soccer

Apparently the LA Galaxy aren't bothering with that whole "losing a game thing" this season. After today's 4-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo, the Herbalife boys are 12-0-2 so far, tying the MLS unbeaten record. And they're continuing that streak without a couple of their big stars, in South Africa for the World Cup.

What's crazy is not just the streak. In the 14 games they've played, they have 22 goals for...and just 3 against. That's right: in the 1,260 minutes of Galaxy soccer this year (not counting added time), their opponents have managed three goals.

Let's see here...

"Republic of Ireland 3-0 Algeria"

An opening goal by debutant Paul Green and two from record scorer Robbie Keane gave the Republic of Ireland an easy win over World Cup-bound Algeria.

"Republic of Ireland 2-1 Paraguay"

Goals from Kevin Doyle and Liam Lawrence helped the Republic of Ireland beat World Cup finalists Paraguay in Tuesday's friendly at Dublin's RDS.

Ahem.

"Having beaten [Algeria and] Paraguay, it was the second time in four days Ireland had got the better of a team going to the World Cup finals."

Grumble grumble grumble.

Via @cyclelicious, this great double-bicycle kick goal, straight up Matrix kung fu style. :D

From the Argentina Primera Division, Gimnasia La Plata v. Boca Juniors.

Well, with the MLS collective bargaining agreement reportedly agreed to and the strike averted, it would appear that Landon Donovan will not be heading back to Everton FC any time soon, unfortunately.

I say "unfortunately" -- it's fortunate for the MLS (not to mention the LA Galaxy), who narrowly missed a potentially suicidal crisis. Unfortunate, however, for hopes of seeing Landon continue a very positive period in the Premiership.

However, I will still be following along with the Toffees and rooting for a continuing good season -- already marked by a win over Bolton* today. COYB!

(* - "Bolton" will forever remind me of the "Notlob" palindrome from Monty Python. :)

Landon Donovan's possible final game with Everton FC ended in a 2-2 draw at Birmingham City today. He came on in the 67th minute for Nigerian striker Ayegbeni Yakubu, who had scored one of the Toffees' pair. Unfortunately, Everton let a two-goal lead slip away, losing a chance to make up ground on the team directly above them in the League standings.

Whether or not this actually is Landon's last Everton fixture, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena expects his star back in Los Angeles right away. This despite the MLS players voting to strike if a new agreement can't be reached with owners by March 25th. Not that there's ever a great time to strike, but for a league still struggling for respect in the US, it seems like a particularly inopportune time.

Everton seriously want him back. We'll see how it plays out.

Will he or won't he? I reckon the potential MLS work stoppage will enter into it.

evertonfc.com: "Chance of Donovan Stay"

David Moyes says there's an outside chance that Landon Donovan's stay at Everton could be extended.

The American international's loan deal from LA Galaxy expires after Everton's Premier League visit to Birmingham City next weekend, but Moyes revealed on Friday that there is a chance that the 28-year-old could remain on Merseyside beyond that date.

UPDATE

Grahame Jones at the LA Times has more, including speculation on Landon's lackluster performance with the US team against the Dutch side on Wednesday: "Everton wants to keep Galaxy's Landon Donovan a while longer"

On Friday, David Moyes, Everton's coach, revealed that the club has been in contact with MLS and with the Galaxy with an eye to extending Donovan's 10-week loan spell, perhaps until the end of the English season in May or perhaps longer.

"I am keen to keep Landon and it sounds initially in America that they might say yes," Moyes told the BBC. "I have not got that confirmed yet. I can't say exactly if that's going to happen. If we can make it happen, we will."

Practice and warmup games for the World Cup start in late May.

UPDATE 2

The official LA Galaxy blog has today's comments from coach/manager Bruce Arena regarding Landon's situation. Sounds like he'll be back with LA unless there's a lockout:

"Arena: Donovan to Return on Mar. 15"

Los Angeles Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said the club is not interested in extending the loan of Landon Donovan to Everton of the English Premier League, despite reports that the Toffees will pursue such an arrangement.

The League of Ireland (aka the Airtricity League) starts up very soon, and previews for the defending champion Bohemians are starting to show up.

Independent.ie: "The men to beat"

Pat Fenlon has added quality to an already star-studded Bohs squad

What to do when the 'big club' keeps getting bigger?

As managers across the spectrum of the newly named Airtricity League felt the pinch of tightening belts pre-season, they must feel an extra little sting every time they bring themselves to look at the list of players at Pat Fenlon's disposal this year.

bohemians.ie: "Preview: Bohemian FC v Sporting Fingal"

The Airtricity League has thrown title-holders Bohemians a sporting challenge by matching them with Premier Division new boys and FAI Cup-holders Sporting Fingal in the opening match of the new league season.

The tie is all the more intriguing as it could mark ex-Bohs star Glen Crowe's return to his old stomping ground with a team that could compete with Bohs for the league titlle. Sporting Fingal won promotion last season after defeating Bray Wanderers in a play-off.

bohemians.ie: "Bohemian Football Club: 120 years old"

On the evening of Saturday, 6th September 1890, in the Gate Lodge at the North Circular Road entrance to the Phoenix Park, a small group gathered. Mostly young, and mostly students, they were intent on forming a club in the "new" football code, soccer, the Bohemian Football Club.

And here is the 2010 squad saying hello:

UPDATE 3/5

The Bohemians win Game #1, defeating Sporting Fingal 1-0.

@bohsofficial: 3 points for bohs and the season is off to a winning start

Post-match interviews: