Having flown in from Europe that day, Gareth Bale's internal clock, as he stood in front of more than 22,000 fans at Banc of California stadium, read 4 A.M. Sandwiched between ESPN broadcasters Jon Champion and Taylor Twellman ahead of July 8th's El Trafico -- the instafamous derby between Bale's newly-adopted LAFC and LA Galaxy -- the five-time Champions League winner expounded on why he'd uprooted his family for a 12-month Major League Soccer jaunt in Southern California.
"This is a growing league," said a bleary-eyed Bale, black Henrik Stenson shades tucked on the neck of a white long sleeve.