Dearly beloved here on Bleacher Report, we are gathered here today to mourn the loss of a footballer's fidelity to his loved one. His name was Ryan Giggs, a midfielder from Cardiff who was seen as a true family man, a loyal husband and father of two children.

His fidelity died this week, after it was revealed that he had bedded a certain buxom beauty by the name of Imogen Thomas, of Big Brother fame. The last rites were read by the Rt. Hon. John Hemming after formally doing what millions of people known as tweeters did: out the lout.

Let it be known, dearly beloved, that in terms of his reputation, Mr. Giggs did not die in vain. He brings to his grave a legacy that is enviable by many, achieved by few.

Mr. Giggs has won a record 12 top division English league titles as a player, and only Manchester United player to have winner's medals from all 12 Premier League title wins.

He has the most Premier League appearances for a player, with 573, as well as the most Premier League assists.

He is the only player to have scored in all 19 Premier League campaigns since its inception and is the only player to have scored in eleven consecutive Champions League tournaments (1996–97 to 2006–07).

Mr. Giggs is the only Manchester United player to have scored in fifteen different Champions League tournaments. He holds the record for the most goals by a British player in the Champions League/European Cup proper history, and 14th overall (not including preliminary rounds).

Mr. Giggs has the most appearances by a Manchester United player. and is the first player to score 100 Premier League goals for the Red Devils.

He is the second midfielder to have scored 100 goals in the Premier League for a single club (first being Matt Le Tissier), and is one of four Manchester United players to win two Champions League Medals (others are Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Wes Brown).

Finally, Ryan Giggs is the oldest (37 years, 148 days) player to score in the UEFA Champions League, when he scored against Schalke 04 on 26 April 2011 in the semifinals.

Oh, and did we mention that in 2007, he earned Order of the British Empire honours for his services to football?

Never mind that as a member of his club he earned 12 Premier League crowns, four FA Cups, four Football League Cups, eight FA Community Shields, two UEFA Champions League crowns going on three, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup, as well as numerous other individual awards and endorsements throughout his long and storied career, which dates back to 1990.
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That is a legacy that no one—not even the steamy, not-safe-for-work flings with Imogen—can take away. It bends but doesn't break.

The point I make here is that all people are human. Not everyone is a Gary Lineker, a.k.a. a person that has never been cautioned or sent off. People do make mistakes. An accomplished footballer like Ryan Giggs, a man in the twilight of his career is no exception to this rule.

Meanwhile the media have done their job in sensationalizing scandals such as these to the point of it becoming worth a read and gasp. Slaps on the back around, as well as a few high fives, you dashing members of the press.

So in conclusion, while we send Ryan Giggs's fidelity to his wife, the former Stacey Cooke, onward to its final resting place, I would like to personally thank Ms. Thomas for being proof that even family men have a sinfully naughty side to themselves. I fancy a second marriage is in the works.

Such is that beast we call human nature. Go in peace, readers. Amen.

Join Jo-Ryan Salazar on May 28 for a live blog of the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and FC Barcelona from Wembley Stadium on Bleacher Report. The live blog kicks off at 8:30 a.m. PT/11:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy have another grueling week ahead of them as they take on Dominic Kinnear's Houston Dynamo on Wednesday, May 28.

The Galaxy currently sit first in the league with a record of 6-2-5 (23 points). As for the Dynamo, they are third in the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 3-3-5 (14 points).

One of the players that will be looking to produce for the Galaxy is Chad Barrett, who scored the game-winner against Chivas USA on Saturday at the Home Depot Center.

“It was great to score the goal tonight,” Barrett told LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan, “but all in all the three points is what’s important.

“I did pretty much everything right [regarding the goal]. There are things I would have changed. I would have gone more to the middle of the goal and given myself two opportunities instead of just one.

“As a forward you’re always taught to overcorrect and I didn’t do that. Keep in mind your momentum and I didn’t do that. Luckily the team defense really shut them down and we got a 1-0 win.”

