MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy tie clinches ninth-straight playoff appearance

Published on October 3, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


Carson, CA (Saturday, October 02, 2004) – The Los Angeles Galaxy were minutes away from earning a victory against the Kansas City Wizards before an own goal from defender Sasha Victorine left the teams with a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center, though the result was still good enough to secure the Galaxy's MLS-record ninth consecutive spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

The home side appeared to be on their way to closing the gap on the first-place Wizards after Tyrone Marshall gave them a lead when he headed home a corner kick in the 65th minute. Carlos Ruiz could have given the Galaxy an early lead, but K.C. 'keeper Bo Oshoniyi saved his penalty kick.

The Galaxy were the more threatening team throughout the match, and they came out of the gate putting the Wizards under some strong pressure. Frontrunners Ruiz and Jovan Kirovski were both very active, as was winger Cobi Jones.

It appeared their persistence would pay off when the home side was given a penalty kick in the 15th minute after Kirovski was brought down in the area by Wizards marker Jimmy Conrad. Ruiz stepped up to take the shot, but

Oshoniyi dived to his right to push the ball wide of the post.

Jones was particularly effective on the right flank, though he failed to convert on two good chances, first shooting into the side netting at the right post and then curling an effort just past the left upright moments later.

Right back Chris Albright made lots of overlapping runs to get involved offensively and nearly helped to create a goal for the Galaxy. He played a low cross into the box to the near post, which Kirovski deftly flicked on, but just out of the reach of Ruiz and the danger subsided for the Wizards.

The Wizards didn't register a shot on goal until just before the halftime break. Striker Davy Arnaud found a little room on the left wing and ran at the near post, but rather than dropping the ball off to Josh Wolff at the back post, he went on his own. Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman wasn't fooled and he easily collected the shot from Arnaud.

The breakthrough for the Galaxy finally arrived in the 65th minute, the goal coming from an unlikely source in Marshall, who easily nodded home a corner kick from Kirovski. Suspect marking left the Jamaican internationally with some space inside the six-yard box and he was unchallenged as he finished for his second goal of the season.

The Wizards began to stir to life after the goal, Arnaud trying to get on the end of a cross in front of the Galaxy goal in the 82nd minute, but halftime substitute Danny Califf contorted his body to head the ball away at the last possible second.

Wolff wasn't far off from getting his name on the scoresheet when he blasted a fierce shot from the top of the box with five minutes remaining, but hecouldn't get the effort on target and it hit Hartman's side netting.

But the Wizards would steal their point just four minutes later with a touch of good fortune through Victorine's misplay. Wolff provided a dangerous low cross from the left flank towards an onrushing Igor Simutenkov, though the striker could not reach the ball despite going to full stretch. But Victorine inadvertently flicked the ball past a helpless Hartman to provide more late dramatics in the series between the clubs.

Kansas City continues their road trip next Saturday when they visit the San Jose Earthquakes (10 p.m. ET). Los Angeles will stay at The Home Depot Center, where they will host the Dallas Burn (10 p.m. ET).

Check out the LA Galaxy Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from October 3, 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