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5 years after global soccer superstar David Beckham moved to the US to play professional soccer for the LA Galaxy, the Los Angeles soccer team FINALLY managed to secure a Major League Soccer Championship! The Galaxy took on the Houston Dynamo for the championship title at the Home Depot Center here in Carson, CA last night and managed to end the 2011 season with a big win. Galaxy captain (and game MVP) Landon Donovan had the honor of scoring the winning goal, handing the LA Galaxy the championship title that they’ve been looking for (ever since Becks joined the team). Considering last night was Becks‘s final game for the Galaxy of his 5 year contract, he couldn’t have hoped for a better ending. Click below to see some photos from last night’s big game and read some deets about what went down.

Huzzah! Huzzah!! Huzzah!!! Let the cheers ring throughout the landscape of Southern California, indeed, across the the entire USA — David Beckham has returned to his home in Los Angeles! As you may know, Becks has been in Europe for about 3 months dilly-dallying about but at long last, he has returned home to SoCal. Mere moments after he arrived back home in LA, he made his way to the LA Galaxy training center so that he could get back to training with his soccer teammates (including Landon Donovan). ‘Twas a glorious day! Becks is back!!

David Beckham and the rest of the LA Galaxy soccer team have made their way to Sydney, Australia to play a friendly match against the Newcastle Jets this coming weekend. Before the soccer studs take to the field this weekend, they made a beeline to the beach so that they could soak up some rays. Here are a few photos of Becks and the boys in OZ along with some deets about their visit:

Football superstar David Beckham flew into Australia Thursday for an exhibition game with his team LA Galaxy, but minus his popstar wife Victoria who opted to stay at home. The former England captain said he was “honoured” to be in Australia for this weekend’s game against former A-League champions Newcastle Jets at their 26,000-capacity stadium north of Sydney. “We’re honoured to be here, this is something the players have talked about and are excited about,” said Beckham, 35. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves but also here to perform as well and hopefully win.” Beckham said Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer Victoria, who was widely reported to be accompanying her husband, was in the United States celebrating Thanksgiving with their three children, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz. “My wife and kids would obviously love to have been here but they’re celebrating Thanksgiving and Victoria’s just come back from a long trip working in Europe,” he said. “Unfortunately she wanted to come out but it wasn’t possible, but I’m sure she will at some point.”

Something tells me Becks isn’t too bummed to be spending this weekend in Australia, especially considering how hot is there these days. Becks took part in a press conference in Sydney upon his arrival (while many of his teammates hit the beach). After the jump, check out a few photos of Becks lookin’ all kinds of adorable at his Aussie press conference earlier today …

On Friday we saw photos of LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan doing a bit of warming up at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA as he prepped for his first Galaxy soccer game since returning home to the US from the World Cup in South Africa. The Galaxy took on the Seattle Sounders in Carson last night in a battle for 4th of July supremacy and managed to soundly defeat the Sounders by a score of 3 – 1. Here are a few photos of Landon Donovan doing his thing on the soccer field last night and some deets about the game:

Los Angeles Galaxy moved nine points clear at the top of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference on Sunday night courtesy of a 3-1 home win over Seattle Sounders. Edson Buddle opened the scoring for the Galaxy after 18 minutes and Juninho doubled their advantage three minutes after the interval. Steve Zakuani halved the deficit for the visitors midway through the second period but a James Riley own goal 13 minutes from time restored the two-goal cushion. Buddle and Landon Donovan were playing for the first time since returning from World Cup duty. The result marked Los Angeles’ 11th win in 15 games and left the Sounders second from bottom in the Western Conference.

You know, I bet Landon is really happy that David Beckham — his LA Galaxy teammate — is off enjoying some vacation time with his family in Europe these days because with Becks out of the picture, he is the big soccer cheese here in LA. Actually, I’d go so far as to say that Landon Donovan is currently the most famous soccer player in the whole US. I’m glad his performance at the World Cup has elevated his status a bit, hopefully he can use the momentum to keep bringing wins for the LA Galaxy. Landon has languished in Becks‘s shadow for a long time … hopefully this will be his time to shine.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

On Wednesday we saw photos of US soccer stud Landon Donovan with David Letterman on The Late Show and today we see photos of Landon back home in LA prepping for his return to the LA Galaxy:

That’s right folks, no rest for the weary. Landon and the Galaxy have a game against the Seattle Sounders this weekend and he’s already training to get back in action. Landon takes his commitment to the LA Galaxy very seriously and I’m sure he is itching to get back on the field to play for his team. I’m not sure when David Beckham is planning to return to LA to play with the Galaxy again but at least we know that Landon Donovan is already back and ready to play.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

