Landycakes To Everton

Landon Donovan has signed a loan deal with Everton just days after signing a 4 year contract extension with MLS and the LA Galaxy.

Conan Talks MLS Cup

MLS Final Kick - The Final Kick

I'm guessing this will be the last Final Kick we see until March 2010.
*They make a mistake in the video calling Andy Williams, Robbie Findley. What do you expect from the same guys that got his wife wrong too?

News From This Weekend

I admit it. I'm a slacker. I was too busy living it up during MLS Cup weekend that I didn't get around to giving you all the juicy footy news you crave. So instead of reinventing the wheel, I'm giving you links to the news that you need to know.

You probably already know this, but Real Salt Lake are the 2009 MLS Champions.



Wednesday is the expansion draft for the Philadelphia Union. Each team's protected players list came out today and here are the players left unprotected.

MLS announced the Generation Adidas graduates.

The USL Breakaway teams are forming the NASL...minus the Sounders and Earthquakes. But what about the Cosmos?

Long time DC United midfielder, Ben Olsen is retiring.

Jermaine Defoe and Tottenham went off on Wigan to the tune of 9-1, causing the Wigan players to refund the ticket prices to the fans. You can see the highlights here.

Did you know that David Beckham has asthma? I didn't.

Apparently, Freddie Ljungberg is a fan of Hawaii, but not MLS pitches.

I attended the MLS Supporters Summit on Saturday where Commissioner Garber discussed expansion, naming Montreal and David Beckham's option to own a future team as teams number 19 and 20 to round out the league.

I ran into Preki on Sunday, who happens to be the new coach for Toronto FC.

Oh Danny Boy and I definitely had some adventures and made some good connections to make this blog even better in the future. Stay tuned for more tales from MLS Cup 2009.

Press Pass MLS Cup Preview

The events around Seattle are starting to heat up. We will be chillin with the Designated Players crew on Friday night and at the Supporters Summit on Saturday. FYI - The last time I saw Andy Williams live in person at a final was the 2003 US Open Cup on another plastic pitch...and he won. Just saying.

MLS Final Kick

MLS Western Conference Final Highlights

Your highlights complete with multiple blackouts.

Blackout During The Western Conference Final

The lights went out around the 16th to the 18th minute at the Home Depot Center. It caused a delay for 18 minutes and 14seconds. According to SoccerByIves, the entire city of Carson, CA lost power. At one point, ESPN showed the Don on his cell phone. I wouldn't want to be the guy on the other end of that phone call.
Eventually the lights came back on and the Galaxy had the better run of play during the rest of the first half.

Are You Ready?

Apparently the Galaxy are ready for tonight's game, but are you? Me, I stay ready.

MLS News

Or really just random MLS items I wanted to post. Remember, the Western Conference Final is Friday night on ESPN2 with the Galaxy hosting the Dynamo.




The Eastern Conference Final is on Saturday night on Fox Soccer Channel with the Chicago Fire hosting Real Salt Lake.

And this goes out to our boy, Marty, since Austin Washington is his boy.

And while you're not watching footy this weekend, how about some golf?

More Playoff Post Game Reactions

From Dennis Hamlett, Head Coach of the Chicago Fire.


From the LA Galaxy Front Office

SuperClasico Highlights

Soccer Sunday!

I'm getting ready to settle in for a full day of the MLS Playoffs. The Sounders and Dynamo kick off in 10 minutes and then I'll be watching the SuperClasico of the year to finish things off. Here are a couple of notes for today:

Freddie Ljungberg thinks the Houston pitch is an, "absolute disgrace!"

Houston COO, Chris Canetti, wants to remind the American soccer community that the Dynamo get great support.

The other white guy from England is also enjoying his time in the U.S.

Former USL Sounder, Maykel Galindo, is feeling good and could be the guy to carry Chivas USA past the Galaxy. Hey! I used to play with that guy.

Enjoy all the MLS Playoff action today, and if you need your European highlight fix, you can catch it all here.

Random News For Your Friday

David Beckham can now join fellow Brit, Liam Neeson, in saying, "America's been very very good to me".

Elizabeth Lambert, The Female Vinnie Jones has been suspended indefinitely.

Chelsea are looking into selling the naming rights for Stamford Bridge.

Xabi misses his friend.

Don't miss the SuperClasico this Sunday.

Former MLS All-Star, and Mexican National Team veteran, Jorge Campos may be the new Technical Director at FC Dallas.

I heard the MTV Europe Video Awards were pretty cool. I looked, but I couldn't find the outfit.

We All Knew It Was Coming

The LA Galaxy officially announced the loan deal of David Beckham to AC Milan during the winter transfer window. That has got to be one of the worst kept secrets of all time. Personally, I thought Becks looked slow and sluggish on Sunday against Chivas USA. I can understand Beckham's desire to play for his country in the World Cup next year, but I'm starting to feel like it's setting a bad precedent for the rest of the DP's around the league.

The Superclasico: Playoff Edition Highlights

Becks and the Playoffs

David Beckham and the MLS Playoffs, a match made in heaven... at least for Commissioner Garber.

MLS Cup Playoff Predictions

In anticipation of the MLS playoffs starting tonight, I will attempt the surefire method of looking like an idiot who has no idea what he is talking about and make some predictions.

East:
Columbus Crew (1) vs Real Salt Lake (4):
Columbus has been too strong over the last two years to vote against them. Having said that, RSL has the firepower to post the biggest upset of this year’s playoffs. For RSL to get past Columbus it will have to get a huge performance from one of its creative veterans. Lucky for RSL, Andy Williams and Clint Mathis both have the ability to be the game changer that RSL needs.

My pick: Columbus

Chicago Fire (2) vs New England Revolution (3):
Neither of these teams have been playing particularly well, but they both have unique advantages. New England has as much playoff experience as any other team, plus their drive to win a championship has been building for 14 years. Chicago has Blanco. In the end, Blanco will win.

My pick: Chicago

Conference Finals:
I have to go with Columbus for their consistency over the last two seasons.

West:
LA Galaxy (1) vs Chivas USA (4):
Chivas started the year strong, but the Galaxy always have the edge in the Super Classico. The Galaxy have a well rounded team and the two best players in the league (Yes I said it. It’s subjective so go ahead and disagree).

My pick: LA Galaxy

Houston Dynamo (2) vs Seattle Sounders FC (3):
On the surface, this is the most evenly matched series, but Seattle has had Houston’s number all year. Add in the fact that Houston did not finish the season strong, and Seattle ended with a three game win streak, and I have a feeling Seattle will walk away with this one and kill off the hopes their second Texan opponent in a row.

My pick: Seattle

Conference Finals:
Mr. Roth will be getting ready to produce a Cinderella story movie about his team winning the trophy in their own stadium in their first year, but the Galaxy will not stand for it. It has been years since Donovan was in the playoffs, but no one should forget that he is unstoppable once he gets there. Donovan will lead the Galaxy to the championship game.

MLS Cup:
You could really just read what I said about Landon in the Western Conference Finals. He will lead the Galaxy to the Cup before he heads back to Europe in the winter, and pictures of Beckham with cup will be seen all over the world.

LA Galaxy vs SJ Earthquakes Highlights

LAndycakes goes to work and gets the job done and the Gals claim the top spot in the West. It's amazing the difference a year makes.

Rookie Life

This edition of Rookie Life focuses on the young defenders from the LA Galaxy.