Sports stats



MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy drop 2-1 decision to Syracuse Salty Dogs

March 25, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARY, NC (Thursday, March 25, 2004) - The Los Angeles Galaxy dropped a 2-1 decision to the Syracuse Salty Dogs (A-League) on a beautiful spring evening at SAS Stadium at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Just a day after flying across the country, Los Angeles stepped onto the field for their first game of the weekend in the Inaugural Cary Pro Kickoff Invitational. L.A. Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz scored the lone Galaxy goal in the 81st minute, but it was not enough as Syracuse scored a goal in each half to register the victory.

Syracuse's Michel Millwood opened the scoring for the Salty Dogs in the 3rd minute. He collected a pass along the right edge of the box before tucking a shot inside the far post and beyond the reach of goalkeeper Dan Popik and into the Galaxy net.

Looking to level the score, Los Angeles almost tied the game in the 11th minute after midfielder Ned Grabavoy earned a free kick in the center of the field nearly 30 yards from goal. However, Jovan Kirovski's best effort sailed just left of the goal.

Forward Joseph Ngwenya earned a second scoring opportunity in the 36th minute. However, his final touch before entering the penalty area betrayed him. As he ran to chase down the ball, however, he was bundled down in the box by the Salty Dogs defense, but to no avail as the referee kept the whistle silent.

In the 61st minute, after winning a corner, midfielder Guillermo Gonzalez's re-start found the head of Tyrone Marshall above the defense, but the attempt sailed just wide of the goal.

Just one minute later, Gary Brooks gave Syracuse a 2-0 advantage, ripping a 30-plus yard blast into the upper right corner of the goal past a stunned Popik.

The Galaxy continued to fight to get back in the match. In the 78th minute, Peter Vagenas hit a low ball first-time off a Sasha Victorine cross from the right, however Syracuse goalkeeper Romi made a diving save for the Salty Dogs.

Finally, Ruiz put the Galaxy on the board just ten minutes from the final whistle. After getting a shot off in the box that went just wide, he was judged to have been taken in the box. He tucked his ensuing penalty kick inside the far post after sending the Salty Dogs' Romi the wrong way.

The Guatemalan International had a final chance to equalize a minute later, but Romi denied him to seal the win for Syracuse.

The Galaxy 10-3-0 (W-L-T) conclude the 2004 pre-season on Saturday, March 27, versus MLS Western Conference rivals Kansas City Wizards, also at SAS Soccer Park. That match kicks off at 4 pm (PT).

Los Angeles Galaxy tickets are now on sale for the 2004 season at The Home Depot Center, who open their ninth season in MLS with a match against the Revolution at 7 pm (PT) on Sat. April 3, 2004. For more information or to purchase your 2004 Galaxy season tickets, please call toll-free 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com .

Check out the LA Galaxy Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from March 25, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central