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Galaxy drop 1-0 decision to CA Osasuna

March 9, 2005 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


PAMPLONA, SPAIN (Wednesday, March 9, 2005) - The Los Angeles Galaxy dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to Spanish Primera División side CA Osasuna Wednesday night at Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona, Spain. Despite holding the home side scoreless for 89-plus minutes of play, the Galaxy suffered the loss when Raul Garcia scored the match's only marker, taking a pass from Savo Milosevic and beating Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin. Fans interested in getting a look at the Galaxy's preseason form can catch a replay of the match this Saturday, March 12 at 4pm (PT) on Telemundo.

The Galaxy will conclude their three-game preseason tour of Spain on Thursday with a match against the "B" side of world powerhouse Real Madrid at 5 PM (Madrid time).

"The experience here in Pamplona has been invaluable for our preparation for the upcoming season," said Galaxy Head Coach Steve Sampson. "We are gaining valuable playing time for all of our players. We showed great maturity against a good opponent and played very well for 89 minutes - we will learn from this game; we were certainly not out of place against a very good Osasuna side. The new players in whom we put a great deal of faith in have rewarded us greatly."

It was the Galaxy who had the first shot of the game in the sixth minute, midfielder Guillermo Ramirez stole a pass in the middle of the park and launched a long shot towards the Osasuna goal - only to see it sail out of play.

Sixteen minutes passed before either team tested the other's goalkeeper. Again it was Ramirez who threatened for the visitors, taking a pass on the edge of the box and firing a one-hop bullet that eluded Gonzalo Eraso's dive but skidded just wide of the goal.

The Galaxy controlled much of the action for the next quarter hour, creating several chances in the penalty area, many of them involving Ramirez, but was unable to hit home. Neither team threatened for the remainder of the half and the sides entered the interval in a scoreless deadlock.

The hosts looked to take the lead eight minutes after the break, but Osasuna's Moha El Youbi's cross from the left wing was easily corralled by Cronin. Osasuna again threatened in 57th minute but Miguel Flaño's first-time shot on a Milosevic cross trickled harmlessly wide of goal.

Garcia tried to give Osasuna the lead again just five minutes later but his shot from just inside the penalty area was right at Cronin.

The Galaxy almost broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute as a Tyrone Marshall throw-in found the head of non-roster invitee Naldo, but he was not able to get enough on his effort to threaten Ortiz. The visitors would not threaten seriously again as the hosts escaped with the victory thanks to a Raul Garcia strike.

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.

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