MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy Weekly Update

Published on April 1, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


The Los Angeles Galaxy, F.C. Champions' Cup and 2001 U.S. Open Cup Champions, travel to El Paso, Texas for an exhibition match against it's A-League affiliate, the El Paso Patriots. The match, set for Tuesday, April 2 in the University of Texas at El Paso's Sun Bowl, will start at 6:30 pm (PT). The friendly match is part of the 5th Annual Amigo Cup, which the Galaxy captured in 2000 (2-1 win).

The Galaxy return home for its second MLS home game of the season against Eastern Conference rival Chicago Fire to be played on Saturday April 6, 2002 at the Rose Bowl. Game time is 7:00 pm (PT). The match will be radio broadcast live on Disney Radio KSDN 720 AM (English) and on KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish). The match will be the first meeting since the Galaxy bested the Fire in the 2001 MLS Semi-Final series last October to advance to the Galaxy's third MLS Cup appearance.

Los Angeles and Chicago are no strangers to significant games, having previously split two meetings in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals in 2000 and 2001. The clubs have also battled in their only other meeting in the MLS Playoffs, a semifinal match up in 1998 in which the Fire swept the series, 2-0, and went on to capture their only MLS Cup Championship. Historically, the Galaxy is 6-5-1 against the Fire with an home record of 3-2-1 and an away record of 3-3-0. Scoring is even between the clubs (16-16) with a 1.30 goals-per-game average.

The Galaxy and Fire split the 2001 season series, 1-1, with each team winning their respective road matches. The Galaxy defeated the Fire 3-1 on May 30 at Soldier Field, and the Fire then earned a 3-1 victory in Rose Bowl on August 25.

FIRE CONNECTIONS: Carlos Bocanegra played for Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid at UCLA...Fire midfielder Chris Armas was a member of the Galaxy from 1996-97... Kevin Hartman and former Galaxy midfielder Danny Pena were both expansion draft selections of the Fire in 1998, but were traded back to the Galaxy for Armas and GK Jorge Campos...The Fire and Galaxy (along with the United and Rapids) are operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group...Former Galaxy forward Ante Razov has returned to the MLS and the Chicago Fire after a stint in the Spain Second Division with Racing de Ferrol...Midfielder DaMarcus Beasley was allocated to Los Angeles as a Project-40 player on August 11, 1999, but was traded to Chicago for two first round draft picks (2000 and 2001) before making an appearance with the Galaxy...Los Angeles used the two draft picks to select Danny Califf (2000) and Isaias Bardales Jr. (2001).

COBI JONES NAMED TO ROSTER FOR USA VS. MEXICO SHOWDOWN:

Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones has been named to the 18-man U.S. National Team roster to face fellow World Cup finalists Mexico on Wednesday, April 3 in Denver, Colorado at INVESCO Field. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. (PT), and the match will be broadcast live on Telemundo. The U.S. has posted a 6-0-1 record on home soil in 2002, surrendering only one goal in those seven matches. Jones is expected to rejoin the Galaxy in time for its match versus the Chicago Fire.

GALAXY'S CARLOS RUIZ HOLDS TOP SPOT ON MLS' SCORING LEADER BOARD:

The L.A. Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz is looking to extend his hold of the top spot on MLS' scoring leader board to a third straight week. Ruiz, whose two-goal performance against D.C. United earned his MLS Player of the Week honors, remained the top scorer in MLS with four points (2 goals) over the weekend despite not being in action. Last week, Ruiz continued his hot streak with another two goals against the San Diego Gauchos (D3 Pro-League). He also heads the list in points-per-game (PPG) with a 3.91 PPG average.

MARSHALL TO DEBUT:

Defender Tyrone Marshall is slated to make his Galaxy debut on Saturday after missing the season opener against D.C. United due an ankle sprain. He is listed as probable for this weekend's game.

SCHMID RETURNS FROM EUROPE:

Los Angeles Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday after enjoying a week of scouting players in England and Germany. Off to an undefeated start in 2002, Schmid is not under any pressure to add anyone immediately to the roster, and is taking his time searching for the right player to fit in with his Galaxy squad. The timing for the trip was made possible due to an unusual break from MLS action. He began his trip in England attending several reserve matches and a Division I match. In Germany, the Galaxy coach saw his hometown team VfB Stuttgart challenge Borussia Dortmund in a Bundesliga (German First Division) match. Despite missing the USA vs. Germany match, Schmid did get a chance to meet with current U.S. National Team and former UCLA goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

GALAXY TO BATTLE CSD MUNICIPAL ON MAY 8TH:

The L.A. Galaxy will challenge the CSD Municipal "Rojos," one of the most powerful Guatemalan clubs and 18-time league champions on May 8, it was announced Monday by Doug Hamilton, Vice President/General Manager of the LA Galaxy. The Municipal vs. Galaxy match will kick off at 7:00 p.m. (PT) in the Rose Bowl and will be the Galaxy's first stateside meeting with the potent club this season.

It will also be the Galaxy's first match against Municipal since acquiring Guatemalan sensation Carlos Ruiz, who will be ready to compete against his former club. Ruiz, whose nickname is "El Pescadito" (little fish), made a huge splash in his MLS season debut on March 23 by scoring two goals and earning MLS Player of the Week honors. The two clubs last played in the Rose Bowl in 2000.

During the 2000 match between the Galaxy and five-time Guatemalan Cup Champion CSD Municipal, the "Rojos" edged the Galaxy 1-0 on a goal by Claudio Alvizuris. Ruiz was not on hand for the match with Municipal. He instead was playing for the Guatemalan National team where he scored the tying goal in a 1-1 draw against the United States during a World Cup Qualifying match on July 16.

L.A. GALAXY NOTES:

§ The Galaxy and Colorado Rapids head into week three of the 2002 MLS regular season as the only two undefeated clubs.

- Galaxy Goalkeeper Matt Reis started between the pipes as head coach Sigi Schmid went with the UCLA alum -- who is now undefeated in 2002 - ahead of teammate Kevin Hartman, who is returning from offseason wrist surgery. Making one save on the night, Reis has allowed a single goal and has a 0.98 GAA (fourth in MLS).

- L.A. FIREMAN: Midfielder Simon Elliott is the Galaxy's all-time leading scorer vs. the Chicago Fire, recording two goals and three assists for seven points in only six games.

- The L.A. Galaxy defeated its D3 affiliate the San Diego Gauchos, 7-1, in a closed-door scrimmage last week at the Rose Bowl. Forward Carlos Ruiz continued his goal-scoring streak from over the weekend netting two goals, even as Galaxy offensive prospect Gavin Glinton broke out with two strikes of his own.

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