A quick look at the Los Angeles Galaxy headlines for the week of April 17, 2006 ...
L.A. GALAXY LOOKING FOR SECOND WIN OF 2006, HOST CREW SATURDAY AT 7:30 P.M: After a thrilling come from behind win in the first game of the 2006 Honda Super Clasico against Chivas USA, the Galaxy are looking to start its first winning streak of the season when it hosts the Columbus Crew at The Home Depot Center at 7:30 p.m. PT. Former Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid leads the revamped Crew in his first game back in L.A. against his former team. The Crew is 0-2-1 in 2006 and looking for its first win of the season, while the Galaxy won its first game of the season on April 15 behind two goals from Cornell Glen. The Galaxy is 1-1-1 and tied for second place in the Western Conference.
APRIL 22 - FIRST FAMILY PACK SPECIAL OF 2006: The Los Angeles Galaxy are pleased to announce that the match against the Columbus Crew on Saturday, April 22 will be the first chance this season for fans to purchase a Galaxy Family Pack. For as a little as $64, a family of four gets four match tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas. To take advantage of this offer and to be a part of this fantastic evening of soccer, please call the Galaxy ticket office at 1-877-3GALAXY. Galaxy Family Packs are subject to availability and must be purchased in advance.
ALEXI LALAS NAMED GALAXY PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER: Alexi Lalas was named the President and General Manager of the Galaxy on April 17. Lalas, who played for the Galaxy from 2001-2003, will return to the club as their top executive and will oversee all business and soccer operations. He spent the last year as President and General Manager of the New York Red Bulls (formerly the MetroStars) following serving as General Manager of the San Jose Earthquakes from 2004-2005. Lalas spent three seasons as a player with the Galaxy during which he won the 2002 MLS Cup, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Following his retirement in 2003, Lalas was named President and General Manager of the San Jose Earthquakes before moving to the New York Red Bulls in June, 2005.
GALAXY FORWARD CORNELL GLEN NAMED MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK, AND WORLD CUP ROSTER: L.A. Galaxy forward Cornell Glen was named the MLS Player of the Week for Week 3 of the 2006 MLS season. Glen made his first start for the Galaxy on April 17 and promptly made an impact, scoring off two excellent passes from teammate Landon Donovan, including the game-winning goal in injury time, to give his team a 2-1 win over rivals Chivas USA. The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected every week throughout the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA). Last week, Glen was also named to the preliminary roster of the Trinidad & Tobago 2006 World Cup team.
DONOVAN TO APPEAR ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE ON TUESDAY NIGHT: Los Angeles Galaxy forward and U.S. National Team star Landon Donovan will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday, April 18 on ABC at 12:05 a.m. Also appearing on the show with Donovan will be actress Cheryl Hines and musical guest Bril.
KIRK, STURGIS WITH UNITED STATES UNDER-20 NATIONAL TEAM: Galaxy midfielder Nathan Sturgis and forward Quavas Kirk have been named to the United States Under-20 National Team for the squad's first foreign camp of 2006. Sturgis, Kirk and the U.S. Under-20's will train in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from April 18-27 to play three matches. Before closing their 10-day training camp with their first international match of the year against Argentina on Wednesday, April 26, the U.S. will go up against two Argentine first division youth club teams. The U.S. will train for three days before facing Arsenal de Sarandi on Saturday, April 22, and River Plate on Monday, April 24.
BENDITSON TO UNDERGO HERNIA SURGERY IN GERMANY: Galaxy defender Ben Benditson will undergo surgery on Wednesday, April 19 in Munich, Germany to repair a "sports hernia" injury. Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck will perform a Minimal Repair Technique, a procedure developed and performed exclusively by Dr. Muschaweck.
GALAXY RESERVES RETURN TO ACTION APRIL 23: The Los Angeles Galaxy reserves, who dropped their first game of 2006 1-0 to Chicago on April 9 are back in action this Sunday, April 23 at The Home Depot Center against the Columbus Crew at 10:00 a.m.
DONOVAN, GALAXY CONTINUE TO SHINE AGAINST CHIVAS: The Galaxy continued its dominance over L.A. rival Chivas USA on April 15 with a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 win. The win was the sixth for the Galaxy over Chivas USA, as L.A. swept the four-game regular season series last year and eliminated Chivas USA from the U.S. Open Cup. Landon Donovan has been especially effective against Chivas USA, scoring one goal and registering three assists in three regular season contests.
DONOVAN DOUBLES UP ON ASSISTS: Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan recorded two assists in a game on April 15. It was the ninth time in his MLS career that the U.S. National Team star has registered two assists in a game.
