View from the Blues, Volume Eight: Charity, Miranda and Humble Pie

Orange County seeing stars...

On Saturday, April 2, Charlie Naimo's Pali Blues began to wrap up the activity prior to the start of their 2011 USL PRO campaign, starting with a charity match against the Orange County All-Stars.

The result? A 7-0 whitewash, in predictable fashion.

Argentina's Walter Gaitan, one of the star players for the Blues, opened the scoring in the 15th minute. In the 22nd minute, Gaitan made it a brace after Chukwudi Chijindu's initial volley hit the woodwork.

Tomislav Colic made it 3-0 Blues before halftime, thanks to a keeper blunder. After the break, it was 4-0 LA when substitute Cesar Rivera scored off a Colic delivery. In the 56th minute, another error by All-Stars keeper Luis Trujillo allowed Chijindu to get on the score sheet, and Gerardo Bravo capitalized on yet another mistake by Trujillo to make it 6-0.

Israel Sesay made it 7-0 near the very end to round out a field day for the Blues at Titan Stadium on the campus of California State University in Fullerton, California.


The arrival of Miranda...

On Thursday, April 7, the Los Angeles Blues signed El Salvador's Edwin Miranda. Miranda played 150 matches in the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2-Pro League.

After starting for the Portland Timbers in 2004 and 2005, Miranda enjoyed a highly successful three-year stint with the Puerto Rico Islanders, crowned with a championship in his final season. The midfielder donned the jersey of Miami FC in 2009 and helped the PDL’s Hollywood United Hitmen reach the playoffs the following year. After the 2010 PDL season, Miranda returned to Puerto Rico just in time to help the Islanders to another championship.

“Edwin was on our radar for a long time,” Naimo told Gunnar Berndt of LABluesProSoccer.com. “After he touched base with us about a month ago, we made some changes to make room for him on the roster.

"Edwin gives us depth at the holding midfield position, but he’s also very versatile and can move to center back. Combined with his experience and his track record of success, that makes him a very good fit for us."

“I’ve played at this level for about seven years, but it was always away from home,” said Miranda. “So to have a new team in LA was a fantastic opportunity. I had a few options on the table, including staying in Puerto Rico, but I really wanted to play for the Blues. Of course I realize that’s also a tremendous responsibility. Since I know the USL inside out, I need to step up as a leader in the locker room and help the new guys out wherever I can.”

Miranda was pleased with the potential the Blues brought.

“We’re looking very good, especially for being a first-year team," Miranda said "Obviously the players are still getting to know each other, so we haven’t reached our full potential yet. In addition to working hard in training, we also need to become close friends off the field. I believe that’s huge in trying to build a unit on the field.

“It’s hard to make predictions for a league with so many new teams. But the club and the coaches have put such a great roster together that I honestly think we have the potential to win it all this year. I can’t wait for the season to get started.”


Blues in the PDL

The Los Angeles Blues 23 will be playing in the Premier Development League, for players under 23, replacing the Hollywood United Hitmen.

The home venue for the LA Blues 23 will be the same home as the Pali Blues, the Stadium by the Sea in Pacific Palisades. Furthermore, they will compete in the PDL Western Conference Southwest Division.

“We have immediately improved the strength and quality of the already formidable PDL Southwest Division with the addition of LA Blues 23,” USL President Tim Holt told LABluesProSoccer.com.  “As they have demonstrated with the Pali Blues of the W-League and thus far with the Los Angeles Blues of USL PRO, the ownership and management of the Los Angeles Blues are dedicated to running a first-class operation and putting a winner on the field.”

The operation of LA Blues 23 will be overseen by Vijay Dias, a former Indiana University player and experienced soccer administrator.  Dias will be supported by LA Blues general manager Alyse LaHue and Naimo.

"We are happy to be adding a pro PDL team to our organization,” Naimo said. “There were many tough decisions that were made as we put together the USL PRO side and with this addition we hope we can provide more opportunity while we strengthen our base of talent."

Other teams in the Southwest Division include 2009 PDL champion Ventura County Fusion, the BYU Cougars, the Fresno Fuego, the Los Angeles Legends, the Ogden Outlaws, Orange County Blue Star and the Southern California Seahorses.

Here is the schedule for the LA Blues 23.
LA Blues 23 2011 PDL Schedule (all times ET)

Friday, 4/29                               @ Fresno                                            10 p.m.
Saturday, 5/7                           @ Orange County                                    8 p.m.
Friday, 5/13                               @ Ventura                                           10 p.m.
Saturday 5/21                          vs. Southern California                             10 p.m.
Saturday 5/28                          vs. Los Angeles                                      10 p.m.
Thursday 6/2                            vs. Ventura County                                10 p.m.
Sunday 6/5                                vs. Fresno                                            9 p.m.
Tuesday 6/7                              vs. Orange County                                10 p.m.
Saturday 6/11                          @ Los Angeles                                         9 p.m.
Friday 6/17                                vs. BYU                                                 10 p.m.
Saturday 6/25                          @ Southern California                              10 p.m.
Saturday 7/2                             vs. Ventura                                          4 p.m. (at Cal State Fullerton; triple-header with Pali Blues & Los Angeles Blues)
Friday 7/8                                  vs. Ogden                                           10 p.m.
Thursday 7/14                          @ Fresno                                              10 p.m.
Thursday 7/21                          @ BYU                                                  9:30 p.m.
Saturday 7/23                          @ Ogden                                               8 p.m.


Humble Pie at Victoria Street

In spite of dominating the ball possession battle, the LA Blues proved they can be beaten when they don't finish their chances, as they lost 2-0 in a preseason friendly against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center on Sunday, April 10.

Andrew Boyens opened up the scoring for Chivas in the 36th minute, and trialist Jason Banton made it 2-0 for the Goats in the 61st minute off the delivery by Victor Estupiñan.

The Blues will look to rebound from this defeat in a big way when they begin a four-match island tour to open the season.

On April 15, the Blues take on Sevilla FC in the season opener at the Sevilla FC Stadium in JUncos. On Sunday, April 17, LA will take on Antigua Barracuda FC at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in St. John's. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday, April 20, Los Angeles will clash with Puerto Rico United at the Roberto Clemente Stadium in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET. Finally, the Blues will wrap up their island tour with a match against River Plate Puerto Rico at the Roberto Clemente Stadium on Saturday, April 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET.