MLS Sets Another Milestone...

As always, Ives has the scoop. The LA Gals are set to make forward Tristan Bowen the first youth academy grad gone pro. The Rapids have had a kid from their youth team play in the annual intra-squad pre-season friendly, but the Gals are signing one. Perhaps they realize they can't field a full team with both Landycakes and Becks on the payroll?

Just kidding LA, well done. I hope Bowen pans out and becomes a MLS starter a few years down the road. This is the kind of progress American soccer fans have been waiting to see. The question I have for readers, does this spell the end to College Soccer as we know it? Not this year, not next...but five or ten years down the road will College Soccer be sending kids to MLS or will all new MLS players be coming up through the youth ranks?

Sexy Football In LA...

Announcing the new LA Galaxy coaching staff: Ruud Gullit and Cobi Jones. Yes, you read correctly, newly retired Cobi is Ruud's assistant. Jones wasn't part of the package I read about and I think his inclusion on the staff should help Ruud's transition. Smart move Alexi.

What will Ruud mean to American soccer and MLS? There is some potential for great things but I think the bigger potential is for disaster. Hopefully Cobi can help Ruud navigate the waters and not flame out.

Ruud grew up in the Dutch total football system of the 70's and 80's, its strongest period. Hopefully he can come to LA and instill some of that into American players. Imagine if the young members of the Galaxy pick up some tricks that Ruud has up his sleeve. There is the potential for greatness in this coaching appointment.

The problems will come when Ruud realizes he has a $2 million budget and Alexi Lalas as a boss. If the sexy one can't manage those issues, he'll be gone is a season.

Now that the coaching staff is in place, what will become of Landycakes McDonovan? Will he want to stick around because he is comfortable with Cobi and interested in learning how to be a top class forward from one of the best? Or will he stick his tail between his legs and follow Frank Yallop up north? With an open mind Landon should be able to learn from Ruud. However, we've seen Donovan shy away from challenges in the past and he may do it again.

This off-season is an exciting one already, isn't it folks? What do you think of the new LA coaching staff?

Credit for the above photo goes to Andrea Canales who attended the press conference.

Robbie Findley...goal number 1...

Robbie Findley of the LA Galaxy became the first MLS rookie to score a goal in 2007 during last night's loss to FC Dallas. Findley was an early sub for the aging Cobi Jones however Findley moved Nate Jaqua to the midfield spot, giving Landon Donovan a quick partner up top. His great pace troubled Dallas' defense but it was his heading ability that got him his first goal off of a nice corner kick from Landon Donovan. Most would have expected new Galaxy member Nate Jaqua to get a header like this, but Findley showed good technical skill to finish off the corner kick.