<div style="width: 277px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div>The Galaxy are one victory from reaching MLS Cup 2009 thanks to 2009 Coach of the Year Bruce Arena</div>
The Los Angeles Galaxy began the 2009 season at best as a team in transition, at worst as a team in turmoil. Despite initial problems, the Galaxy now stands only one game from winning the Western Conference. After dispatching city rival Chivas USA in what could only be called the “Battle of Los Angeles”, the LA Galaxy turn their attention to the next task at hand on the road to MLS Cup 2009 – the Western Conference Final against the Houston Dynamo (Friday, 8PM PST – ESPN2).&nbsp; After a three season absence, “The Flagship Club of MLS” is&nbsp; one match away from playing for the MLS Cup for an unprecedented sixth time. Before this dream can become a reality, the Galaxy must take on an experienced Dynamo side that is playing in their third conference final in four years.
Los Angeles won the season series with Texas based club (1-0-1) winning at Home Depot Center, 1-0 on June 29th, which snapped La Naranja’s team record 11 game unbeaten streak.&nbsp; Following the victory over then top of the table Houston, the Galaxy began their transformation from also rans – 2-3-9 before the match against the Dynamo – to the top club in the Western Conference with a 10-3-3 tally after the win. This dramatic turn around can be attributed to the influence of newly named Coach of the Year Bruce Arena, who instituted a personnel change such as&nbsp; the addition of&nbsp; former US international defender Gregg Berhalter, who brought in a winning mentality into the team as well as a wealth of experience for the Galaxy’s myriad of young defenders.
“The attitude is better (under Arena), you always hear the team buying in to the coaching philosophy and that is exactly what we have done here. I can’t remember a time this year that a player has stepped up to management due to a lack of playing time. We all respect the decisions of Bruce (Arena) and Dave (Strachan) and are ready when called upon,” said forward Landon Donovan in a recent teleconference.
The improved chemistry in the locker room can only serve to help the Galaxy in what is sure to be a contentious 90 minutes.&nbsp; The last match these two played against one another was a heated affair that saw Brian Ching sent off after a ruckus caused by a challenge on Ricardo Clark by midfielder David Beckham.&nbsp; Over the two legs of the regular season series between the teams there were a total of 9 yellow cards as well as the one red card issued for violent conduct to the Houston forward.
One of the major impediments to Galaxy’s progress will be Brian Ching, who scored the series winning goal against the Seattle Sounders in the first overtime on Sunday, putting the Dynamo in the West Final. The captain of the Houston Dynamo has enjoyed a very successful season picking up several honors including the Dynamo’s Golden Boot for leading the team in goals scored with eight. Despite the danger that he poses, Ching is a familiar entity for Arena, who coached the Hawaiian forward during much of his career with the United States Men’s National Team.
“He’s a complete goal scorer and requires complete concentration from your back line. Brian is a true goal scorer, he can be hiding for certain segments of games but when he has an opportunity to jump on a chance, he’s there as we saw last game against Seattle. Overall,&nbsp; He’s a proven goal scorer in big games and we have to be really focused on the challenge of dealing Brian on Friday night,” said the 2009 MLS Coach of the Year.
Ultimately because of their improved chemistry and cohesion on the field, Los Angeles is on the brink of their sixth appearance in the MLS Cup Final.

