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Let's take a quick look at some of the stories floating out there that affect the LA Galaxy and US Soccer. Michael Bradley has found a new home overseas, Chivas' Rodriguez wants to be alternative, and there may be free burritos in your near future.
*Old friend Michael Stephens has caught on at Michael Bradley's Stabaek side. Stephens was out of contract after the 2013 season, but did not try the re-entry process. This led to speculation that he was negotiating, but Stephens showed up trailing for former USMNT coach Bradley. Best of luck.
*The new head of Chivas USA Nelson Rodriguez spoke to the media for the first time yesterday. In his remarks he said that greater Los Angeles fans are looking for a soccer alternative, which is a strange thing for a league employee to say. It's also quite vague. Alternative as in cheaper? Alternative as in they prefer to wear red over blue? I'd like to see MLS' data on Los Angeles soccer fans the LA Galaxy have alienated.
*Chipotle was announced as a major sponsor of MLS yesterday. They will be the title sponsor of a game featuring MLS homegrown players to be a part of the AT&T sponsored MLS All-Star Game. The focus of the sponsorship will be on academy and homegrown players. During First Kick week, Chipotle will have buy one get one deals for MLS fans in specific markets; including Los Angeles so look out for that.
Omar Gonzalez is set to be the first spokesperson for this arrangement, as you can see in the photo with the youth team wearing the MLS Homegrown logo. Always love when MLS goes after sponsors that skew toward college and young families. MLS gear is starting to pop up in Old Navy stores too, which used to be a title sponsor of MLS.
*Speaking of sponsors, Unilever's Degree brand of deodorant just signed on to be an official US soccer sponsor ahead of the World Cup. It'll be interesting to see if we get soccer themed Degree commercials during the run-up to the World Cup. Better deodorant than McDonalds, right Olympics?