BEST IN MLS GETS KOREAN STANDOUT GALAXY LIKES DEFENDER HONG'S VERSATILITY.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

The Galaxy earned a bit of prestige on the world stage following its 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution to win the MLS Cup last month.

Fox Sports World, which ranks the top 25 clubs in the world, slotted the Galaxy at No. 25 to become the first MLS team to crack the world rankings.

On Monday, the Galaxy became even better after it acquired the rights to South Korean defender Hong Myung Bo - a favorite among Koreans in Los Angeles and one of the best Asian defenders ever.

Hong cemented his reputation during the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan this summer, when he was awarded the Bronze Ball for his outstanding performance in helping the South Koreans advance to the semifinals, where it lost to Germany.

The Bronze Ball represents third in the voting for the most outstanding player of the World Cup.

Hong finished behind Golden Ball winner Oliver Kahn, Germany's goalkeeper, and Ronaldo, the World Cup's leading scorer from winner Brazil.

``As one of the top 25-rated soccer teams in the world, the Galaxy clearly are not only building a team to capture the domestic marketplace but are continuing to develop a team with international appeal,'' said Tim Leiweke, the President of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy.''

Hong is a replacement allocation for Greg Vanney, who left the club last February to play professional soccer in France.

The good news for the Galaxy is it does not have to give up a player to acquire Hong, who fits under the team's salary-cap restraints.

``That was one of the main issues,'' Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. ``We didn't want a situation like before (with Luis Hernandez, for whom the team had to lose several players to acquire).''

Hong will not join the Galaxy until spring training in February, but he was introduced at Staples Center on Monday.

``I am thrilled and honored to be the first Korean to play in the MLS and for the passionate Southern California soccer fans,'' Hong said. ``I want to be part of making the Galaxy and Major League Soccer one of the most recognized clubs and leagues in the world.''

The 33-year-old, 6-foot-1 central defender has a long and successful background.

He began his career in 1992 with Korea's Pohang Steelers of the Korean League (K League). He earned league MVP honors his rookie year and was named to the K League's Best 11 four times.

Hong switched to Japan's J League in 1997 to play with Belmare Hirasseuka and led that club to an Asian League championship. He then switched to Kashiwa Reysol in 1999, where he was named the J League MVP.

In 2001, Hong rejoined the Steelers to be close to home for the World Cup.

Hong is a four-time World Cup veteran of the Korean team, having participated in 1990, '94, '98 and 2002.

``For people who remember the 1994 World Cup, Hong scored a 30-yard bomb, and that's something we haven't had, someone who can score from long range,'' Schmid said. ``And he's such a good passer of the ball, which is something we missed when Vanney left.''

Hong is described as a no-nonsense, self-assured defender with strong distribution skills.

Schmid said Hong can play several defensive positions, and with defenders Danny Califf (U.S. national team), Tyrone Marshall (Jamaican national team) and others gone for international games next summer, Hong gives the Galaxy not only another starter but depth on an already-deep team.

``We're going to have guys missing, and though you would like everyone healthy in a perfect world, what happens is that someone always gets hurt,'' Schmid said. ``Hong is so versatile he can play as a free guy, in the middle, or he can mark up and play a defensive midfield role. Our fans are going to enjoy him.

``One of the things that drew us towards Hong, just like it did (MLS MVP) Carlos (Ruiz), was the desire he had to be here. And he has shown leadership capabilities wherever he has played, which is underlined by him being captain with his team in the J League. That tells you a lot about his character.''

HONG FILE

Name: Hong Myung Bo

Country: South Korea

Position: Defender

Age: 33

Experience: Four World Cups (1990, '94, '98, 2002)

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

The Galaxy acquired the rights Monday to South Korean soccer player Hong Myung Bo, center, a World Cup veteran.

Song Kyeong-Seok/Associated Press

Box:

HONG FILE (see text)