ONE MORE TO GO FOR GALAXY A TIE IN CHICAGO WOULD GIVE L.A. BERTH IN MLS CUP FINAL.Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer For the Galaxy to reach Sunday's Major League Soccer championship game in Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital and the largest city of the American state of Ohio. Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816. , all it needs is a tie in the decisive third game of the MLS See multilevel security. semifinals against the Chicago Fire Chicago fire conflagration destroyed most of city (1871). [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 94] See : Disaster tonight at Soldier Field • • [ . It's a situation all too familiar to coach Sigi Schmid Siegfried "Sigi" Schmid (born March 20 1953 in Tübingen, West Germany) is a soccer coach who currently heads the Columbus Crew. Schmid moved from Germany to Torrance, California in 1962. He received a B.S. in economics from UCLA in 1976, and an M. and his players. Last year in the semifinals, the Galaxy traveled to Kansas City Kansas City, two adjacent cities of the same name, one (1990 pop. 149,767), seat of Wyandotte co., NE Kansas (inc. 1859), the other (1990 pop. 435,146), Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties, NW Mo. (inc. 1850). with a 4-1 points advantage but lost Game 3, then lost the sudden-death tiebreaker tie·break·er n. An additional contest or period of play designed to establish a winner among tied contestants. Also called tiebreak. tie that followed. The Wizards won the championship the following week. In the first round two weeks ago, New York/New Jersey led the Galaxy 4-1 heading into Game 3 at the Rose Bowl. This time the Galaxy won, and Mauricio Cienfuegos Mauricio Cienfuegos (born February 12, 1968 in San Salvador, El Salvador) is a retired Salvadoran football (soccer) player. Cienfuegos turned professional in 1985, and played his first season for Racing Junior of his native El Salvador. scored on a free kick in the tiebreaker to clinch the series. The lessons learned in both games will be pivotal tonight against the Fire, which was 9-2-3 at Soldier Field during the regular season. ``By now, we know the importance of a game like this, probably better than anyone,'' Schmid said. ``We have the benefit of experience. Most of our (players) were on those other teams. The benefit is that we have forced a situation where they've got to beat us in order to force the tiebreaker. We have to be smart and we have to use the opportunities that fall our way as a result.'' After beating the Fire 1-0 in overtime Saturday at Cal State Fullerton, the Galaxy took a 4-1 points lead in the semifinal series. Five points is required to advance to the final, which would be the Galaxy's third championship appearance since the inaugural season in 1996. The Fire-Galaxy winner will face the survivor of tonight's other semifinal matchup between San Jose San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. and Miami. Chicago will be without midfield playmaker play·mak·er n. A player in a sport with goals, such as a guard in basketball, who initiates offensive plays. play Peter Nowak, who strained his right hamstring Saturday. With Nowak not playing, the Galaxy should see more possession than it had in Game 1 in Chicago, which ended in a 1-1 tie. But the Fire probably has the deepest team in the league and can call on veteran Hristo Stoitchkov and Jamar Beasley Jamar Beasley (born October 11, 1979 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League. The promising young player who had at one point trained with A.C. , brother of Chicago teen-age standout DaMarcus Beasley. ``We're preparing with the idea that (Nowak) might play,'' Schmid said. ``They have so many weapons and experienced players that they will present problems. Obviously, in Game 1, we didn't come out very well. Chicago dominated a good majority of that game through 60 minutes. ``Our focus is not allowing goals and taking advantage of opportunities when they are presented to us. We have to play with what they give us. If they press the issue, we'll play a certain way. If they drop off, we'll play a certain way. It's up to Chicago.'' Schmid joked that Luis Hernandez, who missed two practices late in the season, will arrive on time, saying he'll make sure the forward is on the team bus when it leaves the hotel for Soldier Field. Hernandez has been the subject of controversy since his bouts with tardiness Tardiness Dagwood comic strip character; chronically late at the office. [Comics: “Blondie” in Horn, 118] ten o’clock scholar schoolboy who habitually arrives late. [Nurs. , too. In Game 1, he demanded to take the lone penalty kick, even though Greg Vanney and Peter Vagenas are the regular spot kickers. Hernandez's initial attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Zach Thornton, but Hernandez put in the rebound to tie the game. On Saturday, after arriving late because he miscalculated the travel time from Pasadena to Fullerton, Hernandez didn't play until the second half. But he set up Vagenas' game-winner in overtime. ``He's a leader and a great player and he lifts this team when he's on the field,'' Galaxy defender Paul Caligiuri said. ``When everything is on the line, your main guys step up. Regardless of what has happened, El Matador matador In bullfighting, the principal performer, who works the capes and attempts to dispatch the bull with a sword thrust between the shoulder blades. Most of the techniques used by modern matadors were established in the 1910s by Juan Belmonte (b. 1894–d. has been there when we've absolutely needed him.'' The Fire's 19-year-old Beasley, who has caused fits for the Galaxy with his speed and quickness, said Chicago is ready for anything. ``Nobody said it was going to be easy. The Galaxy is a hard challenge and they've got a lot of chemistry in their camp,'' Beasley said. ``But we're very confident. GALAXY vs. CHICAGO Kickoff: 5:30 p.m., at Soldier Field. TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; 870-AM, 1020-AM (Spanish). Matchup: The Galaxy leads 4-1 on points in the series, meaning it needs only a tie to advance to the MLS championship game Sunday in Columbus. For the Fire to advance, it must beat the Galaxy in regulation, then win the 20-minute sudden-death tiebreaker that would follow. Chicago is 9-2-3 at Soldier Field, but the Galaxy hasn't lost there this season, earning a victory and a tie. - Fred J. Robledo CAPTION(S): box Photo: The final hurdle to the MLS title game for Cobi Jones (13) and the Galaxy is Game 3 tonight in Chicago. Fred Jewell/Associated Press Box: GALAXY vs. CHICAGO (see text) |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion