Los Angeles Alumni vs. El Salvador Select
Quote Sheet - June 5, 2004
Los Angeles Galaxy President & General Manager Doug Hamilton
On the match:
"This game was so telling because it reflected Cien's career here. This story will reflect that the difference in the game was Cien himself. Whichever team he was on put in more goals each half."
"For him to get the winner was so telling to his contributions to this club and its storied history. For me, the difference in our club has always been Cien. His fingerprints are all over our club. They influence us on the field, they influence off the field, and they influence us in how we go about our business. For our club to have its first tribute game for Cien, a man who best exemplifies our club, is only fitting."
Former Los Angeles Galaxy Midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos
On the match:
"Thank you all for being here with me on this special day. I am truly very happy to have been able to play and face some of my former teammates, to have been able to see their faces, I will remember that forever. This is a priceless day for me, more than I can describe in words."
"There are so many people I'd like to thank for making this game possible. First, I must thank the Galaxy ... all the people who made a huge effort to get this done ... everyone who has done the logistics as well."
"I want to tell them all that I leave the game at peace. I reached all the objectives I had set out for myself in soccer. I go satisfied, there may be some tears in my eyes, but these are tears of joy. I am not leaving the game sad, I am leaving the field happy."
Former Galaxy Defender Alexi Lalas
On a special day for a special player:
"This is a tremendous opportunity for us to celebrate not only a wonderful player, but also a wonderful friend and one of the pioneers of this league. I think we have come to the point here where it is legitimate to celebrate individuals and moments that have made this league what it is as we approach the tenth anniversary next year. That is important because sometimes you forget the individuals who sacrificed on and off the field to even give an opportunity to get to that point."
On the emotion of the match:
"We are all professional players and we all have played at the highest level. Any time you play a game, even if it's the celebration of someone's career, you still want to win, you still want to entertain the crowd, in the end it was nice to see (Mauricio) carried off the field and finish his career the way he's always played, with flair. If nothing else, win or lose, if you bought a ticket to see a match that he played in, you went home thinking you got your money's worth."
Former Galaxy Forward Carlos Hermosillo
On the match:
"It was a very special day. It was an honor coming out one last time for a very special player. Everyone is here because we all care a lot about and have a great deal of respect for Mauricio. He deserves this match and much more. I'd like to thank them all for coming out, and to the Galaxy for putting this farewell together for Mauricio."
