MLS is Back, a dialogue:
- Wednesday, March 11, 2020:
- MLS has just kicked off its 25th season in existence and is stronger than ever. We anticipate a marquee matchup on this beautiful March weekend as the five-time MLS Cup champions face a brand-new club in South Florida owned by none other than David Beckham, the two-time MLS Cup winning midfielder for the LA Galaxy. My word, this is going to be awesome.
- Thursday, March 12, 2020:
- MLS season has been postponed indefinitely.
- Friday, March 13, 2020-April 15, 2021:
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- Sunday, April 18, 2021:
- Let’s try this again. The league has just kicked off its 25th 26th season and is [insert: poised to return to some sense or normality] stronger than ever. We anticipate a marquee matchup this beautiful March April weekend as the five-time MLS Cup champions face a brand-new second-year club in South Florida owned by none other than David Beckham, the two-time MLS Cup winning midfielder for the LA Galaxy. My word, this is going to be awesome finally happening [and will be awesome].
- MLS is back, and the LA Galaxy return, donning new community kits, featuring a new coach and sporting a new feel heading into the 2021 season. With a nod to past success, led by a number of those who helped lay the foundation, the club is looking ahead. The 2020 season is here. Club legend Greg Vanney returns as a proven MLS coach to lead the group into a new era. Game on.
Lineup Notes:
- In net, Jonathan Bond makes his MLS debut for the G’s. After joining the club from England this offseason from West Brom, Bond enters into the year with LA looking to establish himself as a top keeper in Major League Soccer. No relation to James.
- On the right is Oniel Fisher, who is good at soccer and also very good at video documenting preseason trips. Fisher makes his debut start for the club after notching 66 total appearances in the league since 2015.
- In the center of defense is Daniel Steres, who has become a constant across the Galaxy backline since he joined from LA Galaxy II in 2015. He has made 122 appearances for the club.
- Los dos centerbacks in Sunday’s lineup hail from Los Dos, as Nick DePuy (a follow Galaxy II product) gets the start. DePuy broke into the lineup last season and will look to compete for a spot in central defense this year.
- On the left is a Southern California native who returns home to debut with his hometown club: Jorge Villafana. He has established himself as one of the most reliable left backs in Major League Soccer during his time in Portland, with over 188 appearances. In all, the Galaxy backline has nearly 400 total MLS appearances.
- Locking down the middle of the field is Jonathan dos Santos, who is one of Major League Soccer’s best in the center. The Mexico international leads the squad in what is already his fifth season with the club.
- Alongside Dos Santos is LA Galaxy Academy product Adam Saldana, who signed with the first team this offseason and makes his debut start in MLS. Saldana was a mainstay for Los Dos last season and impressed in the preseason this year.
- Out wide on the right is Sebastian Lletget, the Galaxy and USMNT veteran who enters in strong form, having found success recently while on international duty. Lletget has 132 total MLS appearances to his name with the Galaxy.
- In the middle is Victor Vazquez, who returns to Major League Soccer and head coach Greg Vanney after an incredibly successful stint with TFC. 16 goals, 25 assists, 52 appearances; not bad.
- Out wide on the left is the Frenchman Samuel Grandsir, who joined the club this season from AS Monaco as a TAM player. Grandsir will look to showcase his talent on Sunday in South Florida.
- Up top is Chicharito, who is looking for a bounce back season and has put in the work this offseason on himself and his game. He leads the attack this year.
Game notes:
- Julian Araujo (red card suspension from final 2020 match) and Kevin Cabral (not yet with team) are unavailable for selection on Sunday.
- Sunday marks the Galaxy’s first-ever matchup against Inter Miami.
- Sunday’s starting XI marks three Los Dos products in the starting XI (Steres, DePuy, Saldana).
- Last year, the Galaxy finished with a 2-5-2 road record, with 9 goals scored and 17 conceded.
- The LA Galaxy’s 2021 MLS Regular Season home opener is set for next Sunday, April 25 at 2:30 p.m. PT at Dignity Health Sports Park against New York Red Bulls.
