Where to Find More Galaxy Info

Reader Mag, who is a new Galaxy fan and a longtime Beckham fan, asked last week where to find good info about what’s going on with the Galaxy. I spend more time than is healthy searching for Galaxy news, both trashy and non-, so I thought I’d offer up my thoughts.

First, let’s get one thing straight. THIS BLOG is everybody’s primary source for all things Galaxy. Are we clear on that? Now keep in mind, I’m not selfish. You are welcome to have as many auxiliary and secondary sources as you want. I do not get jealous. Provided you stop by here first.

That said, here are some of the sources I visit regularly. Feel free to post your own in the comments.

First? Well, I’ll be the first to say that the Galaxy homepage sucks. Rarely updated, and when it is it frequently contains info that really has no value. But even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile, and the Galaxy homepage is that kind of squirrel. I’m a big fan of Greg Daurio’s postgame reports, especially when I’ve had to miss a game. And the pregame reports sometimes have value too. And yes, I am a sucker for those .pdf Galaxy Game Guides, the links to which are posted with the pregame reports. I love the expected starting lineups they list, despite the fact that I don’t think they’ve ever been accurate. Not even once. You sort of have to admire that kind of consistency.

I also check out the Sideline Views blog fairly frequently. It’s written by two actual, legit soccer reporters who write about LA soccer, Andrea Canales and Luis Bueno. When you visit, know that you are not ever going to find a blog more different in tone from this one than Sideline Views. I can guarantee you that they will never crack wise about a certain Chelsea player nicknamed “The Human Tripod,” or show photos of Beckham with his hand down his shorts. (Sadly, not everyone can be as immature as I am.) What they do provide is firsthand information — interviews and news gleaned from direct contact with players and coaches. When you visit, be prepared in advance to bookmark, because they post VERY frequently and their posts usually link to other posts — so it’s sometimes hard to find the right trail of breadcrumbs to follow should you decide to return to something. Also be aware that they also write about…brace yourself…Chivas. So go in prepared.

For the best, closest-to-the-action info, though, I love bulletin boards. There’s something very immediate about hearing from other actual fans. Plus people writing anonymously don’t have to be either tactful or professional, so you always get unvarnished and interesting opinions. And some of the knowledge expressed is better than you get from the professionals. (And, of course, some is absolute crap. Caveat emptor.)

The LA Galaxy section at the BigSoccer boards is probably the biggest Galaxy bulletin board site. It’s like a loud, busy, raucous party and filled with a lot of information. I could waste a whole bunch of time here if I let myself.

Slightly smaller — a more intimate party — is the LA Riot Squad Galaxy Talk page at SoccerPubs. My post-game routine recently has become: 1) Watch game 2) Write post-game post, and 3) Visit SoccerPubs to verify my opinions and get different insight. I love BigSoccer, but this page is less overwhelming and makes it easier to find what I’m looking for. If I have unlimited time, I go to BigSoccer. If I have limited time, I come here.

Those are my top four. Honorable mentions also go to Dan Loney’s blog — generally insightful, intelligent, acerbic and hysterically funny (if not always Galaxy related,) and LA Soccer News. And of course my week would be not be complete if I didn’t stop by my friend Charly’s blog so I can read about my team in French. (If I could have one Galaxy-related wish in the world, it would be to get my young French friend an autographed Cobi Jones jersey. This kind of dedication should be rewarded.)

And that’s all that’s coming to mind at the moment. As I said, feel free to list your own links in the comments.

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Category: Off the Field