US Soccer stud Landon Donovan, who did everything he could to keep the US Soccer Team alive in the 2010 World Cup, made his way back to the US to make an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman and Donovan made their way to the streets of NYC during the show to kick around the ol’ soccer ball, much to the delight of fans … Landon also shared with Dave his views on how things should be officiated at the World Cup in the future:

Landon Donovan told David Letterman soccer needs either more referees or video replay. The U.S. soccer star appeared on the “Late Show” on CBS on Tuesday night after returning from the World Cup, where the Americans won their group for the first time in 80 years. Team USA was the victim of officiating blunders that have plagued the tournament, as two Americans’ goals were disallowed. Donovan told Letterman “for us it’s difficult because we know how fast the game is, and as a referee, you can’t see everything.” Donovan said it’s frustrating “to put that much into something you’re doing and all of a sudden, it’s taken away from you.”

I 1000% agree that the way World Cup tournaments get refereed needs to be changed. There were so many bad calls in this World Cup alone that FIFA had to issue an apology for them. Despite all the crap calls that were made against the US team, our boys did a fantastic job. I’m so glad that Landon Donovan is getting the attention he deserves … tho, I fear it will be fleeting, at least here in the US. Enjoy it while you can, Lando!

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Wooot!!! Congratulations goes out to the US Soccer Team today because they *just* defeated the Algerian Soccer Team by a score of 1-0 to advance to the second round of 2010 World Cup soccer tournament action. Team USA has advanced to the “sweet 16″ elimination round of the World Cup, winning their competitive group for the first time since 1930 … and it’s all thanks to LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan who scored the winning goal in the 91st minute of play:

Landon Donovan scored in the first minute of stoppage time off a rebound, advancing the United States to the second round at the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Algeria. With the U.S. perhaps three minutes from elimination, Jozy Altidore was stopped on a breakaway by goalkeeper Rais Bolihi. Donovan hustled in and kicked in the rebound to win Group C Wednesday. After his U.S. record 44th international goal, Donovan joyously ran to the corner flag and his teammates ran down the touchline to mob him. Donovan was in tears when the game ended and the United States had moved into the second round. With just its fifth shutout in World Cup play, the United States (1-0-2) won a World Cup group for the first time since 1930 and will face the runner-up in Group D this weekend. England (1-0-2), which beat Slovenia moments earlier, also had five points but finished second because the U.S. scored four goals to two for the English. Slovenia (1-1-1) was third with four points, missing advancing because of Donovan’s heroics. and Algeria (0-2-1) was last with one. Until Donovan’s goal, it appeared the officiating would again be the focus. Clint Dempsey put the ball in the net in the 21st minute off the rebound of Herculez Gomez’s shot. But the goal was called offside, just as Maurice Edu’s late goal was disallowed against Slovenia last week, a score that would have given the Americans a victory. Replays appeared to show Dempsey was onside. Dempsey had another great chance in the 57th minute when Michael Bradley stole the ball and sent Altidore streaking down the right side. Altidore crossed, but Dempsey’s hit the goalpost. He shot wide on the rebound.

Boy, what I wouldn’t give for a vuvuzela right now. Oh what the hell, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZ!!! Now y’all know I’m not a huge soccer fan but I have to be damn proud of Team USA for pulling out this literal last minute win. Now we advance to the next round of the World Cup … and they won their group for the first time in 70 years! Landon Donovan has proved to be the US’s #1 soccer stud … I think he should run for president ;) Congrats USA! Let’s take this thing all the way to the finals!!

[Source]

The World Cup soccer tournament is just about a month away and Vanity Fair magazine is getting into the tourney spirit with the cover of their new issue. Fútbol stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba are featured on the cover (and in their undies) of the new issue of VF magazine in a coverstory article that celebrates the upcoming soccer tournament:

