CALIFF PREFERS TO LOOK AHEAD.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

U.S. Olympic soccer coach Clive Charles said Danny Califf would not have been on the team if it wasn't for his development in Major League Soccer.

That ought to make Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid feel like something went right this season. Schmid not only watched Califf go to the Olympics, but also fellow Galaxy rookies Sasha Victorine and Pasadena's Peter Vagenas as well.

Califf made the biggest splash, and it didn't go unnoticed. He scored a crucial goal during the Olympics and helped the team reach the semifinal round for the first time in history.

Califf returned to the Galaxy after a few days rest and kept the momentum going. He scored a beautiful header in overtime last week to give the Galaxy a 2-1 victory over Kansas City in the MLS semifinal series.

But that's not how the fairytale ended for Califf.

In the decisive match Friday in Kansas City, the MLS Rookie of the Year candidate made mistakes leading to goals that led to the Galaxy's 1-0 loss in regulation and a 1-0 loss in the 20-minute tiebreaker immediately after. That sent the Wizards to Sunday's MLS championship against the Chicago Fire.

It was a tough ending for Califf, whose last month of soccer mirrored the Galaxy's season of ups and downs. It also mirrors the Galaxy's history, which so far has produced no MLS or U.S. Open Championships, even though the team has had the best combined regular season record in MLS history.

``It's tough to put that game behind because every time you think about soccer and the championship, you think about that game,'' said Califf. ``But I think part of being a pro is putting that stuff behind you and moving on. I made a mistake, two mistakes. I take responsibility for it. But I'm looking forward. If you dwell on that stuff you will have a lot of problems in this game.''

Califf, voted the Galaxy's defender of the year even though he shares the same space with U.S. national team pool players Robin Fraser, Greg Vanney and two-time World Cup standout Paul Caligiuri, shouldn't worry about the final moments of this Galaxy season. Califf is going to be a star in this league if European teams don't gobble him up first.

He made a pair of rookie mistakes, but with the future uncertain for aging defenders Fraser and Caligiuri, midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos and striker Cobi Jones, Califf -- along with Victorine and Vagenas -- holds the Galaxy's future in his hands.

But how long will he stay with Europe showing interest?

``Coming off the Olympics, we're all getting looks overseas,'' said Califf. ``I can't speak for our other two, but I will definitely look at what is offered overseas and what the MLS will counter with.

``But without a doubt, I would like to stay in L.A. This is the perfect place for me. I like our team and our coaching staff. I just hope it all works out.''