Final Landon Exclusion Comments, Parte Tres

Here is the translation of what LD said in Spanish today. 

Are you mad?

I’m not mad, I’m sad. Because I worked very hard to have this opportunity to play in the World Cup, just like the others. Sometimes decisions don’t go in your favor. Life is like that. But it’s still frustrating, and it hurts a lot.

What did Jurgen say to you, what were his reasons?

What we talked about is private, but he told me I wasn’t going. I told him that I respected his decision. If it was my choice, it would be different.

First reaction?

I couldn’t believe it. It was a little incredible for me. I felt like it might be a dream, but then it was just very sad.

Is this unjust?

After the ten days in Stanford, when I look in the mirror, I can say that I deserve to go to Brazil. Not only for what I’ve done in the past, but I’m in good form. I’m strong physically and I worked really hard in each training. I think my teammates wanted me there. It’s hard, but at times, decisions don’t go your way. Life is like that at times.

Landon's Final Words, Part II

Other names on list that were surprising?

There’s a lot of arguments that you can make for everybody. Decisions are tough. It’s a good thing that we have tough decisions to make. In past World Cups, you probably knew the 10 to 15 guys who were the best players and the other ones weren’t up to snuff, but now we have a good group of many, many players who are in their own way deserving of being there. So that’s a good sign for US soccer.

Mystified?

I’m disappointed. I’m sad. I’m human and I wanted to go. I really wanted to go. I’m at peace with it. I respect the decision. I just feel in my heart that I deserve to be there and that’s the pill that’s hard to swallow.

Random Becks question

Beckham’s going to the World Cup? There’s a lot of discrepancies between me and Beckham. I don’t know. I can’t speak to that.

Sabbatical affected choice - if you had it over?

I would absolutely do the same thing. My performances and my stats and the way I played since my sabbatical speak for themselves. I actually think I’ve been a much better player since I came back.

Motivation for MLS season?

I’ve never been a guy who has been motivated by the negative. I don’t operate that way. Some people do, but that’s not my way of doing things. I’m excited to be back here. I certainly didn’t want to be here under these circumstances or this soon, but I love these guys. These are my teammates, this is my home. I will not let this affect me going forward.

Landon's Final Words on Klinsmann Cutting Him from World Cup

Reporter questions here are shortened down, Landon Donovan's responses as close to exact as I could get transcribing. 

How do you move on from this disappointment?

To be honest, the support I have received has been really overwhelming, and I think it’s helped me understand the sort of impact that I've helped have. It’s been really nice and so at the end of the day, although it’s surprising and disappointing, this is my job and all the guys out here (indicating Galaxy players) are depending on me and I want to continue playing and enjoying myself, like I have been.

Did you have a feeling or indication of exclusion?

No, quite the opposite, actually. Based on my performances leading up to the camp, based on Based on my preparation for the camp, based on my fitness, based on my workload, based on the way I trained and played in camp, I not only thought I was a part of the 23, I thought I was in contention to be starting. That’s why this has all been pretty disappointing.

What is your level of anger in this decision?

I’m not angry. I’m disappointed. I’ve spent most of my adult life and the majority of my life in general, dedicating myself to the sport in this country and representing my country. So, I was really looking forward to the opportunity to play in another World Cup and to help this team. Having been in camp for ten days, I really thought I was going to contribute in a big way, probably bigger than I had expected going in. From that standpoint, I think it’s disappointing. I think every one of my teammates would probably echo those same words.

Xolos - Cruz Azul: CONCACAF Champions League Semis

Let's go, let's go! Well, actually, there's a bit of time to go yet, because it's still the second half of Toluca - Alajuelense. I lived in Alajuela for six months, so sorry, Toluca, go Alajuelense! Anyway, it's scoreless in that match. 

Prediction for Xolos - Cruz Azul? I say 2-0, Joe Corona and Dario Benedetto score. Put any predictions you have in the comments. 
Alajuela - Jonathan MacDonald, misses a PK in the 65th minute. He fired over the top. Poor. 
And now Toluca makes them pay. 0:1 Da Silva pushed a header in. Everybody on the bench looks miserable. Costa Rican teams hate losing to Mexico, no matter if it happens often. 
We're in injury time now - five minutes worth. 

