First XI: Simple suggestions

Call it "free advice," or call it "bulletin board material," or call it ... well, something I cannot put in print in this space. In a nutshell, what we've got here in this week's First XI is 11 numbers (or statistical categories) that certain teams need to improve in 2009. I know, I know, there are lies, damned lies and statistics, but it seems to me, these numbers tell the truth. And the truth can hurt. Have a look:

11. The number is 8. The category is Wins.
Doesn't get any more basic than this. Winning eight out of 30 games won't get it done. Job 1 for FC Dallas, San Jose and Los Angeles is, by hook or by crook, figure out a way to get to (at the very least) double-digit wins. Just ask the Red Bulls, who snuck into the playoffs with but a 10-spot of wins at the end of the regular season, and managed to find themselves in the MLS Cup Final a few short weeks later.

10. The number is 32. The category is Goals Scored.
It was a pretty good debut season for the San Jose Earthquakes. If Year Two is going to be better, the Quakes are going to have to open up a bit. Thirty-two goals was the worst number in the league and the worst number in the Western Conference by some eight goals. Figure Frank Yallop was trying to make sure his team could defend before it could attack in their first season together. Look for a jump to the 40s this season, especially if Darren Huckerby can play something close to a full slate of games.

9. The number is 62. The category is Goals Allowed.
It might not be the Showtime Soccer some in LA have clamored for, but if Bruce Arena is going to turn things around in Los Angeles, Step One is to get the Galaxy to stop leaking goals at a rate that blows away the rest of the league. The Galaxy allowed 11 more goals than D.C. United, their nearest competitor for that dubious distinction ... and 17 more goals than the Colorado Rapids, their closest competition in the Western Conference. It all starts with organization, and Arena and assistant Dave Sarachan are up to that task.

8. The number is 1. The category is Road Wins.
We all know by now, the Red Bulls saved their road success for when they needed it most -- in the playoffs, where they won at Houston and Salt Lake, doubling their regular season road win total, on their way to the final. Still, let's not get giddy. A couple more road wins a year ago and the Red Bulls wouldn't have been sweating it out on the final day of the season, watching D.C. hit post after post against Columbus, just to get to the playoffs. If anything, Juan Carlos Osorio has to hope that his club's late success a year ago will feed his team's confidence when it travels away from the Meadowlands in 2009.

7. The number is 5. The category is Home Wins.
Note to FCD and coach Schellas Hyndman: You've got to make the home fans happy. Winning five of 15 home games in that nice new stadium in Frisco is no way to treat the good folks in the MetroPlex. Take a lesson from the note above regarding RBNY. Home success in MLS can carry you a long, long way. Pizza Hut Park, with that wide open field and the scorching heat needs to turn into a place visiting teams hate to visit. Somehow, this place needs to become a little bit more like the Cotton Bowl back in the old days.

6. The number is 0. The category is multi-goal games.
Let me be the first to admit, this is an odd statistic, because none other than the Los Angeles Galaxy were the kings of multi-goal games (Landon Donovan had six and Edson Buddle had two), but it seems pretty obvious to me that Chivas USA took a big step backward a year ago when they lost so many man-games between Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo -- two players who were always a threat to put up a two-goal game, or even a hat trick. Kansas City, New England and San Jose also fall into this category (and Taylor Twellman never goes a year without a multi-goal game) A game, or even a stretch of games where you get multi-goals from one guy is normally big.

5. The number is 293. The category is Shots Taken.
It's the oldest saying in the book. You can't score if you don't shoot. And Toronto, for a team that likes to get out on the attack, simply needs to take more shots. Dwayne De Rosario alone will add to this measly number, for sure.

4. The numbers are 429 and 178. The categories are Shots and Shots on Goal.
Of course, it helps if you can also shoot the ball with some accuracy. This stat is pretty astounding from RSL. Real took 136 more shots than Toronto but put only 41 more on target. Much as I've touted Yura Movsysian in this space, Yura is the main culprit here. I'm guessing Jason Kreis, one of the best shooters this league has ever seen, has spent some post-practice hours working with Yura on his accuracy.

3. The number is 24. The category is Goals Allowed in the last 15 minutes of the first half and first 15 minutes of the second half.
Well, they only call them clichйs when they're true. How many times have you heard coaches, announcers, fans saying how important it is to play well just before and after the team heads to the lockerroom for the break? Among the Galaxy's many woes, this team got into the deadly habit of letting up just before and after the interval. The Rapids (21 goals allowed) and Red Bulls (20) are two other teams that need to do a better job of locking things up during these critical moments in the game.

2. The number is 17. The category is Goals Scored at Home.
C'mon TFC! You've got amazing fans. Time you scored 'em more than a goal a game. It's Year Three for The Reds, and it's high time they turn that energy at BMO Field into more attacking play and goals for the home fans.

1.The number is 0. The category is Wins When Allowing the First Goal.
A team cannot have a truly successful season if it NEVER overcomes giving up the first goal to win a game. Toronto, Kansas City, San Jose and Colorado all failed to win a single game last year when they surrendered Goal One. Coaches call it "responding." These four teams all need to respond a little better to adversity in the coming year.

Galaxy react to Beckham speculation

CARSON, Calif. -- Los Angeles Galaxy coaches and players reacted to the news that David Beckham may not be returning from AC Milan until mid-July with a sense of resignation on Tuesday.

No agreement has been finalized, but the organization is ready to move on without their 33-year-old midfielder. At least until the summer.

"I think the best thing we can do is prepare as we have been," veteran Chris Klein said. "Go with the guys we have right now. That's kind of how we've looked at it the whole preaseson. We'll continue to do that and prepare for the regular season the best we can."

The ongoing drama involving Beckham, the central figure in a much-publicized tug of war between the Galaxy and AC Milan over a loan agreement due to expire next week, has not been a daily concern, according to head coach/general manager Bruce Arena. He said he addressed Beckham's loan and a similar deal involving Landon Donovan and Bayern Munich about three or four weeks ago.

"And that's the only discussion we've had in 40 days being together," Arena said.

It was reported that Beckham will finish the Serie A season with the Italian club and not return to the Galaxy until mid-July. Milan officials have made no secret of their desire to keep the English standout on a permament basis but reportedly balked at the Galaxy's asking price, believed to be at least $10 million. Milan was said to have been willing to pay $3 million.

Arena continued to insist any agreement between the parties would be in the best interests of the Galaxy.

"The bottom line is we need to do what's right for this organization," he said. "Obviously over the months there have been a lot of issues that have clouded this process and everything else. We want to make a decision that's in our best interests and also the player's. We're not so far out there that the concerns of the players are not important either.

"It would be great if we could accomplish both."

Arena also said the give-and-take between the Galaxy and AC Milan, one of the biggest clubs in the world, has not been a distraction -- to the players anyway.

"More to me than the team," he said. "They're going on with the business of preseason, trying to earn positions on the team and getting better. Players on loan have nothing to do with what they're doing. They haven't asked me one question.

"Where did we have Landon Donovan going 60 days ago? We had him gone as well. You simply can't worry about it."

Veteran defender Tony Sanneh said he has had his own concerns -- he is making a comeback at age 37 -- but he did admit there have been a few lockerroom discussions about their overseas teammates. Beckham in particular.

"Obviously from a professional standpoint you always want to see a player be happy and do what he wants," Sanneh said. "And as part of this league and this organization, I think he helps us marketing-wise. Who wouldn't him on your team?

"Obviously we'd like to have him here from day one, but in this league there's a playoff system, so ultimately you'd rather have him at the end than at the beginning."

Midfielder Dema Kovalenko said Galaxy players respect Beckham's wishes to continue playing at the highest level, even if that leaves Los Angeles short of one of the world's finest performers.

"At the end of the day, the guy has to do what's best for him and what makes sense for him," Kovalenko said. "Right now we have to understand that. To be honest, it would be nice to have him here because he's a great player, but all we can do is get ready for the season."

FC Dallas get their wish with Ferreira

FRISCO, Texas -- It has been a busy offseason for FC Dallas and the club has filled many of its needs heading into the winter months. However, one big need remained, finding a new central attacking midfielder. With the addition of 29-year-old Colombian David Ferreira from Brazilian side Clube Atletico Paranaense, FCD finally got their wish.

