A quick look at the Los Angeles Galaxy headlines for the week of February 27, 2006 ...
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP - L.A. GALAXY PREPARE TO TRAVEL TO COSTA RICA FOR SECOND LEG ON MAR. 8: The Los Angeles Galaxy continue to prepare for the defense of their 2005 MLS Cup and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships with preseason training camp at The Home Depot Center. This week, the L.A. Galaxy are making final preparations for their second leg meeting with Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinals to be played at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa on Wednesday, March 8. Fans can watch the match live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Despite looking like a team still in the early stages of preseason - and facing a team that placed third in the FIFA Club World Championship barely two months ago - the Los Angeles Galaxy still managed to scrape out a scoreless draw with Deportivo Saprissa in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinal on Feb. 23 at The Home Depot Center.
The Galaxy began their trek toward a second Champions' Cup title facing a side that, in addition to their December exploits in Japan, came into the regional club championship as defending champion. Saprissa won the Apertura (first-half title) in the Costa Rican Primera Division earlier this year - meaning the home side was facing a very confident team already in midseason form.
GALAXY FANS COME SUPPORT YOUR CLUB IN COSTA RICA: The Galaxy are pleased to offer fans a special travel package through Soccer Travel, the world best soccer travel company, to see the Galaxy play Deportivo Saprissa in the 2006 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa on Wednesday, March 8. Enjoy three days and two nights, transportation to and from the game, hotel accommodations and more from March 7-9 in San Jose Costa Rica, located in the heart of the fertile Valle Central and ringed with lush green mountainsides and year-round perfect weather. One of the most cosmopolitan Central American cities, San Jose boasts nice museums, pretty parks, colorful markets, the elegant Teatro Nacional and many cafes serving delicious café con leche made from the local grano de oro (golden bean).
For more information and to order go to: www.soccertravel.com or http://www.soccertravel.com/pax.php?language=en&pack=00025658.
GALAXY ACQUIRE SOCAL NATIVE BRIAN DUNSETH: The L.A. Galaxy have acquired defender Brian Dunseth from Club Deportivo Chivas USA, the team announced today. In exchange, the Galaxy sent their third round natural pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. Prior to joining Chivas USA in an off-season trade last November, Dunseth played in 24 games with 24 starts for fellow expansion club Real Salt Lake (RSL). The southern California native notched RSL's first game-winning goal in a 1-0 win against the Colorado Rapids on April 16 and tallied his second game-winner in the 3-0 win over FC Dallas on July 23. The Cal State Fullerton alum is a nine-year veteran of MLS and the Swedish league, having played for New England (1997-2001), Miami (2001), Columbus (2002-2003), Dallas (2003) and Bodens BK of the Swedish Superettan (Third Division, 2004). In 2005, Dunseth was Real Salt Lake's sixth player in terms of minutes played, logging 2,011 minutes in 24 games (all starts) and scoring two goals in five shots on goal.
REMATCH OF MLS CUP 2005 COMES TO CARSON ON APRIL 1 AS GALAXY AND REVS TANGLE: 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. The game will be a hotly contested rematch of MLS Cup 2005, where the Galaxy defeated the Revs, 1-0, 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 2006 home opener will be the Galaxy's second under coach Steve Sampson. The club previously defeated Real Salt Lake, 3-1, on April 9, 2005.
2006 L.A. GALAXY TOURNAMENTS AND EVENTS: The L.A. Galaxy are pleased to announce that the Galaxy Clasico II adult soccer tournament and Copa LA V youth soccer tournament will both be returning to the San Bernardino Soccer Complex in 2006.
The second annual Galaxy Clasico II will take place on May 20th and 21st, and will see competitive teams in the Men's and Women's Open Divisions, as well as friendly competition in the Men's Over 30, Over 40, and Over 50 divisions, plus the Women's Over 30 division. The Men's Open Division will play for a cash prize and the chance to be seen Galaxy scouts will be in attendance.
The fifth anniversary of the Copa L.A. V tournament will again take place over Memorial Day weekend from May 27th - 29th in San Bernardino. Besides playing in a first class tournament at a great facility, participants will also have fun enjoying the sponsor booths and gifts, appearances by Galaxy players, and many other elements sure to create the memory of a lifetime for all those in attendance. More than 100 teams are expected, so sign up early to reserve your spot.
For more information or to register for Galaxy Tournaments or events, visit www.lagalaxy.com and click on "Galaxy events" or call 1-877-3Galaxy.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ORDER A GALAXY CELEBRATION PACK: Attention Galaxy fans: for a limited time only, the club will be offering a Celebration Pack to commemorate their success in 2005. For as little as $65, you will receive two tickets to the home opener on April 1 against the Revs, two tickets to see the Galaxy and the Chicago on April 8 and a 2005 MLS Cup Champions poster. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3-GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com.
2006 GALAXY SEASON TICKETS ALREADY ON SALE: Los Angeles Galaxy season tickets for 2006 are already on sale. For more information or to reserve your seats today, call the Galaxy ticket office at 1-877-3GALAXY or visit the club's website at www.lagalaxy.com.
Galaxy Weekly Training Schedule
Date: Time/Location
Tues. Feb. 28: 10 am & 3 pm - Field #4
Wed. Mar. 1: 10 am - Los Angeles vs. Houston @ University Field #2
Thurs. Mar. 2: 3 pm - Stadium Field
Fri. Mar. 3: 10 am - Reserves: Galaxy vs. MetroStars @ Field #7
Sat. Mar. 4: 10 am - Track Field
Sun. Mar. 5: Depart for Costa Rica
Mon. Mar. 6: TBD - Costa Rica
NOTE TO MEDIA: All practice times are listed in Pacific Time and are subject to change without notice.
Did you know ... Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Steve Sampson was the first American born coach to manage a foreign national team - Costa Rica?
