A quick look at the Los Angeles Galaxy headlines for the week of April 24, 2006 ...
GALAXY HIT THE ROAD FOR FIRST TIME IN 2006, FACE REAL SALT LAKE APRIL 29 AT 1 P.M.: Looking to rebound from its second loss of the season, the Los Angeles Galaxy travel to Salt Lake City this weekend for its first match away from The Home Depot Center in 2006. The Galaxy face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, April 29 at 1 p.m. (PT) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, CA$H 1700 AM (English) and KMXE 830 AM (Spanish). Los Angeles enters the match with a 1-2-1 record and four points, trailing Western Conference leading FC Dallas by six points. Real Salt Lake is still looking for its first win of the season, hosting the Galaxy with a 0-3-1 record and one point.
FINALLY SOME TIME AWAY: The Galaxy play its first game of the 2006 season away from The Home Depot Center April 22 against Real Salt Lake. L.A. started the season with two home matches, and then played a road game against fellow Los Angeles club CD Chivas USA, winning the "away" game 2-1 on April 15. Saturday's game against Real Salt Lake will be the first time the Galaxy have played a regular season road match since September 21, 2005, a 4-1 loss to FC Dallas. L.A. finished 2005 with a 3-10-3 record on the road, but finished the year with three straight road wins in the MLS Cup Playoffs to clinch the MLS Championship.
GALAXY VS. REAL SALT LAKE: The Galaxy enjoyed success in its first season against 2005 expansion team Real Salt Lake. L.A. owns a 2-1-1 record against its new Western Conference foe, outscoring Real six to four. The Galaxy have yet to win at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Utah, however, losing to Salt Lake 2-1 on May 14, 2005 in the club's first visit and tying 1-1 on June 22, 2005 in the last trip. Landon Donovan has scored three goals against Real Salt Lake, while Jason Kreis scored two of Real Salt Lake's four total goals vs. the Galaxy last season.
ROBERTS MAKES FIRST START OF 06: L.A. Galaxy defender Troy Roberts made his first start of the 2006 season April 22 against Columbus. Starting in place of the injured Tyrone Marshall, the second-year player made the 10th start of his MLS career, playing 90 minutes in central defense.
GALAXY RESERVES EARN FIRST WIN OF SEASON: Behind a goal and an assist from forward Joseph Ngwenya, the Galaxy reserves won their first match of 2006 on Sunday, April 23, downing the Columbus Crew reserves 3-0. Ngwenya assisted on a Memo Gonzalez goal in the first half, and then a minute later scored a goal of his own. Josh Gardner added the Galaxy's final tally mid-way through the second half as L.A. improved its reserve division record to 1-1-0, 3 points. The Galaxy reserves next play on Sunday, April 30 in Salt Lake.
HARTMAN IN CONTROL: Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, the club's all-time leader in nearly every goalkeeping statistical category, is currently third in MLS with a 1.00 goals against average after the first four matches of the season.
ONE TOUGH CREW: The Galaxy have struggled against the Columbus Crew recently, dropping a 1-0 decision to Columbus on April 22. Columbus is the only team in MLS that possess an overall winning record against L.A., posting a 12-8-5 record in the 11-year history of the league. The Galaxy have not beaten the Crew since April 24, 2004 and have been shutout in three of the last five matches against Columbus.
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 Galaxy's first game away from The Home Depot Center in 2006 on Saturday, April 29. The program, hosted by Ernesto Rubi, one of the Spanish-language voices 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 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, April 29 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. 25: 9 am - Field # 6
Wed. Apr. 26: OFF
Thurs. Apr. 27: 9 am - Field # 6
Fri. Apr. 28: 8 am - Field # 6; 12:40 pm - Travel to Salt Lake City
Sat. Apr. 29: 1:00 pm - L.A. Galaxy at Real Salt Lake on ESPN2, CASH 1700 AM (English) and KMXE 830 AM (Spanish)
Sun. Apr. 30: 10 am - Galaxy Reserves at Real Salt Lake Reserves
Mon. May 1: 9 am - Field # 6
Galaxy Injury Report
OUT - Ben Benditson (sports hernia)
DOUBTFUL - None
QUESTIONABLE - Alan Gordon (sports hernia); Tyrone Marshall (left MCL sprain)
PROBABLE - None
Did you know ... Real Salt Lake head coach John Ellinger served as Galaxy forward Landon Donovan's head coach with the United States Under-17 National Team?