“He’s a good soccer player,” team captain Landon Donovan said. “We’ve got a number of guys on the field now who understand how to play the game the right way. If he doesn’t have an obvious shot or goal-scoring opportunity he knows how to get people involved.”

“[Barrett's] working really hard for the team and I’m delighted for him," added forward Juan Pablo Angel. "At the end of the day all the hard work he’s putting in is getting rewarded.”

One player that will not be making the match on Saturday will be David Beckham, who has obligations to a Gary Neville testimonial match this week.

“I do think it’s important for David to be there, given their relationship and the years they had together, those fabled years,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “We thought it was important.”

“I played for Manchester United for over 10 years and Gary Neville was my best man and is one of my best friends,” Beckham said. “To be there for him and for his family is important because it was such an important era for us and for Manchester United, and if Sir Alex Ferguson hadn’t have given us a chance when we were all young, we wouldn’t have been able to create what we created.

"There’s no issue with our club. There’s no issue with our manager. There’s no issue with our players. The only issue will be from people who ask questions.”

Beckham leads the team with six assists this season.

The loss means that Donovan or Miguel Lopez could get a crack at the set pieces. Lopez had prior success with set pieces in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire earlier this year.

Donovan leads the team in goals scored with seven.

Houston is led by Will Bruin, Cam Weaver and Brad Davis. Davis leads the team in assists with six and is one of the top providers in the leager. Bruin leads the team in goals with four, while Weaver has recorded three so far this year.

The back line of Hunter Freeman, Andre Hainault, Corey Ashe and Boswell won't have to worry about Beckham on Wednesday, but Donovan and Angel still pose a threat. Watch for Davis, Geoff Cameron and Lovel Palmer to create chances for Bruin and Weaver.

Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall has a 3-3-5 record to go with 34 saves made, a 72.3 percent save percentage and a 1.09 goals against average.

Galaxy netminder Donovan Ricketts is one of the league top shot stoppers, with a 4-1-4 record, a 80.6 percent save percentage and a 0.67 GAA. Ricketts has made 25 saves this season.

The backline of Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza and Todd Dunivant were tenacious in the match against Chivas USA and will look to issue more of the same against the Houston attack.

Juninho was not much of a factor in Saturday's contest and is likely to play a larger role in the midfield in Beckham's absence, along with Michael Stephens or Chris Birchall. As always, the Galaxy will need to finish the chances they generate in order to put the pressure on the visitors.

There should be somebody in orange that will be the Chicken Thief on Wednesday. That will not chance the outcome of this game. This is where Landon Donovan needs to stamp his authority and set the tempo of the match. A winnable contest for LA.


Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports Prime Ticket.



Landon Donovan called up for Gold Cup action

The Galaxy will be tested in terms of depth in the weeks ahead. Landon Donovan will be participating in the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the USA Men's National Team. The USA takes on Canada on June 7 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan; Panama at Raymond James Stadium on June 11 in Tampa, Florida; and Guadelope at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas on June 14.

Here is your roster for the USA Men.

U.S. GOLD CUP ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS (3): Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Eric Lichaj (Leeds), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Freddy Adu (Rizespor), Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)



Youth Academy Update

The Los Angeles Galaxy Youth Academy may have it tough to qualify for the playoffs after their matches with Chivas USA.

A wild goal festival for the Under-18s resulted in the Goats prevailing 3-2. Bryan de la Fuente scored a brace in the 15th and 68th minutes for Chivas, while Erick Corona opened the score in the second minute for the Goats.

Alex Padilla scored for LA in the 21st minute, while Cameron Souri took another back in the 83rd minute.

The Under-16s played to a 2-2 draw. Goal scorers were not available as the article went to press.

The Galaxy Academy continues the season with a couple of matches on the weekend for both the Under-16s and Under-18s.

On Saturday, May 28, the Young G's take on Arsenal FC at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. Kickoff for the Under-18s is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET. The Under-16s kickoff at 3:00 p.m. PT/6:00 p.m. ET.

The Galaxy Academy then trakes on Real Salt Lake Arizona at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona. Kickoff for the Under-18s is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET. The Under-16s kickoff at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET.