SCHMID GETS REDEMPTION IN RETURN TO LOS ANGELES.

Byline: SCOTT FRENCH Staff Writer

CARSON -- Sigi Schmid had two wishes Saturday night, and both were granted.

The Columbus Crew coach, bringing a team to Home Depot Center for the first time since he was controversally dismissed as Galaxy coach in August 2004, received a warm pregame reception from L.A. fans Saturday night and captured his first victory with his new team.

A 2-1 decision, on Kyle Martino's stoppage-time goal, gave Schmid a victory over the man who replaced him, Steve Sampson, and great satisfaction.

"This game is important to our team," Schmid said on the eve of the clash. "We need to get points, and we need to continue to get better each game. ... I want to see us play good soccer and get three points."

The win gave the Crew a 1-2-1 record and pushed them into a tie for third in the Eastern Conference, a fine start for such a young team.

Schmid, hired in October, is rebuilding the team, and he's blending a lot of youth -- three rookies started Saturday, another came on as a sub -- with some heady veterans led by always-dangerous Chilean forward Sebastian Rozental and U.S. national team right back Frankie Hejduk.

"I think the Galaxy showed last year you don't have to be the best team in the regular season and you can win a championship," Schmid said. "Our goal is to just finish fourth (in the East). We're not making illusions that we want to finish first (in the East), win the Supporters' Shield (for the regular-season title). It doesn't matter.

"If we get to the playoffs, by the end of the year, the guys are no longer rookies."

Schmid was born in Germany and moved to Southern California as a child. He played soccer at UCLA, took charge of the Bruins in 1980 and guided them to 322 victories and three NCAA championships in 19 seasons.

He had a superb run with the Galaxy, winning 95 MLS regular-season and playoff games in nearly six seasons, and had the team atop the Western Conference when he was fired and replaced by Steve Sampson.

There's no animosity," Schmid said Friday. "I'm happy with what I accomplished here, happy with ther support of the fans. Do I completely understand (why I was fired)? No. But there's no animosity."

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