Ferreira most recently played in Dubai for Al-Shabib between February and June of last year. He played in 13 matches for the eventual United Arab Emirates league champs. He has played for CAP since 2005 and has 38 goals and 42 assists in 175 games for FCD's South American partner.

"We first saw David in 2007, when we conducted our first preseason training at Atletico Paranaense's world class facilities down in Curitiba, Brazil and played against him in the first leg of the USA/Brazil Challenge," said FCD president and general manager Michael Hitchcock. "At that time, we identified him as a very special player and a player of interest. We're very fortunate to have finalized the deal to bring David Ferreira to FC Dallas."

Head coach Schellas Hyndman was equally ecstatic about the signing.

"He is an outstanding player," he said. "This is a special player who reminds me of Oscar Pareja. He's very agile, quick and has got a great soccer brain. Technically, he's very strong. I think this is a player that will be a difference maker for FC Dallas."

The FCD boss sees Ferreira as bringing plenty of positives to his roster.

"I see his style as a two-way player who will work on defense," Hyndman said. "He's a very active player. He's not a player that's going to run at the big defenders, but he has the quickness, speed and intelligence to always get into space. We brought him in to be our No. 10, central attacking midfielder with the qualities of scoring goals, unbalancing the opposition and dribbling and passing abilities with penetration. I think you'll see our strikers feeding off of his quality services and passing ability. I think we will have one of the best strike forces in the league."

Adding Ferreira, who will join FCD while they are in Brazil for the next 10 days, means that Dax McCarty, who has been manning the No. 10 spot during much of preseason, could be shifting over to the right flank, especially since Andre Rocha, who was slated to start there, is an issue.

"The first thing we have to do is get Ferreira into the team to see how well he can adjust to the structure of the team," Hyndman said. "There is no doubt he has all the technical ability, the work ethic and experience. But at the same time, because we have worked so hard on the structure, he's got to be able to work with us in that structure.

"Dax (McCarty) has done a tremendous job for us this preseason. We have been very pleased with his attitude, his work ethic and his success on the field. Andre (Rocha) just came back a few weeks ago and he is not playing his best soccer right now because of inactivity for the last 6-7 weeks. If he's not 100 percent, then we could be going to Ferreira as the No. 10 and Dax could find himself on the right side. I think we have some flexibility there."

The signing of the Colombian international has only reinforced Hyndman's goals for his 2009 squad.

"I think the immediate goal would be to find success on the field, to be successful at home, to find the points we need on the road so that we can compete for an MLS championship," he said. "I think with the quality of players that we have here that should be a realistic goal for us."

Hyndman said he has been very pleased with how well his team has been preparing for the upcoming campaign.

"The players are committed and focused," he said. "I don't think preseason could have gotten much better. Right now, it's not only getting the quality players on the field, it's getting players who understand their roles and responsibilities on the field and to have good team chemistry where players want to play for each other. I am very committed and I think you will find this team is very committed to bringing a championship to Dallas."

Preseason roundup: Saturday success

Major League Soccer clubs enjoyed some success against teams from the United Soccer Leagues First Division on Saturday, with the New England Revolution defeating the Austin Aztex 2-0 in Austin, while the Houston Dynamo edged the Montreal Impact 3-2 at Robertson Stadium in a meeting of CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalists.

And in Argentina, the Seattle Sounders played CED Rosario to a 1-1 draw.

New England Revolution 2, Austin Aztex 0: Michael Videira struck in the fourth minute and the New England Revolution capitalized on a second-half own goal in a 2-0 victory against the Austin Aztex in the club's opener of a three-match preseason schedule at Nelson Field in Austin, Tex.

Kenny Mansally found Kevin Alston on an overlapping run down the left and the rookie out of Indiana turned toward goal. His threaded pass in the box deflected off an Austin defender and onto Videira's path. The former Duke standout knocked the ball into the lower right corner of the net to give the Revs an early lead.

New England nearly doubled its advantage in the 12th minute when Chris Albright played Sainey Nyassi into space on the right. The Gambian youth international, cut inside and beat the Aztex goalkeeper with a 12-yard blast. But the ball caromed off the crossbar and out of touch.

The Revs did get an insurance goal in the 57th minute when an Austin defender, trying to clear Mansally's in-swinging corner kick, sent a diving header into his own net.

Houston Dynamo 3, Montreal Impact 2: Brian Ching had a brace and Chris Wondolowski added a goal for the Dynamo in a 3-2 win against the Montreal Impact Saturday morning at Robertson Stadium.

Wondolowski put the Dynamo, coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw against Atlante in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, ahead on nine minutes. Kei Kamara took advantage of a Montreal defensive miscue and fed Wondolowski, who beat Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan to give Houston a 1-0 lead.

After Joey Gjersten hit a shot off the crossbar in the 17th minute, Montreal, which defeated Santos Laguna 2-0 in the Champions League, equalized in the 37th minute. Taking a perfect pass from Felix Brillant, Roberto Brown easily beat Tally Hall.

Ten minutes later, Ching scored the first of his two goals, when his first-time strike from a Corey Ashe cross beat Montreal goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic. Four minutes later, Ching scored what proved to be the game-winner when he knocked in a pass from Mike Chabala at the far post.

The friendly got heated in the 56th minute when Brown was shown a straight red card for an elbow to Houston's Eric Ustruck. Both benches cleared to midfield, but no punches were thrown and calm was restored. Montreal's Peter Byers scored the final goal of the game in the final seconds when beat Hall high into the net in the 70th minute.

Seattle Sounders FC 1, CED Rosario 1: A second-half goal by guest player Diego Ferrerya helped the Seattle Sounders FC forge a 1-1 draw with CED Rosario at the Argentinos Juniors training grounds on Saturday afternoon in the club's second exhibition game of its Argentine tour.

The midfielder, who plays for local club Tigres, scored less than eight minutes after coming on at halftime. He put a 15-yard shot into the upper left corner after taking a squaring pass from Colombian striker Fredy Montero. Stephen King started the scoring sequence by playing the ball up the right side to Montero.

CED Rosario equalized in the 53rd minute on a penalty kick.

Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, who arrived from Colombia on Wednesday, played his first match for the Sounders and Chris Eylander played the entire 70-minute match in goal, diving to his left to make a diving save in the 16th minute and the made a full-stretch stop to his right in the 63rd.

Elly Allen, who was waived by the Los Angeles Galaxy, arrived in Buenos Aries about four hours before kickoff on the red-eye from the West Coast. The midfielder, who played at the University of Washington, replaced Montero for the final 16 minutes.

Dynamo focusing on task at hand

HOUSTON -- In less than a month, the Houston Dynamo will take the field in their much-anticipated MLS season opener against the Columbus Crew at Robertson Stadium.

Yet well into training and getting ready for their fourth season in the Bayou City, the Dynamo have two very important matches ahead of them before they officially take the field for the first time.

In the next two weeks, the Dynamo will play Atlante in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. The two-leg series alone is enough to make head coach Dominic Kinnear forget about the Crew, the team that now holds the MLS title after beating New York last season in MLS Cup.

"We are not really thinking about MLS just yet," said Kinnear. "I think we are looking pretty good health-wise so far. Right now, all we want to do is play as many games as possible against good opponents to get us ready both mentally and physically.

"After that, we'll see where we're at."

In between matches against Atlante, the Dynamo will play host to the Montreal Impact on Saturday, Feb. 28. After completing the series with the Mexican outfit with a trip to Cancun on March 3, the Dynamo will close out the preseason portion of their schedule against the USL-1 Austin Aztex in central Texas.

The Champions League matches and the preseason finales will give Kinnear and his Orange enough to worry about for now.

"Right now, I think we are doing pretty good results-wise," Kinnear said. "We have a couple of wins, a couple of ties and a loss, so that is not too bad for our first couple of games. There have been a few good individual performances and the team has been going pretty good too."

The Dynamo were unbeaten in their first three preseason matches against FC Dallas and Los Angeles. They did not allow a goal until San Jose scored twice in a 2-0 win against the Dynamo on Feb. 15.

Kinnear is happy with how things are progressing, especially defensively.

