GALAXY LOSES LATE SAO PAULO NETS WINNER IN 85TH MINUTE SAO PAULO 1, GALAXY 0.

Byline: Fred Robledo Staff Writer

CARSON - With the Galaxy depleted by injuries, and visiting Sao Paulo FC of Brazil depleted by scheduling conflicts, there was little for the two sides to learn about each other during Wednesday's international friendly in front of 10,009 at Home Depot Center.

There was little for fans to cheer about as well, with neither side generating much offense until the final 10 minutes when Hernandes, a second half Sao Paulo substitute, beat Galaxy goalkeeper Dan Popik in the 85th minute for the game's only goal in a 1-0 victory.

The Galaxy's Arturo Torres nearly tied it in the 89th minute by trying to finish a cross from Sasha Victorine, but his header was poked over the goal by Sao Paulo goalkeeper Flavio, who made another great tip save a minute later after Ricky Lewis snapped a solid header on frame off a corner kick.

Although it might not have been the most entertaining game, the evening wasn't a total loss for Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid and Sao Paulo coach Milton Cruz. Both coaches have a vested interest in each other's depth.

The two clubs signed an agreement this year which allows for player exchanges during the offseason, which is how the Galaxy acquired 22-year-old midfielder Marcelo Saragosa on loan from Sao Paulo.

``It's a chance for them to see some of ours and obviously a chance for us to see some of theirs,'' Schmid said. ``I think the relationship that's developing between our two clubs is going to be beneficial. It's the exchange of players, exchange of soccer, exchange of ideas and an exchange of marketing and business concepts as well.''

One of the Sao Paulo players that interested Schmid was defender Flavio de Costa.

``Flavio is one of the players that trained with us in France, and he showed tonight that he can play and that he's a solid center-back,'' Schmid said.

Sao Paulo brought only one starter in defender Lugano, leaving behind Luis Fabiano, their leading scorer. Fabiano was with Brazil's national team in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Argentina, which was played the same evening.

Many of Sao Paulo's other regulars skipped the trip as well, because Sao Paulo is in the Copa Libertadores, and will play Colombia's Once Caldas in the semifinals next week.

In addition to injuries, the Galaxy also left many of its starters on the bench with an MLS match against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday. Only regulars Cobi Jones, Chris Albright, Jovan Kirovski and Saragosa started.

The Galaxy played with only 10 players in the second half after defender Hong Myung-Bo was ejected in the 42nd minute. Both sides played with 10 players for the final eight minutes, after Sao Paulo's Lugano received a red card in the 82nd minute.

Fred Robledo, [phone]

fred.robledo(at)sgvn.com