TIJUANA
LINE-UP
13 Cirilo Saucedo
2 Edgar Eduardo Castillo
3 Javier Gandolfi
4 Hernan Dario Pellerano
22 Juan Carlos Núñez
8 Fernando Arce
15 Joe Corona Crespin
16 Cristian Pellerano
42 Javier Güemez
10 Fidel Martínez
18 Dario Benedetto


CRUZ AZUL
LINE-UP

1 Jose de Jesus Corona
4 Julio Domínguez Juárez
15 Gerardo Flores Zuñiga
55 David Stringel
57 Emmanuel Loeschbor
5 Alejandro Castro
6 Gerardo Torrado
7 Pablo Barrera
11 Joao Rojas
33 Mauro Formica
9 Mariano Pavone



1 - Kickoff! Tijuana are so strong at home, I actually expect a win for the Xolos. 
3 - Announcers discuss how Herrera and Klinsmann will probably both watch this match to evaluate players. 
5 - Tentative feeling out on the part of both teams so far. 
10 - Joe Benny Corona is playing well, though, so I have high hopes for my prediction. 
15 - Corona on the attack, but Jesus Corona, the goalkeeper, deals with it well. 

17 - Now Mariano Pavone on the run, but the ball ends up trickling through to Saucedo.
18 - Jesus Corona came out badly there, failing to secure the ball against Martinez - if Piojo saw that, he wants Ochoa now.
19 - Formica with a shot. Announcers agree game is heating up.
20 - Joao Rojas with a great run, but can't quite beat the last defender in the Xolos box.
25 - Formica is very active for los Cementeros, but so far, without a goal as payoff.
26 - I can't quite pin down who Saucedo reminds me of - Bjorn Borg, maybe?
27 - I don't like these announcers - they meander too much and don't call the game enough. Corona on the attack again, Benedetto misfires, though.
29 - Saucedo gets low to collect a shot with Pavone hovering for the rebound. Nothing doing.
31 - Announcers argue over why Cruz Azul is playing so well - coach or players? Um, both?
33 - Gandolfi and his precisely aligned facial hair limps off.
34 - Rojas, very clever, immediately attacks Gandolfi's side and earns a corner. Saucedo catches the corner kick, though, ending the threat.
35 - Castillo helps the Xolos earn a corner of their own.
36 - The matching suits and ties on the CA bench for the staff looks a little creepy. The announcer wants a red for Gandolfi's tackle just now on Rojas. But the thing is, gimpy Gandolfi did get to the ball first, although his follow upended Rojas.
37 - So a tough call becomes a no-call. Story of the life in soccer.
38 - Announcers philosophize about the tough row a striker must hoe.
39 - Arce with a weak shot that Jesus Corona collects just fine.
40 - Benedetto hits a pass way too far ahead of Castillo in the box, who turns with a look like, "Dude, I don't have wings."
41 - But it's really that gawd-awful turf that makes the ball run like that.
43 - A Cruz Azul gets called back - Formica used a bit too much of his arm to set the ball up for a long-distance shot. A beauty, but no goal.
45 - CA corner, but Saucedo has it.
Ok, I have to say, Cruz Azul looked closer to a goal in the first half than did the Xolos. But if their Galaxy match is anything to go by, they start off slow sometimes. I expect a more lively second half.
46 - And it is already! Cruz Azul charging into the Xolos box, until Saucedo pounces on the ball.
48 - FK for Xolos, but CA kill the attack.
52 - Corona calmly catches a ball that pops up high in the box.
53 - Benedetto crashes on top of Loeschbor as they tussle for a ball on the sidelines - after much writhing, Loeschbor seems fine.
55 - Pellerano lets loose with a shot - Jesus Corona has it, but takes the time to yell at his defenders for not putting foot in the way of that ball.
57 - Joe Corona looks to have slowed down a bit - or gone quiet.
58 - Jesus Corona out a catch a cross before it does damage.
62 - Back and forth, but Xolos getting their fair share of ball possession. Joe leads another attack into the box, but before Benedetto can poke the ball into goal, Jesus Corona scoops it up.
64 - Loeschbor takes down Castillo from behind - yellow and a free kick for Xolos.
65 - Free kick by Arce is too high.
66 - It wasn't even close, Jesus Corona was walking away from it while the ball was still in the air.
70 - Pavone's turn to fire a shot that was off- his was closer, though.
71 - Tena has a sub ready to come in. Joe-benny already left for Xolos - Ruiz is in.
73 - Penal! No? The ref swallowed his whistle on what looked like a clear call for the Xolos in the box.
77 - This game is crying out for a fluke goal and lots of post-game complaints about the ref.
78 - Penalty! This time it's called when Benedetto was merely stepped on his foot slightly. Makeup call.
79 - Benedetto buries it. I'll just say it - Ochoa would have saved that! Maybe.
80 - Ok, so the Xolos are pulling a Galaxy here, but it's doubtful one goal is enough to hold up on the return leg. Of course, if Tijuana prevents a goal, every goal they score in Estadio Azul counts for two (tiebreaker)
83 - Cruz Azul have a freekick and swarm into the Xolos box but fail to shoot on target. I'll just say it - Fabian would have scored that. Maybe.
86 - CA have certainly had chances here. Haven't made good, though.
87 - Herculez! He's into the match now. Subbing in for Benedetto.
88 - I think Cesar Farias just got reprimanded by the ref.
90 - FK for CA - could be a great chance again. It results in a corner. Saudedo catches that.
90+ Saucedo with another save - a shot from distance. Noot too tough, but nervy - since the game is almost over.  He takes his time with the goal kick.
And that's fulltime! My prediction was on for Xolos winning , but it's a rather puny advantage that Tijuana takes into the second leg. I'm not sure how much I'd bet on them keeping it and advancing to the final. 

