A quick look at the Los Angeles Galaxy headlines for the week of September 27, 2004 ...
Trip to San Jose on the weekend results in shutout for Galaxy
L.A. GALAXY RETURN TO THE HOME DEPOT CENTER FOR MCDONALDS/AYSO NIGHT THIS SATURDAY
The Los Angeles Galaxy (10-8-9, 39 pts, T-2nd West) begin their final approach to the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs this Saturday at 7 p.m. when they host the Kansas City Wizards (13-9-5, 44 pts, 1st West) on McDonalds/AYSO Night at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The match between the clubs will be their third this season, but, even more importantly, the first of two to be contested by them in the final three weeks of the 2004 MLS regular season. (The Galaxy will travel to Kansas City to conclude the 2004 campaign on Oct. 16). This week's contest will have plenty of playoff implications as only the Wizards have clinched a Western Conference playoff berth and the remaining four teams, including the Galaxy, continue to battle for the three remaining slots (see further details below). Galaxy fans unable to make it to The Home Depot Center for the game Saturday will be able to listen to it live throughout the Southland in one of three languages: English (KMPC - 1540 AM), Spanish (KMXE - 830 AM) or Korean (KYPA - 1230 AM).
LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN FOR EXPECTED SELL-OUT
Following a sell-out in the Galaxy's last home game against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 11, and a sell-out against the same foes in Spartan Stadium last week, the club has announced that a limited number of tickets remain for this week's McDonalds/AYSO Night game against the Wizards. For information or to purchase tickets, call the Galaxy Ticket Office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
GALAXY HOPES TO MAKE SATURDAY A SPECIAL NIGHT FOR GUATEMALANS
In addition their match against the Wizards on Oct. 2, the Galaxy and the Christian Latin Business Association (CLBA) will host a special night for Guatemalans in the Southland. Among the activities planned are a fund-raiser to fight infant mortality in Guatemala and a job fair where the Latino Community of Southern California will have the chance to directly apply for jobs. Several area businesses will be looking for qualified bilingual applicants, which are in high demand in Los Angeles Metropolitan area. For more information please contact Jose Espinosa at (866) 307-2522, or via email at jose@christianlba.com.
WESTERN CONFERENCE UPDATE - THREE PLAYOFF BERTHS STILL UP FOR GRABS
With only three weeks left in the regular season, four Western Conference teams, including the Galaxy, are fighting for the final three spots on their side of the bracket in the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Wizards have already clinched a berth and sit atop the table on 44 points. The Galaxy and the Rapids are tied for second place with 39, though the Galaxy have slight edge having played one less match than their Denver-based counterparts. Finally, the Earthquakes and the Burn are tied in fourth position with 35 points apiece. However, with all the teams in Conference competing against one another in the final three weeks of the season, their positions are far from secured.
PLAYOFF SPOT AVAILABLE FOR THE TAKING BY GALAXY THIS WEEK
Any of the following scenarios this weekend would land the Galaxy in the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs and would make them the only team in MLS history to appear in the post-season during each of the league's first nine campaigns.
(a) win vs. Wizards + Earthquakes loss or tie
(b) win vs. Wizards + Burn loss or tie
(c) tie vs. Wizards + Earthquakes loss
(d) tie vs. Wizards + Burn loss
GALAXY'S HOME REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE WRAPS UP AGAINST BURN OCTOBER 9
The Galaxy will conclude their 2004 home regular season schedule at The Home Depot Center against the Dallas Burn on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. In addition to what promises to be an exciting evening of soccer, fans attending the match will be treated a post-game fireworks spectacular, presented by the Daily Breeze. Additionally, the club will be giving away 5,000 water bottles, courtesy of Gatorade. They will also be distributing 5,000 Kraft padfolios to children 16-years-old and younger. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
TRIP TO SAN JOSE ON THE WEEKEND RESULTS IN SHUTOUT FOR GALAXY
The arch-rival Galaxy and Earthquakes battled through a fiercely contested affair at Spartan Stadium before eventually sharing the points in a scoreless deadlock, the Galaxy pulling into a tie for second place with the Colorado Rapids, while the Earthquakes pulled into a tie for fourth with Dallas. After the teams exchanged chances in the opening half, it was the visitors who deserved to take the lead after the interval. Ten minutes after the intermission, Cobi Jones had a chance to shoot on goal off of a service from Carlos Ruiz. The Galaxy original was able to get his shot on target, but 'keeper Pat Onstad made the save as he turned the ball around the right post. A minute later the Galaxy were close yet again, this time Jovan Kirovski collecting a Ruiz pass, but he fired his effort over the bar. Ruiz should have notched his 12th goal of the season in the 71st minute. Marcelo Saragosa's attempted pass out wide was deflected by a Quakes defender right into the Guatemalan international's path. He made his way into the box uncontested, but pushed his shot wide of the far post, and the match eventually wound down to a draw.
MAS GALAXY PREVIEWS THE GALAXY AND THE WIZARDS
Más Galaxy, the club's Spanish-language radio talk show, which airs each Wednesday at 8 p.m. on KMXE 830 AM, will give fans an inside look at the Galaxy-Wizards game. The program, hosted by Troy Santiago and Rigoberto Cervantez, will feature interviews with guests from both teams as well as analysis by both Santiago and Cervantez. Remember Galaxy fans, for the latest news on your favorite team, tune in every Wednesday night throughout the 2004 season to Más Galaxy, only on KMXE 830 AM.
DON'T MISS GALAXY DEPORTIVO, THIS AND EVERY SATURDAY AT 3:00 P.M. ON CHANNEL 22
Galaxy Deportivo, the weekly, half-hour Spanish language television show devoted to the Los Angeles Galaxy, can be seen this Saturday, September 25 on KWHY - Channel 22. Galaxy Deportivo can be seen at 3 p.m. each and every Saturday on Channel 22.
WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS
GP W L T Pts
KC 27 13 9 5 44
LA 27 10 8 9 39
COL 28 10 9 9 39
SJ 27 9 10 8 35
DAL 27 1012 5 35
Galaxy injury report
Chris Aloisi - prained left MCL - OUT
Did you know ... that Galaxy rookie forward Alan Gordon played the final minute of the match last weekend in San Jose, ensuring that each member of the club has appeared in at least one League match this season.
