LA Galaxy v. Portland Timbers - 4/23/11 Home Depot Center

MLS is evolving. The level of play and the passion of the fans continue to grow with each season. Leading the way, are the big market teams such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. But newcomers Portland and Vancouver are impressing with their loyal, traveling fan base.

Saturday night in Carson, CA the Home Depot Center hosted the Portland Timbers in a nationally broadcast match. Landon Donovan returned to action and the Angel City Brigade supporters club welcomed him back with a strong showing, flags waving and drums pounding.

Chad Barrett scored the opener on a breakaway from a Beckham/Donovan combination. Then, later in the first half, the captain Landon Donovan converted from the spot to make it 2-0 for the Western Conference leading Galaxy. Donovan scored his second goal of the season and the night in the second half with a snap header.

The Timbers had some great chances, not at all rolling over at the Galaxy's boots, but goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts had some key saves to preserve the free chicken coupons for the Los Angeles crowd.

With flags waving proudly and supporters clubs springing up in local stadiums, American Soccer is taking its next step toward top tier, world-class football. With increased fan support comes inspired play.




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USA 1 - 1 CHI @ the HDC

A pitch full of youngsters and a whole lot of red, white, and blue filled the Home Depot Center last night for both teams during the USMNT friendly against Chile.

With veterans abroad competing in the mid season European campaign, it was a night to bolster the experience of fresh blood. Bob Bradley wisely fielded a team whose average age was 23, and made use of his six substitutions to explore new options, particularly at the defense and striker positions.

After conceding a well volleyed goal to the Chileans, Bradley put in the 18 year old Juan Agudelo in the second half. Now, many other American soccer journos are being very cautious with how they discuss young Agudelo, being wary of casting the Freddy Adu Curse (glorifying American soccer talent at such an early age, only to fizzle out and under perform later on).

However, I was there. I was watching him warm up at halftime when the cameras were off. And I saw something in this boy that I hadn't seen in an American jersey ever before: a sense of fun in his touch on the ball. He juggled and preformed in front of our section at the Home Depot Center. He played with the ball doing nifty stepovers, backheels, and impressive juggles. I could see where he picked up this style and sense of carefree fun: South Africa. His experience abroad and the things he saw during the Nelson Mandela Challenge showed in his demeanor. It brought me back to that amazing country where I spent the summer with other passionate soccer fans, delighting in the welcoming culture of Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, juggling and playing soccer with the locals.

In the second half, Agudelo's confidence shined as he went at defenders and put together a beautiful combination of short, quick passes with Alejandro Bedoya. Agudelo's efforts payed off, earning the US a Penalty Kick. This is a player we have been waiting for. A player that can dazzle the crowd and be a persistent menace to the opposition's back line.

Teal Bunbury stepped up to slot home the well placed kick from the spot, and again, the youngsters showed us something to build on: the bond of teammates dancing and celebrating at the corner flag. Bunbury and Agudelo are bonding on and off the field, a pairing that could mean big things for the future of US soccer.

Paired with veteran leadership and strong distribution out of the back and midfield, these young guns will take our game to the next level. But they better pay attention and respect their elders who got us to where we are today. Bocanegra, Donovan, Dempsey, and the boys still have much to teach them.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4.