A quick look at the Los Angeles Galaxy headlines for the week of October 4, 2004
• L.A. Galaxy Clinch Playoff Berth, Primed To "Go For Gold"
• Tickets On Sale Now For Galaxy Playoff Games
• Club Concludes Home Regular Season Schedule Against Burn Saturday
• Ruiz To Play In Galaxy Home Finale
• Jones and Marshall To Miss Saturday's Match With National Team Duty
• Western Conference Update - One Playoff Berth Still Up For Grabs
• Galaxy and Wizards Play to 1-1 Deadlock In Front of Sell-out Crowd
L.A. GALAXY CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH, PRIMED TO "GO FOR GOLD": After tying the Kansas City Wizards, 1-1 on the weekend at The Home Depot in Carson (see more below), the Los Angeles Galaxy have clinched their MLS-record ninth consecutive playoff appearance. The club secured entry into the postseason when their result, combined with the Dallas Burn's 2-0 loss against the New England Revolution and a 1-1 tie between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Colorado Rapids earlier in the day. With a spot in the playoffs assured, the club has unveiled a comprehensive sales and marketing campaign that will be known simply as "Go For Gold." It is designed to combine the excitement of Galaxy playoff soccer with one of the Galaxy's main colors, the team plays in Gold jerseys when at home. It also incorporates the fever that gripped the entire United States while cheering for their Olympians at the recently completed Games of the 28th Olympiad in Athens, Greece.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR GALAXY PLAYOFF GAMES: As one of the initial phases of the "Go For Gold" campaign, the Galaxy has announced that tickets for their home games in the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs at The Home Depot Center went on sale today at 10:00 am (PT). Galaxy fans hoping to have a shot at purchasing tickets to watch their favorite club "Go For Gold" may do so at this time. As a special offer to their loyal fans, the club is offering a "Go For Gold" Playoff Pak, which includes four tickets to Playoff Home Game #1 and four "Go For Gold" t-shirts starting at just $60. Fans interested in getting more information on tickets or purchasing the "Go For Gold" Playoff Pack, should contact the Galaxy ticket office directly by calling toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
CLUB CONCLUDES HOME REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE AGAINST BURN SATURDAY: The Galaxy will conclude their 2004 home regular season schedule at The Home Depot Center against the Dallas Burn on Saturday, October 9 at 7pm. In addition to what promises to be an exciting evening of soccer, fans attending the match will be treated a post-game fireworks spectacular, presented by the Daily Breeze and Capri Sun. Additionally, the club will be giving away 5,000 water bottles, courtesy of Gatorade. They will also be distributing 5,000 Kraft padfolios to children 16-years-old and younger. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
Galaxy fans unable to make it to The Home Depot Center for the game Saturday will be able to listen to it live throughout the Southland in one of three languages: English (KMPC - 1540 AM), Spanish (KMXE - 830 AM) or Korean (KYPA - 1230 AM).
RUIZ TO PLAY IN GALAXY HOME FINALE: Forward Carlos Ruiz, who is tied for the MLS lead in goals scored with 11, will remain with the Galaxy for the match against the Burn this weekend instead of playing for Guatemala in their qualifier against Costa Rica, due to yellow card accumulation. However, he will return to the chapines following the Galaxy-Burn game for their midweek qualifier against Honduras on October 13.
JONES AND MARSHALL TO MISS SATURDAY'S MATCH WITH NATIONAL TEAM DUTY: The Galaxy will be without midfielder Cobi Jones and defender Tyrone Marshall against the Burn Saturday as each defends his nations colors in CONCACAF semifinal round qualifying to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. Jones is a member of the U.S. selection that will travel to face El Salvador on Saturday, while Marshall will play for Jamaica in their match against Panama on the same day. Both will also be with their respective national teams for matches on October 13.
WESTERN CONFERENCE UPDATE - ONE PLAYOFF BERTH STILL UP FOR GRABS: After the weekend's matches, only one playoff berth remains for the taking in MLS' Western Conference. The Wizards, Galaxy and Rapids have each already clinched a spot in the postseason, while the Earthquakes and the Burn will battle for the final spot. It may all come down to the final week of the season, when the two sides will meet at the Cotton Bowl.
GALAXY AND WIZARDS PLAY TO 1-1 DEADLOCK IN FRONT OF SELL-OUT CROWD: Playing in front of their second straight home sell-out crowd on McDonalds/AYSO Night, the Los Angeles Galaxy were minutes away from earning a victory against the Kansas City Wizards before an own goal from defender Sasha Victorine left the teams with a 1-1 draw. The result was still good enough to secure a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the Galaxy. The home side appeared to be on their way to closing the gap on the first-place Wizards after Tyrone Marshall gave them a lead when he headed home a corner kick in the 65th minute. But the Wizards would steal their point near the end with a touch of good fortune through Victorine's misplay.
MAS GALAXY PREVIEWS THE GALAXY AND THE BURN: Más Galaxy, the club's Spanish-Language radio talk show, which airs each Wednesday at 8 pm on KMXE 830 AM, will give fans an inside look at the Galaxy-Burn game. The program, hosted by Troy Santiago and Rigoberto Cervantez, will feature interviews with guests from both teams as well as analysis by both Santiago and Cervantez. Remember Galaxy fans, for the latest news on your favorite team, tune in every Wednesday night throughout the 2004 season to Más Galaxy, only on KMXE 830 AM.
DON'T MISS GALAXY DEPORTIVO, THIS AND EVERY SATURDAY AT 3:00 P.M. ON CHANNEL 22: Galaxy Deportivo, The weekly, half-hour Spanish language television show devoted to the Los Angeles Galaxy, can be seen this Saturday, October 9 on KWHY - Channel 22. Galaxy Deportivo can be seen at 3 p.m. each and every Saturday on Channel 22.
WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS
GP W L T Pts
KC 28 13 9 6 45
LA 28 10 8 10 40
COL 29 10 9 10 40
SJ 28 9 10 9 36
DAL 28 10 13 5 35
This week's schedule
Date: Time/Location*
Tues. Oct. 5: 10:00 am - T6
Wed. Oct. 6: 10:00 am - T2
Thurs. Oct. 7: 10:30 am - T6
Fri. Oct. 8: 10:00 am - T6
Sat. Oct. 9: 7:00 pm (PT) Galaxy vs. Dallas Burn - The Home Depot Center - Carson, CA
Sun. Oct. 10: OFF
Mon. Oct. 11: TBA
Galaxy Injury Report
Doubtful:
Chris Aloisi, Sprained left MCL
Hong Myung Bo, Strained left calf
Did you know ... That the Los Angeles Galaxy is the only team in Major League Soccer history to qualify for the postseason in each of the League's first nine seasons?
