CARSON, Calif. - International soccer returns to The Home Depot Center on Wednesday night as the Los Angeles Galaxy host perennial Scottish champion Rangers FC in a friendly. Three days later, the Galaxy will be back in MLS action as they travel to Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the first time ever for a game against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday evening. This will be the club's first league game away from The Home Depot Center since their season opener in Houston on April 8.
Galaxy Weekly Training Schedule (All times Pacific)
Date: Time/Location
Tuesday, May 22: 10:30 a.m. - Galaxy training (Field #6)
Wednesday, May 23: 7:30 p.m. - Galaxy vs. Rangers FC at The Home Depot Center. This game is a friendly and will be broadcast on KNLA Channel 27 (Spanish).
Thursday, May 24: 10:30 a.m. - Galaxy training (Field #6)
Friday, May 25: TRAVEL DAY
Saturday, May 26: 5:30 p.m. - Galaxy (1-2-2) at Colorado Rapids (3-2-3) at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The game will be broadcast live on FSN West and on the radio on CA$H 1700 AM (English) and KLAA 830 AM (Spanish).
Sunday, May 27: 9 a.m. - Galaxy Reserves at Colorado Rapids Reserves
Galaxy Injury Report
OUT - Chris Albright (R-Hamstring), Gavin Glinton (L-Groin Strain), Alan Gordon (L-Foot Stress Fracture), Troy Roberts (R-Hip)
DOUBTFUL - None
QUESTIONABLE - Quavas Kirk (Plantar Fasciitis)
PROBABLE - None
Galaxy Team Notes
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR: The Galaxy will take on perennial Scottish power Rangers FC on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center. This will be the Galaxy's 43rd all-time international friendly with the club collecting a 17-11-14 record in the previous 42. However, this will be just the second such game against opposition from the United Kingdom with LA and Aston Villa of the English Premier League playing to a 1-1 draw at the Rose Bowl on May 21, 1997.
The one Galaxy player that will have some experience playing against Rangers is veteran defender Tyrone Marshall. The Jamaican international faced Rangers as a member of the Miami Fusion on January 10, 2001 in a game that Rangers won 4-1.
A CLÁSICO LET DOWN: Despite having a strong record against Chivas USA in the Honda Super Clásico, going 7-1-2 against their in-stadium rivals, the Galaxy have not followed those matches quite as strongly. In the nine games following a regular season match against Chivas USA, LA is just 1-5-3 and is winless in the last eight. The only time that the Galaxy followed a game against Chivas USA with a win was on April 30, 2005 when Landon Donovan and Peter Vagenas scored in a 2-0 home win over FC Dallas that followed a 3-1 win over Chivas USA in the inaugural Honda Super Clásico.
GALAXY HEADING NORTH: On Tuesday it was announced that the Galaxy would take part in the inaugural Copa Minnesota at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis on Wednesday, October 10. This match, which will be presented by the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division, will pit the Galaxy against a yet to be determined opposition.
The Galaxy last played at the Metrodome on July 20, 2004, losing 1-0 to the Thunder in the Quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
A NEW PLACE TO PLAY: The Galaxy will head to Colorado this weekend for their first game of the year against the Colorado Rapids and their first ever game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Located in Commerce City, Colo., the 18,000-seat stadium opened in April with the Rapids defeating D.C. United 2-1 in their season opener.
Dick's Sporting Goods Park will be the 26th different stadium that the Galaxy play a regular season match at and the seventh in the last three years. All-time, the Galaxy have a 12-12-1 record in their first-ever game at a new stadium, but an 0-2-0 mark at their first visit to the Rapids' previous homes, Mile High Stadium and INVESCO Field at Mile High.
DELIVERING THE KNOCKOUT: There are few teams in MLS that the Galaxy have had more success against than the Colorado Rapids. LA has 23 wins in 44 career regular season matches against the Rapids, their most against any single team. In those 44 meetings, the Galaxy have outscored Colorado 70-45 and have allowed more than two goals just twice. Additionally, the Galaxy have eliminated Colorado from the MLS postseason four times (in 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2005) and also knocked the Rapids out in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup last season.
RESERVE ROUNDUP: The Galaxy Reserves dropped their first game of the season on Monday morning, falling 4-3 to the Chivas USA Reserves. Santino Quaranta, who currently leads the team in scoring with three goals, and guest players Taylor Canel and Mike Casso each scored on the day for LA, but it was not enough to pull out the win as Chivas USA forward Anthony Hamilton scored late on to give his side the win.
The Galaxy Reserves are now 1-1-0 on the season and will be back in action on Sunday morning in Colorado.
A BUSY DAY AHEAD AT THE HOME DEPOT CENTER: Saturday, June 2 will be a busy day at The Home Depot Center with three special events taking place prior to the Galaxy's game against D.C. United. This game marks the debut of the second specially designed t-shirt from Galaxy artist Terry Davis. Davis will be on hand to talk with fans about his new design and sign autographs.
At the same time, Kinky, the Monterrey, Mexico quintet whose Latin inspired music blends rock, dance and techno, will be performing live at the stadium as an added bonus for ticket holders.
Lastly, the Galaxy and Infinity Insurance will be doing their part before the game to help fight hunger. Fans are asked to drop-off non-perishable and canned food items at one of The Home Depot Center's entrances, with all donations going to benefit the LA Regional Foodbank. Fans that donate 10 cans or $10 receive a commemorative Galaxy and Infinity Insurance license plate frame.
GALAXY ROADTRIP OF A LIFETIME: The Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation is raffling off an exciting trip for two to see the Galaxy play their first-ever game against Toronto FC at BMO Field on Sunday, August 5. By purchasing a raffle ticket, fans will be entered into a drawing to win two roundtrip tickets to Toronto on Friday, August 3, a three-night hotel stay, ground transportation to and from the airport and two tickets to see the Galaxy take on Toronto FC. For more about this once in a lifetime opportunity, please visit www.lagalaxy.com.
DON'T MISS GALAXY DEPORTIVO EVERY SATURDAY: Galaxy Deportivo, the Galaxy's official weekly half tour show, is back live every Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on KWHY Channel 22. Elmer Polanco and Alejandro Navarro present the latest news surrounding the club with special features and interviews, as well interacting with Galaxy fans throughout the Los Angeles area.
MAS GALAXY RETURNS ON KLAA AM 830: Mas Galaxy, the Galaxy's weekly Spanish language radio show can be found every Saturday at 1 p.m. on KLAA AM 830. Hosted by Francisco Rivera and Jose "Pepe" Mantilla, the Spanish language radio voices of the Galaxy, Mas Galaxy gets you up to date with all the latest news surrounding the club through interviews, player profiles and expert analysis.
