Landon’s First Goal for Bayern

Here is the latest on Podolski's transfer to FC Cologne:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/n...
Basically that Podolski & FC Cologne (and, I'm assuming in relation Bayern Munich) have agreed that he would complete a transfer at the end of this current season, to start playing for FC Cologne as of July 1st, 2009.
What this translates to me is that Landon would complete his current loan terms with Bayern until 2nd week of March, then come back to LA to see our LA Galaxy through 1st / 2nd week of June, then MLS would probably complete a transfer with Bayern Munich for Landon. So, if there's any truth to LA Galaxy chasing after Del Piero... Del Piero can stay with Juventus until its end-of-season, rack up more goals, pictures, monies, trophies, etc. And, then he would be free to join LA Galaxy for some enormous fee that would once again have all the LA Galaxy haters yell, cry, moan, and insult in dis-belief.
Make of it what you will. Happy New Year everyone...

oops obviously Lalas doesn't like NOT being the center of attention anymore...

Lalas doesn't like being the center of attention anymore -- he was happy enough even if the attention was bad as long as he was in the middle of it. After all his screw ups he's now sounding like a spoiled brat who's been told he can't have the shiniest toy any longer because he wrecked it. More poor form.

Seems unlikely. Can they even do that? He would be a DP and I don't think they have a slot. Even if they sell Donovan, I think he was grandfathered. Am I wrong about that?

The Galaxy is linked with a €38 bid for Del Peiro. The way he has been playing this seems VERY far fetched, but who knows. He is really the heart of the ol' Lady of Italian football, But what a signing that would be.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news...

Colin I noticed that as well. I'm starting to get excited for the PPC and see how are team is looking with the new players.

Did anyone else sense the bitterness from Lalas on ESPN2 when LA picked Gonzalez?

It seems like Arena is adding some good mid-range talent, what we were sorely lacking last year. Seven good players teamed with 4 very good to exceptional players makes one helluva team. I'm getting excited -- still skeptical, but excited.

High praise for Donovan in this article -- and a real feel for how he's fitting in.

http://www.socceramerica.com/i...

looks like Ante Jazic is heading over to Chivas USA.

Anyone have any strong feelings about them? I have the impression that both are good and neither great. I guess they add depth.

Check it out a couple more new faces to LAG.

http://wvhooligan.com/2009/01/...

reported over @ Ives, it looks like we did acquire the rights to Mike Magee

"The Red Bulls have agreed to terms with Los Angeles on a trade for Mike Magee. According to sources, the deal will seond the Red Bulls a conditional second-round pick for Magee."

Ohh-ho-ho! Landon and Ribery working in tandem most of the time? Laurie and I would be in absolute Heaven! (right, Laurie?) I actually get tears in my eyes thinking about it. But maybe that's a woman thing. :)

Anyone see any info on the Midfielder/Forward Mike Magee (New York Red Bulls) coming to the Galaxy. Interesting if true.

Well it's shaping up to be an interesting pre-season with some of the changes being made.

Interesting bit of news: we traded the rights to Ty Harden to Colorado for a third round draft pick. First of all, I didn't know that we get to keep the rights of retired players. Secondly, the fact that his rights were sent to Colorado is interesting, because we just transferred to Paul Bravo to them. Perhaps Bravo believes that Ty is coming out of retirement, but Bruce doesn't?

Here's the article:
http://thelagalaxy.blogspot.co...

There's a good video up over at Soccerbyives.net

Jen, Klinsi subbed the entire team again at halftime except Klose and Lahm, so Landon started the 2nd half with Klose. It was very disjointed. The entire team for the whole game looked very tired, dead legs and tired minds, so there were a lot of bad passing, bad touches. Landon's touch was way off for about 25 minutes, but he was still getting involved and trying things.

In fact, he hit the crossbar on a header off a free kick - we couldn't believe it. It was quite a good shot. But he really came alive during the final 10 minutes, his team started recognizing his runs off the ball and they were trying to get it to him. I think they don't realize how fast he his and how intelligent his runs are. Anyway, after he scored, there was another counter-attack, and they were all running and sent the ball to LD and he had a sublime flick-on pass to the outside mid, then he turned and raced up the field with a perfect run into the box; unfortunately his teammate elected to float one to the backpost (Landon was near post).

But he really showed how fast they're going to be able to play if they'll just trust it. I can see him and Ribery really getting this team to play fast counter-attacks. I think that's what Klinsmann is hoping for.

Laurie, thanks for posting the video, great to see and should be good for his confidence.

That's the deceptive footwork and placement that we know and love!

Nicole, how was his performance throughout the rest of the game?

I watched this game online as well, and that video unfortunately doesn't do the goal justice. From other angles, and also in real game time, it was a trickier goal. Nothing spectacular, but still a nice goal. The ball popped up high, Landon positioned himself and shielded well, then brought the ball down with an excellent first touch that set up his shot, turned and fired. A very nice goal.