"In one of the periods against San Jose last week, there was a little bit of a lapse in concentration," said Kinnear. "That led to a couple of the goals, but it's really good to see the guys, for the most part, playing good on both sides of the ball this early in the season.

"Everyone has been very professional and has coming in ready and in shape. So far, everyone seems mentally sharp, and as always the motivation to do well is very high."

The Dynamo will be playing fewer games this season, and that should help the team down the stretch when the goal will be getting the MLS championship trophy back to Houston. They will be playing in regular season competition and the U.S. Open Cup as well as the 2009-10 version of the CONCACAF Champions League, though not participating in SuperLiga for the first time.

Other than mentioning that the players were aware of the number of games, Kinnear said the team wasn't worried about a potential benefit, especially short-term.

"The message isn't out there that we are playing a certain number of games," said Kinnear. "I think so far the guys are pretty level headed and they are not thinking too far ahead, and they are not took worried about what is behind them so they can always focus on the next thing in front of them.

"Right now that is Atlante on Tuesday night."

Chivas' Jazic ready for competition

CARSON, Calif. -- At the start of his 12th year as a professional soccer player, Chivas USA newcomer Ante Jazic is as eager to set out on the 2009 campaign.

"Preseason has been great," he said. "But I'm excited for it to die down so we can finally start the season."

The Canadian-born Jazic comes to the Red-and-White by way of a trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy that sent Chivas USA's second round draft pick (19th overall) to their fellow Home Depot Center residents. With Claudio Suarez's future with the Red-and-White still undetermined, and second-year man Bobby Burling recovering from ankle surgery, Chivas head coach Preki will be glad to have the experienced defender as an option.

Jazic began his professional career in Croatia with stints at NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac and Hajduk Split. He went on to four years with Austrian outfit and UEFA Cup participant Rapid Vienna, followed by two years with Russian Club FC Kuban Krasnodar. He has also made 25 appearances for the Canadian national team.

But even with all that experience, Jazic still has to earn his stripes with Chivas USA.

"I'm still trying to find my role," he said. "We have a lot of veteran leadership and a lot of new guys, but it's a great group and I'm excited for the season."

Jazic will see his first MLS competition in a Chivas USA jersey Wednesday, when the Red-and-White take on the San Jose Earthquakes in a preseason scrimmage at 10 a.m. PT on University Field 2 at The Home Depot Center. He can't wait.

"We've been working hard to defend with all eleven players and attack the same way," he said after Tuesday's practice. "As long as the team sticks together, I think we'll be fine."

Preki sees the scrimmage as another opportunity to tinker with his lineups before Chivas USA's upcoming season opener against Western Conference foe Colorado Rapids.

"We're trying everybody in different spots," he said. "We have a lot of different options and we want to see those options."

Much of Preki's preseason experimentation has been defensive. Carey Talley, Shavar Thomas, Gerson Mayen, Jonathan Bornstein, Jorge Flores, Jim Curtin and trialist Leo Bautista have all seen time on the backline.

Wake Forest draft pick Michael Lahoud could soon join that list. Already having played at both central and outside midfield, the young rookie spent Tuesday morning's practice session at right back.

"We'll see some of the guys in different spots and hopefully we'll have a good game," said Preki. "That's the focus right now."

Cameron carries momentum into 2009

HOUSTON, Texas -- One of the biggest surprises in 2008 for the Houston Dynamo came in the form of rookie Geoff Cameron. Making more than 30 appearances in all competitions at seven different positions, the rookie's versatility was a huge part of Houston's success last year. In 2009, Cameron hopes to build upon his success of last year and push for a starting position.

Cameron was drafted in the third round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Rhode Island and went on to garner consideration for Rookie of the Year. In his second league game and his first start in MLS, he scored what many consider to be the goal of the year for Houston, a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against in-state rival FC Dallas that also gained recognition as one of five finalists for MLS Goal of the Year.

Cameron went on to play 23 games in MLS league play for Houston, and he started an additional 11 games in the U.S. Open Cup, SuperLiga and in CONCACAF competitions. Still, the lengthy season took its toll on Cameron.

"It was tough. We stayed here until the 26th of November, then I flew home on Thanksgiving day," Cameron said. "We didn't have that long of a break for your body to rest and recuperate. But I wouldn't rather be doing any other job. It's a dream of mine."

The hard work Cameron put in through the year was noticed by Bob Bradley as he was invited to the U.S. national team camp in January ahead of the friendly against Sweden. However, Cameron's time with the national team was cut short when he suffered a hamstring injury early in the camp.

"I felt good going in but for some reason my body didn't hold up. It was a real big disappointment," he said.

Cameron hopes that it won't be his only look with the national team.

"My goal is to have another good year this year and try to get another look," he said. "If that is this year or in a few years, that's my goal and I am going to do what it takes to get there."

For the Dynamo though, Cameron's goals are a little simpler -- earn as much playing time as possible and try to work his way into the starting lineup. With battle-tested MLS veterans at just about every position Cameron plays, he knows it isn't going to be an easy task.

"I want to become a starter," Cameron said. "But obviously we have a great group of guys in front of me, veteran guys who have been playing in the league 8-9 years."

Even if he were to gain a place in the first XI, the biggest question for both Cameron and for the Dynamo coaching staff is finding a position for him. In his rookie season, he saw playing time at center back, outside back, three different positions in midfield, and even some time at forward. Equally remarkable is that he performed well at each position.

So which position does he like best?

"I can't answer that question," Cameron said, laughing. "It doesn't matter where I play. I just want to be on the field like anyone else. I think it's an advantage for me to play all those different positions because it helps me become a better player and hold different roles on the team. Hopefully that gives me an upper hand on more playing time since I am more versatile. I just want to be in the starting XI and play 90 minutes."

With no starting position, Cameron is left trying to impact games off the bench. While he wants to impress the Dynamo coaching staff whenever he is on the field, he knows that the team comes first.

"It's frustrating because you want to be out their playing with the first team. But it gives me motivation to get on the field and when I do get on the field to make use of my time," he said. "... If I get an opportunity to take advantage of the other team then I will try to do that. But I don't want to go out of my way. I want to keep the team [first]."

While the hamstring injury he suffered with the U.S. team has put him a little behind schedule, Cameron is now getting healthy. The time he saw off the bench this week against Atlante in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal is the first step in what Cameron hopes to be a successful and busy 2009.

Galaxy fall to Bluewings in PPC final

Carson, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy extended the title match of the Pan-Pacific Championship but couldn't come away with the championship trophy on Saturday.

Suwon Samsung Bluewings goalkeeper Park Ho-Jin blocked a Kyle Patterson penalty kick to help the Korean club clinch the tournament title by beating the Galaxy 4-2 in a penalty shootout, after a 1-1 draw in regulation at The Home Depot Center.

Patterson's miss was the Galaxy's second failed conversion in the shootout. Edson Buddle sent the home team's first attempt flying over the crossbar.

Eduardo De Oliveira, Yang Sang-Min, Lee Gil-Hoon and Choi Sung-Hwan converted penalties for the Bluewings while Chris Klein and Mike Magee converted for the Galaxy.

It was Magee who sent the match into a shootout when it appeared the Galaxy were headed to another defeat. But coach Bruce Arena's squad caught a break when a penalty was called against the Bluewings in the 88th minute.

Suwon defender Jorge Luiz Alves Justino was called for fouling Edson Buddle in the penalty box. Mike Magee converted the penalty, sending it to the lower-left corner and past Suwon goalkeeper Park Ho-Jin.

The Galaxy trailed for 51 minutes until defender Sean Franklin headed in an own goal to give the Bluewings a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute.

Franklin appeared to have tried to clear a long pass intended for Suwong midfielder Choi Sung-Hyeon. Franklin got a piece of the floating pass with the top of his head but sent it over the head of Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders into his own net. Saunders was standing about 15-yards away from his goal when the ball sailed over him.

Franklin stared into the distance, standing with his hands at his waist. Teammate and rookie Omar Gonzalez rubbed Franklin's head, trying to comfort the Galaxy's No. 1 pick in the 2008 MLS Superdraft.

