With the season being over it has been a time to reflect for all of us at the LA Galaxy.
I must say it was disappointing not being able to make the playoffs where we usually shine.
So what now? Simple. Get ready for the 2007 season!
First I want to hold myself accountable for my own game and first and foremost I want to gain more overall strength to help myself endure the long MLS season. I also have to find a way to find the field more. Recently I have been hitting the gym trying to get a little bigger, stronger, and faster.
My dad always told me “In order to get things you’ve never had, you have to do things you have never done.” That statement to me is working even harder and smarter this off-season so that I can hopefully become a full -time starter.
By the way I am looking forward to Thursday’s Soccer Match for Cancer Awareness and connecting with our great soccer community here in Houston for a great cause. I hope all of you come out in support of Cancer at the Pin Oak Elementary School.
I will keep you posted on my MLS journey.
Josh

New U.S. National team head coach Bob Bradley is the featured guest on ‘The Soccer Hour with Glenn Davis’ this Tuesday at 8pm on 790 AM Radio.
Davis also will tackle issues and talk around international soccer and Major League Soccer.
Topics include: World Club Championships, Manchester United’s stunning loss to West Ham, plus Dynamo selections to the U.S. National team camp in January . Will it be Brian Ching, Brian Mullan, Ricardo Clarke, Brad Davis who get called in?
Fan’s are encouraged to call in at 713-212-5790

*podcast available at HoustonChronicle.com

Manchester United were shocked at Upton Park in front of 34,966 fans and took it on the chin from two former Red Devils Teddy Sheringham and Arlington Heights, Illinois native Jonathan Spector. With Chelsea beating Everton 3-2 their lead has dwindled to two points over the ‘Blues’.
West Ham United sits in the relegation zone which makes this result even more stunning.
It was one of those matches were the elements of an off day plus an inspired performance for new coach Alan Curbishley, poor finishing combined with outstanding goalkeeping from Robert Green of West Ham combined to make it a night of misery for United.
Despite dominating possession, shots, and every statistical category except goals scored United were sent home packing when Nigel Reo-Coker scored in the 75th minute after poor individual defending from Rio Ferdinand along the endline against Marlon Harewood. Ferdinand was over agressive with his challenge allowing Harewood to get the ball into the West Ham captain who scored his first goal of the year. When you see top players like Ferdinand defend like an amateur it reminds us all actually how good these players really are because it sticks out like a sore thumb.
Why it happened/
West Ham: A new coach inspires players to re-establish themselves while some feel a fresh begining. Inspired collective play led to confidence during this one which made me feel an upset was in the making.
Manchester United: Finishing was not sharp amongst their stars like Rooney, Ronaldo, and Saha. Competitive spirit was matched by the Hammers, uncharacteristic mistake led to goal.
What a game in the EPL complete with tons of sidebars, after 15 years of coaching Alan Curbishley gets his first ever win over United?
Glenn

Lamar Hunt and Ahmet Ertugun were soccer visionaries. They were also both a part of moving soccer forward in the United States in different ways but ultimately they were both similar.
Both passed away recently and condolences go to their families.
Lamar Hunt has been lauded for all his efforts recently sourrounding his contribution to American Football, creating the AFL and the Super Bowl and his work with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Most commentators neglected to mention his unreal and undying support for the sport of soccer from the NASL to the MLS is. Without Hunt there would not be soccer at this level in the U.S. Who knows if there even would be an MLS?
He was the first to get a soccer specific facility built in Columbus and has promoted the MLS through his ownership group the Hunt Sports Group.
What I loved about this man was his integrity and the ease with which he carried himself.
Once as a broadcaster on an MLS game a few years back I interviewed Lamar during the game in the booth and asked him to read a promo card during the broadcast. After reading the card he had a smile as big as a chesire cat on his face, as I thanked him I told him he had a great future in broadcasting and he smiled broadly. I never forget that moment nor his grace and stability supporting soccer during his remarkable lifetime.
Ahmet Ertugun I knew indirectly as a kid supporting the New York Cosmos. Little did we as teen-agers understand the role of the Turkish leader of Atlantic records who helped forge the image of super club with the Cosmos and its many stars.
He melded music with the global game of soccer.
Once while looking up in the stands at Giants Stadium my buddies and I spotted Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and funny man with glasses. Now we were big Stones and Zeppelin fans growing up in New Jersey so we were pumped. Little did we know of the importance of the funny man with glasses.
Ertegun and his brother Neshui were both soccer visionaries who remarkably were inducted in both the US Soccer Hall of Fame and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Catch on ABC tomorrow at noon “ONCE IN A LIFETIME’ the extraordinary story of the New York Cosmos and you will be able to fill in the blanks.
Amazing men.
REST IN PEACE LAMAR AND AHMET AND THANK YOU

