CARSON, Calif. - The LA Galaxy arrived in Honolulu yesterday to compete in the inaugural Pan Pacific Championship. Head Coach Ruud Gullit brought 27 players to the islands as the Galaxy prepare to play their first preseason games of 2008.
The Galaxy open the Pan Pacific Championship on Wednesday at 8 p.m. (PT) when they take on Japanese J-League side Gamba Osaka at Aloha Stadium. This game will be broadcast live on ESPN Classic, with Adrian Healy and Allen Hopkins having the call.
Depending upon the result of Wednesday night's game, the Galaxy will then play either the Houston Dynamo or Sydney FC of the Australian A-League in either the third place match or the tournament final, on Saturday, February 21. The third-place game will be played at 8 p.m. and the Final will kickoff at 10:30 p.m.(PT), with both matches also being aired live on ESPN Classic.
LA GALAXY PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Charles Alamo, Steve Cronin, Josh Wicks
DEFENDERS (10): Celestine Babayaro, Sean Franklin, Michael Gavin, Ante Jazic, Brandon McDonald, Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Julian Valentin, Greg Vanney, Abel Xavier.
MIDFIELDERS (8): Ely Allen, Alvaro, David Beckham, Kelly Gray, Kevin Harmse, Chris Klein, Josh Tudela, Peter Vaganas
FORWARDS (6): Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Carlos Ruiz, Israel Sesay
Four players who trained with the Galaxy last week did not make the trip to Hawaii. Those players were Galaxy draft picks Daniel DeGeer and Matt Hatzke, Open Tryout selection Vito Higgins and midfielder Kyle Martino.
After the two games in Hawaii, the Galaxy will head to Asia for Asia Tour 2008, presented by Herbalife, which will feature games in Korea and China.
The Galaxy open 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.
