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MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy acquire Nate Jaqua

December 15, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARSON, CA (Friday, December 15, 2006) - The Los Angeles Galaxy have acquired former Chicago Fire forward Nate Jaqua from 2007 MLS expansion side Toronto FC in return for a portion of an allocation, the club announced today. The 25-year old was out of contract, and was considering a move to European football.

"We've snatched an incredible talent from the jaws of the wolf that is European soccer," said President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "Nate expressed an interest in the Galaxy and we pounced on the opportunity to add a proven MLS star and instantly upgrade our attacking arsenal."

A native of Eugene, OR, Jaqua joined Chicago as a first round pick (third overall) in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, following a standout career at the University of Portland. In his four seasons in Chicago, Jaqua scored 21 goals and 11 assists in 92 games (63 starts) in a Fire uniform, the 21 tallies good for sixth place on the club's career scoring chart. After seeing his goal output rise in each of his first three seasons, Jaqua outdid himself in 2006 by scoring a career-high eight goals to go along with two assists in 28 League appearances, including 22 nods in the Chicago starting XI.

"I'm really excited to be going to Los Angeles, the Galaxy is a great organization and it's a little closer to home for me," said Jaqua. "I'm itching to get going and playing with the guys, and to be coached by Frank [Yallop]."

Jaqua's considerable size and skill earned him plenty of notice in his four seasons with the Fire, and the Oregon native served as an integral part of the Chicago sides that won the 2003 Supporters Shield and 2003 and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup crowns. He earned his highest individual accolade came this past summer, when he was the lone Fire representative to take part in the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game against Chelsea FC at TOYOTA PARK.

Jaqua earned Honda MLS Player of the Month honors once in his career in June of 2005, in which he scored six times while helping the Fire to a 4-1-1 record and first place in the Eastern Conference at the time. That month, he also joined former teammates Ante Razov and Damani Ralph as the only players to register a hat trick for Chicago in MLS play, as his three tallies against Chivas USA on June 4 at Soldier Field marked the fourth hat trick in Fire history in a 5-2 triumph. He also earned a unique spot in Fire history by becoming the first-ever player to register a goal in two of its home venues - the renovated Soldier Field in October 2003 and TOYOTA PARK this past June.

Jaqua's success for the Fire spun off into his debut stint with the U.S. Men's National team, as an invite to the U.S.'s camp last January led to his first "cap" for the Red-White-and-Blue, a 24-minute appearance off the bench on Jan. 29, 2006 against Norway in a 5-0 win at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

Jaqua's complete biographical information and MLS career statistics are now available on lagalaxy.com.

The L.A. Galaxy are now accepting deposits for the 2007 season. A non-refundable deposit of just $100 per seat secures your place for all of the Galaxy's 2007 regular season games, plus great benefits including exclusive events with the team, special season seat holder gifts, and much more! Call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com .

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