MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy Weekly Update

Published on August 26, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


The Los Angeles Galaxy (12-8-3, 39 pts. - 3rd in Western Conference) takes on U.S. World Cup Star Clint Mathis and the MetroStars (10-11-2, 32 pts. - 3rd in the Eastern Conference) on Saturday, August 31 at the Rose Bowl. In addition, the Galaxy could clinch its seventh-consecutive playoff berth without even playing a match on Wednesday depending on the outcome of the Colorado-New England game. A win by Colorado would guarantee the Galaxy a spot in the playoffs and a finish no lower than eighth place in the league playoff table.

Game time is 7:00 pm (PT), but the match will also be broadcast tape delayed on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. (PT). Galaxy fans can listen over the airwaves on ESPN Radio 1110 AM (English) and on KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish). Attention fans, the L.A. Galaxy will be giving out 5,000 Galaxy Lunch boxes to kids 12 and under on Saturday courtesy of Proctor and Gamble, while supplies last. Saturday will also be the last chance for families to purchase a Galaxy Family Pack, which includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas and 2 Sasha Victorine posters for $65 (Reserved) and $45 (GA).

The Galaxy head into this Saturday's match vs. the MetroStars seeking revenge following the club's worst loss in history, 5-0, on June 15 at Giants Stadium. Striker Mamadou Diallo scored four goals for the second time in his career against L.A. in the match, the only player ever to do so.

The MetroStars, who sit in the 7th playoff spot, are only two points out of first place in the conference which would guarantee seeding of no lower than second place.

U.S. WORLD CUP STAR CLINT MATHIS RETURNS TO L.A.: MetroStars and U.S. World Cup star Clint Mathis will be making his first appearance in Los Angeles since helping lead the U.S. National Team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, its best finish in over 70 years. In Korea, Mathis scored a brilliant goal in the USA's 1-1 draw with the Korean National Team. Mathis and the MetroStars are coming a huge 1-0 win over the D.C. United on Sunday. Mathis scored the game-winner his first goal in almost four months for the MetroStars.

ADJUSTING THE PLAYOFF PICTURE: If the 2002 MLS Playoffs started today the Galaxy would host the Colorado Rapids in a three games series with the first club earning five points advancing to the next round. Per MLS rules, the seeding for the playoffs puts the conference winners in the top two slots with the next six best clubs filling out the remaining spots. Here is how the playoff picture looks right now (seed): San Jose (1) vs. Kansas City (8), Chicago (2) vs. MetroStars (7), Dallas (3) vs. Columbus (6), and Los Angeles (4) vs. Colorado (5).

HARTMAN TIES CAREER HIGH WITH TEN SAVES VS. BURN: In a busy Saturday night, Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made several stellar plays on his way a career tying 10 saves vs. the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl. Already this season, Hartman has saved 60 of 83 shots on goal, posted a 1.33 goals-against-average and earned a 7-6-1 record with two shutouts. In the 49th minute of play, diving across the mouth of the goal to parry away a powerful Jason Kreis free kick from the edge of the box.

L.A. LOOKS TO EXTEND EIGHT-GAME HOME UNBEATEN STEAK: The L.A. Galaxy is riding an eight-game home unbeaten streak (6/8-8/21) and is looking for number nine on Saturday. The streak, which began with a win vs. the Chicago Fire on June 8, includes a 7-0-1 record. The unbeaten stretch includes wins vs. the Chicago Fire (1-0), Dallas Burn (3-0), San Jose (3-1), Columbus Crew (2-1), New England Revolution (2-1), Colorado Rapids (4-0) and Kansas City Wizards. The lone tie came against the Kansas City Wizards (2-2).

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The L.A. Galaxy boasts the second best home record in the league at 9-1-2 (.833). Only San Jose, with a record of 11-0-1 (.958), surpasses the Galaxy at home. The Galaxy also boasts the second lowest goals-against-average at home of any MLS team with a 0.83 GAA while allowing only 10 goals.

