MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy to play national team of Iran

March 30, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARSON, CA. (Tuesday, March 30, 2004) - The Los Angeles Galaxy announced today that the club will host the national team of Iran, who recently climbed seven slots to claim their best-ever FIFA World Ranking of 24th place, in an international friendly on Wednesday, April 28 (7:30 pm) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The visit by Iran marks their first match in Southern California since drawing the USA 1-1 in front of 50,181 fans on January 16, 2000 at the Rose Bowl.

Tickets for Galaxy-Iran match will go on sale Friday, April 2nd at 10:00am with pricing as follows: Sideline $45, Reserved $35 and General Admission $20. Galaxy Full Season Plan Holders will have an exclusive three-day priority sale period (as of this release) to purchase individual ticket seating for the match at a special (group) price. Others wishing to lock in their seats before public sale can do so by purchasing a special two game package for the Iran (April 28) and Columbus Crew (April 24) games by calling 1-877-3GALAXY.

"The match against Iran will give us the chance to play against one of Asia's most talented and exciting national teams," said Galaxy President/General Manager Doug Hamilton. "We are always looking to bring our fans top international opponents and a team in the midst of World Cup qualifying as Iran will be."

The match will be the third-ever match between the MLS club and a national selection that is a member of the Asian Football Confederation. Previously, the Galaxy defeated China 3-1 on February 21, 2001 in Yuxi, China and the teams played to a scoreless draw on September 6, 2003 at The Home Depot Center.

Iran are coached by Croatian Branko Ivankovic, who served as an assistant to his countryman Miroslav Blazevich in both Croatia's third-place finish in FIFA World Cup France 1998 as well as Iran's bid to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. They are currently 24th in the latest Coca-Cola World rankings.

On the field, Iran is lead by forward Mehdi Mahdavikia, who was named the AFC Player of the Year for 2003, becoming the third player from his country to claim the honor. Currently, Mahdavikia plays for Hamburg SV in the German Bundesliga.

Iran are presently tied with Jordan atop Group 1 of AFC qualifying to FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 after earning the maximum of three points in their first match, a 3-1 defeat of Qatar at Azadi Stadium in Tehran on February 18. The Iranians return to the pitch for their next qualifier on March 31 at Laos.

The Iran Soccer Federation was founded in 1920 and joined the ranks of the sport's world governing body, FIFA, in 1945. Iran played in FIFA World Cup France 1998, bowing out after the first round, despite a 2-1 defeat of the USA.

During the club's nine-year history, the L.A. Galaxy has faced teams from Argentina, China, Chile, Colombia, England, France, Germany, Holland, El Salvador, Honduras, Japan, Korea and Mexico. Overall, Los Angeles boasts a 22-10-12 (W-L-T) all-time international record, including a 2-1-0 mark on recently-completed pre-season tour of France, which included defeats of OGC Nice and St. Raphael.

The club has already claimed all there is to win in this region of the world both domestically and internationally having captured the 2002 MLS Cup, 2001 U.S. Open Cup and 2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup titles.

The Los Angeles Galaxy are in the midst of their final preparations to the 2004 Major League Soccer season, which begins Saturday April 3 at The Home Depot Center vs. the New England Revolution. To purchase season tickets, please call 1-877-3GALAXY.

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