DWTS - Second Night

Double elimination jeopardy! 

And Drew and Cheryl are safe right off the bat! Way to vote, Sounders fans! Oh, and they're dancing first this time. Ok, a short night of blogging for me. 

Drew is happy about not being eliminated. Cheryl is also cool with dancing first. Drew actually picks the jive first. Yikes. That's a fast dance for a not-young guy. He's frustrated in the dance rehearsals.

Drew jumps off the stage and tears his jacket off! Faster foot flicks, Drew. He gets off-beat a couple of times, too, but he's smiling and jiving through the dance.
Len congratulates the content, tells Drew to work on footwork and posture. Bruno calls Drew a "stage animal". He doesn't add that he means, "dancing bear". Adds that Drew covered the mistakes well.
Carrie Ann commends Drew's courage in tackling the jive. She's nicely telling him he shouldn't have done it, basically. Anyway, she also says that he might be "surprised" by the scoring. Drew looks slightly worried.
Erin in her interview comments how comfortable Drew is in front of live audiences. The judges score 7-7-7 = 21. Pretty generous, considering the mistakes.
Ok, Drew's done.
Billie Dee and Emma are safe? Really? Crazy. I thought for sure he was gone. Meryl and Max are safe. Good. Danica and Val are safe, too. They're dancing next.
In the practice reel, Val is unhappy with their 8 scores, since Candace got a nine. Danica's not so bent out of shape about it. Val is pushing her, though. She's nervous and upset. First tears. Val apologizes and tries to loosen up a bit.
Now the dance. Danica's all in gold - doesn't have the freewheeling attitude of a samba dancer, but she's trying. The nerves stiffen her up, though. She does show more confidence in certain parts. Tom B. calls her a "sexy mathmetician" Bruno calls out her lack of details on the transition elements. Carrie Ann uses the word "sexy" three times - also "flawless".  Len tells her to keep keeping on. Fantastico. Danica looks happy, but still nervous. Loosen up, lady. Erin uses the word, "sexy" in her commentary, too. 8-8-8 - 24 - Val looks a little miffed, but tries not to show it to Danica, who says she had "fun" with the dance.

Tom is doing his best, but this new trick of calling people out as safe or not throughout the program kind of interrupts stuff. I guess they want to keep the audience members on the edge of their seats.

Billie Dee's not buying Emma's logic of "the last shall be first". Billy is doing the tango and saying he is old. His back hurts. Emma is trying to keep his spirits up. Emma brings in extra ladies to the tango dance. Billy quotes William Earnest Henley "I am the master of my fate".

