FREEDOM MORE THAN WORD TO GALINDO.

Byline: NICK GREEN

Chivas USA striker Maykel Galindo identifies with TonyMontana, the Cuban refugee turned drug lord portrayed by Al Pacino in the 1983 movie "Scarface."

Not, it must be said, the power-hungry, drug-addicted and paranoid side of Pacino's role in what Galindo said is his favorite movie.

It's the smart, ambitious, ruthless part of the roguish Montana that captivates Galindo, who said he simply sees the film as a "Cuban guy who has to fight to survive."

And perhaps you would, too, if you began playing soccer barefoot at age 8 on the dusty streets of impoverished rural Cuba.

Or if you came from a broken home, with an absent mother studying at a far-off university, no immediate siblings and were raised by your grandmother.

And if you defected alone without telling family and friends during the 2005 Gold Cup in Seattle, abandoning one repressive life and walking alone into an unknown new one.

"I came to this country without anything and had to fight to become something," Galindo said.

And become something the MLS rookie has, a season after helping the Seattle Sounders to the United Soccer League title.

On Saturday, the 26-year-old collected his sixth goal in 10games, good for fourth on the league's scoring chart, in Chivas USA's 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids at Home Depot Center.

Instead of Montana's machine gun, Galindo wields soccer cleats that are no less explosive, no less rapacious and, for his opponents, no less fatal.

Saturday's goal contained the exuberant elements that are rapidly becoming hallmarks of a game that reflects the freedom the Torrance resident sought in the U.S.: speed, audacity, confidence and poise.

Running onto a long pass, Galindo burst up the sideline, beat two defenders,

cut inside and slotted the ball past the approaching goalkeeper with his left foot.

He finished up the move with an impromptu salsa by the corner flag.

Galindo is not an invisible goal-poacher type; his goals are highlight- reel moments.

His first MLS goal came just 27seconds into an April 21 game against Real Salt Lake, when he blew past Jack Stewart and outwitted goalkeeper Nick Rimando with a left-footed strike that was the sixth fastest goal in MLS history.

His second came just eight minutes later, effectively putting the goal beyond the reach of Salt Lake with 80 minutes left to play.

"Maykel has got that lightening pace," veteran striking partner Ante Razov said approvingly.

But Galindo is no one-dimensional player.

He possesses the rare confidence to run at players, unsettling defenses and causing mistakes as he did May 6, when he split two D.C. United defenders to score.

He boasts a deft touch that was displayed May 20 against the Galaxy, when he controlled a lob by Razov and cut around Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon to give Chivas USA an early lead.

And he sports the determination to pick himself up when he's down as he literally did May 26 against FC Dallas. Two defenders sandwiched Galindo and sent him sprawling, only to see him get up and score the winning goal.

Galindo is not yet the finished article.

He has, for instance, gone the full 90 minutes in just one of the 10 games he's started this season, his withering runs sapping his stamina.

But Galindo has learned how to use his speed, Chivas coach Preki said, brushing off one reporter's suggestion Saturday that he was still learning.

"I hope not. It doesn't look to me like he's still learning," Preki said. "Maykel has a bright future, it's up to him how far he goes."

A dapper dresser, in white top and shoes a la Montana, the handsome Galindo said his mother tells him he is more famous in Cuba today than when he played there.

And while that's important, so too is family, from the girlfriend in Seattle -- a city he now regards as home -- to the 74-year-old grandmother he sends money to regularly.

But it's freedom that has made the difference not just in Galindo's life, but in his career, too.

"(I) feel free in a lot of ways," Galindo said. "I wanted people to know me. I feel happier with myself."

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Photo:

Chivas USA's Maykel Galindo, who has six goals in 10 games this season, defected from Cuba during the 2005 Gold Cup in Seattle.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images