Birchall makes "Team of the Week".
TTFF Media.
Midfielder Chris Birchall made the American MLS’ Sports Illustrated “Team of the Week” for his contribution in LA Galaxy’s 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Birchall was reportedly solid in the midfield throughout for Bruce Arena’s team. Birchall combined with Brazilian Juninho in the build up to Edson Buddle’s 76th minute winner. Arena, former head coach of the US National team, said he’s happy to be coaching what he claims could be the best Galaxy team since he took over.
“It’s probably the best team we’ve had in my tenure.I don’t want to go back to the old years, but obviously in the last two years, this is the best group we have. We have pretty good depth.” That team includes US midfielder Landon Donavon and Buddle, who has seven goals this season and is pressing for a US World Cup team call up. In related news, both Cornell Glen and Scott Sealy were inactive in San Jose Earthquakes’ 2-0 win over New England Revs on the weekend while defender Julius James picked up a 74th minute yellow card in DC United’s 2-0 loss to Chicago Fire, playing the full 90 in the process.
Over in Turkey, Jamal Clarence was also an unused substitute in Hacettepe’s 0-0 draw with Orduspor in League Two action on Sunday. Clarence’s team is 16th on the 18-team table with 34 points one off 15th placed Kaykur. The bottom three teams are relegated at the end of the season. In the First Division, Darryl Roberts played the full 90 but couldn’t help Denizlispor from falling 2-1 to Antalyaspor AS on the weekend which left them second from bottom of the table. The bottom three teams are also relegated at season end. Midfielder Khaleem Hyland meantime played all of Zulte Waregem’s 5-0 loss to Belgium giants Gent in the Jupiler (Premier) League on Sunday. He also played the full 90 in their previous 2-0 win over Club Brugge a few days earlier. Zulte are 6th on the 15-team table and are still contesting a spot in the Europa League next season as they lie eight points off third place Gent.