The LA Galaxy have announced their 2008 preseason training plans, which will officially begin on Monday, February 4, leading up to the start of the 2008 MLS season. New Galaxy Head Coach Ruud Gullit has five matches scheduled in February and March, highlighted by the Pan-Pacific Championship and Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife, as the club prepares for the 13th season of Major League Soccer.
Following two intensive weeks of training at The Home Depot Center that will see the players train twice a day, the club will depart for Honolulu, Hawaii and the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship. Once in Hawaii, the Galaxy will continue to train in addition to playing a pair of games. On Wednesday, February 20, Gullit's squad will take on Gamba Osaka of the Japanese J-League. Three days later, the Galaxy will take part in either the tournament's Third Place Game or the Final, facing either the Houston Dynamo or a soon to be determined Australian A-League side.
After the tournament, the Galaxy will head west once again, this time for the club's Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife. From February 25 - March 2, the Galaxy will train in Seoul, Korea, playing one match on Saturday, March 1 against FC Seoul at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The Galaxy will then head to Shanghai, China for two days of training and a friendly against the China All-Star Union team at Shanghai World Cup Stadium on Wednesday, March 5.
Following the completion of Asia Tour 2008, the Galaxy will return to the U.S. for two final weeks of training at The Home Depot Center. The club will make one final trip during this time, flying to Texas to take on FC Dallas in the FC Dallas Charity Game at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, March 15. Proceeds from the charity game will benefit the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, the Miracle League of Frisco and an LA Galaxy charity to be determined at a later date.
The Galaxy's complete preseason match schedule can be found below.
LA Galaxy Preseason Schedule (All times Pacific)
Date |
Opponent |
Time (local)/Location |
|---|---|---|
Wednesday, Feb. 20 |
Gamba Osaka (J-League) |
6:00 p.m., Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii |
Saturday, Feb. 23 |
Third Place/Final |
6:00 / 8:30 p.m., Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii |
Saturday, March 1 |
FC Seoul |
TBD, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, Korea |
Saturday, March 5 |
China All-Star Union |
7:30 p.m., Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai, China |
Saturday, March 15 |
FC Dallas |
7:30 p.m., Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas |
Complete training schedules will be available at the start of each week in the Galaxy Weekly Update or by contacting the Galaxy Communications Department. Please be advised that all schedules are subject to change.
The club opens their 13th season of play on Saturday, March 29 against the Colorado Rapids at 6:30 p.m. (PT), live on Fox Soccer Channel from Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. LA will play their home opener five days later on Thursday, April 3 when they host former head coach Frank Yallop and the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center.
The 2008 MLS season is just around the corner and the LA Galaxy are now accepting deposits for the 2008 season. A non-refundable deposit secures your place for each 2008 Galaxy regular season game, plus great benefits including exclusive events with the team, special season seat holder gifts, and much more! Call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com for more details or to purchase your 2008 Galaxy season seats.
