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Soccer: Local Teams Making Final Preparations
Photo by Jan the Manson via Flickr
By month's end, all three of L.A.'s professional soccer teams will have begun their respective journeys into a new soccer season.
Chivas USA has spent recent days tuning up against MLS opposition, facing off against San Jose on Wednesday, then Chicago yesterday morning. Despite the unfavorable results in those games, the team appears to be in good standing for the upcoming season. Maykel Galindo, Chivas USA's 2007 leading scorer, made his preseason debut on Saturday, a positive sign for the red-and-white offense.
Galindo's return is indicative of another positive for the team: players are either healthy or, as in the case of MLS veteran Sasha Victorine, quickly returning to health. Defender Bobby Burling is the notable exception, having successfully undergone sports hernia surgery last Wednesday and will be out for six weeks.
The team will continue their preparations for another 2 weeks before their season opener on March 21 versus the Colorado Rapids at the Home Depot Center.
A day after Chivas USA opens it's season, the L.A. Galaxy will do the same against long time rival D.C. United. While the blue-and-gold have quietly continued their preseason preparations at the Home Depot Center, they can't shake the circus that is David Beckham's status with the team. Earlier in the week, L.A. and Milan both indicated that all parties were close to a deal which would see Beckham stay with the rossoneri until the end of their season in May, and Beckham would then join the Galaxy in July after the summer transfer window opens.
Despite these stories, no firm agreement has yet been announced by either side, unlike the case of Landon Donovan, who is expected back from Germany on Tuesday. Regardless, Beckham's current loan expires on March 9th, thus this matter should be put to rest for once and for all within a short time frame.
The distraction of Beckham's status took away from other truly special news for local soccer. Brazilian Women's National Team and Los Angeles Sol superstar Marta was welcomed to L.A. by the Lakers' Kobe Bryant last Friday. The star forward, widely recognized as the World's best female player, will be one of the main attractions of the Women's Professional Soccer league which begins play on March 29th. Marta and her L.A. teammates will open their season that same day at the Home Depot Center, and ironically, they will also face their D.C. counterparts.
For those interested in getting a preview of the Sol, head down to the Home Depot Center today between 11 am and 3 pm for SolFest. The event will feature an open practice session, prize giveaways and various other activities. And it is free!