CARSON, Calif. - The Los Angeles Galaxy continued their 2005 preseason schedule with a 3-0 victory over the UCLA Bruins on Wednesday morning at The Home Depot Center. First-half goals by Mubarike Chisoni and non-roster invitee Fabian Estai put the match away early, while Joseph Ngwenya's second-half tally wrapped it up for the Galaxy.
Chisoni, a rookie out of Coastal Carolina, opened the scoring in the 18th minute when he corralled a loose cross and slotted it past UCLA 'keeper Eric Reed. Estai, who hails from Chile, followed in the 33rd minute, pulling down a cross inside the penalty area and beating Reed to his right. Ngwenya, Chisoni's former college teammate, added the finisher in the 83rd minute.
"Our rhythm was better in the first half than in the second," said Galaxy Head Coach Steve Sampson. "The flow between the midfield and forwards was much better today. It will take time to sort out the rhythm between players, but it's improving ... every day it gets better."
The Galaxy will meet the San Jose Earthquakes tomorrow at The Home Depot Center before heading to Spain on Friday. The club will spend eight days on the Iberian Peninsula before returning March 12. They are scheduled to play Osasuna on March 9.
Scoring Summary
LA
- Chisoni 18, Estai 33, Ngwenya 83
UCLA
- None
Los Angeles Galaxy
- Steve Cronin (46: Josh Saunders), Todd Dunivant (46: Paul Broome), Ben Benditson (46: Tyrone Marshall), Troy Roberts (46: Michael Umaña), Chuck Kim (46: Ugo Ihemelu), Mubarike Chisoni (46: Josh Gardner), Emerson (46: Paulo Nagamura), Carlos Gallardo (46: Peter Vagenas), Bechara De Oliveira (46: Ned Grabavoy), Fabian Estai (46: Joseph Ngwenya), Jose Nava (46: Alan Gordon).
UCLA Bruins (starters only)
- Eric Reed, Edwidge Ligonde, Jordan Harvey, Brandon Owens, Kiel McClung, Luke Mehring, Ryan Valdez, Kamani Hill, Evan Corey, Richard Flores, Mike Zaher.
The Los Angeles Galaxy are pleased to once again offer fans "The Best Seats in the House" at The Home Depot Center. For the Galaxy's first two home games in 2005 (April 9 vs. Real Salt Lake and April 23 vs. CD Chivas USA), the club will be selling 100 seats along one touchline on a first-come, first-served basis. Each ticket costs $150 per game and includes the actual chair the fan sits in. For more information on "The Best Seats in the House" or to purchase tickets, call the Galaxy Ticket Office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