In the dance, he is playing a tango pimp. That's an original approach. It works, of course, because the original tango dancers were ladies of the night. It also allows Billy to do less dancing and more waving his arms about with style. I guess that's a type of dancing. Carrie Ann gives him pointers, but basically says more content was needed. Len needs less ivy, more attack. Bruno says, "Stylized, minimal approach", but agrees there needs to be more actual dance involved. Erin leans on Billy Dee (bad! he's got back and hip issues) 5-5-5 =15

Meryl and Maks! In the practice clips, Meryl chooses swing and says she isn't nervous. Maks, however, is nervous about the lifts. He isn't used to throwing - and it's taking a toll. He says he's old. Dude, talk to Billy Dee. Meryl is dancing to a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy classic - in a bra, basically. The skirt is cute, but really, a bra? She more than keeps up with the speed of the dance, which gets to Maks a little bit. Len, "that swing had wings". Bruno thought the level of difficulty was great, but noticed the timing was off at times. Maks take issue - Maks always gets onery. Carrie points out how hard Maks had to work, commends Meryl's athleticism. Maks grumps at Erin about the score, but 8-9-8 - Maks cheers up at Len's nine, wishes Val a happy birthday.

Amy and Derek are safe. Candace and Mark are, too. Diane and Henry are going home. They don't even get to dance. I didn't see her last week. She is very kind about the elimination, compliments her partner. She still gets to dance, though, and she wants to do so. Cha, cha. She is stiff, but she smiles a lot. Certainly more dancing there than Billy Dee. Tom calls her a "good sport" and she is.

Jeremy Miller politically says that he is rooting for both Candace and Danica. Candace is nervous about the rhumba with Mark - due to her religious beliefs, she wants to be sensual, not sexual. Semantics, Candace.

But they're dancing to "Say Something", which is just a sad song. So yeah, not too sexy. Total breakup song. Lots of back arching. Carrie Ann wanted to see more rhumba steps, less contemporary lifts and stuff. Maybe Candace should have let Mark take his shirt off. 7 -7-7 Fair.

Ok, that's all for me, night folks. Drew will dance another day! Remember to vote, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Xolos - Puebla, Liga MX Running Blog

This game is slightly delayed on the Azteca America channel I'm watching, but hey, I'll survive. 

1 - Benedetto and Pellerano attack, earn a Xolos corner, than another.
2 - Beasley is backed up by ref - too close to corner. Benedetto scores!
3 - Dude is a scoring machine. I think Arce sent the ball in. Benedetto scored via header near post.
4 - I think Orozco should have been marking Benedetto. Ooops.

Cruz Azul - Sporting KC _ CONCACAF Champions League Running Blog

Ok, here we go, folks. I'm missing Jeopardy for this, so it had better be good. 

I have to confess that before I had to go journalistically objective, Cruz Azul was my favorite team in Mexico growing up. I mean, Cle Kooiman! Who wouldn't love that squad? He was a local hero.

 Sporting Kansas City: Kronberg, Ellis, Opara, Besler, Gardner, Rosell, Nagamura, Feilhaber, Zusi, Bieler y Peterson.
Cruz Azul: Corona, Flores, Domínguez, Perea, Nápoles, Torrado, Giménez, Fabián, Formica, Rojas y Pavone.

1 - They kick off! Both teams are in blue, which is a little confusing.
2 - OH, dude! GOAL! Cruz Azul scored - faster than the Xolos against the Galaxy? Close. 1-0 Cruz Azul (1-1)

Xolos - Galaxy CCL Quarterfinal, Running Blog

Tijuana XI: Saucedo; Nunez Castro Gandolfi Garza; H.Pellerano Guemez C.Pellerano Corona; Ayovi Benedetto
LA Galaxy XI: Penedo; DeLaGarza, Gonzalez, Leonardo, Riley; Zardes, Sarvas, Juninho, Donovan; Keane, Samuel

Ok, lineups are in, predictions? I say, 2-2, because I want an exciting game. Probably wishful thinking.

Pre-game quotes here. 