Franklin's mistake perhaps came at a bad time. The Galaxy's revamped defense seemed to be meshing together with veteran and team captain Eddie Lewis. Arena made it a priority to strengthen his backline by adding Tony Sanneh, A.J. De la Garza and Gonzalez, the club's top pick in the 2009 Superdraft, to this year's roster.

Lewis left the game with a left hamstring injury in the 31st minute. He was subbed by De la Garza.

The Galaxy's backline quietly had a solid outing in Wednesday's 2-0 win against Japanese League champion Oita Trinita, who beat China's Shandang Luneng in the early cap of the doubleheader.

It was a slightly different story against Suwong. The Galaxy had the clearest chances at goal in the first half, but it was Bluewings who took more shots. The Korean club out shot Los Angeles eight to three in the first half.

Saunders raked in four saves, including a pair on clear scoring opportunities for Suwong.

The first came in the 28th minute when Bluewings forward Seo Dong-Hyeon sent a soft shot straight into the hands of Saunders. Dong-Hyeon took a centered pass near the mouth of the goal but couldn't put enough on his shot to beat Saunders.

Saunders also stopped a dangerous Bluewings shot in the 24th minute. Suwong captain Dong-Hyeon sent a blast from near the penalty spot straight into Saunders chest.

Saunders made another important save 15 minutes into the second half. He slapped away a bouncing loose ball from De Oliveira, who sneaked past defenders into the penalty area.

Arena opted to start Saunders instead of Josh Wicks, who started on the Pan Pacific opener against Trinita. Projected starter Donovan Ricketts sat out, resting a tight hamstring.

Arena also kept Buddle and midfielder Josh Tudela out of the starting 11, giving way for second-year man Ely Allen and midfielder Stefanu Miglioranzi the start. Buddle subbed in for Alan Gordon in the 68th minute.

Yallop pleased with attacking tandem

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Win or lose, results from preseason games seem to always elicit the same response. A victory is accompanied by the fact that it means nothing in the standings. A loss brings forth the comforting notion that there is still time to correct mistakes. Either outcome is met with a chorus of "It's preseason."

So what exactly did the San Jose Earthquakes take away from Friday's 2-0 exhibition victory over the Colorado Rapids? How about a quiet confidence that comes from knowing the team is well ahead of where they were a year ago.

"I thought we attacked well, and we were quick on the break," said San Jose head coach Frank Yallop. "We still have a ways to go, and [Colorado] would probably say the same. Bits and parts of our game were good and some were poor, but I was happy with what we created."

Especially pleasing was how his forward tandem of Ryan Johnson and Cam Weaver continued to improve their understanding of one another. The pair was lively in the first half, and combined to put the Quakes on top after just eight minutes when Weaver headed home Johnson's cross from the left wing.

Granted, the two were helped by some sloppy defending on the part of Colorado, with Rapids defender Ugo Ihemelu guilty of misjudging Eric Denton's long ball in the run-up to the goal.

"On our field, the ball skips really fast," said Johnson. "I saw where the ball was going to bounce and [Ihemelu] didn't really anticipate it very well, so I got behind him. I heard [Weaver] in my ear, so I just put it across and he was right there."

Johnson added that so far, he and Weaver have developed "a sixth sense" of where they're going to be on the field, although Weaver added that there is still room for improvement.

"I think Frank was saying that we were a little flat at times, where one of us can drop off and pick the ball up at our feet while the other one runs in behind to give us an extra dimension," said Weaver. "We tried to do that more in the second half and I found a little more space. That positioning, that's something you can always get better at."

The Quakes might have had the match locked up after 30 minutes, especially with Colorado continually giving the ball away in their own half. But a combination of some poor finishing on the part of the Quakes, as well as a little bit of impatience in attack, kept the score at 1-0 for most of the half.

"I think we have to work on keeping the ball a little bit more," said midfielder Ramiro Corrales. "I think we were just getting a little bit too excited. It was so wide open at times that we were just trying to go."

San Jose finally did get a deserved second goal in first-half stoppage time, as Arturo Alvarez whipped in a free kick that was headed home by defender Jamil Roberts.

In the second half, the rhythm of the match was disrupted by a flurry of substitutions. But for the most the Quakes held firm defensively -- aside from a few hiccups that went unpunished -- and ended up with a result that nudged them in the right direction as the regular season approaches.

Of course, the Quakes experienced similar results in preseason a year ago, only to get a rude awakening once the games started for real. But Yallop is anticipating a different outcome this time around.

"I think we have enough experienced players who went through it last year ... that I don't think we're going to come out and freeze when we play our first game," said Yallop. "I think we'll be ready to go."

Unbreakable RSL on preseason roll

SANDY, Utah -- As Real Salt Lake winds down the second leg of their preseason training this weekend, the results produced so far have been promising for the team in many facets.

While spending the last half of February in Tampa, Fla., the Utah side has added to its growing streak of preseason clean sheets. RSL downed a pair of NCAA teams -- taking down South Florida 2-0 last weekend and following up with a 4-0 rout of Tampa on Tuesday.

The Claret-and-Cobalt have accumulated three victories and one draw in four preseason matches thus far. More importantly, RSL has not yielded a single goal in 360 minutes of soccer.

"Really we're way ahead of where we were last year," midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. "We have that main core coming back this year. We don't need to get to know each other. We already know each other."

RSL has been enjoying success in the preseason even while dealing with a host of injuries. Robbie Russell, Nat Borchers and Robbie Findley have all been sidelined at one point or another with various ailments over the past couple of months.

Russell, who missed the first leg to California entirely, sees his first full preseason as a chance to solidify a more concrete role on the team.

Late last season, it was common to see Russell utilized as a utility player of sorts. RSL coach Jason Kreis would plug him in at different spots in the backline or the midfield, depending on what injuries or tactical situations dictated.

"I would like to have a steady spot on the team," Russell said. "Where that is really depends on where the team needs it. But I would like the coaches to keep me in mind for a steady spot."

Preseason, too, has become valuable audition time for players like Chris Seitz who are looking to carve out a bigger role.

Despite his stints with the U.S. national team in 2008, Seitz's time with RSL last season was strictly limited to reserve games and exhibition games with foreign clubs. Since MLS decided to eliminate the reserve division during the offseason, Seitz knows he must make the most of his chances in the preseason if he hopes to see a significant increase in playing time or even an occasional start.

Seitz and '08 starter Nick Rimando have split time in the net throughout the preseason and racking up all those clean sheets is doing a lot to help his case when the season finally rolls around.

"It sets the tone for the whole season," Seitz said. "You come in sharp, you come in shape and you play well in the preseason, I think it carries on to the regular season."

Auditions for spots in the first 11 or a desire for increased playing time are not the only thing influencing such crisp preseason outings for RSL. The Utah side is also benefitting from retaining so many important contributors from a year ago.

There is no need for a wholesale crash course to familiarize them with Kreis' system or his expectations because the players both know what to expect and what is expected of them.

It has made it easier to mix in newcomers to the club.

"Coming in with so many players returning, we're able to jump back in two or three steps ahead of where we started and really just reinforce ideas and move forward," assistant coach Robin Fraser said. "It's definitely been a big help. The players already know what is expected of them and that initial groundwork has been laid for so many."

RSL will close out its second preseason trip with an exhibition match against Swedish club BK Hacken on Friday evening.

The club will return briefly to Utah before heading to South Carolina to take part in the annual Carolina Challenge Cup from March 7-14. RSL will face D.C. United, Toronto FC and the USL First Division's Charleston Battery in the weeklong tournament.

Hyndman sees more accountability

FRISCO, Texas -- Before FC Dallas left the Lone Star State for a weeklong trip to Florida, several players stated that a big goal of the trip was to develop stronger team chemistry. FCD has played and won two games in the Sunshine State -- a 1-0 win over Colorado on Tuesday and a 9-0 victory against Florida International on Thursday.

"I think it's gone well," said FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman. "I think we had about 15 points in preseason and one very big area, which was team chemistry. What we've really worked hard on is developing a commitment to the team and acknowledging that we all make mistakes. We just have to recognize that mistake, regret that mistake and move forward."

For Hyndman, such camaraderie boils down to one simple concept.

