A quick look at the Los Angeles Galaxy headlines for the week of October 31, 2005 ...
GALAXY ADVANCE TO WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER DRAW IN SAN JOSE: Ned Grabavoy's goal midway through the second half clinched a 1-1 draw between the Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night at Spartan Stadium, sending the Galaxy into the Western Conference Championship with a 4-2 victory on aggregate goals. The fourth-seeded Galaxy will visit the third-seeded Colorado Rapids, who ousted FC Dallas in a penalty-kick shootout after the teams played to a 2-2 draw earlier in the day. The winner-take all match against the Rapids will be played at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver on Saturday, November 5 at 6 pm (PT).
2005 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS AT A GLANCE: The four teams competing in the Eastern and Western Conference Championships this weekend have all enjoyed unique path to MLS' final four. The Galaxy battled national team call-ups and injuries for much of the second half of the season before coming together late in September and closing the season strongly before defeating the Quakes in the Western Conference semifinals. The Rapids, whom the Green and Gold will face next weekend, struggled mightily in the early part of the season before surging ahead of the Galaxy for third place in the Conference. However, they defeated FC Dallas on penalties last weekend to earn a spot. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the top-seeded New England Revolution enjoyed a very consistent regular season before struggling against the MetroStars in the Conference semis - needing to come from behind in the final half hour of their match last weekend just to win their series 3-2 and earn a berth among the last four standing. Their opponents, the Chicago Fire, struggled through the last three months of the season, posting a losing record over that time but easily defeated defending MLS Cup champions D.C. United 4-0 to take their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
GALAXY FOUNDATION DAY ON THE LINKS SET FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1: The Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation's Fourth Annual Day on Links golf outing will be played at Meadowlark Golf Club in Huntington Beach, California. Last year's event, held on Monday, September 27 at Industry Hills Golf Club at The Pacific Palms Conference Resort, raised more than $ 27,000 to help at-risk and underserved children throughout the Southland and bring many of them out to Galaxy games. Once again, the proceeds will benefit many of the Galaxy Foundation's community outreach programs, including Kicks for Kids, where Galaxy tickets are donated to organizations benefiting underserved youth and the Galaxy's Holiday Assist Program, which enables the club to make the holidays a little brighter and more enjoyable for children in need. All those participating in the event will be placed in foursomes with Galaxy players, coaches and select front office members, including Galaxy President and General Manager Doug Hamilton. The entire Galaxy team is expected to participate in the event, as they have each of the first three years it was held. For more information, call the Galaxy Foundation at (310) 630-2222 or visit the In The Community Section of www.lagalaxy.com.
DONOVAN UP FOR HONDA PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRIZE: Galaxy forward Landon Donovan has been selected as a finalist for the 2005 Honda Player of the Year Award, which for the last 15 years has been widely recognized as the most prestigious award a U.S. National Team player can receive. The winner will be announced during the special award luncheon on Wednesday, November 30 at The Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Donovan, the only three-time winner of the Honda Player of the Year Award (2002-2004), is a finalist alongside goalkeeper Kasey Keller and DaMarcus Beasley. In 2005, Donovan led the U.S. National Team in goals scored and moved into third place on the all-time U.S. National Team goal scorers list.
MAS GALAXY THIS AND EVERY WEDNESDAY:
Más Galaxy, the club's Spanish-Language radio talk show, will focus on the entire MLS Cup Playoff picture. 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, November 5 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.
Galaxy Weekly Training Schedule
Date: Time/Location
Tues.: 10 am - T4
Wed.: 10 am - T4
Thurs.: 10 am - T4
Fri.: TBD; Depart for Denver
Sat.: Galaxy at Rapids - 6 pm (PT) - INVESCO Field at Mile High - Denver, CO
Sun.: OFF; Return from Denver
Mon.: TBD
NOTE TO MEDIA: All practice times are listed in Pacific Time and are subject to change without notice. Please confirm all times and field assignments with Galaxy Communications before attending training.
Galaxy Injury Report
OUT - Ben Benditson (sports hernia)
DOUBTFUL -
QUESTIONABLE - Marcelo Saragosa (right adductor strain)
PROBABLE - Cobi Jones (right abdominal strain)
Did you know ... The Galaxy have defeated the Rapids in five of the six games the clubs have played in the MLS Cup Playoffs, outscoring their opponents by a combined margin of 12-1? The Rapids only win in the series was by a 1-0 margin on October 30, 2004 at INVESCO Field.
