LA Wins MLS-USL Caribbean Tourney

Lost somewhere in what felt like a busy weekend, a couple of preseason tournaments involving clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and the United Soccer Leagues Division 1 (USL-1) snuck a bit under the radar. One of these - the Puerto Rico MLS-USL Challenge - concluded with the Los Angeles Galaxy taking the spoils...which may or may not have been limited to redneck gifts certificates to Sizzler, or something of comparable value. Though, there's no underestimating the value of getting fit ahead the long, long (oh god...I just flashed forward to July in my head...the horror...) MLS season, right kids?

At any rate, I really have only stray match reports to pass on: one for each of FC Dallas' two experiences in the tournament, which included a win over the Rochester Raging Rhinos where they played badly and a loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders where they, apparently, played better. Go figure. One thing to note on the win: Dallas' new signing, Carlos Toja, scored in the game against the Rhinos.

Los Angeles won both their games: the first a 3-2 decision over Rochester (written up by the incomparable Laurie on The Offside's LA Galaxy blog), while the other, a (very) brief item run by LA Soccer News, talks about the second game, a 2-1 win over Puerto Rico, in the context of LA winning the whole she-bang.

The Islanders' website tells a longer tale, and one that reads more favorably to the hosts. No shock there...which isn't to say that wasn't true. Still, the pre-Beckham/Donovan-free version of the Galaxy suggests that LA's original team will be a tough nut this season.

And FC Dallas' season so far has to have one wondering how far down the Western Conference table they'll finish.

I'll do a similar update for the Carolina Challenge Cup once that one wraps up.

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