GALAXY CONTINUE FIGHT FOR PLAYOFFS:
The Los Angeles Galaxy continues its fight to make the playoffs for the 11th consecutive year with an important match-up against Western Conference rival the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center, presented by Gatorade. The Rapids will be looking for revenge following a 1-0 loss in Colorado on Aug. 12. The Galaxy suffered a difficult 2-1 loss to Houston on Sept. 10, and aims to get back on the winning track and into playoff position against the Rapids. The Galaxy-Rapids game will be broadcast live on CA$H 1700 AM (English) and KLLA 830 AM (Spanish). The first 5,000 fans will receive Gatorade squeeze bottles, and the first 10,000 youth fans will receive soccer balls courtesy of KLLA 830 AM. Tickets are now available for sale by calling the Galaxy toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY (1-877-342-5299).
Galaxy Weekly Training Schedule
Date: Time/Location
Monday, Sept. 11: OFF
Tuesday, Sept. 12: 10:45 a.m. - Optional Training at Field #6
Wednesday, Sept. 13: 10:45 a.m. - Training at Field #6
Thursday, Sept. 14: 10:45 a.m. - Training at Field #6
Friday, Sept. 15: 10:45 a.m. - Training at Field #6
Saturday, Sept. 16: 7:30 p.m. - L.A. Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids at The Home Depot Center, live on CA$H 1700 AM (English) and KLLA 830 AM (Spanish).
Sunday, Sept. 17: 10:00 a.m. L.A. Galaxy Reserves vs. Colorado Rapids Reserves at Field #6
NOTE TO MEDIA: All practice times are listed in Pacific Time and are subject to change without notice.
Galaxy Injury/National Team Report
OUT - Kyle Martino (L hip surgery), Cornell Glen (L knee sprain), Troy Roberts (Groin strain)
DOUBTFUL - NONE
QUESTIONABLE - Nathan Sturgis (R groin strain)
PROBABLE - Tyrone Marshall (R hip flexor strain); Ugo Ihemelu (L knee sprain)
THE PLAYOFF PICTURE: The Western Conference playoff picture remains muddled after a full weekend of MLS play. With five games remaining, the Galaxy is currently in sixth place in the West with 32 points, trailing Real Salt Lake by one. The top four teams in each conference make the playoffs, and after this weekend's games, Dallas (46 pts.) leads the West, followed by Houston (39), Chivas USA (35) and Colorado (35). Four of the Galaxy's five remaining matches are against Western Conference opponents, including Colorado (Sept. 16), Chivas USA (Sept. 30) and Dallas (Oct. 7 and Oct. 14). Currently, Los Angeles is just three points out of the final Western Conference playoff position. In the Eastern Conference, D.C. United remains the only team in the league to secure a playoff spot, in first place with 51 points. Chicago is currently in second with 38 points, followed by New England (34) and Kansas City (33). New York (29) and Columbus (26) are fighting for the final Eastern playoff position, as the Red Bulls trail the Wizards by just four points.
GALAXY TO HOST MLS FUTBOLITO SEPT. 16: The Los Angeles Galaxy will host MLS Futbolito, the official four-vs.-four tournament of Major League Soccer on Saturday, Sept. 16 on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona. The tournament is the centerpiece of a day-long soccer celebration, which includes food, music, raffles and an opportunity to meet Galaxy and Salvadoran National Team legend Mauricio Cienfuegos. The tournament has a youth, adult and premier division, and all players receive a MLS Futbolito t-shirt, ticket to an L.A. Galaxy game and a gift bag. All winners receive medals and teams in the adult premier division will compete for $3,000 in prize money. Cienfuegos will sign autographs and meet fans from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Interested teams and players can register by visiting www.mlsfutbolito.com, calling 866-965-7484 or by visiting Niky's Sports (213-483-4154) located at 1536 W. 7th St. in Los Angeles or Soccer Central (562-421-2292) on 12130 E. Carson St. #D in Hawaiian Gardens, Calif. MLS Futbolito, sponsored locally by Staples, La Curacao, 830 AM and La Opinion, is open to people of all ages and abilities. Presented by Panasonic, RadioShack and Sierra Mist MLS Futbolito is the largest touring Hispanic event hosted by any U.S. professional sports league, and recently expanded to 16 events in 15 markets with the addition of Phoenix and Philadelphia. The 2006 tour includes the following cities: Los Angeles (Chivas USA), Houston, San Antonio, Miami, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Columbus, New Jersey, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles (Galaxy) and San Jose. Additional sponsors of the 2006 tour include adidas, Burger King, Honda, ICI Paints and State Farm.
GALAXY FANS TO GET A KICK AND A SQUEEZE ON SEPTEMBER 16: On Saturday, Sept. 16 when the Galaxy host the Colorado Rapids, presented by Gatorade, the first 10,000 youth fans (ages 16 and under) will receive a soccer ball presented by KLLA 830 AM. The first 5,000 fans will receive Gatorade squeeze water bottles. Fans can receive a special four-pack pricing starting at $32 by calling 1-877-3GALAXY (1-877-342-5299) or by visiting www.lagalaxy.com.
WATCH THE GALAXY, ENJOY A DOMINO'S PIZZA: For the Galaxy's home games on Sept. 16 and Oct. 14, Galaxy fans can receive the Domino's Pizza Pack presented by AM570. Starting at $30, the Domino's Pizza Pack includes two tickets and a voucher for a large one-topping Domino's Pizza redeemable at participating locations. For more information, please call 1-877-3GALAXY (1-877-342-5299) or by visit www.lagalaxy.com.