I'd say that this should be a pretty even game, given how the teams looked comparable in StubHub, but the truth is, the Xolos go into beast mode when playing in Estadio Caliente. They really own the place and their home record is no joke. Cesar Farias was almost nonchalant about losing the first game, because he knew the second one would be in TJ.
All that said, the mystique of Estadio Azteca eventually wore off, didn't it? So perhaps the Galaxy will break the spell here.
I'm watching the match on Galavision, so I'm getting the Spanish language perspective on things. Right this second, it means some telenovela is on where the women are crying and this guy with a mustache just grabbed a girl and kissed her. She screams, then her friend runs in and hits him over the head with a vase. And scene. 

Happy Xolos graphics of people running, scoring and falling on that evil turf. Shots of Xolos players getting off the bus. Herc may have said this isn't a rivalry yet, but the announcers are already calling it "Clasico de Baja California" so, well, maybe it is. Highlights are shown of the last match. For me, the best part is watching Robbie Keane's terrible acting job when he tries to pretend he planned that assist to Samuel.  
1 - And they kick off! Xolos lively moving the ball around in the early going, knowing how to handle the ball on that turf - and damn. They score. GOAL! Fittingly, Jaime Ayovi, who started the attack, finishes it. 0-1 Xolos. (1-1) 

Xolos - Galaxy Quote Clash

The second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal is here! Today the Galaxy and Tijuana Xolos face off in Estadio Caliente in TJ to see who moves on. In honor of the occasion, I'm posting here all the quotes from the first game in LA that I haven't already used in articles or posts. 

Tijuana Coach Cesar Faria

On the second leg

I think we can overturn the result in Tijuana.

Overview of game

In the first half, the Galaxy played with more energy, which we expected. We made a mistake that cost us a goal.  In general, the balance was very good. We had the chance to tie, and to score more than one goal.

Why didn't Benedetto start?

Dario didn’t start because he has an injury in his Achilles tendon, and if we don’t care for it, we’re going to lose him to that. He was very close to scoring. In the last game, he left because he was injured.

Worried about goal deficit?

This is not a 90 minute series. We’re going to play at home against the Galaxy, and we’re very confident at home.

Tijuana support from fans?

It was spectacular. It gave our players enthusiasm for 90 minutes. Now we have to finish things out in our house and we expect even more support there.

Joe Corona's performance

He’s an important player for us. He did everything we asked him to do. We took him out when he was a little tired. With a little bit more luck he would have had a goal.

Live-Blogging - Sorta - DWTS

I know, it's already played on the East Coast, and the soccer connection is tenuous at best - but hey, there's Drew Carey! Part owner of the Seattle Sounders in MLS. And I'm sick, watching on the couch, so might as well. 

Ok, the intros are done! I already have high hopes for Drew, he was lively when he came out, not too stiff, like poor Billy Dee.

NeNe Leakes dances first with Tony Dovolonti. She's game, but awkward. She seems as if she'd rather stand in one place and shake it than do any steps. 
The judges are usually generous with the scoring in the early going. Len likes it, wants more hip action. Bruno wants to see more, commends energy, notes footwork was lacking, Carrie likes her personality - needs to dance bigger. I think she needs to use her core more, rather than just sticking her leg out for the steps.   
Anyway, her score is: 7 7 7 = 21 Pretty generous. 

Drew is next! I wonder if he will wear a Sounders jersey during the practice sessions. 

Will Chicharito ever start another game for Manchester United?

Or will David Moyes leave first? 

And I mean a Premier League game, too. 

Liga MX Roundup, March 17

Here's my roundup on the latest round of Liga MX games. 

Marco Fabian has gone a long way to answer his critics, but he has yet to earn Miguel Herrera's confidence. 

So, should Marco Fabian be called in for the USA-Mexico game?

Why or why not?

Venezuela Vino

My best friend is from Venezuela, and the news of unrest in that country has grown. I was curious if it affected Cesar Farias, the Venezuelan Xolos coach who previously coached the country's national team, known as the La Vinotino for their burgundy uniforms. 

I didn't get to ask Farias himself if he was following the protests, but I did ask Herculez Gomez if the coach seemed concerned or worried about the events in his home country. 

"No, he’s a pro about that. I don’t think he’s ever brought it up."

Paul's Perspective

Paul Arriola lives in Chula Vista and plays with the Tijuana Xolos. Despite the team losing to Cruz Azul on Saturday, he played the whole game and notched an assist, as well as a yellow card.

