A quick look at the Los Angeles Galaxy headlines for the week of December 19, 2005 ...
L.A. GALAXY NAME FORMER MLS STRIKER STEVE RAMMEL TO COACHING STAFF; PROMOTE BILLY MCNICOL: The Los Angeles Galaxy have announced that former MLS striker and St. Mary's College (CA) head coach Steve Rammel has been named an assistant coach. Rammel, who is replacing the departed Afshin Ghotbi, will be responsible for the technical development of the players. He will also assist Billy McNicol, who was promoted to the top assistant spot on Steve Sampson's technical staff, with the Galaxy's reserve team. Rammel, who received his USSF "A" license in January 1996, spent the last five seasons at the helm of the St. Mary's men's soccer program and coached 20 players to All-West Coast Conference honors. Prior to that stint, he was the top assistant coach at UCLA for three seasons where he helped the Bruins to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a College Cup appearance in 1999. Before his time spent at UCLA, Rammel was an assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts from 1994-96. He is currently the Olympic Development Program Region IV Head Coach for the Under-18 age group. A native of Woodbury, New Jersey, he spent two seasons as a player in MLS with the Colorado Rapids (1997) and D.C. United (1996-97) scoring 15 goals and contributing four assists in just 41 games. A 1996 MLS All-Star selection, he made two MLS Cup appearances, earning MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup titles with United in his first season.
GALAXY OPEN DEFENSE OF 2005 MLS CUP CHAMPIONSHIP ON APRIL 1, 2006 AGAINST REVOLUTION: The 2005 MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy will open their 2006 season against the New England Revolution on Saturday, April 1 at 8 pm (PT) at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University - Dominguez Hills. The game will be a hotly contested rematch of MLS Cup 2005, at which the Galaxy defeated the Revs by a 1-0 scoreline in overtime. The Los Angeles Galaxy have compiled an impressive all-time record of 8-2-0 in their 10 previous MLS home openers and are unbeaten since a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes at the Rose Bowl on April 7, 2001. The club also made it known that, for the eleventh consecutive season, they will be hosting a game on July 4 (with the opponent to be determined), continuing the tradition of "Football and Fireworks" in the Southland. The remainder of the 2006 schedule will be announced at a later date. Tickets to the 2006 home opener are available only by purchasing a Galaxy Holiday Pack. These packages include four (4) tickets to the Galaxy's 2006 home opener, two (2) endline tickets to the 2006 home opener of Los Angeles Riptide lacrosse team (May 2006), two (2) Galaxy "Go Gold!" knit caps, one (1) Galaxy gold soccer ball (size 5) and one (1) Galaxy holiday card, all starting at just $90. For more information or to order yours today, call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY or log on to www.lagalaxy.com.
HOLIDAY PACKS ARE ALREADY ON SALE: These special packages make great holiday gifts for every Galaxy fan on your list. They include four (4) tickets to the Galaxy's 2006 home opener, two (2) endline tickets to the 2006 home opener of Los Angeles Riptide Lacrosse Team (May 2006), two (2) Galaxy "Go Gold!" knit caps, one (1) Galaxy gold soccer ball (size 5) and one (1) Galaxy holiday card, all starting at just $90. For more information or to order yours today, call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY or log on to www.lagalaxy.com.
SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR GALAXY HOLIDAY SOCCER CAMPS: The Galaxy are proud to announce Galaxy Holiday Soccer Camps, from December 28-30. Galaxy approved & licensed coaches will team up with current L.A. Galaxy players to train and teach technical and tactical skills and drills straight from Galaxy practice sessions. There are two camp locations to choose from in the San Gabriel Valley and two in the South Bay. Registration includes: a Galaxy ball & 2005 MLS Cup Champion t-shirt, an autographed picture of a Galaxy player & your child, two tickets to the Galaxy's 2006 home opener against the New England Revolution and a Galaxy camp certificate and report card (signed by a Galaxy player). Your child can experience first hand what a typical workout session is for a professional soccer player. Learn how to play soccer the Galaxy way. Go online to www.lagalaxy.com to sign up.
WANT TO FEEL LIKE A PRO?: If you are ready to live out your childhood dreams, this is for you. We call it the Galaxy Fantasy Camp, but you will call it a vacation from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Learn what it is like to train like a professional soccer player at The Home Depot Center. Where else can you find a coaching staff of alumni coaches and Galaxy greats who will put you through training during the day? The event runs from December 26-28 at The Home Depot Center. This incredible package includes: a Galaxy uniform with your name and number, a chance to play and train at The Home Depot Center state-of-the-art facilities, access to the Locker and Fitness rooms, daily lunch with coaching staff and players, a personalized Galaxy Fantasy Camp duffle bag, Galaxy Fantasy Camp autographed soccer ball, a personal scrapbook highlighting your days at camp, a Galaxy Soccer Fantasy Camp team photo and Galaxy Soccer Fantasy Camp certificate. You will take home a lifetime of memories after attending the inaugural Galaxy Adult Soccer Fantasy Camp! Space is limited, so sign up NOW at www.lagalaxy.com.
Did you know ... That current Galaxy assistant coach Steve Rammel made his MLS debut as player on his 28th birthday - April 20, 1996 - for D.C. United against the Galaxy at RFK Stadium? The Galaxy won the game 2-1.
