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DSH Soccer Report: LA teams hire two high-profile coaches, Galaxy adds Jonathan dos Santos

What a week for soccer in Los Angeles, as the market's two clubs tried to one-up each other for headlines, while the Coliseum saw an attendance record set for a friendly between two of Europe's most electrifying clubs . . .

Los Angeles Football Club names Bob Bradley as head coach

The new MLS expansion franchise, the Los Angeles Football Club, made a splash with its first coaching hire, as the team this week named former U.S. Men's National Team coach Bob Bradley as head coach.  Bradley is the father of American star midfielder Michael Bradley.

Bradley has prior MLS head coaching experience, including in the Los Angeles area with Chivas USA.  He also has coached overseas, guiding Egypt's Men's National Team, as well as Swansea City in the Premier League.

The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) will begin play in the 2018 season.

Galaxy fires Onalfo, hires Sigi Schmid as head coach

Not to be outdone by its local competition, the LA Galaxy brought in a big name new coaching hire as well this week, as the team fired struggling Curt Onalfo, effective immediately, and replaced him with a familiar face in veteran Sign Schmid.

“In the city of Los Angeles and throughout North America, the LA Galaxy are the iconic standard of success and innovation within soccer,” said Schmid. “I am very proud to return to the Galaxy and I know the expectations here are to win championships each year, beginning with a sixth MLS Cup. I am thankful to AEG President and CEO Dan Beckerman, Galaxy President Chris Klein and Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas for the opportunity to lead this team. I will work tirelessly to again win trophies for the club, its players, our fans and the city of Los Angeles.”

Schmid, a two-time MLS Coach of the Year and two-time MLS Cup winner from his previous time with the Galaxy, Columbus Crew SC, and Seattle Sounders FC, will coach the team during their match this Saturday, July 29, at StubHub Center against Seattle Sounders FC.

“After a great deal of evaluation and careful consideration, we believe that Sigi Schmid is the best person to coach our team for the remainder of this season and into the future,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein. “Sigi is one of the most experienced coaches in the history of soccer in the United States and he is an extremely successful manager that has proven himself to be a winner within Major League Soccer. Sigi has been one of the best coaches the history of our league and we have full confidence in him to lead our team moving forward. Our goal remains to win trophies and be the best club in North America and we believe that Sigi gives us the best opportunity to achieve this. Curt Onalfo has been a loyal servant to the Galaxy and Galaxy II for a number of seasons and we wish him well.”

Schmid is the winningest-coach in MLS history with 254 wins across MLS regular and postseason play. Throughout his career, he has captured two MLS Cups (2002, 2008), a record five U.S. Open Cups (2001, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), three MLS Supporters’ Shields (2002, 2008, 2014) and coached one of just two teams ever to capture a CONCACAF Champions Cup (2000).

Additionally, he reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in 13 seasons, while recording 28 MLS Cup Playoff wins, the second most in MLS history. Schmid is one of two coaches in MLS history to guide two different teams to MLS Cup titles and he is one of three to coach in four total MLS Cup Finals.

Throughout his professional coaching career, which began in 1999 as the LA Galaxy Head Coach, Schmid has spent time with the Galaxy (1999-2004), Columbus Crew SC (2006-2008) and Seattle Sounders FC (2009-2016). During his time in MLS, Schmid has compiled a 228-165-113 record during the MLS Regular Season.

“After a great deal of communication with Chris Klein, Dan Beckerman and Mr. Anschutz we felt this was the best decision for our club going forward,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas. “There are a lot of games left in the second half of the MLS season and we believe Sigi can help guide this team while competing for a playoff position and our sixth MLS Cup. We will provide Sigi the necessary support and resources for this club to be successful.”

Schmid’s coaching career began in 1980 when he became head coach of the UCLA Men’s Soccer Program after serving as an assistant in previous years. He remained with UCLA, his alma mater, for nearly 20 years, leading the team to a 322-63-33 record, 16-consecutive playoff appearances and three NCAA championships (1985, 1990, 1997) while becoming one of the most successful soccer college coaches of all time. Following the 1997 season, Schmid was named NCAA Coach of the Year.

