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LA Galaxy

Galaxy Weekly

November 18, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


PASADENA, CA (Monday, November 18, 2002) - The Los Angeles Galaxy's Hong Myung Bo made his final appearance with the Pohang Steelers of Korea's K-League on Sunday, falling to K-League Champion Songnam Chunma, 4-1. Hong, who was honored before the start of the game, played eight seasons with the Steelers (1992-97, 2001-2002) in the K-League.

Galaxy VP/GM Doug Hamilton and Hong also joined L.A. Mayor James Hahn for a press conference that announced a series of initiatives and tourism packages aimed at increasing tourism from Korea to Los Angeles in 2003. Mayor Hahn is on a 10-day trade and tourism mission to Asia.

Hamilton will also attend Hong's farewell match with the Korean National Team against the Brazilian National Team on Wednesday, November 20 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The match will mark Hong's last international appearance with the Korean National Team.

Together, Hamilton and Hong will travel to Los Angeles on Thursday, November 21, 2002. Below is Hong's schedule in Los Angeles:

HONG'S L.A. SCHEDULE:
* Nov. 21 - Arrives in Los Angeles - 10:10 am @ LAX, Asiana
Airlines Flight # OZ 202
Korean American Federation of Los Angeles - Dinner at 6:30 pm
* Nov. 22 - Visit to Home Depot Center - 2:30 pm
* Nov. 23 - Soccer Clinic at Seoul International Park - 10:00 am

VICTORINE SCORES FIRST GOAL WITH FULL NATIONAL TEAM IN SHUTOUT WIN: The L.A. Galaxy's Danny Califf and Sasha Victorine helped lead the U.S. Men's National Team to an historic conclusion for 2002 season with a 2-0 shutout of El Salvador in the cold and steady rain Sunday at RFK Stadium in front of 13,590 boisterous fans. Ben Olsen celebrated his return to the national team with the game-winning goal in the 31st minute, and Victorine added his first tally for the senior national team.

Califf, Victorine, Carlos Bocanegra and Wade Barrett made-up the USA's starting back four defenders, earning the U.S. National Team its 10th shutout of 2002. The defensive unit also earned praise from U.S. National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena.

"I was happy that our backline looked organized and efficient, because we had some issues during the week," commented Arena. "Sasha Victorine did pretty good. We do have challenges getting a back three or a back four over the next year or two, and he's a candidate for right back. Overall, I thought they did a good solid job."

The U.S. added an insurance goal in the 60th minute, as forward Clint Mathis displayed his trademark poise and ball control. With his back to the goal and hounded by a Salvadoran defender, Mathis managed to create a window of space, turned and slipped a beautifully weighted ball behind a defender to an onrushing Sasha Victorine. Victorine calmly slipped the ball through the legs of Gomez, recording a goal in only his second match for the USA.

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