Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, November 12, 2011

No problems for Robbie Keane

The Los Angeles Galaxy's Robbie Keane was all business donning the colors of the Boys in Green; that is, the Republic of Ireland national team as they coasted to a 4-0 rout of Estonia. The match was the first leg of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualification play-offs, held at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn.

Keane scored late, in the 71st minute and 88th minute off a penalty. Other goal scorers for Ireland included Keith Andrews in the 13th and Jon Walters in the 67th minute of play.

Estonia were forced to play down to nine men by the end of the full time whistle. The New York Red Bulls' Joel Lindpere came in for Martin Vunk in the 61st minute.

The second leg is scheduled for Nov. 15 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Barrett out due to injury

Meanwhile, back at training, Chad Barrett suffered a dislocated ankle and would be a scratch for MLS Cup on Sunday, Nov. 20.

“It was such an odd situation, the whole thing,” Galaxy defender/MLS Best XI selection Todd Dunivant told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “It was a nothing play. There was no contact. His cleat got stuck in the ground and his leg just rolled over. His foot was not where it was supposed to be. That’s unsettling when you see that.”

Adam Cristman and Paolo Cardozo are two players that can step in Barrett's shoes, Cristman being the stronger of the two due to his ability to hold the ball and win set pieces.

“From the team standpoint, he’s been a big part of our playoff run and we’re certainly going to miss him, but we’ve had those things happen all year and we’ve been able to cope with them,” Galaxy captain Landon Donovan said. “I’m sad for him, individually, because he had the chance to play for a championship in front of his home crowd and he’s meant so much to us this year.”

In addition, Barrett is unavailable for team friendlies against the Indonesia Super League XI, the Philippines National Team and Melbourne Victory FC. Effectively, Barrett's season is over.

MLS Cup...Is Sold Out

As expected, tickets for MLS Cup 2011 were selling at a premium. All remaining tickets for the event have been sold out, according to the LA Galaxy web site.

On Thursday, a number of tickets were available on the web site, but 10 minutes following the announcement, they were all sold out in a hurry.

Other sites like StubHub and EBay are still selling tickets, but are priced in the thousands.

Youth Academy Update

As the first team prepares for their shot at glory, the new up-and-comers are going through the motions as part of the LA Galaxy Academy. However, only one side played a contest this past week due to heavy rains falling down on the Southland.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the Galaxy Under-13's shut down Legends FC 3-1. Christian Perez scored a brace, while Jesus Nuñez added a third. The U-13s are 6-1-2 in their SCDSL league, two points behind league leaders FC Golden State.

All Academy teams will be in action this weekend. Here's the list of matches.

LA Galaxy U-12’s at Real So Cal                         Saturday, November 12
Game will be played at North Ranch #1 in Thousand Oaks starting at 2:55 p.m.

LA Galaxy U-13’s at Pateadores                                     Saturday, November 12
Game will be played at Don Juan Avila Middle School in Aliso Viejo at 10 a.m.

LA Galaxy U-14’s vs Beach FC                                       Saturday, November 12
Game will be played at Aviation Park in Manhattan Beach at 9:20 a.m.

LA Galaxy U-15’s vs. CZ Elite                                         Saturday, November 12
Game will be played at LA Harbor College in Wilmington at 2:30 p.m.

LA Galaxy U-16’s vs. Real So Cal                                   Saturday, November 12
Game will be played at The Home Depot Center in Carson starting at 12:30 p.m.

LA Galaxy U-18’s vs. Real So Cal                                   Saturday, November 12
Game will be played at The Home Depot Center in Carson starting at 10 a.m.

Tough decision is tough for Captain America

It was a tough decision for Landon Donovan to sit out the USA's friendly with France, which they lost 1-0. However, it was a decision that was earned, Donovan argued.

“It was very hard to make,” Donovan told Bueno. “I’ve been a guy who, since I started, has always been fully committed to that team and probably gone into a lot of games that I wasn’t physically right, I wasn’t healthy. So I think I’ve earned the right to make that decision.”

Donovan has not been at 100% health due to quad injury issues in October. Travel issues also played into the decision to focus on MLS Cup.

“The last thing anyone would want would be to go there, play the game, get hurt and miss the final and then we’d never forgive any of us,” Donovan said. “There were a lot of factors that played into that decision, and when all those factors were added up, it overwhelmingly made sense to stay here.”

In the end, USA team manager Jurgen Klinsmann understands the importance of Donovan to the Galaxy and gave him his blessing. Thankfully it wasn't a beatdown because France used an experimental lineup to get their result.

“It was the right decision and, fortunately, I have a coach who has played at the highest level, who has played for championships and knows that you only get so many chances to play for a championship,” Donovan concluded. “He said to me that he wanted me to come, but he fully respected and will respect my decision.

"At the end of the day, he understands what this means to me, he knows how much I’ve put into this year for this opportunity.”

Well done, that Klinsi.