CARSON, CA - The Los Angeles Galaxy secured their tenth consecutive MLS playoff appearance on Sunday following Real Salt Lake's 2-1 loss to Dallas combined with the club's 2-2 draw at Kansas City. The Galaxy is the only MLS club to have qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs each year since the inception of the League in 1996.
The Galaxy, MLS' most successful playoff team, have registered a total of 23 playoff wins since the league began. The Galaxy's opponent in the Western Conference Semifinals will be determined at a later date.
"We are very pleased to have clinched a spot in the postseason, but our players and coaches understand that this is just the first step," said Galaxy President and General Manager Doug Hamilton. "We have made it clear that every year we want to be competing for and winning championships, now we are in position to do just that this season."
The Galaxy won their first MLS Cup Championship in 2002 against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. The Galaxy have also appeared in four of the League's 10 MLS Cup matches, including the first championship match ever in 1996, against DC United. The club's other appearances in the championship match were in 1999 and 2001.
The 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs will begin with the first legs of the four conference semifinal series on Saturday, October 22, and Sunday, October 23. The conference semifinals resume the following week on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30, followed by the conference final matches being held on the weekend of November 5 and 6. MLS Cup 2005 will be held on Sunday, November 13, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.</p>
In 2004, the Galaxy came within one game of their fifth MLS Cup appearance. After moving past the Colorado Rapids in the conference semifinal stages the Galaxy met the Kansas City Wizards. In the Western Conference Championship last year, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the Galaxy suffered a 2-0 defeat.</p>
With the Galaxy's 2005 playoff appearance, they join an exclusive roster of professional sports teams in the United States that have also made the playoffs in their respective leagues. The only other team to be the only team in its league to make the playoffs during the past ten years is the Dallas Mavericks (NBA). The Atlanta Braves (MLB), New York Yankees (MLB), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) and St. Louis Blues (NHL) also join the elite post-season roster. No team in the National Football League has accomplished this feat. </p>
