The 34 year old LA Galaxy defender, Greg Vanney who came to the Galaxy after a 2007 season with the men in black, DC United has announced h will hang up his boots following the Galaxy's last game of this season. More here. Click to continue reading...

Here we go - a depleted Galaxy team versus Salt Lake's finest.
Luis thinks former Galaxy player Clint Mathis can still do some damage. I'm thinking it might be Robbie Findley who hurts LA, but we'll see.

RSL: Nick Rimando, Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Ian Joy, Will Johnson, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Clint Mathis, Kenny Deuchar, Fabian Espindola

LA: Josh Wicks, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Troy Roberts, Mike Randolph, Eduardo Dominguez, Josh Tudela, Greg Vanney, Bryan Jordan, Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon. Click to continue reading...

The Galaxy looked sharper than they had in weeks last Saturday against the Revolution, which bodes well for the run they will have to make in order to get into the playoffs. However, this Saturday MLS has, in its infinite wisdom, decided to schedule league matches concurrently with a FIFA World Cup qualifier date.

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Or at least they are tied with the 2006 team as the worst ever.

By running their winless streak to 10 games with a 2-2 tie Saturday against the New England Revolution, the Galaxy tied the mark for the longest winless stretch in club history, first set in 2006 when the Galaxy went 0-8-2 from May 6 until June 24.

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Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

What's that noise? Ah, the final whistle thankfully is here. This was one of those nights to stay home and watch synchronized diving or dressage rather than endure a game of over hit crosses, flubbed back passes and inaccurate shots.

John Thorrington of the Palos Verdes Peninsula saved the game from complete non-event status with a swerving shot from 19 yards served to him on a platter by Brian McBride to give the Fire a 1-0 win.

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After speaking with the Galaxy's Landon Donovan and Greg Vanney about Bruce Arena after the Superclasico it's clear Bruce Arena is perceived very differently by the players he coaches than the public face fans and the media see.

Here's what the pair, who have both played extensively for Arena as members of the national team, had to say about him taking the Galaxy helm.

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Or so says Ives in this post.

I'm on record in the comments of my last SBI Supporter's View saying that I wouldn't have used the allocation for Cory Gibbs due to his injury history and cost against the salary cap (not like I actually know what that is, of course). But I am not the guy(s) in charge of personnel over at the HDC (that can only be a good thing) and I guess their calculus told them to pull the trigger.

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So the main question posed throughout our series in review of the player acquisitions, departures, and trades made by DC United since the end of last season is whether or not the club is actually better off now than they were last year. Let's review, position by position.

Goalkeepers:
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Okay, last week I didn't get these out and I apologize for that. I got overwhelmed with stuff because of Sunday night's SuperLiga match and had to scrap something.

So after a week hiatus, here's the Spotlight for Week 17.

Top XI
G: Joe Cannon
D: Marvell Wynne Bobby Boswell
D: Ryan Cochrane
D: Chris Wingert
M: Jorge Rojas Dave Van den Burgh
M: Christian Gomez
M: Guillermo Barros Schelotto
M: Kurt Morsink
F: Edson Buddle
F: Juan Pablo Angel
F: Kenny Cooper

Coach: Ian Russell, San Jose. Click to continue reading...

Well, well, if the montage of the nine goals scored the last time these two teams met in New York doesn't amp you up for this game, I don't know what will.
Galaxy
* 1 - Steve Cronin (GK)
* 3 - Greg Vanney
* 4 - Ante Jazic
* 7 - Chris Klein
* 8 - Peter Vagenas
* 10 - Landon Donovan
* 12 - Troy Roberts
* 14 - Edson Buddle
* 15 - Alvaro Pires
* 20 - Carlos Ruiz
* 23 - David Beckham
New York
* 18 - Jon Conway (GK)
* 2 - Kevin Goldthwaite
* 4 - Carlos Mendes
* 6 - Seth Stammler
* 9 - Juan Pablo Angel
* 11 - Dave van den Bergh
* 13 - Jorge Rojas
* 19 - Dane Richards
* 20 - Oscar Echeverry
* 27 - Andrew Boyens
* 60 - Jeff Parke

Actually, besides Jozy, I think the player that New York will miss in this game is Clint Mathis. Click to continue reading...