METROSTARS CONNECTIONS: In addition to U.S. World Cup forward Clint Mathis, the MetroStars' Mark Semioli and Steve Jolley also played for the Galaxy, while head coach Octavio Zambrano guided the team over parts of three seasons (1997-99) to a 39-18 mark...Los Angeles has one former MetroStar in Ezra Hendrickson, who played for them in 1997 before being picked up by Los Angeles. Tab Ramos was teammates with Alexi Lalas and Cobi Jones at the 1994 World Cup...Lalas, Jones and Ramos later played together for the U.S. in France '98...MetroStars midfielder Andy Williams is teammates with Tyrone Marshall on the Jamaican National Team...Brian Mullan and MetroStars Midfielder Ross Paule are both Creighton University products... Galaxy assistant coach Ralph Perez was an assistant for the MetroStars from 1996-97 and is a native of Long Island...Galaxy assistant coach Ralph Perez was an assistant for the MetroStars from 1996-97 and is a native of Long Island...Two of the MetroStars latest acquisitions have Southern California ties, as Marcelo Balboa and Ted Chronopoulos went the San Diego State and are from Cerritos, CA and Loma Linda, CA, respectively.

GALAXY PLAYERS AND COACHING STAFF TO HOST CLINIC FOR AYSO REGION 97: The entire Los Angeles Galaxy players and coaching staff will be hosting a special Galaxy Soccer Clinic for AYSO Region 97 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 27 at the Kaiser School in Costa Mesa, CA. Galaxy Players and Coaching staff will be giving hands on instruction followed by a autograph session for kids in attendance at the Galaxy Soccer Clinic.

GALAXY TO HOST BURN IN U.S. OPEN CUP SEMIFINALS ON SEPT. 3 AT TITAN STADIUM: Defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy will host the Dallas Burn in the semifinals of the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Sept. 3rd at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, CA at 8:00 pm (PT). The match will also be broadcast live across the globe by FOX Sports World and FOX Sports World Español. Tickets (Premier Seats $20, General Admission $15 for adults, $10 for children 16 and under) are available through the Galaxy Ticket Office at (877) 3GALAXY and on day of game. The Galaxy advanced to the semifinals for the third-straight year after a stunning 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on August 7 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose. Galaxy forward and MLS leading scorer Carlos Ruiz notched the game-winner in the 11th minute of overtime after a scoreless regulation. The win gives the Galaxy their seventh consecutive tournament victory overall and marks the third time it's knocked San Jose out of the cup. The Sept. 3rd match will be the Burns first semifinal appearance since 1998. The Burn defeated the Colorado Rapids in the tournament's third overtime match, 1-0, on Aug. 7 when Burn midfielder Ronnie O'Brien put away the games only goal in the 111th minute at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

L.A. GALAXY NOTES:

* Los Angeles leads the all-time regular season series with the MetroStars 10-6-0. The Galaxy holds the edge in scoring (28-21) and shots on goal (107-90). The Galaxy boasts a 5-2-0 record at home and is 5-4-0 at Giants Stadium. In 2002, the MetroStars captured the first leg of the series with a resounding 5-0 victory at Giants Stadium on June 15. Recently acquired forward Mamadou Diallo, who is the only player in Galaxy history to score more than three goals against L.A., torched the Galaxy's defense for four goals on the night.

* Los Angeles has taken a League-leading 19 points out of their last 10 games, posting a 6-3-1 record.

* The Galaxy is 6-4-0 vs. the Eastern Conference in 2002.

* League Leaders: The Galaxy leads the league in several key categories, including assists (57), shots (359), shots on goal (171) and cornerkicks (149).

* Late Strikes: L.A. has scored 13 of its 37 goals following the 75th minute, the second highest total in the league behind Colorado (14).

* Danny Califf is in danger of receiving a mandatory one-game suspension with his next yellow card, due to caution point accumulation. Currently, Califf has 18 caution points.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 26, 2002


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