A LONG, WINDING ROAD FOR GALAXY SCHEDULE-MAKERS UNKIND IN MAY.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

PASADENA - Coach Sigi Schmid expected his Galaxy to be on the road for the early part of next season, while the team is awaiting completion of the new stadium at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson.

Why it's happening this season, though, Schmid has no idea.

The Galaxy (2-1-2) begins a stretch of five road games over the next five weeks beginning today in Kansas City (1-1-2). L.A. doesn't play a game at the Rose Bowl until June 8, when it plays host to Chicago.

``I thought somebody had made a mistake in New York,'' was Schmid's reaction when he first saw the schedule. ``I thought that someone's computer got stuck and it kept saying, 'Away, away and away.'

``It's definitely a difficult schedule and I don't know how it turns out that a team has to play five weeks away on the road. Especially a team like us, because there are no stadium concerns. But it's here and we have to accept it.''

The Galaxy also must face other realities. It started the season with four of its first five games at home and needed two sudden-death overtime victories to record its only two wins.

Also, Cobi Jones is gone for two months on World Cup duty, and a plethora of players are fighting nagging injuries, including Mauricio Cienfuegos, Ezra Hendrickson, Isais Bardales, Sasha Victorine and Gavin Glinton.

Peter Vagenas hasn't played this season because of a back strain and is not expected back for two more weeks. Forward Chris Albright, acquired from D.C. United in the offseason, broke his foot and is sidelined for at least four more weeks.

``We're banged up, there's no doubt about that,'' Schmid said. ``Ezra, Sasha and Cienfuegos are fighting their way back, and Gavin took one in the ribs this week.

``I have no idea at this point who's going to start and where they're going to play. We have to look at who's available (on game day) and how to play with the strengths we have. No question, it's a difficult stretch for us.''

Glinton, a rookie from Creighton, has been the most impressive newcomer next to Carlos Ruiz, who has scored all six Galaxy goals this season.

With Major League Soccer contracting to 10 teams since last season, Glinton considers himself fortunate just to make a roster. But he started Saturday after playing in a reserve role in four other games and he has done well creating chances for himself and others.

With Jones out, Glinton figures to continue starting if he's healthy.

``You always want to play, but you want to earn it,'' Glinton said. ``We're going to miss Cobi, but if I'm the one to step in for him, I've got to fill that void for the team.

``When I was coming in as a sub, I was getting guys when they're tired. In that situation, you're there to bring a lift, not to maintain. But when I played the whole game (last) Saturday, I kind of faded near the end.''

Fortunately for the Galaxy, Kansas City will be without goalkeeper Tony Meola, who also is with the U.S. national team.

``Them not having Tony helps, but we don't have Cobi, so that sort of evens things out,'' Schmid said. ``I think from this trip, you want to go at least .500, but we want to be better than that. We've shown ourselves well on the road in the past, and it would be nice to start off with a victory because we haven't had one the last three games.''

GALAXY vs. KANSAS CITY

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium.

TV/Radio: Ch. 9; 1110-AM.

Matchup: The Galaxy (2-1-2, 8 points) has yet to finish a game in regulation this season - dating back to last season, it has been in nine consecutive overtime games. The Galaxy won its first two games on sudden-death goals by Carlos Ruiz, who has all of the team's six goals. In its past three games, the team has tied twice and lost its first game, 1-0 to the Colorado Rapids last Saturday. Midfielder Cobi Jones is out for two months on World Cup duty but so is Kansas City (1-1-2, 5 points) goalkeeper Tony Meola. Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos and defender Ezra Hendrickson missed last week's game because of injuries, but both are expected to start today even though they are not 100 percent.

- Fred J. Robledo

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Rick Titus (2) and the Galaxy play five consecutive road games in five weeks, beginning today in Kansas City.

E.J. Flynn/Associated Press

Box:

GALAXY vs. KANSAS CITY (see text)