MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy move into tie for second after holding San Jose scoreless

Published on September 26, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


SAN JOSE, CA (Saturday, September 25, 2004) - The Los Angeles Galaxy earned a crucial point on the road, playing to a tense scoreless draw with the San Jose Earthquakes before a packed house at Spartan Stadium on Saturday night in the final league installment of the "California Clasico".

The arch-rivals battled through a fiercely contested affair before eventually sharing the points, the Galaxy pulling into a tie for second place with the Colorado Rapids (losers to Kansas City earlier on Saturday), while the Earthquakes pulled into a tie for fourth with Dallas (who fell earlier to the MetroStars).

The brittle affair saw few scoring chances and a good bit of physical play. Tyrone Marshall of the Galaxy had a fantastic game in defense, though he was also the first name to go into referee Kevin Terry's book. A high kick into Chris Brown's face after only 13 minutes earned him the honor.

The home side almost took the lead in spectacular fashion on a well-worked set piece. After Landon Donovan drew a foul from Ryan Suarez, Ekelund teamed up with Jeff Agoos for a special free kick. Agoos scooped the ball into the

air for the restart and Ekelund cracked a first-time volley towards the upper right corner, but Hartman parried the ball onto his crossbar to keep the scores level.

Moments later it was the Galaxy with a near miss. Carlos Ruiz used his body to fend off Eddie Robinson and latch onto a long ball, then finding Cobi Jones overlapping on the right. But the nine-year MLS veteran rolled his shot wide of the left post, still searching for his first goal of the season.

Each side then had a chance shortly before the break, Ruiz unable to get enough power on his shot to beat Pat Onstad and Brian Mullan scuffing a chance from close range wide of the post.

Ten minutes after the intermission Jones had a second chance to shoot on goal off of a service from Ruiz. The Galaxy original was able to get his shot on target this time, but Onstad made the save as he turned the ball around the right post. A minute later the Galaxy were close yet again, this time Jovan Kirovski collecting a Ruiz pass, but he fired his effort over the bar.

Ruiz should have notched his 12th goal of the season in the 71st minute. Marcelo Saragosa's attempted pass out wide was deflected by a Quakes defender right into the Guatemalan international's path. He made his way into the box uncontested, but pushed his shot wide of the far post, and the match eventually wound down to a draw.

The Galaxy return to The Home Depot Center next Saturday where they will welcome the Kansas City Wizards (10 p.m. ET). The Earthquakes hit the road on Saturday when they visit the Colorado Rapids (9 p.m. ET).

MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Tyrone Marshall (Los Angeles Galaxy)

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 26, 2004


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