Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, November 17, 2011

Local TV deal for the Galaxy etched in stone

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Galaxy announced that they have signed a 10-year $55 million local TV deal with Time Warner Cable's regional sports channels starting next season, according to reports from the Los Angeles Times and Sporting News.

Combined with the three-year, $30-million national deal between MLS and NBA, and the Galaxy are in good financial stead.

“It's a major deal for our team and I'm telling you it never happens without David Beckham,” said AEG president/CEO Tim Leiweke, whose company owns the Galaxy.

The G's follow the lead of the Los Angeles Lakers, whose 20-year broadcast deal with Time Warner Cable is values at $3 billion.

Comparisons, shcomparisons

When asked about the how this year's Los Angeles Galaxy side compared to teams of the past, manager Bruce Arena was confounded, to say the least.

“Couldn’t even compare it,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “I don’t even know how you do that. It doesn’t make any sense. I have no idea how you even begin that discussion.”

But when asked about comparing this year's Galaxy to D.C. United 1997 squad, Arena gave a different reaction.

“The only thing I would say – because sometimes you can say that you’re comparing apples to oranges – is that’s an era where there are 10 teams,” Arena said of the '97 D.C. United squad. “And this is 18 teams so it’s a lot harder, I would think.

"I don’t know how you compare any of that stuff. I can never figure it out."

Set piece warning in place for LA

Back at training, the Galaxy were wary of one strength that the Houston Dynamo possesses: set pieces.

“We’re going to try and limit as many set-piece opportunities [as possible],” Galaxy defender Sean Franklin told Bueno. “They’ve scored 22 goals on set pieces and five in the postseason. They’re a great team on set pieces. They’re a big team. They get great service and we just have to be aware of that and not make dumb fouls.”

Even with their main provider Brad Davis out due to injury, the Dynamo are still a force when it comes to set pieces and have plenty of people willing to step up.

“We’ve been letting up goals on set pieces in the last third of this year, specifically," defender Omar Gonzalez said. "I don’t know what it’s been, but I think everyone knows that that’s been one of our weaknesses the last third of the season. Everyone knows they have to step up and mark the right way."