I talked to him on Wednesday when he was in LA, and included some of his quotes in my ESPN article. Here's what else he said.

On returning to LA, where he was once a Galaxy Academy player

I was really excited to come back. I pushed myself to be ready to come back to play, but unfortunately, I wasn’t ready to come back. I wish I would have been able to play, but hopefully, there will be more times in the future.

On how the CONCACAF Champions League ranks as priority:

This is our #1. We put out the strongest team we could have today. On the weekend, I think you’ll see a different team. I think we’re going to rest some of our key players, specifically for the next matchup.

On Liga MX vs MLS:

For me, being an American, I’d never been involved with the Mexican league before. It was a place I wanted to go to try to earn more minutes. I wanted to develop. If you look at all the youth Mexican teams, all those kids are through the ranks of their Mexican clubs. But it has nothing to do with if MLS is better than Liga MX. I think MLS is a great league. I would have loved to stay, but the circumstances weren’t in my favor at the time. I decided to go down south, stay at home and live a teenage dream, somewhat - in terms of living at home and playing professional soccer. I’ve enjoyed it so far and hope to gain more minutes and starting time.

Has Coach Farias indicated when Arriola may start again:
Not yet. I’m pushing to make the squad on Saturday. I’m looking to earn my spot back again by working hard in practice.

Media A-Changing

I may not have noticed if I wasn't sick and lying in bed surfing the Internet a lot, but my blog post on Herc's quotes got a lot of attention. 

Here's the NBC Sports story on it. 

Here's the MLSsoccer story on it. 

I mean, I figured it might be on a message board somewhere, with a link to this blog and then people would discuss it here. But there isn't a single comment on that post on SV. The story on the MLS site has around a hundred (and counting!).

Maybe people didn't comment here on SV or even come over, though both the articles included the link, because the quotes used were so numerous and complete, they didn't feel they had to bother. 

Who knows. It's not that I'm mad, but it's more that I'm noting how things have changed. It used to be that soccer fans would check several places for bits of news and post them to other fans via message boards, but now regular websites have editors who search the web for those kind of stories. Whether it's an article written about what a soccer player posted on Twitter, or what a freelancer posts on her blog, they're on it to make a story out of it. 

Incidentally, some fans have really reacted to Herc about the quotes on Twitter, wishing for him to tear his ACL, even. Part of me thinks it's because of the way the stories were packaged. I put what Herc said on my blog without a lot of comment, but both articles presented it as "ooooooh! Look what "inciendiary" "calling out" Herc is doing".  That's teeing it up to provoke.

Then people wonder why players don't want to say anything non-generic to the press. 

So folks, how do you like the media shift?  Thoughts? 

The Goal That Wasn't

Jaime Penedo had a pretty amazing game for the Galaxy versus the Xolos on Wednesday. 

I decided to combine the quotes about his goalkeeping here, since they didn't really fit the feature piece I wrote for ESPNFC.

Xolos coach Farias on Jaime

We had the sort of game today that I think deserved better luck for our side. We had two balls saved off the line.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena

A couple of dangerous plays, but for the most part, our backline held up well. To be able to come out with a clean sheet was a positive.

Jaime had a good night, came up with a couple of saves - I think a couple weren’t counted because they put the flag up.

We’re ahead. Jaime is coming into the prime of his career. We think he’s going to get better, at this point. I’d like to believe that the position is strong for us.

Galaxy defender AJ De La Garza on Jaime

Jaime saved us a couple of times and Marcelo saved one off the post. We weathered the storm and got out of here with a win.

He’s someone you can count on. The one ball he saved off the line, I thought that was in. I had stopped running already. I was nowhere close to it. But he came out of nowhere and slapped it away. He can make those plays. You count on a goalkeeper to make those saves that can keep you in a game and he did that tonight.

Jaime on that save

I too, thought the ball was going in, but my body didn’t want to accept that and was already running back to do whatever I could. Some might say, oh, I knew I was going to get there and save it, but I won’t lie. I knew I hadn’t hit the ball out far enough, and I was already moving there, and luckily I was able to save it.

I remember most Omar’s face, but what’s important is that the ball didn’t go in.

Xolos Left Over

I was at the Wednesday Xolos - Galaxy CONCACAF Champions League match. 

I am sick today. 

