With two months into the 2011 MLS season, the Los Angeles Galaxy find themselves on a similar path to repeating last year’s success of having the best record in the league. In eight games, the Galaxy has compiled 15 points so far, something that no other team has been able to do.

The Galaxy are a slight +150 favorite, FC Dallas is at +160 and a Draw is +225 in soccer betting lines.

The Los Angeles has great momentum right now, as they finished April with two solid victories. Plagued by a knee injury all season long, captain Landon Donovan finally made his 2011 debut. Donovan’s first appearance was impressive, as he scored two goals against the Portland Timbers, while Chad Barrett scored the other goal. The 3-0 victory against Portland was the best performance for the Galaxy in 2011.

David Beckham, who was recently suspended for a match, is back on the roster for LA. With that being said, the return of Landon Donovan will lead the Galaxy into a positive direction and help Los Angeles stay on top of the MLS league table for the second straight year.

F.C. Dallas has 7 points in six games so far, as inconsistency has been the issue for coach Hyndman’s squad. Dallas lost the first game of April, won the second, lost the third, and won the fourth. This type of roller coaster performance will not go far, especially to the MLS Cup route. On Sunday May 1st, the only factor Dallas F.C. can count on is the home crowd. However, the LA Galaxy will confidently step on the field at Pizza Hut Park knowing that a loss hasn’t been part of the team’s vocabulary since late March.

On Friday, forward Jeff Cunningham signed a multi-year contract with the Columbus Crew, returning to the team for which he played his first seven seasons in Major League Soccer.

In 12 appearances for the U.S. national team, Cunningham has one goal. In November 2009, he scored in an exhibition against Denmark. In league history, the 34-year-old has 132 MLS goals, which is the second highest and behind Jaime Moreno’s total. From 1998-04, his 62 league goals for Columbus are tied for first with Brian McBride. Last month, Cunningham’s 2011 option was declined by Dallas. In 2009, Cunningham led MLS with 17 goals.

In the 1998 College Draft, Cunningham was drafted by the Crew, playing a reserve role behind Brian McBride and Stern John. After John’s departure to England, he became a more regular starter, going on to start a total of 112 games in his first stint with the Crew. After the 2004 season, he left the team after having contributed 70 goals and 56 assists in all competitions.

With the No. 9 pick in the 1998 MLS draft, the Crew originally selected Cunningham. He played his first seven MLS seasons. Cunningham has played for Colorado, Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC and Dallas, since leaving Columbus. Cunningham is just one goal behind the retired Jaime Moreno for tops in the MLS record book. Cunningham has 132 career MLS goals.

Cunningham said in a statement that he is really excited to return to the club where he started his professional career. He added that when he was in a Crew jersey, he scored the first goal of his career and his 100th at Crew Stadium [while with FC Dallas]. He said that the Crew Stadium has always been special to me and it is only fitting for him that he breaks all-time scoring record in black and gold.

Major League Soccer has added two new teams. The Whitecaps, located in Vancouver, and the Timbers, located in Portland. Vancouver becomes the second Canadian soccer club in MLS.

The two teams recently took steps in building their squads by means of the expansion draft.

The first overall selection was made by the Timbers. The chose midfielder Dax McCarthy of FC Dallas. He would later be traded to DC United in exchange for midfielder/defender Rodney Wallace.

Timber general manager Gavin Wilkinson said this about Wallace, “Rodney is a young, yet proven MLS player who again gives us great versatility with his ability to play several positions.” Portland would make a trade with New York for Jeremy Hall. Hall was a college team mate of Rodney Wallace.
They would go on to draft two members if the US national team, but both players plan to play overseas next year, nor in the MLS.

Vancouver chose Sanna Nvassi of the Seattle Sounders as their first pick. Atiba Harris would be their next selection.

The expansion draft consisted of players on the 16 clubs in the MLS. Each club could protect eleven players but all other players were available to the two expansion teams.