Weekly update: FCD doubleheader

GALAXY HOST RIVALS FC DALLAS IN LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP FINAL ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28: The Los Angeles Galaxy will host their MLS Western Conference rivals FC Dallas in the finals of the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, September 28 at 8pm (PT) at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills. The Galaxy advanced the to the final of one of the world's longest-running club cup championships, which dates back to 1914, with a 5-2 victory against the Minnesota Thunder (USL 1st Division) last Wednesday, while Dallas were 1-0 winners over the Chicago Fire in the other Open Cup semifinal, also played that night. Wednesday night's match will be broadcast LIVE on GolTV at 8pm, and can be heard on the Galaxy's Spanish radio station, KMXE 830 AM.

TICKETS FOR FIRST FINAL EVER TO FEATURE THE GALAXY AT THE HOME DEPOT CENTER START AT JUST $10: Tickets are on sale NOW for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open final, which is the first championship match in the three-year history of The Home Depot Center that will feature the Galaxy. Tickets to the match are available in the following seating categories, all of which feature deep discounts when compared to the same seats for Galaxy MLS regular season matches: Sidelines ($25), Corners ($15) and Endlines ($10). Galaxy fans wishing to purchase tickets to the match will be able to so through TicketMaster, either over the phone or on the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com. Group tickets, for parties of 10 or more and featuring a savings of five dollars per ticket on sidelines and corners, are available by calling the Galaxy Ticket office directly at 1-877-3GALAXY.

GALAXY CLINCH MLS RECORD TENTH PLAYOFF BERTH: The Galaxy's 2-2 tie on September 17 in Kansas City, combined with FC Dallas' 2-1 defeat of Real Salt Lake, means that the club has clinched a berth in the 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs. In doing so, the Galaxy became the only team to qualify for the postseason in each of MLS' first 10 seasons.

L.A. FACE DALLAS AGAIN ON SATURDAY IN MLS ACTION: After their third meeting of the regular season, in which FC Dallas beat the Galaxy, 4-1, at Pizza Hut Park, the Hoops will visit The Home Depot Center on Saturday, October 1 at 7pm. Saturday's match, presented by Hormel Foods, will be the second in the same week, after the Galaxy and Dallas will have already squared off on Wednesday, September 28, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, also at The Home Depot Center. Dallas leads the season series, 2-1. The 7pm game will be televised tape delayed throughout the Southland on FSN West, beginning with the Galaxy GameDay pre-game show at 8pm. The game can also be heard live in Spanish on KMXE 830 AM.

GALAXY DRIVE SERIES CLOTHING DRIVE THIS SATURDAY, OCT. 1: The Galaxy will be holding its annual clothing drive as part of its Galaxy Drive Series this Saturday, October 1 before the Los Angeles-Dallas match at The Home Depot Center. The Galaxy are asking fans to donate gently used clothing to those in need in our community at one of the collection booths located outside the Southwest and Southeast entrances, and the North End of The Home Depot Center. Anyone who contributes will receive a Galaxy Drive Series luggage tag and ticket discount for the October 15 Galaxy game! For more information, please visit www.lagalaxy.com.

WEDNESDAY WILL BE LAST CHANCE TO DONATE THROUGH GALAXY FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA: The Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation and The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation have partnered with the Greater Long Beach chapter of the American Red Cross to collect donations of spare change for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, whose after-effects continue to ravage several areas along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Donations will be collected at the club's U.S. Open Cup Final match against FC Dallas on the 28th. In addition, monetary gifts will be accepted on non-game days in the reception area at The Home Depot Center. To launch the extensive fundraising campaign, the Galaxy Foundation made a contribution in the amount of $ 5,000 to the cause. In addition, AEG and The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation have stepped up to give $2,500 apiece for the relief efforts.

QUAVAS KIRK AND THE USA FALL TO NETHERLANDS AT FIFA UNDER-17 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN PERU: Galaxy 2005 MLS SuperDraft selection Quavas Kirk is a crucial member of the USA Under-17 national team that 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Championship from September 16-October 2 in Peru. Kirk, who is one of 20 players named to the side by head coach John Hackwork, played in three of the four games missing only the final group match vs. the Ivory Coast. The USA kicked off the tournament against North Korea on September 17, posting a 3-2 win in which Kirk played all 90 minutes. The stars and stripes then beat Italy, 3-1, on Tuesday, Sept. 20, and concluding group play by tying Ivory Coast, 1-1, on Friday, September 23. But, the national team ended their run on Monday after falling to Holland 2-0 in their quarterfinal match at Estadio Mansiche in Trujillo, Peru. With the loss, the U.S. finishes in fifth place for the second straight FIFA U-17 World Championship.

MAS GALAXY THIS AND EVERY WEDNESDAY: Más Galaxy, the club's Spanish-Language radio talk show, will not air this week as the Galaxy host FC Dallas in the U.S. Open Cup final at The Home Depot Center. The program, hosted by Troy Santiago, the Spanish-language voice of the Galaxy alongside www.MLSnet.com reporter and local soccer journalist Rene Romano, features an in-depth look at the Galaxy and their opponent(s) each week. Remember Galaxy fans, for the latest news on your favorite team, tune in every Wednesday night to Más Galaxy, only on KMXE 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, October 1 at 3:30 p.m. on KWHY - Channel 22. Galaxy Deportivo, hosted by Los Angeles area personalities Jaime Motta and Elmer Polanco, can be seen at the same time each and every Saturday on Channel 22.

TICKETS FOR GALAXY'S REMAINING HOME GAMES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CLUB, TICKETMASTER: Los Angeles Galaxy individual game tickets are now on sale for the 2005 season. Complete details on pricing for individual game tickets are available by calling the Galaxy Ticket Office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY or by visiting the club's website at www.lagalaxy.com Those looking to order tickets can do so through TicketMaster via phone at 213-480-3232 or 714-740-2000; and at TicketMaster outlets: Wherehouse Music, Ritmo Latino, Tu Musica, Robinsons May and Tower Records or by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com.

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