FIRSTS OF 2006: The Galaxy racked up its first win of 2006 on April 15, and midfielder Ned Grabavoy made his first start of the season. Defender Troy Roberts made his first appearance of 2006, entering as a substitute in the 63rd minute.
VOTE FOR CORNELL GLEN GOAL OF THE WEEK: Galaxy forward Cornell Glen scored two goals on April 15 in his first Galaxy start. It is his second goal, the game-winning strike in the 93rd minute that is one of four goals nominated for the Sierra Mist MLS Goal of The Week. Fans can vote for Glen by visiting www.mlsnet.com.
2006 L.A. GALAXY TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS: The L.A. Galaxy are pleased to announce that the Galaxy Clasico II adult soccer tournament and Copa LA V youth soccer tournament will both be returning to the San Bernardino Soccer Complex in 2006.
The second annual Galaxy Clasico II will take place on May 20th and 21st, and will see competitive teams in the Men's and Women's Open Divisions, as well as friendly competition in the Men's Over 30, Over 40, and Over 50 divisions, plus the Women's Over 30 division. The Men's Open Division will play for a cash prize and the chance to be seen Galaxy scouts will be in attendance.
The fifth anniversary of the Copa L.A. V tournament will again take place over Memorial Day weekend from May 27th - 29th in San Bernardino. Besides playing in a first class tournament at a great facility, participants will also have fun enjoying the sponsor booths and gifts, appearances by Galaxy players, and many other elements sure to create the memory of a lifetime for all those in attendance. More than 100 teams are expected, so sign up early to reserve your spot.
For more information or to register for Galaxy Tournaments or events, visit www.lagalaxy.com and click on "Galaxy events" or call 1-877-3Galaxy.
GALAXY KICK OFF 2006 GALAXY STARS PROGRAM: The Los Angeles Galaxy are proud to once again announce the Galaxy Stars program, supporters club specifically for fans ages 16 and under. Galaxy Stars members receive gifts for attending specified Galaxy games, invitations to events with Galaxy players, exclusive access to the Galaxy Stars webpage and much more. Fans interested can visit www.lagalaxy.com for more information.
MAKE SURE YOU CATCH MAS GALAXY THIS WEDNESDAY ON 830AM: Más Galaxy, the club's Spanish-Language radio talk show, will be on the air this week at a new time, 6 pm, in preparation for the 2006 Honda Super Clasico against Chivas USA on Saturday, April 15. The program, hosted by John Laguna, the Spanish-language voice of the Galaxy, features an in-depth look at the Galaxy and their opponent each week. Remember Galaxy fans, for the latest news on your favorite team, tune in every Wednesday night to Más Galaxy, only on 830 AM.
GALAXY DEPORTIVO BREAKS DOWN ALL THE ACTION SATURDAY: Galaxy Deportivo, The weekly, half-hour Spanish language television show devoted to the Los Angeles Galaxy, can be seen this Saturday, April 22 at 3:30 p.m. on KWHY - Channel 22. Galaxy Deportivo, hosted by Los Angeles area personality Elmer Polanco, can be seen at the same time each and every Saturday on Channel 22.
2006 GALAXY SEASON TICKETS STILL ON SALE: Los Angeles Galaxy season tickets for 2006 are still on sale. For more information or to reserve your seats today, call the Galaxy ticket office at 1-877-3GALAXY or visit the club's website at www.lagalaxy.com.
Galaxy Weekly Training Schedule
Date: Time/Location
Tues. Apr. 18: 2 pm - Galaxy Reserves vs. San Diego Gauchos
Wed. Apr. 19: 10 am - Field # 6
Thurs. Apr. 20: 10 am - Field # 6
Fri. Apr. 21: 10 am - Field # 6
Sat. Apr. 22: 7:30 pm - L.A. Galaxy vs. Columbus Crew on FSN West, CASH 1700 AM (English) and KMXE 830 AM (Spanish)
Sun. Apr. 23: 10 am - Galaxy Reserves vs. Columbus Crew
Mon. Apr. 24: TBD
NOTE TO MEDIA: All practice times are listed in Pacific Time and are subject to change without notice.
Galaxy Injury Report
OUT - Alan Gordon (sports hernia); Kyle Veris (right fifth Metatarsal sprain); Ben Benditson (sports hernia)
DOUBTFUL - None
QUESTIONABLE - None
PROBABLE - Tyrone Marshall (left MCL sprain); Quavas Kirk (fractured right foot)
Did you know ... New Galaxy President & General Manager Alexi Lalas has been affiliated with five Major League Soccer organizations since 1996? He played for the New England Revolution (1996-1997), MetroStars (1998), Kansas City Wizards (1999) and Galaxy (2001-2003). He also served as President & General Manager of the San Jose Earthquakes in 2004-2005.