In 38 days, it begins. The World Cup captivates more people around the globe than any other event, sporting or otherwise. Every four years, in pubs and corporate boardrooms, thatched huts and flophouses, fans of “the Beautiful Game” gather around televisions and transistor radios—and now, for the deep of pocket, iPhones and 3-D flat screens—to cheer for their heroes. They watch and listen by the billions, holding their breath at every corner kick, falling to their knees or leaping for joy at every goal scored. That this year’s tournament is in South Africa, where apartheid was the law of the land until 1994, only adds to the heightened sense of celebration—this is about a whole lot more than just soccer. For the June issue of Vanity Fair, Annie Leibovitz set out to capture some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o, and Brazil’s Kaká. Leibovitz’s portraits are, well, revealing. And underwear has never looked so patriotic. In America, these men might not enjoy the same name recognition as the stars of the N.F.L.—that game that we call football—but for most of the planet, they are more than just showstoppers. They are gods. A. A. Gill, in his accompanying June-issue essay, captures just how important football (don’t you dare call it “soccer,” he warns) and the World Cup are to the 6.8 billion of us who live on Planet Earth. “Football took to the world pitch at about the same time as the modern independent nation-state,” Gill writes. “After a flag, a national anthem, and a press release decrying Yankee imperialism, the next thing newly minted nations do is build a stadium and come up with a national grudge match.” Grudges old and new will be settled (or worsened) beginning on June 11, as South Africa opens the World Cup in Soweto against Mexico. Must-see games abound from there on, with England vs. U.S.A. (June 12) and most any matchup from the so-called Group of Death—Ivory Coast vs. Portugal (June 15), Brazil vs. Ivory Coast (June 20), Portugal vs. Brazil (June 25)—topping the list from the opening round.

It’s no secret that I am not a huge soccer fan (sorry, football fan) but I can’t help but be intrigued by the largest sports tournament that exists on the planet. Even tho it’s a very (very, very, very, very) long shot, I’ll be rootin’ for Team USA to win the whole shebang. While it’s highly unlikely, it’s not outside the realm of possibility … and that, I think, is what makes the World Cup tournament so exciting for everyone. Every single country has the same chance at World Cup glory :) After the jump, check out a couple photos of other soccer stars in the pages of this issue of VF mag and check out a behind-the-scenes video from the photoshoot …

Now that David Beckham is back in his blue and gold uniform of the LA Galaxy (and after facing some tough questions from some of his detractors earlier this week), Becks and the Galaxy got down to biz last night at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ where the Galaxy faced the New York Red Bulls in Becks‘s first game back with his team since he jumped ship to join AC Milan in Italy earlier this year. The Galaxy handily defeated the Bulls by a score of 3-1 … which inspired Becks and teammate Landon Donovan (who has been very vocal about his criticism of Becks‘s commitment to the Galaxy) to kiss and make up on the soccer field … well, hug and make up at least. Despite his superb play (or mebbe because of it), some of the game’s attendees were not too happy to see David Beckham on the field and were very vocal about their displeasure, too:

David Beckham has brushed aside the booing he was subjected to on his return to Major League Football in the United States where his commitment to the game has been questioned in recent months. “I’ve had a lot more boos before in games,” Beckham said after starting LA Galaxy’s 3-1 victory away to the New York Red Bulls. It was his first appearance for the club since he completed a six-month loan spell at AC Milan and missed the first 17 games of the US season. “It’s to be expected,” the 34-year-old midfielder said of the hostility from the supporters in the Giants Stadium in New York. At 23,000, the crowd was just over a third of that which attended his first game in America two years ago. “There were a lot of people highlighting that I might get booed, but I expected it,” Beckham said. “It’s sometimes nice to get them. It gives you some inspiration. When we played like we did, the boos start to go away in time.” Part of the controversy over Beckham has been stoked by comments from his team-mate – and Galaxy captain – Landon Donovan who has questioned the midfielder’s commitment and professionalism. Donovan, who shared a podium with Beckham after the match on Thursday evening, alluded to the controversy. “People are talking about soccer in this country,” he said. “Not always for the right reasons in the last few weeks, but they’re talking about it. There’s no right or wrong reason. It’s just good that people are thinking about soccer, talking about soccer, following soccer.” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena hailed Beckham’s return. “A few minutes ago I became a better coach with the addition of David Beckham,” the former US coach said. “He brings confidence to the team. He stepped right in and he has a good attitude. It’s not easy for him with the scrutiny.” Asked about the abuse, Arena said: “I would think he’s been booed before. I would think this is almost a pleasant environment for him to play in. He’s been in bigger venues, in bigger games and with more hostile conditions. He can cope with all that. “He’s really a great pro, very observant and really understood how to fit in and make the group better. David’s been through things like this literally hundreds of time. He didn’t need my coaching on that aspect. Given the issues, he had a great game.” Beckham’s next match – his first home game for the Galaxy since his return – is sold out. But then he is facing Milan who, like Chelsea, are on a pre-season tour to the US.

Congratulations goes out to the entire LA Galaxy team … altho I have my problems with the way that Becks has treated his teammates, I’m glad that they are able to come together and operate as a solid, winning unit. Here’s hoping they can keep playing well and continue to win games. I’m also glad that Becks continues to strip off his jersey at the end of his soccer games. After the jump, check out photos of a shirtless Becks celebrating the Galaxy win last night …