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Some afternoon links to go with any lunch
- The LA Times has picked up on the Robbie Keane injury story, also pointing out that Donovan could take up to a month to get match fit. I have doubts it'll take that long, and I'm also confused at Baxter's conclusion that this will cause more shuffling of the lineup. Jack McBean and Jose Villarreal have already started up top together, so he seems to be trying to imply without saying that the Galaxy need Magee up top which would require Sean Franklin to step up to the midfield. I agree, if that's what he's trying to say. The youngsters need someone with experience up top to guide them toward better shot choices.
- We've seen the ratings for the MLS Rivalry Week slate two weeks ago, but Big Soccer has gathered all the MLS ratings to date. The 209k for Seattle vs. Portland is the best for an NBC Sports broadcast this year, while ESPN's best broadcast thus far was First Week week with Portland vs. New York with 221k. The USA vs. Costa Rica tilt on ESPN Friday managed an 0.7 rating.
- By the by, that 209k 0.1 rating for Seattle vs. Portland on NBC Sports was their fourth best broadcast on the week. SKC vs. Chicago earlier in the day clocked in at 82k.
- In talking about ratings, it's important to understand where networks rank in average viewers. ESPN is the no. 1 sports network averaging just over a million viewers, but the rest of the nets were much lower. ESPN2 averaged 282k, NBC Sports 102k, Fox Soccer is way down at 26k. The big issue with FSC is that outside of its weekend morning soccer programming and occasional champions league programming, the well is fairly dry.
- The LA Galaxy academy lost today to Fulham FC 2-1 in the Dallas Cup, with Drew Murphy scoring a PK for the Galaxy's lone goal. Murphy scored the match winner in Sunday's tilt against Eintracht Frankfurt, with Paul Arriola with a very nice goal for the equalizer leading to a 2-1 victory. Only the three group winners and the best second place team make it to the semi-finals. The Galaxy have Cortiba FC of Brazil still to face.