterday, on the potential 3 way deal involving Wilman Conde, Carlos Ruiz and Brian McBride may have legs after all. And perhaps the motive, that being the locker room dust up between Blanco and Conde really was the catalyst.

According to the front page of Fox Sports en Espanol.....

"La MLS vería uno de sus más grandes trueques"


Excerpts:

"CENTURY CITY, EE.UU.-- La MLS espera un enorme terremoto en los próximos días, que podría marcar ser uno de sus más grandes trueques de todos los tiempos, entre tres distintos equipos, tras el más reciente problema de camerino del Fire de Chicago, que vio como Cuauhtémoc Blanco se agarraba a golpes con el defensor colombiano Wilman Conde. Todos contentos.. Conde, ex jugador de Millonarios, llegaría a Los Ángeles a ayudar a una zaga, que ha permitido 28 goles en contra en este 2008, la peor de la liga en ese rubro. Ruiz en tanto, con cero goles en este 2008, llegaría con sobrepeso a un Toronto F.C. cuyo camerino es liderado por el hondureño Amado Guevara y que no carece de gol. McBride en tanto, formaría un dupla de ensueño con el mexicano Blanco en Chicago, equipo con la segunda mejor defensiva de la nación."


Google Translated....

Published: June 30, 2008, 8:31 PM ET print CENTURY CITY, USA - The MLS hopes a huge earthquake in the coming days, which could mark is one of its largest barter of all time, between three different teams, after the most recent issue of the dressing room of Fire Chicago, which saw Cuauhtemoc Blanco clinging to blows with Colombian defender Wilman Conde. All happy .. Conde, a former player Millonarios, would go to Los Angeles to help a pace that has allowed 28 goals against in this 2008, the worst in the league in that category. Ruiz while, with zero goals in this 2008, would go to an overweight Toronto FC whose clubhouse is led by the Honduran Amado Guevara and that is not devoid of scoring. McBride while, form a dream team with the Mexican Blanco in Chicago, with the second best team defense of the nation.
Mas aqui..

REPORT: Fire Fisticuffs? Medio Tiempo Mano Y Mano? Could a 3- way Toronto/Chicago/LA Trade Be In The Works?

This comes to us courtesy of a loyal Chicagoland reader as well as Luis Arroyave. And given the personalities involved, locker-room cancer vs larger than life ego, who wouldn't have predicted this?


"Blanco and William Conde came to blows in the locker room on Friday.

It was stopped by team mates.

This is also reported in The Red Card blog, a Fire blog by Luis Arroyave from the Chicago Tribune

Indeed.

"the two players got into a "fist fight" and needed to be separated. There is no word on what caused the fight."


Fire fans, any guess as to what started the whole thing to flare up?

One thing is sure, Conde's days at the Fire appear to be numbered. And when coupled with this rumor we received by email:


"I have it on good authority that there is now a three way trade in the works involving Toronto, Chicago and a Californian team to get the McBride deal done."

So let's use our imaginations:


According to Steve Goff at the Washington Post, Carlos Ruiz is trade bait....So who could use a striker who actually scores goals......Hmmmmmm Toronto!

But what would LA Galaxy get? Well their defenders utter collapse at the hands of DC United on Sunday means they could certainly use a hard-nosed experienced defender like Conde.

And what would would Chicago get from Galaxy? Why Brian McBride's rights of course which would be traded to LA in exchange for Ruiz.

See, everybody is happy.

INCOMING: Eduardo Dominguez to LA Galaxy?

Rating: 5 (Very Good)
Credible reports out of Argentina state that Eduardo Dominguez a 29 year old Argentine defender who recently departed Club Atlético Huracán of Argentina's Primera Division has signed a 1 and a half year contract with LA Galaxy. A move that should help the Galaxy shore up their back line.

Eduardo seems happy with the move:

"Cuando uno menos las espera, ahí llegan las grandes cosas. Sin dudas, esto significa un paso adelante muy lindo en mi vida y en mi carrera", arranca, tímido, el ahora ex defensor de Huracán. Claro, es consciente de que no todos los días a uno se le presenta la chance de jugar al lado de un ícono del fútbol mundial. Pero igual, fiel a su estilo de vida, se lo toma con calma: Va a ser diferente estar al lado de grandes figuras como Beckham y Donovan.."

A rough translation:

"When you least expect it, there come the big things. Undoubtedly, this means a very nice step forward in my life and my career", said the now former champion of Hurricane. Of course, aware that not every day one has the chance to play next to an icon of world football. But equally, true to his lifestyle, he'll take it in stride: It will be different next to great figures like Beckham and Donovan..."

Someone who will be unhappy no doubt is Abel Xavier. This move will spell doom for him and his longevity with the Carson, CA based club.

Here is video of him in action:

NOTCOMING: Ronaldinho to LA Galaxy

File this story under D for "duh".

EDIT: Photo intentionally left blurry to reflect the thinking that would give this rumor any plausibility in the near-term.

VIDEO: Buddle for the US?