"The big word is accountability," he said. "This is one of the big areas I noticed about the team last year -- that people didn't hold each other to high standards, hold themselves or their teammates accountable. So we're working on that but we don't want this to be a discipline environment where players are afraid to be themselves or scared to make mistakes. It's got to be something where everyone is accountable and working hard to get better. Hopefully, we can all reach the goals we want."

In Thursday's win over FIU, Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha played about 35 minutes and got his first assist of preseason after he only played 20 minutes against the Rapids.

"We're trying to get him more time here and there," Hyndman said. "He came into training camp late and wasn't in very good condition, so that has been a high priority for us. I designed it for Andre to play the last 15 minutes of the half and then that would carry him into the first 15 minutes of the second half. So he got a chance to play 15 minutes with a 10-minute break and then come back with another 15 minutes. Then, he did another 20 minutes of fitness on the side of the field with Marco (Ferruzzi)."

One player who has yet to see any action in Florida is defender Adrian Serioux, who continues to recover from hip and knee injuries. He might or might not play on Saturday, when FCD faces Swedish side BK Hacken in their final game before returning to Texas on Sunday.

"He's not quite there," Hyndman said of the Canadian international. "The thing is that you don't want to play and not play well. You want to put a guy out there just at 50 percent when other people are at 100 percent or have been working the whole time. If Adrian plays, it will probably be a 20-minute situation."

The FCD coach expects a solid, competitive match from the Swedes.

"For me, it's not so much about playing a different opponent," Hyndman said. "What it is for me is evaluating my team and my players. Are they doing the things we want them to do? The better the opponent, the better we get exposed to our weaknesses and the more we have an opportunity to identify and try to repair or fix those.

"I think they're a good team that is coming in here for training. They have a little bit more of a direct style of play. So they will put our defense under some pressure. We've got to watch out for transitions and counterattacks, things that we didn't see a lot of with Colorado or FIU. It's a wonderful opportunity to evaluate ourselves and to improve."

One big bright spot for FCD in preseason has been the solid play of Steve Purdy at center back, who could very well start the year alongside Drew Moor in the first 11.

"Steve has been a real pleasant addition for us and also a pretty good surprise," Hyndman said. "We knew he was a good player coming out of college. He's 6-foot-4 and he can jump. The thing that I saw from him here that I did not see in college was how much more physical he's gotten. He's turned into a pretty strong defensive player, is getting more physical and that's really helped us a bit. He has technical ability, passes the ball well and has good range on his passes. He can make the 15-yard pass or he can make the 50-yard pass. He's strong in the air as you would expect and scored a header yesterday on a corner kick.

"He's a player that I think will make it more difficult for strikers. If they are checking back, he will check back with them. He's tough and has good timing on his tackles," Hyndman continued. "I think he's been a really nice addition, somebody who can help defend free kicks, attack free kicks, corner kicks and break up things. We've been working pretty hard on him taking free kicks. He's got a very good technique on distance free kicks. From 25 yards out, he hits the ball pretty well."

Draw toughens Dynamo task in Mexico

HOUSTON -- Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League match between the Houston Dynamo and Atlante FC was played on a beautiful February night in front at Robertson Stadium. There was a pregame moment of silence to honor the passing of Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden's father, who passed away last week after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

And because Tuesday marked the first game for the Dynamo since just before Thanksgiving, there was an "opening-day" feel to the contest.

Most MLS teams won't play a competitive match for at least another month, but the Dynamo, who wore black armbands to honor Brian Holden, had a chance to do something special Tuesday.

But a night that began with so much fanfare and promise turned sour in the waning moments as an 82nd-minute goal by Gabriel Pereyra forced a 1-1 tie for Atlante just six months after the team was handed a 4-0 defeat by the Dynamo in last year's SuperLiga competition.

The Dynamo took a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute on a header by Bobby Boswell, but one crucial breakdown in the closing moments made for a mostly disappointing night.

"In the end, it's a defensive lapse and it is a 1-1 game," said Holden. "It's (disappointing) because we had the lead and gave it up. I think we felt that we should have won, I mean no one was singing and dancing in the lockerroom. We want to win every game and we go out to win every game."

Instead of taking a one-goal lead with them to Mexico, the Dynamo only have two options next Tuesday in the return match in Cancun: win the game -- something that no other MLS team has done on Mexican soil -- or score two goals and force a tie.

Either way, because of how they played Tuesday, the Dynamo think those goals are attainable.

"The 1-1 score makes it a little more difficult as we make our way down to Cancun," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "It is a good result for them and it is not a terrible result for us. It is not impossible. We just need to win a game away from home and that is something that we have done before."

The Dynamo were not happy with how the game was officiated. To be fair, the team did not complain about one side being favored over another, but the complaints centered on how many fouls (42) were called. That, Boswell said, made for a very choppy contest.

"We are a team that thrives on getting into a rhythm, and we were not able to do that tonight," Boswell said.

The Dynamo are now 4-2-3 all time against Mexican teams at Robertson Stadium and will get defender Eddie Robinson back from suspension for the rematch. That, and perhaps capitalizing on a few more of their opportunities might help the team advance in the CONCACAF Champions League.

"I thought we were good and I thought it was unfortunate that we did not come out of the first half with more goals," said Kinnear. "We had some good chances, some really good looks."

Last July, when the two teams met on on the same turf, the Dynamo did just that and raced out to a big lead before winning 4-0 at Robertson. This time, however, Kinnear thought Atlante was better prepared to play his team.

"I don't think they realized how good of a team we had, and tonight I think they were a little bit more prepared for us," Kinnear said. "Just because you beat a team 4-0 six months ago, doesn't mean you are going to beat them 4-0 the next time you see them."

Had they cashed in every first-half chance, they could have led by two or three goals at halftime. But Atlante survived the first half barrage and got the result they wanted with a gut-wrenching goal by Pereyra.

Quakes top Rapids, stay unbeaten in preseason

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Jose Earthquakes continued their near-perfect start to the preseason Friday evening, recording a 2-0 exhibition victory against the Colorado Rapids at Buck Shaw Stadium. Goals by Cam Weaver and Jamil Roberts staked San Jose to a 2-0 halftime lead, and the Quakes defense made it stand up for their third consecutive win over an MLS opponent.

The first half was dominated for large stretches by San Jose, although they were aided by some giveaways by the Colorado defense. One such miscue by the Rapids allowed San Jose to jump on top in the eighth minute. Eric Denton's long ball out of the back was misplayed by Rapids defender Ugo Ihemelu, allowing Ryan Johnson to get in the clear. The Jamaican carried the ball to the byline and his inch-perfect cross was nodded home by Weaver.

The Quakes kept the pressure on, with Johnson releasing Huckerby just four minutes later, but a solid tackle by Rapids defender Michael Holody stifled the Englishman's run.

Colorado at last began to make some headway, and in the 18th minute Colin Clark waltzed through the Quakes defense only to see his breakaway attempt thwarted by Quakes 'keeper Joe Cannon.

Another mistake by Ihemelu nearly gifted the Quakes a second in the 27th minute, as his backwards header was intercepted by Johnson, but with the goal at his mercy, Johnson hit a weak shot that was easily saved by Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens.

San Jose continued to apply most of the pressure. Johnson just missed the target with a long distance effort in the 29th minute, and then a quick counterattack following a Rapids corner kick saw Corrales release Huckerby behind the Colorado defense. The San Jose midfielder had plenty of time to set himself, but shot hit the post and was then cleared to safety.

Colorado attempted to get back into the match by isolating Omar Cummings on the right wing, and while the Jamaican had some dangerous moments, he was unable to get a clear look at goal.

Johnson had a chance to pounce on another Colorado giveaway in the 41st minute, this time by Holody. But Pickens came to the Rapids' rescue, parrying away the Quakes forward's blast.

San Jose finally scored a much deserved second goal in first half stoppage time. Huckerby won a free kick from Ihemelu on the right wing, and Alvarez's laser-like delivery was headed home by Roberts, leaving Pickens with no chance.

As is the custom with preseason games, and also with an eye on injecting some life into his squad, Colorado head coach Gary Smith brought on Preston Burpo, Mehdi Ballouchy, and Jacob Peterson for Pickens, Nick LaBrocca, and Terry Cooke, respectively. The impact of the moves was limited to some alert plays by Burpo, who twice came off his line to clear passes intended for Johnson with the half just a few minutes old.