CELEBRATE CAL SOUTH NIGHT: Saturday, Sept. 16 is also Cal South Night at The Home Depot Center when the Galaxy plays the Colorado Rapids, presented by Gatorade at 7:30 p.m. There will be special pricing for all Cal South members. Cal South members should visit www.lagalaxy.com or www.calsouth.com for tickets and information. Discounted pricing is available only on tickets purchased in advance.
GALAXY AIM TO MAKE HISTORY IN OPEN CUP FINAL: The Los Angeles Galaxy advanced to the finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 6, providing the club a chance to make history and be the first team to win back-to-back U.S. Open Cup Championships since 1983. The Galaxy travels to Toyota Park in Chicago to play the Fire on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 5:00 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel. Galaxy fans interested in attending the Open Cup Championship in Chicago should contact the Fire's Corey Griest at 708-496-6775 or via e-mail at cgriest@chicago-fire.com.
This is the fourth time in the last six seasons that the Galaxy has reached the U.S. Open Cup final. Los Angeles won the title in 2001 and 2005 and is looking to be the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in 1982-1983. The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation's National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. Dating back to 1914, it is the oldest annual team tournament in U.S. sports history and among the oldest soccer tournaments of its type in the world.
GALAXY ADDS MIGLIORANZI TO ROSTER: The Los Angeles Galaxy signed defender/midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi on Sept. 8. Signed as a discovery player, Miglioranzi is now the third Senior International player on the Galaxy's roster. Miglioranzi, 28, most recently played for Swindon Town FC of the English First Division after stints with Everton and Portsmouth FC. The former St. Johns University All-American appeared in 134 games with Swindon Town from 2002-2006, scoring nine career goals. Miglioranzi moved with his family to the United States from Brazil at the age of 12, and went on to star at St. Johns, helping the Red Storm to the 1996 NCAA Championship. Drafted by the Chicago Fire with the 36th overall pick in the 1999 MLS College Draft, Miglioranzi opted to sign with Portsmouth following a trial with Everton. Plagued by injuries at Portsmouth, Miglioranzi signed with Swindon Town in July, 2002 and proceeded to standout for the club over the next four seasons despite battling several injuries. Miglioranzi played 90 minutes for the Galaxy in an exhibition game against Mexican First Division club Necaxa on July 12, 2006 at The Home Depot Center.
JOIN THE GALAXY GROUP LEADER CLUB: Join the Los Angeles Galaxy's first ever Group Leader Club, where individuals who organize large groups to attend Galaxy home games will become automatically enrolled in the club and eligible to earn incredible benefits. Group Leaders can be a part of the inaugural Galaxy Group Leader Club by bringing 20 or more people to a 2006 Galaxy regular season home game. By organizing a group of 20 people or more, Group Leaders automatically are enrolled as a Gold Level Member. Group Leaders can become Platinum Level Members by organizing a group of 50 or more people to a 2006 Galaxy match. For a full list of benefits, please go to: http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/MLS/lag/youth/leader_rewards/.
SEE KEVIN HARTMAN AT SOCCER CENTRAL: Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman will be appearing at Soccer Central in Hawaiian Gardens, Calif. on Thursday, Sept. 14. Presented by adidas and Soccer Central, the all-time MLS leader in wins will sign autographs and meet fans from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. All fans are invited to attend and meet Hartman and visit Soccer Central, located at 12130 E. Carson St. Unit D in Hawaiian Gardens, Calif.
GALAXY TEAMS UP WITH GOLD-N-SOFT: The Los Angeles Galaxy will be out in the community this week, making two appearances sponsored by Gold-N-Soft. On Wednesday, Sept. 13, Galaxy midfielder Paulo Nagamura will be at El Super on 3700 W. McFadden Ave. in Santa Ana, Calif. from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. signing autographs and meeting fans. The following day, on Thursday, Sept. 14, Galaxy midfielder and former U.S. National Team star Cobi Jones will appear at Gigante on 1401 E. Gage Ave. in Los Angeles from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
WIN A 2005 MLS CUP PLAYER'S RING: Now is your chance to win an authentic 2005 championship ring or a framed Cobi Jones 2005 championship ring panel. Galaxy fans can participate in the Galaxy Foundation's Championship Raffle by visiting any Galaxy Foundation booth at every Galaxy game at The Home Depot Center to buy a Championship Raffle ticket. The drawing will take place on Oct. 14 during the Galaxy's final regular season game vs. FC Dallas. All net proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation. Visit the Galaxy website for official rules and more information.
GOLF WITH THE GALAXY!: Save Monday, October 9, for the Galaxy Foundation's Day on the Links Golf Outing at Meadowlark Golf Club in Huntington Beach. Mark your calendar for this annual event as the Galaxy players step off the field and onto the links. Be a part of this exciting event by purchasing a foursome or individual golfer package. Visit the In the Community section of the L.A. Galaxy website to download an order form or contact Gloria King at (310) 630-2222 for more information.
GALAXY DRIVE SERIES CONTINUES ON SEPT. 16: Summer is almost over and fall is coming, join the Galaxy by cleaning out your closet and donating your gently-used clothing to the Union Rescue Mission on Saturday, September 16th.
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 LIVE this September 16 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.
Did you know: ...Landon Donovan scored his eighth goal of the 2006 season on Sunday, Sept. 10...Donovan's eight goals are four more than Herculez Gomez, the second leading scorer on the team this season.