After LA Galaxy forward, Edson Buddle's second hat-trick this past weekend many have been calling for him to be called up to the National Team. Even before then, some people crafted this excellent video to aid in the cause. What do you think? Considering Eddie Johnson is still seeing time in games, do you think Bob Bradley should expand his options to try out the likes of Edson Buddle and Kenny Cooper? Would you have liked to see Buddle instead of Johnson in the friendlies vs England, Spain and Argentina?

VIDEO: Pitch Invader at LA Galaxy Match Seeks Out Beckham

If you watched last night's match between the LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids you may have noticed the match was halted in the 83rd minute.

In what seems to be becoming a trend, yet another match was halted for a pitch invader. This time in LA. In this case he went onto the pitch to high-five and hug Beckham before being taken down by the Galaxy's Chris Klein.

In case you're keeping score so far this season we've had: a streaker at a US Olympic Qualifier, two pitch invaders in Toronto, one in New Jersey at a Red Bull match and now one at the Home Depot Center at a Galaxy match.


This is not Becks first encounter with a pitch invader since signing with the Galaxy. One recalls this incident in Vancouver during a friendly last Novemeber where Beckham reacted like you'd expect, by playing a through ball to the streaker:

VIDEO: Hard Object Thrown At Galaxy Player?/Another Pitch Invader in Toronto Interrupts Game

It seems Toronto FC is having trouble controlling their fans. We love streamers being thrown on corner kicks but as LA Galaxy's Joey Franchino tries to taka throw in when a peson off camera throws a white object which lands at the edge of the artificial surface and pavement. What makes us think this is a hard object. The fact that when it lands a smaller piece of it breaks off. What was it? The behavior of it when it impacts the surface shows us what it wasn't. It lands to quickly to be a styrofoam cup and the way it rolls after it lands shows there was some heft to it, it is certainly not an unfurled streamer as the piece breaking off of it rules that out. Your guess is as good as ours? A rock? glass? hard plastic? (EDIT: As it turns out the object is a piece of childrens play clay.)



Additionally an anonymous poster named "H Bomb" on theRed Patch Boys forums stated:

"There were (as usual) many hard object coming out of the stands again this week. Although it's totally innapropriate to blame a group on these acts we need to stop acting like it doesn't happen here. Cause it does, every game."

Posted by:
H Bomb
RPB Member

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto


To which someone else responded:

"Ya it happens every single game.

Im not going to be pointing anyone out (unless theyve pissed me off and got me in the wrong mood) but they gotta start throwing people out for throwing crap. I see at least one beer, usually some corn, and streamers balled up every game.

Dont be throwing beer all the time so that when someone tries to shush the crowd again they can get a healthy BMO shower."


And someone else chimed in:

"the throwing of stuff really should stop..i mean somethrew a popsicle in from of the LA keeper foolwed by the roll of tape...what did they expect him to do tape it to his mouth? the day when a netting in the supporters end is coming, but lets hope it doesn't come to that."


And next we have yet another pitch invader, similar to the one who came on the field during Toronto's match vs Red Bull New York. Only difference is that this one enters in the 90th minute, this one proudly holding up high an Adidas Toronto FC scarf.

What do you think about this?

VIDEO: Wild Weekend in MLS, Crew Fans Go Mental, United Supporters Throw Down Gauntlet, Beckham Scores from 70 Yrds Out

Wow. This is why we love MLS. Weekends like this one are what make the league compelling to watch.

First up we have the incredible come back from behind (twice) victory of an embattled DC United side and even better than that, someone sent us a video which features not only game highlights but starts with a Barra Brava remake of this Bank of Montreal commercial featuring actors dressed as Toronto FC Supporters. Only in this case the Barra's video features real people at games, not actors. As for the game, DC United managed to do several remarkable things they have not been known for doing this season: 1) scoring a goal off a corner, 2) Scoring a goal via a header. 3) Emilio scoring a goal. Could the lion be awakening? Time will tell, mark us down as skeptical though.

As for the fans, in an interview with the Washington Post's Steve Goff, DC United's founder had this to say about United supporters:

Kevin Payne, on suggestions that BMO Field has surpassed RFK for the best atmosphere in MLS: "Anybody that writes about their fans being the best in the league has never been here because it's not even close."

Adding on to that, embattled coach Tom Soehn, commenting on the crowd said,

"Watching our fans, they could have a lot of doubts, but coming here playing at home, no matter what, they backed our guys, right down to the end, even when we were down, and that's such a big advantage coming in at a time when we really needed it."

Then we have Crew Supporters doing their best impersonation of Toronto FC supporters in this video in which all kinds of abuse from verbal to streamers to smoke bombs are hurled at New England's Steve Ralston. Who knew Columbus could get this rowdy? Not us. It seems that Crew Front Office spokesman McCullers was not joking around when he said this year they'd make Crew Stadium a difficult place for opposing teams to get 3 points. For what it's worth, New England still managed to grab all 3.



Finally we have what is sure to be the MLS Goal Of The Week from David Beckham. It seems he took advantage of a bad decision by  Kansas City's goalkeeper, Kevin Hartman, who used to actually play for the LA Galaxy. If this doesn't appear on SportsCenter some anoraks are going to be pretty upset.