Storylines:
- How will Galaxy and MLS newcomers fare in their debut: Bond, Saldana, Grandsir?
- What will Chicharito produce in his 2020 debut?
- How will a Galaxy attack look without last year’s leader in goals and assists?
- What will the new-look Galaxy under Greg Vanney show in their opening match?
- Can the Galaxy backline shut down Miami’s attack?
- Is South Florida the eighth Wonder of the World?
Quickies:
- Match preview: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2021/04/16/match-preview-presented-echo-outdoor-power-inter-miami-vs-la-galaxy-april-18-2021
- Chicharito on athletes as human beings and the importance of mental health – worth a watch: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2021/04/14/javier-chicharito-hernandez-speaks-importance-mental-health?autoplay=true
- Oniel Fisher’s preseason documentary is amazing: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2021/04/13/behind-scenes-oniel-fisher-documents-preseason-trip-tucson?autoplay=true
- Ahead of their home opener, the Galaxy are outlining how DHSP will look with fans in the building: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2021/04/15/dhsp-safe-all-details-attending-la-galaxy-match-dignity-health-sports-park?autoplay=true
Miami Lyrics – Will Smith
[Intro]
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
Miami, uh, uh
South Beach, bringin the heat, uh
Haha, can y'all feel that
Can y'all feel that
Jig it out, uh
[Verse 1]
Here I am in the place where I come let go
Miami the bass and the sunset low
Everyday like a mardi gras, everybody party all day
No work all play, okay
So we sip a little something, leave the rest to spill
Me n' Charlie at the bar runnin up a high bill
Nothin less than ill, when we dress to kill
Everytime the ladies pass, they be like (Hi Will)
Can y'all feel me, all ages and races
Real sweet faces
Every different nation, Spanish, Hatian, Indian, Jamaican
Black, White, Cuban, and Asian
I only came for two days of playing
But everytime I come I always wind up stayin
This the type of town I could spend a few days in
Miami the city that keeps the roof blazin
[Hook]
Party in the city where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
Welcome to Miami
Bienvenidos a Miami
Bouncin in the club where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
I'm goin to Miami
Welcome to Miami
[Verse 2]
Yo I heard the rainstorms ain't nothin to mess with
But I can't feel a drip on the strip, it's a trip
Ladies half-dressed, fully equipped
And they be screamin out, (Will we loved your last hit)
So I'm thinkin I'mma scoot me somethin hot
In this salsa- merengue melting pot
Hottest club in the city, and it's right on the beach
Temperature get to ya, it's about to reach
Five-hundred degrees
In the carribean seas
With the hot mamis screaming "¡Ay papi!"
Everytime I come to town, they be spottin me
In the drop Bentley, ain't no stoppin me
So, cash in your dough
And flow to this fashion show
Pound for pound anywhere you go
Yo, ain't no city in the world like this
An' if you ask how I know, I gots ta plead the fifth
[Hook]
Party in the city where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
Welcome to Miami
Bienvenidos a Miami
Bouncin in the club where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
I'm goin to Miami
Welcome to Miami
[Verse 3]
Don't get me wrong, Chi-town got it goin on
And New York is the city that we know don't sleep
And we all know that L.A. and Philly stay jiggy
But on the sneak, Miami bringin heat for real
Y'all don't understand
I never seen so many Dominican women with cinnimon tans
Mira, this is the plan
Take a walk on the beach, draw a heart in the sand
Gimmie your hand
Damn, you look sexy
Let's go to my yacht, in the West Keys
Ride my jetskis, loungin in the palm trees
Cause you gotta have cheese for the summerhouse piece on South Beach
Water so clear, you can see to the bottom
Hundred-thousand dollar cars, e'ybody got em
Ain't no surprise in the club to see Sly Stallone
Miami, my second home
Miami
[Hook]
Party in the city where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
Welcome to Miami
Bienvenidos a Miami
Bouncin in the club where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
I'm goin to Miami
Welcome to Miami
Party in the city where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
Welcome to Miami
Bienvenidos a Miami
Bouncin in the club where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
I'm goin to Miami
Welcome to Miami
[Outro]
Party in the city where the heat is on
