Posted by James

James here, Assistant Producer of World Football Daily, covering MLS opening weekend for
you.

World Football Daily was at the Home Depot Center to cover both the Chivas USA v.
Colorado Rapids and LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution games this weekend. We were also
very privileged to be at the Revolution practice on Friday, the day before their opening
kick-off. We were able to capture countless video of the highest quality with interviews
of many of the stars from all four teams. You can count on this type of coverage
throughout the MLS season here on World Football Daily.

The weekend started with our Friday trip to the training session of the New England
Revolution where we saw the Revs getting ready for their opening season encounter with
the Galaxy. We captured great footage of the training while also getting interviews with:
Manager Steve Nicol, Defender Cory Gibbs, Midfielder Chris Tierney, and Forward Kheli
Dube. The video is up now on wfdpremium.com, check out this great footage. Special thanks
to Lizz Summers for setting this up for us.

We came back later that day for the home opener for Chivas USA as they took on the
Colorado Rapids. Colorado started with a make-shift backline from last season, with
Marvel Wynne and Danny Earls as new comers to the back line; Jeff Larentowicz also made
his Rapids debut slotting into the midfield. Chivas decided to start two new boys:
Midfielder/Forward Osael Romero and Defender Michael Umana.

First half saw Chivas as the more dangerous team with a penalty shout in the 9th minute
that was not given, Saragosa had a shot that made goalkeeper Matt Pickens punch, who did
not look comfortable all game. Marvel Wynne had an excellent first half denying a
Gallindo chance in the 40th with a well-timed challenge. Colin Clark had the only real
scoring opportunity of the half for the Rapids with a long-range effort that went wide.

Chivas made a half-time change with Justin Braun coming on for Jorge Flores, moving
Braun up top with Gallindo and pushing Romero to the midfield. Colin Clark was the
Rapids? top midfielder for me all game and no more proof than in the opening goal of the
game where he drove up the left hand side and was able to get the ball to Omar Cummings
who spun and hit a low drive into the bottom corner for the goal. Good Finish by the
Jamaican. The rest of the game saw Colorado stay very organized and limit chances for
Chivas, only allowing one shot on goal in the second half. Final score: Colorado Rapids
1-0 Chivas USA.

It was the first ever win on the road to start a season for the Rapids and much of the
credit must go to the very organized back line. Man of the Match for me was Marvell
Wynne, looking to be on the plane to South Africa for the USA, limiting the number of
good opportunities that Chivas were able to create. Marshalling the back line, holding
the Goats to three shots, and catching them offside seven times in the match. Omar
Cummings also had a good game for the Rapids, did a lot of running and hard work for his
side up top with strike partner Conor Casey. I was impressed with the Rapids as a whole
and full marks to their Manager Gary Smith, who I thought out-coached Martin Vazquez in
this one. Superb road game by the Rapids.

We were able to grab Marvell Wynne for an interview in the tunnel after the game and
also went into the Chivas locker room and interviewed: Sacha Kljestan, Justin Braun, and
Chukwudi Chijindu.

Friday done. On to Saturday.

Saturday saw the defending Western Conference Champion LA Galaxy play the battered and
bruised, New England Revolution. Revs came into the game without Matt Reis, Taylor
Twellman, and Shalrie Joseph, while Emmanuel Osei got the nod over the very good yound
defender Darrius Barnes, who played every minute of every game last season, with Cory
Gibbs in the center of the defense; LA started two of the three Brazilians brought in
during the off-season, Juninho in the midfield and Leonardo at center back along with
impressive youngster, Omar Gonzales.

Galaxy were off to a flier with an Edson Buddle goal five minutes in. Landon Donovan,
back from his loan with Everton, swung in a beautiful free-kick and Buddle out-muscled
his man to head in the opener. Eddie Lewis was subbed off in the 26th minute with a left
foot contusion and was replaced with the newly acquired Brazilian, Alex Cazumba. Galaxy
looked dangerous from set-plays all first half and a Leonardo header in the 27th proved
that. Counter-attacking now, the Galaxy had an opportunity to score but Buddle?s effort
was blocked by Kevin Alston. New England was finding it hard creating chances in the half
with only one shot on a target, which was an easy save for Donovan Ricketts.

Second half saw Kelhi Dube -- who we interviewed the day prior -- miss two chances, one
in the 54th and one in the 58th minutes.

WFD team was tweeting all game long and we received a tweet from listener Norma, who was
at the game, wanting us to come visit her. So I did. It was great to meet a listener of
the show and I enjoyed my fifteen minute visit. Thank you for your support Norma!

Galaxy had numerous chances to put the game away in the second half, no more evident
than a Landon Donovan counter where he was clean in on goal, only to be unselfish and
pass, which was out of the reach of Cazumba.

Man of the Match for me has to be Edson Buddle. He was dangerous throughout with six
shots, two on target, and one goal; looks like Buddle could have a big season. He took an
elbow to the face in the second half, having just had braces removed two weeks ago, and
had to get a splint in behind his front bottom four teeth.

New England played well against one of the better MLS teams considering the injury list
they have upon them: only could dress 6 instead of 7 players on the bench. LA was
wasteful with a few too many chances and should have made the game more comfortable, but
three points is what they needed, and got. The center back pairing of Leonard and
Gonzales looks solid and they also have Greg Berhalter to slot in from time-to-time. They
could very well improve on last seasons defensive record where they gave up 31 goals.

After the game we go interviews with Sean Franklin and Omar Gonzales in the tunnel, and
went to locker room to interview: Landon Donovan, Todd Dunivant, and Edson Buddle.

It was a great weekend to kick-off the MLS season and we at WFD have excellent footage
of both games, and interviews with players and coaches. Look out for premium video?s of
this weekend?s action all next week at www.wfdpremium.com where you can get a taste of
what to expect from WFD?s coverage of the MLS this season.