Perhaps in a bid to repay the Rapids' generosity in the first half, Quakes defender Kelly Gray gifted a golden opportunity to Clark in the 62nd minute, but his attempted chip over Cannon went wide.

That sparked another flurry of substitutions by both sides, and it was one of the Colorado replacements, Jacob Peterson, who next went close for the Rapids. His attempt from distance handcuffed Cannon, but the Quakes' keeper did enough to deflect the shot wide.

San Jose was quickly back on top, with substitute Pablo Campos setting the table for Huckerby in the 69th minute, only to see him shoot high.

The match looked to be petering out, but then got surprisingly chippy at the end. A scuffle between San Jose's Ramiro Corrales and Colorado's Stephen Keel earned the Rapids defender a yellow card, and then similar set-to between Ballouchy and Simon Elliott saw the Quakes midfielder cautioned.

San Jose substitute Shea Salinas embarked on a twisting run in the 90th minute, but his shot was saved by Burpo, leaving the two-goal margin intact.

Leiweke: Milan claims are 'nonsense'

The David Beckham-to-AC Milan saga has taken another twist as Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that claims made by Milan vice president Adriano Galliani on Thursday that a deal was close to being made were "nonsense."

"Two weeks ago Milan made a ridiculous offer that took me just a few seconds to reject," Leiweke told the Italian newspaper. "With this figure Galaxy wouldn't even be able to cover the loss in revenue from shirt sales. Since then I haven't heard a thing and no meeting has been set up."

There were claims in the Italian press during the week that a Milan delegation were set to travel to the United States to hammer out a deal to sell Beckham to AC Milan, which currently have the England international on a loan deal until March 9.

"In the past few hours we have taken steps forward," Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday. "I am optimistic, not pessimistic. Can the deal be completed next week? We shall see."

That's not the case, according to Leiweke.

"I've decided to speak out because I've read too many inaccuracies," Leiweke told Gazzetta dello Sport. "After that ridiculous offer we've had no more contact from Milan."

Beckham has stated publicly his desire to remain with the Serie A giants and Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber set a deadline of Feb. 13 for a deal to be made. But the two sides couldn't come to an agreement.

"If Milan are so determined to buy him, why are they dragging this out for so long?" Leiweke told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If they think they'll get him on the cheap that way, they're wrong."

Tempers flare as Dynamo top Impact

HOUSTON -- In an exhibition meeting of a pair of teams who had mixed fortunes earlier in the week in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, the Houston Dynamo knocked off the USL-1 Montreal Impact 3-2 in a tense preseason meeting Saturday morning at Robertson Stadium.

Not even four days removed from a disappointing 1-1 home tie against Atlante FC in the CONCACAF Champions League, and with the return match in Cancun looming, the Orange needed a good showing against a Montreal team that last weekend topped Santos Laguna, 2-0, in their opening leg CONCACAF quarterfinal at Olympic Stadium in Canada.

Brian Ching, who entered the "friendly" in the second half, scored two goals to help the Dynamo improve to 3-1-2 in the preseason, not counting the match against Atlante.

The game nearly got out of hand in the 56th minute as both benches cleared to midfield after Houston's Eric Ustruck was elbowed by Roberto Brown, who was sent off for the incident. No punches were thrown, but the Dynamo's Corey Ashe had to be restrained by his own players just before the things intensified.

In the 47th minute, Ching scored his first goal of the game when he one-timed a nice cross by Ashe past Montreal 'keeper Srdjan Djekanovic. Four minutes later, Ching scored what proved to be the game-winner when he waited just to the right of the far post and knocked in pass from Mike Chabala.

"I think this was a good practice game for us, and one that I think will give us a little bit of confidence going into the game this week," said Ching, who scored his first two goals of the preseason. "It was a good game for me too, personally, too. I am going to have to score goals all year, so I will take the positives when I can get them for sure."

The Dynamo controlled play in the first half of the game, divided into two 35-minute halves. Montreal managed one shot and did not record a single legitimate scoring chance, and the Dynamo took advantage of a turnover to take a 1-0 lead into the halftime period.

After taking a short pass from 'keeper Matt Jordan, Impact defender Nevio Pizzolitto turned the ball over to Kei Kamara who tapped the ball over to a wide open Chris Wondolowski.

Wondolowski buried the shot for a 1-0 Dynamo lead just nine minutes into the game.

In the 17th minute, Montreal recorded its only scoring chance of the half when Andre Hainault turned the ball over to Joey Gjertsen who froze defender Julius James before ripping a shot high off the crossbar.

The Dynamo came out flat in the second half and allowed the tying goal when Roberto Brown worked his way around the Dynamo defense, waited on a perfect cross from Felix Brillant and buried an easy goal past Tally Hall in the 37th minute.

Wondolowski nearly had his second of the match four minutes later, but he was offside when he beat Djekanovic (who replaced Jordan to start the second half) after taking a nice pass from Brian Ching.

Montreal's Peter Byers scored the final goal of the game in the final seconds when beat Hall high into the net in the 70th minute.

Ching, who did not travel with the team the last time the Dynamo went to Mexico, said he was pleased with how the team has progressed during the preseason and with the level of competition in each exhibition match they've played thus far.

"As a group, we have been competing with this core group for the last four or five years, and we will use (the scrimmages) as a competition to get us ready for the rest of the (CONFCACAF) tournament and the MLS regular season," he said. "Hopefully we can go further than we did last year."

After the match in Cancun, the Dynamo will close out their preseason with a match against the Austin Aztex (United Soccer Leagues First Division) on Saturday, March 7.

Disappointed Franklin regroups after loss

CARSON, Calif. -- Sean Franklin could only shrug his shoulders after a night he might want to forget.

The Los Angeles Galaxy defender walked off The Home Depot Center pitch after being shown a red card in the 79th minute of the Pan-Pacific Championship final Saturday in front of 9,160 in attendance.

It was a sour moment knowing he had to leave the game after contributing to a Suwon Samsung Bluewings win in penalty kicks against the Galaxy after a 1-1 draw in regulation.

"It's just frustrating," Franklin said. "I don't think I played that well tonight. I contributed a little bit but I think I could have done better than that."

What Franklin did was head in an own goal in the 39th minute to give the Bluewings a 1-0 lead.

Franklin said he was trying to clear a deep pass into the penalty area by Suwong captain Kim Dae-Eui intended for midfielder Choi Sung-Hyeon.

Instead, Franklin got a piece of the floating pass with the top of his head, sending it over Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders into his own net. Saunders was standing about 15-yards away from his goal when the ball sailed over him.

After the play, Franklin stared into the distance, standing with his hands at his waist.

Teammate and rookie Omar Gonzalez walked over to Franklin and rubbed his head, trying to comfort the Galaxy's No. 1 pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

"I just said to him to keep his head up," Gonzalez said. "It was a pretty bad play but we just have to go from here and not look back."

Franklin didn't look back, walking off the field after being shown a straight red card. Franklin was booked with a yellow earlier in the match. Referee Paul Ward didn't show a second yellow for Franklin's second foul, this time on Suwong defender Jorge Alves.

"That's how calls go," Franklin said. "The own goal is just unfortunate, I'm just glad my teammates battled back late and forced a last play."

Ironically, it was a foul by Alves on Galaxy forward Edson Battle in the penalty area in the 88th minute that sent the game into a decisive penalty shootout.

That gave the Galaxy new life, but missed penalty shots by Buddle and Kyle Patterson ultimately lost the shootout for Bruce Arena's team.

Despite the loss, the match against the Bluewings and the preseason tournament gave Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena a glimpse of what his young players can do heading into the upcoming 2009 MLS season.

"I was pleased that this team showed a lot of character coming back," Arena said. "I was impressed. Let's face it. We played a Suwong team that's more experienced. I thought our young guys did a great job."

Arena was particularly impressed with his young defense, despite some mistakes.

Franklin echoed Arena's thoughts.

"I think the backline is doing fine," Franklin said. "We have a lot to improve on but we're looking at all the positives. We'll just get better as the season gets going."

