CARSON, CA - The 2005 MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy will play Mexican Primera Division team Club Deportivo Cruz Azul, presented by Bank of America, on Wednesday, July 26 at 7:30 pm (PT) at UCSB's Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California, the club announced today. Highlighting the match-up are returning 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany participants Chris Albright (USA) Landon Donovan (USA), Cornell Glen (Trinidad & Tobago), Francisco "Kikin" Fonseca (Mexico), Rafael Garcia (Mexico) and Gerardo Torrado (Mexico).
"When you beat a Mexican team it can brighten your day, but when you lose it can ruin your week," said L.A. Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "We look forward to this encounter and we are not taking it lightly."
Tickets for this international match are available by calling 1-805-965-1128 or visiting your local soccer outlets. Tickets (In Advance / Day of Game) pricing for the game is as follows: General Admission Youth (Under 12): $10/$15, General Admission Adult: $20/$25, Premiere Seating Youth (Under 12): $10/$15, Premiere Seating Adult: $25/$30, Platinum Seating Youth: $15/$15, and Platinum Seating Adult: $30/$40 (behind the team benches).
This match will mark the third meeting between the teams, with the Galaxy owning a 1-1-0 record since 1997 against Cruz Azul. The Galaxy last played Cruz Azul on March 12, 2002 and downed the Mexican club 1-0 at the Rose Bowl on the strength of a single goal from former Galaxy midfielder Simon Elliott. In the 1997 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the Galaxy played Cruz Azul in the championship match on August 24 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Los Angeles jumped out to an early lead with two goals from forward Eduardo Hurtado. However, Cruz Azul would rally for a 5-3 victory with two goals from forward Carlos Hermosillo, who in 1998 would join the Galaxy.
Cruz Azul will enter the 2006 Clausura with the return of Fabian Nuñez from current league Champion Pachuca. The club will also continue to count on their star strikers, Argentine, Cesar Delgado and Mexican National Team stand out Francisco Fonseca. Head coach Issac Mizrahi is expected to lead this star studded team to its sixth league title.
Since being founded in 1927, Cruz Azul has become on of the most successful teams in the Mexican League. Since adopting the playoff format, Cruz Azul has won six league titles and made five more final appearances. Most notably, it is the only Mexican club to reach the finals of Copa Libertadores, since Mexican teams were invited to participate in the prestigious tournament.
For more information, please call the Galaxy toll-free at 1-877-3-GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com.
