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CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena admits that while the club is in “discussions” that could send forward Chad Barrett to Norwegian club Vålerenga, the forward could participate in Saturday’s match against FC Dallas.
Following training on Thursday, Arena told reporters that Barrett remains a “player on our team” and confirmed that the 27-year-old forward was available for selection on Saturday.
Barrett returned to training on Monday following his week-long trial with the Oslo-based club and made a brief stint during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. If Barrett plays against Dallas, he could have a substantial role in the Galaxy’s offense that will be without forward Landon Donovan due to yellow card accumulation and potentially David Beckham due to his Olympic commitments.
In an interview with the Associated Press, LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham claims that he will play a role in Friday’s opening ceremonies to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Beckham was not selected for Stuart Pearce’s Great Britain’s soccer team at the Games, but told the AP on Tuesday that he will play an unspecified role in the ceremony.
"It is some kind of role in the opening ceremony which I am honored to be involved in because obviously I was involved in the start process with this seven years ago," Beckham told The Associated Press. "And for Seb (chair of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games Sebastian Coe) to have kept me involved, I'm very proud of that."
In the interview, Beckham also specified that he’ll be traveling back and forth between the U.S. and London to fulfill his duties with the Galaxy. Beckham is expected to travel back sometime today so that he can appear in Wednesday’s MLS All-Star game against Chelsea at PPL Park in Chester, PA.
"I'll be going back and forward but I'll definitely be trying to get to a few events," he said.
However, no decision has been made on his status for Saturday’s match against FC Dallas according to head coach Bruce Arena, who said after training on Monday that Beckham will miss “very few” matches to fulfill his Olympic responsibilities.
CARSON, Calif. -- In the span of a week, Jose Villarreal's life has changed significantly.
Villarreal scored his first professional goal last Wednesday, helping the Galaxy salvage a point in a 2-2 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The goal itself was world class -- which is nominated for MLS goal of the week -- and has helped the youngster draw significant media attention since. On Monday, LA-based reporters caught up with Villarreal ahead of Tuesday's clash against Tottenham Hotspur, a match that the 18-year-old midfielder is expected to play a significant role in.
Villarreal's quotes are below...
(On the reception since his goal…)
VILLARREAL: “It was blowing up, my phone was vibrating in the locker room and I was trying to find a way to shut it off. It was good though; all my teammates just hit me in the head and threw socks at me. It was fun.”
(On his goal…)
VILLARREAL: “There are a couple of guys that can do that, but I’ve just been watching Robbie and obviously you pick up some stuff from them. I’m happy that I picked that up.”
(On playing Tottenham...)
VILLARREAL: “If the chance is there then I’ll take advantage of it, but I’m looking forward to having a good time and enjoying it. Playing against Van der V aart, Bale all those players, they’re great players and it’ll be a great time.”
(On what player he'd most like to face on Tottenham...)
VILLARREAL: “Van der Vaart.”
(On his mentality against Vancouver…)
VILLARREAL: “Before I came in, I was telling myself that I couldn’t be nervous because if I was then I was going to play nervous and that wasn’t going to help the team so just be mentally focused and do what you do.”
(On learning from Keane and Donovan…)
VILLARREAL: “When we’re doing finishing or small sided goals, I ask them what type of movements or how to finish and stuff like that. They obviously tell me and even if I don’t ask then they tell me.”
(On the one thing that training with them has taught him…)
VILLARREAL: “Just speed of thought. When you get the ball, you need to know what you’re going to do before you even get it. Just getting into good spots before you even touch the ball then you’re eventually going to get the ball and do what you do.”
(On the praise since his goal…)
VILLARREAL: “It feels good and I’m very happy. All of a sudden, I have a lot of friends now; I don’t know where that came from. I’m very happy and I appreciate the coaches and family for their support and everyone here from the staff everyone…they all supported me before my injury and now that I’m good, I’m just going to keep going from here.
CARSON, Calif. – Forward Chad Barrett was back at LA Galaxy training on Monday morning, but no decision either way about a potential move to Norway’s Vålerenga.
Barrett, who is currently out of contract at the end of the year, returned from Norway last Saturday after a week-long trial with the Oslo-based club and was in attendance during the Galaxy’s 3-1 victory over Chivas USA.
Following training on Monday, the 27-year-old forward did not speak with the media, but head coach Bruce Arena addressed Barrett’s status.
“Chad Barrett is back from an opportunity in Norway and we’re waiting for the club response this week,” the Galaxy coach told reporters.
Arena also left the door open that Barrett could feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Tottenham Hotspur, a team that the forward supported as a teenager.
“It’s a possibility,” said Arena. “Nothing is definite at this point.”
VANCOUVER, Canada— It was a night to remember for Jose Villarreal as the forward scored his first professional goal saving a point for the LA Galaxy in a 2-2 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Villarreal’s goal was a wonderstrike that was created from a ball over-the-top from David Beckham that allowed Juninho to dish to the youngster. Villarreal then cut past Gerson Koffie and fired a left-footed shot into the far post of the net. Above is a photo that I snapped of the autographed game ball that was presented to Villarreal from the entire Galaxy squad.
Villarreal’s thoughts after his first professional goal below:
(On coming late and changing the result…)
VILLARREAL: “I was happy that I finally got the chance and happy that I got the goal to tie it up so I’m really happy with the result.”
(On his world-class finish and how it started…)
VILLARREAL: “I don’t know, I’m just training every day and it just comes out. I saw the ball and I immediately cut it to my left foot and then just hit it far post.”
(On his mindset through the game…)
VILLARREAL: “Everything was pretty fast and once I got a couple of touches on the ball then the game slowed down. I got my rhythm and then I scored.”
(On his thoughts immediately after scoring the goal…)
VILLARREAL: “I didn’t have any words to describe it. I was very happy and I just want to keep going.
(Is this the start of playing more…)
VILLARREAL: “ I don’t know, that’s up to the coaches, but I’m going to continue to keep working and hopefully I’ll get more minutes, but if not then I’ll keep working.
LA Galaxy forward Chad Barrett appears set for a training stint with Norwegian club Vålerenga.
In an interview with the club’s official website head coach of the Oslo-based club Martin Andresen spoke highly of the forward.
“We look for opportunities to enhance our offensive against the fall season. We have some good reports on Chad and he wished himself to come to Norway to show off," Andresen told the club’s official website. “That's why he comes here this week to train with us. Then we saw him in our environment so we can make an even more thorough assessment of him as to whether we want to tie ourselves to him.”
Barrett did not travel with the club for their Pacific Northwest road trip.
UPDATE: Barrett sent the following from his Twitter account Tuesday morning:
"Hey guys, wasn't really supposed to write anything so i apologize for leaving you all in the dark but i have been allowed by the club to go on trial with Valerenga IF here in Oslo in search to possibly take my game abroad and i am extrmemly thankful for the opportunity and chance to see what may come of it. i am here training this week and though it is a great experience i miss the day to day interactions with the guys and playing in front of the great @LAGalaxy faithful. Great game by the fellas against Portland, i know they enjoyed my hometown. good luck to them against the Whitecaps, and of course stomp out those Goats on the weekend and I'll see the guys after a 9 point week!!!"
