The Major League Soccer season has begun.
It kicked off Tuesday with the Los Angeles Galaxy beating the host Seattle Sounders 1-0 with a goal from one of its international players, Juninho.
The match was not a spectacular show. It had what you'd expect from a season opener. But don't judge the 2011 MLS season on that match. Major League soccer could be much more interesting this year.
After all, It is one of the world's fastest growing leagues but it probably doesn't get the respect it might deserve.
As it enters its 16th season, Major League Soccer could be creating a buzz similar to when the league began in the 1990s and when one of the world's biggest soccer stars became part of the league.
David Beckham is entering his final year of his five-year pact with the Los Angeles Galaxy and that alone could bring plenty of interest to the league.
The league also has two expansion teams this year in Portland and Vancouver. That should draw some more interest from the Northwest. But Beckham could be a more intriguing point.
It is yet to be seen if Becks will remain in MLS after the 2011 campaign but he appears to be focusing on the immediate task: trying to help the Galaxy get back into the MLS Cup.
Beckham has not played in an official match since the Galaxy lost in the Western Conference finals in November. He spent most of the summer training with English Club Tottenham Hotspur but never came to an agreement to play an official match with the team.
Beckham's only time in a game this off season was in an exhibition match last month. And it happened here in San Diego. The Galaxy played to a 2-2 draw against Mexican second division side Club Tijuana Xolos but lost in penalty kicks.
"It's always a good thing to get back on the pitch," Beckham said after the match. "I've had a couple of months to prepare.
It's always important to get the fitness in."
Many might wonder if Becks is fit to continue playing after this season. Will his game decline? Can he perform to the standards required by the Galaxy? Is this season more important?
Becks doesn't think so.
"It's not more important than any other year," Beckham said. "It's not more important than my first year I came out here or the first year I began playing football. I felt good out there and it was good to get in a game before we start the season."
And the start to the season could be a challenging one for the Galaxy. Both of its first two matches come against two of the league's toughest teams on prime time television.
The Sounders always bring a rough game and feed off the Qwest Field loud crowd. Los Angeles then has its home opener five days later at The Home Depot Center in Carson against the New England Revolution, a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference.
As far as team captain Landon Donovan sees it, the Galaxy are good shape.
After all, the club will feature Beckham, Donovan and striker Juan Pablo Angel as their main source to their attack.
But perhaps the Galaxy's strong point will be its defense as most of its back line returns this season. Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant and Gregg Berhalter are back.
Veteran defender and San Diego native, Frankie Hejduk, joined the team this off season. He is expected to add experience and strength.
There is no secret Donovan is a fueling strength for the Galaxy. He is ready for another year after changing a bit of his off season training regimen.
He said he has spent more time in the weight room and has worked more on building size while maintaining his conditioning. Other than that, he doesn't expect this to be a vastly different season other than he expects more wins.
"This is as good as I felt in recent years," Donovan said after facing the Xolos. "There will be some pressure to do as well or better than last year but I think we are coming together as a team and we'll have a good season."
A season that could be equally as important to the Galaxy as to the league.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
AT A GLANCE
Los Angeles Galaxy
Last Year: 18-7-5 (first overall, first in West); lost to FC Dallas in conference final.
Key Returners: Coach Bruce Arena, M Landon Donovan, M David Beckham, G Donovan
Ricketts, M Jovan Kirovski, M Juninho, D A.J. DeLaGarza, M Chris Birchall, D Sean Franklin, M Michael Stephens, D Omar Gonzalez, D Todd Dunivant, D Gregg Berhalter, F Mike Magee, D Leonardo, F Bryan Jordan, G Josh Saunders.
Key loses: F Edson Buddle, F Tristan Bowen, M Eddie Lewis, M Chris Klein, M Dema Kovalenko, D Yohance Marshall.
Key Additions: F Juan Pablo Angel, F Chad Barrett, M Paolo Cardozo, F Adam Cristman, D Frankie Hejduk, M Liguel Lopez.
Outlook: The Galaxy spent most of last year atop the MLS standings in 2010, winning the Supporters' Shield with the best regular season record. The season was a promising one before a 3-0 loss to FC Dallas in the conference finals shattered the Galaxy's shot at a second-straight MLS Cup. The Galaxy now enters the 2011 season after a bit of retooling. Los Angeles now must replace the 17 goals lost by the departure of Edson Buddle, the U.S. national team forward and MLS' second-leading scorer last season. Buddle signed with Ingolstadt in Germany's second division. Landon Donovan is the most obvious solution, and he's locked in after taking the winter off following his draining World Cup year. Juan Pablo Angel, formerly of the New York Red Bulls, should help, and fellow 35-year-old David Beckham also could reinvigorate the Galaxy with a healthy first full MLS season, the last of his contract. The Galaxy could rely on its depth as they are slated to play in six CONCACAF Champions League games during the MLS regular season schedule. It should be an interesting season for Coach Bruce Arena's squad.
[sidebar]MLS Schedule this week
Tuesday, Mar. 15
Los Angeles 1, Seattle 0
Saturday 19
Toronto FC at Vancouver, 3:30 p.m.
Columbus at D.C. United, 4:30 p.m.
Seattle at New York, 4:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Houston, 5:30 p.m.
Chicago at FC Dallas, 5:30 p.m.
Portland at Colorado, 6 p.m.
Kansas City at Chivas USA, 7:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 20
New England at Los Angeles, 5 p.m.
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