Sigh.

We all knew this was coming, right?

I've been expecting this days with about the same emotions I felt when I was getting ready to get my wisdom teeth out. It had to be done, it was going to hurt, and I'd probably feel better once I recovered.

According to SoccerInsider, who know all, Abel Xavier has been cut.

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Today:
Palos Verdes' John Thorrington was named MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters after his stoppage time winner against Toronto FC for the Chicago Fire.

Tuesday
As the MLS transfer window opens the Galaxy could announce who gets cut today to make room for new signing Eduardo Dominguez, the Argentine defender.

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Kansas City Wizards 2 New York Red Bulls 1: Frankly to me the first half was not even a competitive contest. As I said in the chat at the time, I almost saw no reason to bother with the second half at all. LukeSassano epically was a waste of space and it was no surprise to me that he did not see any action at all in the second half.

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Five changes for the Galaxy this evening after last week's loss to New England and no wins in the last three games.

Most fans will undoubtedly be pleased to know that even with an ankle injury to central defender Sean Franklin that was announced Wednesday the hapless Abel Xavier is nowhere to be seen.

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How about them Wizards?
Anyway, the injury of Sean Franklin means the Galaxy have had to scramble to replace him. He's been their most consistent defender, rookie or no.
So who replaces him? Greg Vanney or Troy Roberts? The short answer is that both players are in the starting lineup.
Galaxy: Cronie, Kleiny, Troy, Vanney, Ante, Ely, Becks, Pete, Willie, Eddie, LD
Chivas USA: Guzano, Talley, Shavar, Jonny, 'Tiba, Sach, Jesse, Nags, Panchito, 'Te. Click to continue reading...

I was on the fence about this post. It is silly, certainly. I thought I might discuss the horizontal symmetries of the two clubs' jersey sponsors.
See?
Or I might mention the fact that Greg Vanney is now a "Herbalife-sponsored player" (see: New Stars in the LA Galaxy) and has 10 appearances this season for the Galaxy after most recently playing for DC United. Click to continue reading...

The Galaxy (6-4-2), the highest-scoring team in MLS and sitting first in the Western Conference plays the Columbus Crew (7-4-1), which is lying second in the Eastern Conference.

The Galaxy have won four of their last five games propelled by the scoring exploits of Edson Buddle, who has eight goals during that stretch.

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Here's a partial list of U.S. left backs of the past 10 years:

Jeff Agoos, Chris Albright, Wade Barrett, Gregg Berhalter, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Dan Califf, Bobby Convey, Ramiro Corrales, Todd Dunivant, Frankie Hejduk, Cory Gibbs, Eddie Lewis, John O'Brien, Pearce, Regis, Ryan Suarez, Jonathan Spector and Greg Vanney. Click to continue reading...

(NOTE: Because the week got off the a god-awful start - and because I further handicapped this young week by drowning it in beer - I have to forgo posting the feature I advertised this morning, "MLS Week #___: Let the Record Show."  I'll get this stuff down shortly...promise.  I lieu of that one, I'll [. Click to continue reading...

Well, after avoiding doing this for 2 weeks, I think it's finally time that I have to do this. So, here you go peoples, the super brilliant season preview written by yours truly. Nuts and Bolts If you've watched any MLS since about 1996, you'd know that (aside from a few dark years) DC [...] Click to continue reading...

Well, after avoiding doing this for 2 weeks, I think it's finally time that I have to do this. So, here you go peoples, the super brilliant season preview written by yours truly.

Nuts and Bolts -- If you've watched any MLS since about 1996, you'd know that (aside from ...

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The Los Angeles Galaxy are back to a familiar position, on the losing side of the score sheet. I haven't been able to watch the Galaxy vs FC Seoul yet but I have it on the DVR. Alan Gordon is a guy that I have criticized a lot but he got the go ahead goal for the Galaxy on a David Beckham free kick that came to him behind the defense.