His time with UCLA led him to his first professional coaching job when he took over the LA Galaxy in 1999. In his first season with the club, he led the team to a 17-9-0 record and was voted the MLS Coach of the Year. From 1999-2004, Schmid led the LA Galaxy to four major trophies: the 2002 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2000 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup. Altogether, his Galaxy teams recorded a 79-53-32 record and reached the MLS Cup final four times, winning three division crowns.

Goalkeeper coach Daniel Gonzalez and Assistant Coach Rob Becerra will remain on the first-team coaching staff. Ante Razov will remain with the club in another role.

Galaxy add dos Santos as designated player

Looking to give their team a midseason boost, the LA Galaxy have signed Mexican midfielder Jonathan dos Santos from Spain’s Villarreal CF as the team’s third Designated Player, the club announced this week. Dos Santos, a regular starter for the Mexican National Team, joins the Galaxy after playing for Barcelona and Villarreal in Spain’s top-flight division, La Liga.

He will be joining his brother, Galaxy star and fellow designated player, Giovani dos Santos.

“Jonathan is a quality player that we think instantly becomes a top midfielder in Major League Soccer,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas. “His signing will significantly improve our team as we continue to push for the playoffs and, ultimately, a sixth MLS Cup. We believe Jonathan will be a leader during the second half of this season and for years to come. We look forward to him joining our squad.”

The 27-year-old Dos Santos will begin training on Friday, July 28, but he will not be available for selection when the team hosts Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, July 29 at 7 p.m. PT live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

Dos Santos joins the Galaxy after most recently representing Mexico in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he was named to the tournament’s Best XI after starting in four games and helping his country reach the semifinals. The midfielder began his career with F.C. Barcelona in 2009 before joining Villarreal, where he has made nearly 90 league appearances and scored four goals since 2014.

“Jonathan is an excellent midfielder with a wide range of technical abilities,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He can fit into our lineup at a number of different positions and improve our team in multiple ways. He still has his best years of playing in front of him and we are excited to add him to our team.”

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Dos Santos joined Barcelona’s famed academy system, La Masia, where he developed before making his eventual debut with the first team as a 19-year-old on Oct. 28, 2009, during a match in Spain’s Copa del Rey. He remained with Barcelona through 2014, making 29 appearances in all competitions, including matches played in the UEFA Champions’ League, La Liga SuperCopa and the Copa del Rey.

In 2014, Dos Santos moved to Villarreal CF in La Liga, where he developed into one of Spain’s standout midfielders. During his time with the club, the Mexican international has made over 120 appearances in all competitions, while scoring seven times and adding eight assists.

Internationally, Dos Santos has made 29 appearances across all competitions as a member of the Mexican National Team, including matches in FIFA World Cup Qualifying and the FIFA Confederations Cup. The midfielder made his debut for his country in 2009 at the age of 19.

International Champion's Cup sets LA Coliseum attendance record

The 93,098 tickets purchased for the recent international soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid FC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, not only was the largest crowd to witness a soccer match in the 94-year history of the stadium, but also established a record that may never be broken because in January 2018, the Coliseum is scheduled to undergo a $270 million renovation which will ultimately reduce capacity to approximately 78,500.

Manchester City defeated Real Madrid by a final score of 4-1.

The previous attendance record for a Coliseum soccer match was 92,650 for the Aug. 6, 2006 doubleheader featuring Chivas de Guadalajara versus FC Barcelona, and Chivas USA versus New England Revolution.

Galaxy's McBean suspended

LA Galaxy forward Jack McBean has been issued a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for a play in the 43rd minute of the Galaxy’s match against the New England Revolution on July 22.

McBean will serve the suspension during the Galaxy’s match on Saturday, July 29 against Seattle Sounders FC at StubHub Center (7 p.m. PT, ESPN and ESPN Deportes).

McBean has made eight starts and 14 appearances for the LA Galaxy this season, recording two goals and one assist on the campaign. He’ll next be available for selection when the Galaxy travel to face Portland Timbers on Sunday, Aug. 6 at Providence Park (1 p.m. PT, ESPN).

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services


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DSH Soccer Report: LA teams hire two high-profile coaches, Galaxy adds Jonathan dos Santos

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