James brings youth to Dynamo defense

HOUSTON, Texas -- When the Houston Dynamo announced in December that they were trading away perennial MVP candidate Dwayne DeRosario to Toronto FC for allocation money and rookie defender Julius James, some fans were left wondering if Houston had gotten enough in return.

It was no slight to James. DeRosario had become a fan favorite due to his flair and clutch play during previous MLS Cups and replacing him will be no small task for the Dynamo in 2009.

Still, the trade provided not only allocation money, but removed the Canadian midfielder's high salary from the books providing enough cap space for the team to re-sign defensive stalwart Bobby Boswell. The salary cap space remaining might also allow the team to bring in additional talent during the year, which might have otherwise been difficult.

In James though, there is no doubt the team acquired a promising young talent. After being selected ninth overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, he played in 13 games last year, starting 10 and scoring one goal.

A Trinidad and Tobago international, the 24-year-old James has already taken note of the differences between his new team and his former employer.

"It's amazing. It's unbelievable," he said. "It's a different team, a different caliber of players. The expectancy and pressure is a lot more, it's great."

For any young defender, playing alongside two of the best centerbacks in MLS in Bobby Boswell and Eddie Robinson is quite a learning experience.

"They basically take me under their wing, showing me ... the things the coaches like," he said. "Every time I step on the field and I come off, I learn something."

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear has been happy with James' progress.

"I think he is coming along OK. He and Bobby have formed a good little partnership in a short period of time. His athleticism obviously stands out," Kinnear said. "We are still in his ear for his positioning, his focus and concentration, but so far he has done very well for us."

This week, while every other MLS team is still in the thick of preseason training, James might be thrown directly into the fire. The Dynamo take on Mexico's Atlante FC in the first leg of their quarterfinal series in the CONCACAF Champions League, and with Eddie Robinson receiving a red card in Houston's last group match against CD Luis Angel Firpo, Kinnear will have to choose between starting the young defender, or rely on a more veteran presence such as Craig Waibel.

Even if he doesn't start, Kinnear believes that James will likely play some part on Tuesday night at Robertson Stadium.

"I am sure he will be on the field, we will see from the beginning or not," Kinnear said. "It's the way it is around here. A lot of guys have found their feet early in February instead of late in March."

James is looking forward to the opportunity as the Dynamo look to reach the semifinals in CONCACAF cup play for the third consecutive year -- a stage, however, they haven't been able to get past.

"We played against one or two Mexican teams in a friendly," James said. "It's a different look from MLS teams. They are a little more technical, less physical."

The young University of Connecticut product is happy to be in Houston and eager for Tuesday.

"I'm excited," he said. "It's a new team, new fans. I know the coaches have confidence in me, but I am going to be playing in front of the fans for the first time so I am excited. I am pumped."

Gazidis adjusts to life after MLS

Ivan Gazidis has been on the job as the chief executive of Arsenal FC in north London for about seven weeks, but he already has his terminologies straight.

"It's like driving on the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the road," Gazidis said in a telephone interview Monday afternoon. "Depending on where I am, I can just shift my brain over. I've used the word football over here and I think I almost haven't slipped up."

That's not to say it's been a seamless transition for Gazidis, the former deputy commissioner of Major League Soccer. Born in South Africa and raised in England, Gazidis spent 15 years in the United States. His wife and two sons are American and he, too, feels a strong bond to the U.S.

"After 15 years, I feel at least a significant part of me is American," he said. "My family is an American family and if you ask me where home is I feel that the U.S. is still at least half my home."

Gazidis said his sons grew up as MLS fans and he often took them to watch the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium. They have quickly transformed into Arsenal fans, not a surprise according to their father.

"It's not a difficult club to fall in love with," he said.

His home is in St. John's Wood and his office overlooks Highbury, next to the state-of-the-art Emirates Stadium. Gazidis said he is still in the "initial assimilation phase" of his job, but he already has noticed a major difference -- game day.

"It's very different being a league executive and being neutral and being a team executive and living with every bounce of the ball," Gazidis said. "The entire focus of the whole week, not only of the club, but of the public, the country, the media, is on the upcoming game. It's a very dramatic feeling."

Gazidis is also quick to point out that while Major League Soccer's product on the field is not yet the level of the Premiership, that's not the case on the business side.

"We tend to fall into the trap within soccer thinking that everything that happens in Europe is bigger and better and more advanced," Gazidis said. "On the business side, I think MLS is every bit as sophisticated a business as any that exists in the world of soccer."

Gazidis believes having that background as a U.S. sports executive has helped him in his current position.

"I bring a fresh perspective on things because I come from outside the English game," he said. "I think in some ways that enables me to be a little fresher in some of the ideas I may have. I also believe that MLS is superbly run organization with great leadership, very professional top-class people and sometimes we underestimate that."

Gazidis has already opened some eyes with his comments comparing the English Premier League to the "Wild West."

"What I said is in the States we have a system in sports leagues with salary caps and drafts and no promotion and relegation that's very highly regulated and, as a business model, makes a lot of sense in the U.S. environment," Gazidis said. "Over here, without salary caps and with promotion and relegation, if you're looking for the Wild West, you look East. It wasn't meant as an indictment. It's that feeling you have of operating without a safety net."

Gazidis' main concern now is that of Arsenal FC, but he is not completely divorced from Major League Soccer. He was the person who helped broker the deal that brought David Beckham to the United States and he is keenly watching the on-again, off-again transfer to AC Milan.

"I think it's interesting when MLS signed David Beckham everyone was saying it was because he had nothing left to contribute," Gazidis said. "Now we have the English national team and AC Milan, one of the world's great teams, who would love to have his services. I guess MLS just cannot win."

But, as Gazidis quickly pointed out, MLS has survived with and without Beckham, and will continue to do so.

"MLS is not the David Beckham league," he said. "Its success has been built through slow and steady growth of a strong and committed investor group over a long period of time. Whatever the resolution is of the David Beckham situation, and right now it looks like he's coming back to the States, the fundamentals of the league remain the same -- very strong with great prospects."

FC Dallas head to Brazil for training

FRISCO, Texas -- FC Dallas hit the road again for the next portion of their 2009 preseason, heading to Brazil on Wednesday, where they will train for the next 10 days and play three games before returning to Frisco on March 7.

FCD's first game will be on March 2 against the under-20 team from their South American partner, Clube Atletico Paranaense. Two days later, FCD meets the full first team from CAP in the first leg of the US/Brazil Challenge. The trip concludes with a match against Brazilian side J Malucelli on March 6.

"I think this is another great opportunity for us to work on our team chemistry, building the team together," FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "I really enjoyed the Florida trip (last week) because we were all together and training together. When we go to Brazil, we're at one of the better training sites in Brazil. We'll also have some down time and some games. Not only are we taking our players, but we've got four players that will be showing up there as trialists. So we're still looking for maybe more. We're also taking three or four of our younger academy players to give them a chance to see soccer in a very rich environment."

Even though FCD announced on Tuesday that they had signed CAP attacking midfielder David Ferreira to a contract, Hyndman admits that several of the trialists coming to South America play that same role.

"A couple of them are No. 10s," he said. "The others are second strikers and flank players. They're all from Central or South America."

During their stay in Florida, Brazilian Marcelo Saragosa, who is slated to be FCD's starting right back, suffered an injury, which Hyndman and the team staff continue to monitor very closely.

"It's always serious when you get a knock," Hyndman said. "He banged knees with a player against FIU. Our first game, we're playing without Pablo (Ricchetti), so now I'm looking at who can play in that defensive midfield spot. I put him in there for a little bit and he got his knee banged. He just said to me that it was hurting. Of course, the first thing in your mind is that it's his meniscus and exactly where the repair was done. They did an MRI on it and it shows a little bit of a contusion there but we're not sure if it's the meniscus or a bruise.

"The doctor's recommendation is to let Marcelo go with us to Brazil and I agree. He got a shot in it yesterday and it's starting to feel better already. I think if it's his meniscus, it doesn't feel better and it's there. So we're taking him to Brazil for training and keeping our eyes on him. If it doesn't get better, then we're flying him back for surgery. I think that's going to take about a week to figure out what we're doing. The doctor is coming with us, so we'll have a close eye on him."