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I am not an executive with a soccer club. Heck, I have no management experience at all. Yet, sometimes I have to think I could do a better job than some of the people managing teams in the MLS. Exhibit A? Alexi Lalas. Seriously, Galaxy fans have to be wondering what Lalas is thinking these days. [... Click to continue reading...

According to Steven Goff at the Washington Post D.C. United has once again traded the rights of an out of contract player, this time veteran defender Greg Vanney, to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Vanney returns to the club with which he spent the first six seasons of his career. In return, United has obtained 19 year old midfielder, Quavas Kirk. Click to continue reading...

Last year, the Gals managed to trade away most of their young talent while adding a ragtag band of geriatric vagabonds to surround Golden Balls. Now they're left with a handful of highly paid, quality players, a dubious supporting cast, and one year to make it all happen before the whole house of cards and the MLS salary cap structure collapse upon them with what, we can only assume (and hope), Click to continue reading...

Rating: 5 (Very good)

Steve Goff at the the Washington post is reporting that DC United, in yet another potentially shrewd move, has traded the rights to yet another out of contract player. This time it is 33 year old veteran defender Greg Vanney for the 19 year speedy midfielder. Click to continue reading...

FIRST ON SBI

Photo by ISI Photos

The Los Angeles Galaxy is set to address its defensive woes by adding one of the league's best veteran defenders.

The Galaxy is set to acquire defender Greg Vanney from D.

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FIRST ON SBI

Photo by ISI Photos

The Los Angeles Galaxy is set to address its defensive woes by adding one of the league's best veteran defenders.

The Galaxy is set to acquire defender Greg Vanney from D.

Click to continue reading...

I was feeling optimistic about the Colorado Rapids in 2008. Then in cleaning up some drafts for blog posts I ran across this quote from Rapids VP Jeff Plush. It was made going into the 2007 season. McDonald was dropped before mother's day if I remember correctly. Vanney was in, looked like he might have been giving the back line some leadership and then promptly shipped off to DC United. Click to continue reading...

I hated Greg Vanney when he came to DC United. It really was nothing against him, he had just been traded for my favorite DC player, Facundo "erpfu" Erpen. I was sad to see Erpen go and disappointed that we got an old, slow guy in exchange. There were rumors of a magical left foot, that as far as I can tell must have been amputated and reattached to Marc Burch, but that is a different story. Click to continue reading...

While yesterday I talked about how the money for Veron didn't imply much of a trade-off, there is a trade that needs to be considered: Adding a designated player $400K to the salary cap. Ridge Mahoney talks a bit about this today, so let's look closer. $400K salary cap hit for a designated player.

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Chris Webb has a provocative article about the Vanney-Erpen deal over at UnitedMania. Go ahead and read the article in full, because it is good reading. However, as always, we reserve the right to dissent, at least in part. Now, this is the kind of in-depth argument that only fans care about, so let's get at it. Webb argues that the day of the Vanney deal was the day "D.

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D.C. United 4 : 2 New England Revolution
Six Word Novel Recap

Four goals equals four point lead.

Media, Traditional and OtherwiseThe Washington Times, John Haydon: "Moreno scored his first goal in the run of play in nearly a year, and Emilio scored two more to bring his league-leading total to 18 as United defeated the New England Revolution 4-2 in a game littered with questionable calls. Click to continue reading...

Anybody else think that Vanney will transition to management fairly quickly? Between postgame quotes, Dave Lifton's interview with him on the Screaming Eagles Podcast, and this appearance on Access United, it certainly seems so. Compared with the platitudes you normally get from athletes, it's quite refreshing.

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D.C. United 3 : 1 New York Red BullsJAMIE MORENO BECOMES MLS CAREER GOALS LEADER WITH 109
Six Word Novel Recap

Record is a comma, not period.

Media, Traditional and OtherwiseThe Washington Post, Steve Goff: "Moreno's historic strike came on a night when United (11-6-3) scored twice in the first eight minutes, endured New York's intense pressure and Juan Pablo Angel's goal midway through the half, then secured its fourth consecutive MLS victory to move within three points of first-place New England in the Eastern Conference. Click to continue reading...