RUIZ SPARKLES IN DEBUT GUATEMALAN SCORES TWICE TO LIFT GALAXY IN OT GALAXY 2, D.C. UNITED 1.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

PASADENA - D.C. United didn't exactly welcome new Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz with handshakes and warm hugs.

United midfielder Lazo Alavanja was cautioned for hacking Ruiz from behind in the 22nd minute; Ruiz took an elbow to the chin from Eddie Pope in the 24th minute; and referee Noel Kenny ejected United midfielder Bobby Convey in the 40th minute after he tripped Ruiz from behind as he was walking away from Convey's initial attempt at his legs.

Galaxy assistant coach Ralph Perez said the physical marking in Major League Soccer would test the nerves of the Guatemalan, nicknamed ``Little Fish'' in his native country because of his darting moves in the goal area. But Ruiz showed poise and patience beyond his 22 years, unlike his predecessor Luis Hernandez, who would have traded jabs if he had taken such abuse.

Ruiz is MLS' leading scorer after just one game, scoring the equalizer and game-winner in overtime to lift the Galaxy to a 2-1 victory over United in front of 20,602 in the season opener for both clubs Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

In the 85th minute, Ruiz received a pass from Ezra Hendrickson with Pope hugging his back. Yet, the slippery Ruiz turned, freezing Pope, then sent a wicked left-footed shot into the right netting past United goalkeeper Nick Rimando to tie the match 1-1.

Then in overtime, after substitute Gavin Glinton was fouled in the penalty area two minutes in, the Galaxy was awarded a penalty kick. Ruiz asked for the ball, slammed home the winner to the left side in the 92nd minute, then ripped off his jersey as he ran to the stands.

The remarkable debut even caused United coach Ray Hudson to compliment the Galaxy's biggest offseason acquisition.

``He's a cracking player, a cracking player,'' Hudson said. ``I saw a young Jaime Moreno there. He's a wonderful acquisition for the league. He's an exciting, volatile and brave player.

``And you know, I thought we handled him pretty well. I don't think many teams will handle that kid as well as we did. We bottled him up pretty nice, but that's what a killer does to you. He gets that one crack in the door and he kicks it in. We were hanging on by our fingernails, but our fingernails broke and Ruiz deserves top marks for it.''

Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid wasn't just impressed with the goal, but with the toughness and feistiness his striker showed.

``He's committed to scoring goals, that's what he wants to do,'' Schmid said. ``But it's not just the goals, whenever there was a melee in the box, he was in the middle of it. And he showed (early) he could take a hit, but he gets up and he keeps battling, and that's what this team respects about him.''

United nearly spoiled Ruiz's debut with a clean strike in the 76th minute that came while the Galaxy was dominating possession with a man advantage.

United striker Ali Curtis took advantage of a rare opportunity and Galaxy miscue, which all started with a dazzling run after he received the ball near midfield.

Curtis found a big area of space along the left side with only Danny Califf in front of him. As he entered the penalty area, all Califf could do was watch the speedy Curtis juke him to his left, then send a picture-perfect shot to the right past Galaxy goalkeeper Matt Reis for a 1-0 lead.

Hudson was disappointed Convey was ejected in the first half, which forced United to defend instead of attack the way it had early.

``I'm delighted with my lads,'' he said. ``But it would have been a cracking game if it was 11 vs. 11. It's unfortunate that it got decided in a situation like that. And after a call like that, the game gets dissolved, and for what?

``We have to be honest with these things. These aren't sending-off offenses. My God, if you blow your nose, you're getting a yellow card now. I think the league needs to look at itself a little bit, but taking nothing away from L.A.''

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Photo:

The Galaxy's Cobi Jones, right, goes after the ball against D.C. United's Santino Quaranta during Saturday's game at the Rose Bowl. The Galaxy won 2-1 in overtime.

Sarah Reingewirtz/Staff Photographer