One FCD player who could benefit from the trip is midfielder Andre Rocha, who last year led the team with eight assists. The Brazilian came to the club on loan from CAP but has shown a lack of fitness since reporting for preseason camp about two weeks ago.

"I think he's not put himself in a real favorable position because he's not fit," Hyndman said. "As a coach starting preseason, I've really encouraged guys to come in better shape and we're really worked hard at it. He's missed 3-1/2 to 4 weeks. So he's doing more, he's doing extra but I don't think I can put him on the field for 90 minutes and count on him. Maybe it's 20 minutes. Maybe it's work his way up to a starting position. Right now, I don't think I can put him on the field with his fitness. But it's not just his fitness, it's his sharpness."

Should Rocha not be ready, Dax McCarty is a viable option. He performed well in the No. 10 spot before Ferreira's signing but can also play on the right, where Rocha plays.

"He's been playing very well," he said. "I think Dax has done enough for himself to be some place on the field. I think he's done enough for himself that we need to reward him, not punish him because we got another player."

Not surprisingly, the FCD players are equally excited about venturing to South America for a third consecutive year.

"It's a great trip," forward Kenny Cooper said. "CAP is a great host and their facilities are amazing. We get some good games in down there. It's been a great trip in the past and I'm sure it will be again this year."

McCarty agrees. "It's always a good trip," he said. "The one thing you know you'll get is very good competition because Brazilian teams are typically very good teams with very skillful players and they give you a different challenge. It's going to be another bonding experience. We're going to be with the guys on the team a lot."

Besides facing great competition, FCD will also look to further strengthen their team chemistry.

"I think the chemistry is great," Cooper said. "I think everyone is enjoying everyone else's company. I think that there has been good communication with on the field things. It really seems that we are coming together as a group and getting to know each other better. I think that these trips help with all that team camaraderie and to get new players better. Everyone gets to know everybody else as people but also as teammates on the field. I'm sure this trip will help with that."

Dynamo settle for draw with Atlante

HOUSTON, Texas -- The Houston Dynamo nearly opened their 2009 calendar in style, but ended up settling for a heartbreaking 1-1 tie with Atlante FC of Mexico in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series Tuesday at Robertson Stadium. Bobby Boswell's header in the 34th minute opened the scoring for Houston, but an 82nd-minute equalizer from Gabriel Pereyra left the teams deadlocked.

The Dynamo had multiple chances to extend their first-half lead, and it could leave them wondering what might have been as Atlante grabbed the vital away goal ahead of next Tuesday's return match at Estadio Quintana Roo in Cancun.

With Dynamo center back Eddie Robinson and Atlante 'keeper Federico Vilar suspended, there were no surprises in either team's starting lineups. Julius James got his first start as a member of the Houston Dynamo, and his first start in a CONCACAF Champions League match. Stuart Holden also started in an attacking midfield role, despite the recent passing of his father, which was memorialized with a moment of silence before kickoff.

The game started out sloppy with multiple turnovers in the first 15 minutes. With the Dynamo in the middle of a short preseason, it was probably to be expected. Atlante had a couple of quality chances early but couldn't capitalize. Their best chance came in the seventh minute, when a give-and-go between Giancarlo Maldonado and Pereyra set the Argentinean up for a shot on goal, but he couldn't get enough behind it and it was saved easily by Dynamo 'keeper Pat Onstad.

As the Dynamo began to get their feet underneath them, the pressure on Atlante's defense began to mount, resulting in numerous corners for Houston. On the fifth corner, in the 34th minute, Brad Davis found an unmarked Boswell, whose stooping header easily beat goalkeeper Omar Ortiz inside the right post to give Houston a 1-0 lead.

Up a goal, the MLS side really started to pour it on. In the 37th minute, a turnover by the Atlante defense found Holden alone in front of goal. He likely should have aimed toward goal, but instead opted to pass, missing his intended target.

In the 39th minute, Brian Mullan impressively beat Luis Venegas off the dribble. His cross found Kei Kamara, but the forward's header hit the crossbar. Then in the 41st minute, Holden narrowly missed extending Houston's lead as his shot went high and wide of goal.

While Houston was happy to be leading 1-0 when the whistle blew to end the first half, they would later come to regret the chances they missed at the end of the first half.

The second half was physical and foul-ridden, with referee Neal Brizan of Trinidad and Tobago showing six yellow cards and whistling 23 second-half fouls. With all the fouls, both teams were more dangerous on set pieces than in the run of play. In the 58th minute, Atlante threatened first when Fernando Navarro sent in a beautiful ball to Luis Gabriel Rey, but his header went over the bar.

The threat was merely foreshadowing of what was to eventually come in the 82nd minute as another Atlante corner from Navarro found Venegas beyond the far post. He headed the ball down and it bounced over Onstad into a pile of players in the goalmouth. Pereyra was first to the ball and just nudged it over the line to tie the game 1-1.

Houston had a couple of chances to pull ahead late. A Geoff Cameron header was saved well by Omar Ortiz in the 90th minute. The MLS side also had a Brad Davis free kick from 30 yards out go just wide of goal. However, those chances were too little too late, as the final whistle blew and left the teams still on level terms.

Despite playing their first competitive game in three months, the late goal was heartbreak for Houston as it not only evened the game, but also provided Atlante with a critical away goal. As a result, Houston will be left with two choices to advance. They have to either win in Mexico, or have to tie Atlante FC and score at least two goals in the process.

Gonzalez quickly earning keep in LA

CARSON, Calif. -- It has been barely a month into the Los Angeles Galaxy's training camp, and Omar Gonzalez has blended in seamlessly.

That's an impressive feat, considering he is a rookie defender and the club's tallest player at 6-feet-5, but the 21-year-old has impressed coaches and teammates with his heady play. He was among their best performers in last week's Pan-Pacific Championships and continues to push for his share of playing time.

Gonzalez had been a first-team All-American at the University of Maryland and last season's College Cup Defensive MVP when he was taken third overall in January's MLS SuperDraft. Galaxy general manager/head coach Bruce Arena made no secret of the fact he was looking for defensive help, and he didn't have to look any farther when Gonzalez became available at the No. 3 pick in the first round.

The 6-5, 210-pounder said the expansion Seattle Sounders FC and D.C. United had showed the most interest in him, but he was pleased when he learned he would be starting his professional career on the West Coast.

"I was happy because I knew it was a good situation for me," he said. "I knew what their situation was and I was ready to come to practice and get things started.

"I think I have a good opportunity here. The guys have been great with me, teaching me things."

One of them is veteran defender Tony Sanneh, trying to make a comeback at 37. Gonzalez questions him almost daily about the nuances of the game, and Sanneh has been more than willing to help.

"He wants to learn," Sanneh said. "He's a real humble kid, and I think that's going to help him get better because he's never satisfied. He's always asking what he should have done and what he should do. He knows there are ways he can improve, and that shows his potential is a lot higher.

"It takes a mature player to be able to step in from the college level and play right away. He will make mistakes, but we all do and hopefully we can help each other out. So far, he's done a great job."

Associate head coach Dave Sarachan said Gonzalez's attitude has been particularly impressive.

"What's there not to like?" Sarachan said. "He comes to work with a smile, and we think he's in a good environment. Being with guys like Tony Sanneh and Eddie Lewis has been great for him.

"I think it's a balance between learning on the job and throwing a lot of things at him. I think it's a little bit of a work in progress, and we've approached it that way. I also think he's done well with that."

Coaches and teammates continue to be careful with the learning process, however. What they are trying to avoid is information overload, and that can be a challenge, considering Gonzalez plays the demanding position of center back. He won't say his head has been spinning from constantly receiving instruction, but it's been close at times.

"That's definitely what's been going on," Gonzalez said. "I've had information coming from everywhere, a lot of stuff to digest. I think I've been taking some things that are more important than others and trying to focus on those more.

"I just have to get used to the talent that I'm facing and the speed of play. The guys I'm going up against are a lot smarter and they close down spaces a lot faster than in college ball."

Gonzalez isn't complaining. He figures it's simply part of the learning process.

"I'm having a blast with these guys," he said. "That's the most important thing."