Galaxy look to continue dream season against the Dynamo - World Soccer Talk

Galaxy look to continue dream season against the Dynamo

Are we seeing games being played at Bayern over the possible transfer of Landon Donovan from the MLS. The Galaxy player has one month left on his loan deal to the Bavarian giants. Today, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated in an interview that while Donovan is an interesting player, he doesn’t see the deal being extended. He said in the interview, “When you have Klose, Toni and Olic already under contract, we think the fourth player (striker) should really be a young player with perspective.”
This is very true; however, this statement came on the same day that Luca Toni has started to make noise about returning to Italy. He seems to even be angling to get his friend Franck Ribery to join him in Series A, possibly at Juve. 
Add to that, the fact that Donovan was brought over and wanted by Klinsmann, and on the surface there is the possibility that the statement was made as a negotiating ploy.
But that is not certain. It is hard to argue with Rummenigge’s appraisal of his forward line because accommodating four strikers is virtually impossible when they are all of a certain caliber. However, if he loses Toni, that leaves a big hole. Can Donovan fill it?
Or perhaps, the loss of Toni is the catalyst for giving up on Donovan. While Donovan has proven to be valued by Klinsmann, having played in every game since joining Bayern, his role as a link up player means that he can’t be a long term replacement for a target man. So if Rummenigge sees a summer job of replacing Toni, then perhaps Donovan is expendable no matter what Klinsmann thinks. 
And then again, perhaps the youth comment is a salvo to the MLS, who has been trying to get top value on two of their prized assets. This is the last time MLS might be able to get a good price for the forward. He turns 27 towards the end of this loan, and he is much closer to the end of his career than the start. 
Personally, I hope Donovan stays as I do feel that he is one a few players that can generate interest in America for the Bundesliga.

Is Donovan's stint in Munich over before it began? - World Soccer Talk

Is Donovan's stint in Munich over before it began?

FC Bayern München have recruited Major League Soccer’s top star on an initial short-term deal. 26 year-old Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan leaves the shadow of Hollywood to join the club nicknamed FC Hollywood on loan until March 15th, 2009.&nbsp; A longer deal has been agreed to but is dependent on the United States international’s performances.
This will be Donovan’s second spell in the Bundesliga after making seven appearances for Bayer 04 Leverkusen while under contract between 2001 and 2005. After playing only a handful of games with Leverkusen, Landon became unsettled and stated his intentions to return to MLS. He was loaned to the San Jose Earthquakes for several stints. Donovan joined the LA Galaxy in 2005 after his contract at Leverkusen expired.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told uefa.com:&nbsp; “We have a great team and it’s no coincidence that we haven’t lost for 16 games in a row, thus we do not need any new signings. We have only loaned Landon Donovan until March 15th. If and how it will go with him after that will depend on how he develops.”
Donovan will be eligible and available for Bayern’s UEFA Champions League first knockout round ties against Sporting Clube de Portugal on February 25th and March 10th.

Landon Donovan joins Bayern Munich

Landon Donovan joins Bayern Munich - World Soccer Talk

Landon Donovan has again expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, according to <a href="http:\/\/www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4406759,00.html" target="_blank">Sky Sports</a>. The American midfielder will approach MLS officials this week to be granted permission to seek a January transfer window move to a Premier League or La Liga club.
<blockquote>According to Donovan, “Whether that happens I don’t know but I think where my qualities are best would be in a team that plays. I’m not going to go and battle John Terry and expect to win but if I can get on a team that plays good soccer I think I could help.”</blockquote>
The question is, which Premier League would be best suited for Landon Donovan and would have room for the American star? Vote now.
 <a href="http:\/\/answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1048205/">Which Premier League Club Will Sign Landon Donovan?</a> (<a href="http:\/\/www.polldaddy.com"> surveys</a>)

Poll: Which Premier League Club Will Sign Landon Donovan? - World Soccer Talk

Poll: Which Premier League Club Will Sign Landon Donovan?

Sky Sports is reporting that U.S. star player Landon Donovan has expressed an interest in playing in the Premier League. Take the following poll and let us know how you think he would fair.
 &amp;lt;a href=”http:\/\/answers.polldaddy.com/poll/807948/” &amp;gt;Could Landon Donovan succeed in the Premier League?&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; &amp;lt;span style=”font-size:9px;”&amp;gt; (&amp;lt;a href=”http:\/\/www.polldaddy.com”&amp;gt; surveys&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;)&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;

Poll: Landon Donovan Heading To The EPL? - World Soccer Talk

Poll: Landon Donovan Heading To The EPL?

Latest news from landon donovan. Find out about all the news related to landon donovan on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "landon donovan - Page 8"

Gregg Berhalter

Galaxy look to continue dream season against the Dynamo

Bayern Munich

Is Donovan's stint in Munich over before it began?

News

Landon Donovan joins Bayern Munich

General

Poll: Which Premier League Club Will Sign Landon Donovan?

General

Poll: Landon Donovan Heading To The EPL?