Possibly not related. I'm in the middle of finals week where I teach and everyone is tired and stressed. 

It was a nice game with lots of action despite the relatively modest goal total. Galaxy won 1-0. 

I wrote a feature for ESPN.FC that will hopefully be posted later today. 

I got a few good quotes on my ancient minirecorder that I will post here, though. One highlight was that Herculez Gomez came over to say hi and ask me how I was. It's always nice to be remembered. 

Herc had a lot to say, so here's some of what didn't make the article. 

Herc

On the number of TJ fans at match

I think it was disappointing for L.A. You can’t claim to be one of the best fanbases and the flagship team of the league and get shown up like this. I’m sure their players feel disappointed.

On if the support surprised him

No, I’m not surprised. I expected it. We’re really popular. People keep saying MLS should go to San Diego, but that’s maybe not such a good idea.

On the Galaxy/TJ rivalry: 

I’m sure if the ownership groups and the marketing had their way, it would  be huge. 

On the game atmosphere: 

A few thousand people shouting one way, a few thousand people another way, that’s not a good atmosphere.

On playing in Estadio Caliente:

That’s going to be a good atmosphere.

On the match: 

I thought we were lucky in the first half not to be down 3-0. I do feel we reacted well in the second half. We played with a great sense of urgency, but it was too little, too late, especially at this level.

On if TJ was unlucky not to score:

Absolutely, but that’s the way football goes. You have to give them credit for looking for it in the first half. Maybe in the second half they weren’t very proactive offensively, but they did enough to get the result. It’s maybe not the best result they would have hoped for, but it’s still a result.

On importance of tourney:

When I came to TJ., it was made very clear to me that they wanted to win trophies. They wanted to be an international team. They wanted to compete. They loved that I brought that experience, that I’ve been in this tournament before, that I’ve played at the Club World Cup. I immediately took to that and thought that’s something that I wanted to be a part of. I think that’s great. I relate to that.

Is chip on shoulder the key to scoring vs MLS teams in the CCC:

There’s a chip on my shoulder that I didn’t get more time today, that’s for sure. I think you should maybe know your players better. This is a tournament that I get up for. I’ve done a lot of things that have been positive in this tournament. I would have loved to have had more time. I was proactive, I was getting looks, it just wasn’t enough. I would have loved to have done more.

On happy LA memories:

Absolutely. I love LA. They gave me a chance and an opportunity when not many would. I still have a house here.

Rainbow Warrior Messi

I'd like to think that the new rainbow cleats of Lionel Messi are a subtle plea for tolerance and inclusion, as well as respect for human rights. 

Perhaps the various colors represent anti-homophobia and support for the fight against racism in sports. 

But they are probably just cleats. 

Red Mexico Uniforms

Mexico's new adidas uniforms

So, is it just me, or do these shirts look like they are registering an EKG machine? Valentine's Day, too. The heart allusions keep coming! Is adidas trying to send the Mexico players a message?

For reference: 

Landon Donovan Signs Another Galaxy Contract Press Call

So the news is out that LD has signed a multi-year contract with the LA Galaxy. Actually, since he was already on a contract with them, this is a contract extension.

This press conference call is where he's going to talk about it. 

I'm on hold. Classical music playing. 

New Galaxy press dude Brendan Hannan is now on the line, introducing LD, recapping his greatness. Press stuff, but yeah, multiple MLS titles and records.

Q: When the deal was struck?

LD: Beginning of July, talks started. After Gold Cup, we made it a priority. 

Kyle Mac asks about decisive factor. 

LD is a bit vague, says he likes the organization, the team, the fans, the success they have had together. Mentions specific players. Becks gets a shout-out. 

Jeff C asks about loan - why not? 

LD admits he thought about it, but decided against it - partly to be ready for WC. 

My turn!

I asked LD about the length of his contract. He jokes that it's for 20 years. Then I ask if he'd like to retire with the Galaxy. He definitely does. 

SB asked about teams interested in signing him. LD demurs specific names, but says there were some big ones. 

I hit the high points, but it's still surprising that the call was so short. In some ways, I think that Donovan staying on with the Galaxy is a bit taken for granted. Or at least, not big news given that instead of, "Wow! A change!", it's basically, "OK, more of the same."