In this edition...
- Tournament Overview
- Galaxy preseason in full swing
- Oita Trinita makes history
- Suwon sign Chinese international
- Tickets now on sale
1. Second edition of the Pan-Pacific Championship brings Asia's best to compete in LA, hosted by the Galaxy
Four premier professional soccer clubs, including three of Asia's current champions, will participate in the second edition of the Pan-Pacific Championship (PPC), the international soccer tournament launched last year by Soccer United Marketing (SUM). The tournament will be played at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on Wednesday, February 18 and Saturday, February 21, 2009, in a two-date, semifinal and final doubleheader format.
For 2009, the tournament will move to the U.S. mainland, with Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy hosting the marquee event just outside of Los Angeles. In addition to the host team, the tournament will feature the best clubs from Japan, Korea, and China - J.League's Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Champion Oita Trinita, K-League champion and winner of the Samsung Hauzen Cup 2008 Suwon Samsung Bluewings, and Chinese Super League winner Shandong Luneng Taishan FC.
The inaugural 2008 championship, which was embraced by soccer fans worldwide, was won by 2007 Japanese Nabisco Cup champions Gamba Osaka after defeating 2007 MLS champion Houston Dynamo in the final at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. The 2007 SuperLiga finalist LA Galaxy defeated Australia's Sydney FC of the Hyundai A-League to capture third place. Gamba carried their success from the Pan-Pacific Championship with them in 2008, reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2008, where they lost in an enthralling 3-5 clash with eventual champions, Manchester United. On March 10, 2009, in this year's AFC Champions League, Gamba will face current PPC participants, Shandong Luneng, who will hope to have taken Gamba's crown as Pan-Pacific Champions when the two sides meet.
Pan-Pacific Championship 2009 - Calendar
(All times local)
Wednesday, February 18
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Korea) vs. Shandong Luneng Taishan FC (China) (5:30 p.m.)
LA Galaxy (USA) vs. Oita Trinita (Japan) (8:00 p.m.)
Saturday, February 21
Third place match (5:30 p.m.)
Pan-Pacific Championship final (8:00 p.m.)
2. Galaxy preseason in full swing
Former U.S. National Team Coach Bruce Arena, who led the U.S. to a Quarterfinal berth at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan/Korea, has launched his first preseason camp as LA Galaxy coach, with the aim of readying the hosts to win the second installment of the PPC. These preparations, which began with the first training session on January 21, include incorporating the newest elements of the Galaxy roster.
The Galaxy front office was busy this off-season, bringing in key talents, like Dema Kovalenko and Mike Magee. Kovalenko joins LA from Real Salt Lake, and is expected to give the Galaxy added strength as a gifted defensive midfielder, while Magee's attacking abilities that helped the New York Red Bulls to the MLS Cup Final in 2008 will be a great asset and threat to oppositions. Magee, who is happy to be reunited with his former coach, Bruce Arena, described him as a true player's coach.
The Home Depot Center, where the PPC will be hosted, has not only seen training ground action, but on Saturday, January 24, the Galaxy's stadium also hosted the U.S. National Team, where Sacha Kljestan's three goals gave the home side a dramatic 3-2 win over Sweden. Kljestan, a star in the midfield for Chivas USA, the Galaxy's Los Angeles rival in MLS, is more than familiar with the HDC, as Chivas also plays their home games at the stadium.
The Galaxy's preseason will conclude on March 14 against Cuauhtémoc Blanco's Chicago Fire in the inaugural PHX Soccer Clasico, which will be held at Sun Devil Stadium in Arizona.
Los Angeles Galaxy preseason roster
Goalkeepers (3): Steve Cronin, Donovan Ricketts, Josh Wicks.
Defenders (11): Vardan Adzemian, Leo Bautista, A.J. DeLaGarza, Sean Franklin, Michael Gavin, Omar Gonzalez, Brandon McDonald, Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Tony Sanneh, Julian Valentin.
Midfielders (10): Ely Allen, Josh Boateng, Leonard Griffin, Chris Klein, Dema Kovalenko, Eddie Lewis, Stefani Miglioranzi, Mike Munoz, Kyle Patterson, Josh Tudela.
Forwards (7): Tristan Bowen, Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Jovan Kirovski, Mike Magee, Israel Sesay
For more information about the Galaxy, please visit the club's official website at www.lagalaxy.com.
3. Oita Trinita makes history
Oita Trinita's upcoming trip to Los Angeles will be historic, as they will become be the first J.League side to fulfill its preseason training on the U.S. mainland. While Yokoma F. Marinos of the J.League did train in LA in 2005, this was during their League break, not preseason. Typically, J.League teams conduct preseason camps domestically, or in Australia, Guam, Hawaii, or Turkey, if abroad. As part of their historic journey, Oita is scheduled to play lower division Ventura County Fusion (PDL) in their run up to the PPC.
Oita also is glad to welcome back Masashi Miyazawa, their crafty left-footed defender, who has just returned from his loan spell with Vegalta Sendai (J.League).
4. Suwon sign Chinese international
Suwon officially announced the signing of Chinese National Team defender Li Weifeng from Wuhan Guanggu of the Chine Super League on January 22, 2009. With more than 100 caps for the national team, the defender's physical presence will surely benefit the Bluewings as they look to repeat their success of last year. Nicknamed "The Big Head", Li's aerial ability has helped make him a dominant force in central defense, and led to a brief stint with English Premier League side Everton in their 2002 campaign.
Li Weifeng was at the center of controversy in 2008 when his eight-match suspension, sentenced in October, prompted mass fan protests through the streets of Wuhan, as well as the team's withdrawal from the League.
By joining the Korean club in January, Li became only the second Chinese player in K-League history, the first such signing taking place one day prior.
5. Tickets now on sale
Tickets for the Pan-Pacific Championship 2009 are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the LA Galaxy at 877-3GALAXY. Fans are encouraged to visit the tournament's official website, www.PPChampionship.net for further information.
