GALAXY REMAINS METRO-PURPLEXED TIE RUNS WINLESS STREAK VS. STARS TO 7 METROSTARS 2, GALAXY 2.Byline: Larry Morgan Staff Writer CARSON - The Galaxy haven't beaten the MetroStars in two years, and it was no different Saturday night at Home Depot The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services. Headquartered in Vinings, just outside Atlanta in unincorporated Cobb County, Georgia, Home Depot employs more than 355,000 people and operates 2,164 big-box Center. The Galaxy, playing one of its poorer games of the season, spotted the visitors an early goal and actually led at halftime before settling for a 2-2 tie in front of an announced crowd of 20,331. The MetroStars entered the game 4-0-2 in the past six meetings between the teams and swept the season series in 2004. They also have been one of Major League Soccer's best road teams this season, having accounted for 10 of their 16 points on the road. It easily could have been 13, if not for first-half goals by Jovan Kirovski Jovan Kirovski (born March 18, 1976, in Escondido, California) is an American soccer forward of Macedonian descent who currently plays in Major League Soccer for the Colorado Rapids. (on a penalty kick) and Cobi Jones Cobi Jones (born June 16, 1970 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American midfielder for Major League Soccer team Los Angeles Galaxy. Jones is currently the all-time leader of the United States men's national team in appearances, with 164 caps as of the end of 2004 (scoring 15 . The MetroStars tied the game in the 72nd minute on a goal by Sergio Galvan Rey and the Galaxy somehow managed to remain unbeaten at home (5-0-2). Head coach Steve Sampson Steve Sampson (born January 19, 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah) is a soccer coach and the former head coach of the United States men's national team and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. , seen shaking his head after the game, said he felt fortunate but also a little frustrated. Defender Pablo Chinchilla Pablo Chinchilla Vega (born December 21, 1978 in San José, Costa Rica) is a Costa Rican soccer defender, who currently plays for SC Rheindorf Altach in the Austrian Bundesliga. Chinchilla played for LD Alajuelense, winning the CONCACAF Champions' Cup in 2004. , for example, missed a point-blank attempt from less than 10 yards with just under five minutes remaining. ``There were a lot of reasons why I was shaking my head tonight,'' Sampson said with a slight grin. ``Not to mention the other team on the field. Sometimes there are certain games where you take your point and go home.'' The Galaxy was missing several key players because of injury or national-team commitments. The list of missing players included Landon Donovan Landon Timothy Donovan (born March 4, 1982 in Ontario, California), is an American professional soccer player on the Los Angeles Galaxy, who is the joint all-time leading scorer for the U.S. National Team (along with Eric Wynalda). (with the U.S. men's team), Guillermo Ramirez (Guatemala), Michael Umana (Costa Rica Costa Rica (kŏs`tə rē`kə), officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (2005 est. pop. 4,016,000), 19,575 sq mi (50,700 sq km), Central America. ) and Tyrone Marshall Tyrone Marshall (born November 12, 1974 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican footballer, who plays center back for Toronto FC of Major League Soccer. Marshall was drafted by the Colorado Rapids out of Florida International University with the 11th overall pick of the 1998 (Jamaica). Starting right back Chris Albright also was out with a sprained knee ligament. That left the likes of midfielder Ned Grabavoy, who hadn't played in almost a year, and rookie defender Troy Roberts to pick up the slack. ``You could see the rhythm and the understanding, especially between (goalkeeper) Kevin (Hartman) and our back line was missing,'' Sampson said. ``Naturally, those things are going to happen. We thought we were going to get away with it tonight, but defensively I thought we let down a little bit in the second half. That was basically the difference in the game.'' ``We just didn't look like a team at home, trying to push for the win,'' Grabavoy said. ``I guess a point is better than no points.'' Larry Morgan, (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2272 larry.morgan(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Goalkeeper Kevin Harman makes a save against the MetroStars on Saturday. The Galaxy remains unbeaten at home with the 2-2 tie. Edna T. Simpson/Staff Photographer |
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