You guys probably won't love this picture quite like I do, but hey. That's one of the benefits of having an Offside password, right? I can post whatever I want. (And you know I'm almost pretty much totally kidding, right?)

This is Becks with Christian Karembeu, formerly of the France National Team (circa the 1998 World Cup.

So. Pete Vagenas to Seattle. Wow. I actually thought that, after surviving the carnage of Lalas and Yallop and Gullit, that he'd retire in LA. Silly me, huh? This certainly does give credence to the rumor that Sigi Schmid is coming to Seattle, doesn't it?

In other roster news: Jeremy Barlow, Joe Franchino and Alvaro Pires have been waived.

The Galaxy announced their list of protected players in advance of Wednesday's MLS expansion draft. So the Seattle Sounders will be able to choose from among the unprotected players, but they will only be able to choose one.

A few surprises in this one. But mostly what I would expect.

Protected players: David Beckham, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, Sean Franklin, Alan Gordon, Ante Jazic, Bryan Jordan, Eddie Lewis, Brandon McDonald, Alvaro Pires, Troy Roberts.

While Landon will be flying home on Friday, Bayern Munich have stated they would like to sign him to play during the MLS off season. It seems Donovan was given a verbal agreement that he could pursue playing in Europe during the off season, just as Beckham has done. Bayern wants him, but would ideally like him to stay for the remainder of their season.

While Landon will be flying home on Friday, Bayern Munich have stated they would like to sign him to play during the MLS off season. It seems Donovan was given a verbal agreement that he could pursue playing in Europe during the off season, just as Beckham has done. Bayern wants him, but would ideally like him to stay for the remainder of their season.

While Landon will be flying home on Friday, Bayern Munich have stated they would like to sign him to play during the MLS off season. It seems Donovan was given a verbal agreement that he could pursue playing in Europe during the off season, just as Beckham has done. Bayern wants him, but would ideally like him to stay for the remainder of their season.

(any other parents of preschoolers out there?)

Well, this post is better late than never, although it may not be news to you anymore.

Our young defender, from Cal State Northridge of all places, is MLS Rookie of Year! And has been named Rookie of the Year while playing on the worst team in MLS.

I watched the whole thing.

What, you ask?

Landon's first day of training at Bayern Munich earlier this week.

He looks good. He and Ribery look like they've got a good thing going already.

More news on the Donovan/Bayern Munich front here. (Thanks to David for the heads up and link.

A busy week for Landon.

On Tuesday he was named U.S. Player of the Year for the fifth time. Tuesday was also his first day of a 10 day training stint with Jurgen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich. Is this an opportunity for Klinsmann to get another look at him and how he might fit into his team?

But I just had to share this with my LA friends.  When I get over my post season blues I'll be back with more soccer-related news and comments.

Under The Bridge Literal Video Version

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

I consider it symbolic of the season that I can't watch the last match. It's one of those that's not available nationally, and even the pirate streams aren't working for me. (Stupid US betting laws mean that Bet sites have no interest in showing the game to US residents.)

So I'm following the game on MatchTracker, and I'm seeing that we took the lead on an Edson Buddle goal in the 15th, only to see that lead evaporate on goals by Drew Moor (34) and Victor Sikora (39).

So the game is twenty minutes in. We're already down two.

If you're watching, leave comments. Misery loves company.

An interesting article about Ruud Gullit's perspective on American soccer.  He says that Americans, on the whole, are afraid of soccer growing that American culture doesn't want to give up the supremacy of football, baseball, and basketball in this country. I'm not sure I agree, but it's an intriguing perspective from a European outsider.

I've been reduced to describing our beloved Galaxy in higher and lower levels of suckiness.  We used to suck the worst, but now San Jose has laid claim to that title after the Galaxy's win last night over Colorado. 

Woohoo.

Although I've become a frustrated and often cynical fan, last night's game was a joy to watch.

So I was in Google News today (search phrase "LA Galaxy") looking for some positive news about the Galaxy as we head into our must-win game with Columbus. Here are some headline I found that, at least initially, made me feel a bit better.

I discovered that...

...our Young Galaxy's Magnetic Field is Surprisingly Strong.