Four and a half hours after starting my knee surgery Doctor Oberlander was finally stitching the wound on my right knee and whispering to my trainer Bruce Morgan that playing again was the least of my concerns…..and quite possibly not an option. What did I do that day that made the past eighteen months the most rewarding of my eight years playing professionally?
I simple decided the game would not be taken away from me over two ligaments and a tendon.
The gym became my playing field, the treadmill my starting position, and the weights my 8oth minute sprint to catch Landon Donovan down the side line. The next three and a half months I learned so much about my competitive side that I knew great things were still coming my way.
The move to Houston seemed like a small bump in the road after overcoming the injury.
The heat, while debilitating didnt affect me as much as it should have. And the residual pain in my knee wasn’t a distraction like I had anticipated but what was true was that the results were exactly what I had determined in May of 05 when I started my re-hab!
The most single season starts of my career, the most goals I have scored in one season, the most minutes I have ever played in one season, another MLS Cup held high above my head, and the single greatest feeling I’ve ever felt in soccer……I was finally proud of myself.
I have already begun to train again in preparation for the Champions Cup matches in February. I enjoyed my rest but once again and look forward to going to the gym to push the limits of the human body. I am not able to do it simply because I want to. I am able to do it because something inside of me is not ready to let go of the game. Passion defines my sport. My colleagues and I exemplify the fine line between obsession and desire. Welcome to my world, my blog, and my problems.

A moment of hesitation from the Boca Jrs. defense was all it took.
Estudiantes forward Mariano Pavone took advantage of slack defending flicked the ball over the on-rushing Boca Jrs. goakeeper and nodded into the far corner.
The goal produced rapture for the Estudiantes fans and the club coached by former Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone won their first title in 23 years 2-1 scoring twice in the 2nd half after an early Martin Palermo goal for Boca.
The game was also sweet for Juan Sebastian Veron in midfield for Estudiantes who has faded out of many’s memory after being disposed of at Manchester United.
Former Mexico coach Ricardo LaVolpe had said he would resign if Boca blew their lead in the standings where they were expected to cruise to the title.
The one game playoff came after Estudiantes won on the final day of the season and Boca blew another one goal lead at home amazingly to Lanus.
Chelsea scored a huge 1-0 victory today also over Newcastle to try and keep pace with Manchester United in England. Didier Drogba scored the lone goal and is now tied for the league lead with Nwanko Kanu of Portsmouth. Chelsea was fortunate to come out of this one with a draw.
Tomorrow 4am Club America vs Barcelona, might have to wait for the replay of that one.
Glenn

Hi everyone, this is Chris Gbandi of FC Dallas writing from beautiful but cold Dallas, TX.
I hope everyone is getting in the Holiday spirit and spending time with family and friends.
Monday was a big day for FC Dallas. The fourth head coach in club history was named at Pizza Hut Park. Steve Morrow, our assistant for the past two years was named our new head coach. We as players are happy the process is over and we can now start to look forward to the 2007 season.
I feel as though we have the players here in Dallas that can ultimately bring a Championship to the city.
The fans in Dallas are great and show our team alot of support so we are primed to win a championship for them in 2007.
As for me personally, today was another day doing re-hab. I had minor surgery on my knee about four weeks ago. Recovery is going well so I intend to be fully fit come pre-season.
My days are uneventful right now doing about 4 hours of re-hab daily yet I realize the importance of a disciplined recovery. As a kid growing up I never knew I would be where I am today playing a game I love and getting paid for it. I hope everyone out there is doing what they love and having fun doing it.
I look forward to writing these blogs and until next time enjoy your family,friends, and your football .(a.k.a. soccer the beautiful game.)

Houston Dynamo defender Craig Waibel and FC Dallas counterpart Chris Gbandi both will provide their insight in the future on www.glenndavissoccer.com
Waibel had his greatest season as a professional as a constant starter at right back as the Dynamo won the MLS Cup, the popular Waibel has become a fixture in Houston reflecting the community based nature of the Dynamo. For me Waibel should have been the “comeback player of the year” in MLS after comeback from a severe knee injury.
Gbandi who will also represent Liberia this spring in international play was voted the top defender for FC Dallas this past season and will be performing in 2007 under a new head coach in former Arsenal defender Steve Morrow.
I am excited about their involvement at www.glenndavissoccer.com because they will provide insight for young players and fans about what professional soccer life is about .
Glenn

DC United midfielder Freddy Adu has been traded along with the rights to goalkeeper Nick Rimando to Real Salt Lake. DC United in return receives a major allocation, the rights to goalkeeper Jay Nolly and future considerations. United also will get a share of replacement allocation money if he were to be transferred to Europe.
Adu in 3 seasons at United had 11 goals to go along with 17 assists in 87 appearances.
Real Salt Lake get a player who may not be around come this summer but will certainly bring attention to a franchise that is desperate to get a soccer stadium built in Salt Lake City. Adu recently trained with Manchester United in England which makes one consider United’s interest as potentially be more commercial than strictly about Adu’s abilities.
His former coach Peter Nowak at DC United has made it clear that Freddy’s best move would be to Holland if he goes to Europe and who is to argue that?
Nowak made Adu a part of his starting lineup mainly on the left side this year which is not Adu’s best postion nor preferred position.
But as an an attacking midfielder on United Adu is definetly behind Argentine and league MVP Christian Gomez who recently was rewarded with a new contract.
Freddy will create excitement in Salt Lake, play a role he prefers and come under the guidance of John Ellinger who he is familiar with. But the reality is as quickly as Freddy heads to Salt Lake he may be gone this summer to Europe.

Thanks as always for visiting the website. In the future we are going to be getting guest blogs from MLS players and others in the world of soccer in the meantime fans here is a great take about Freddy Adu’s situation and the impressions of one writer in Britain.

Safe and Happy Holidays

Link to Sunday Herald Story “MUCH ADU ABOUT NOTHING”