SOCCER: GALAXY FIRES SAMPSON.Byline: LARRY MORGAN Staff Writer CARSON -- It was just more than a week ago that Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas Panayotis Alexander (Alexi) Lalas (born June 1 1970, Birmingham, Michigan) is a former Greek-American soccer defender, who became one of the most famous soccer players in the United States after he played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. sharply criticized the players for the team's abysmal start to the 2006 MLS See multilevel security. season. Tuesday, he decided to spread that blame. Lalas fired 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. after seeing the team lose six straight. The Galaxy has won only two of its first 11games. Sampson, 48, was hired on Aug. 18, 2004, to replace 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. , now with the Columbus Crew The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio that participates in Major League Soccer. The club was owned by Lamar Hunt, who also owned the Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas until his 2006 death, upon which his son, Clark, took over his sports properties. , and won the MLS and U.S. Open cups in 2005, but he also had a disappointing regular-season record of 17-24-10 (.431). The Galaxy is expected to announce today the hiring of Frank Yallop, the MLS Coach of the Year in 2001 with the San Jose Earthquakes
He takes over a Galaxy team that has played poorly from the start of the season. It recently went on a scoreless streak that lasted 525 minutes and is in last place in the Western Conference with the worst record in the league at 2-8-1. The Galaxy, which has not won a home game this season, also trails its co-tenant at Home Depot Center, Chivas USA, which is 3-4-1. The teams meet in the latest edition of the ``Super Clasico'' Thursday night. ``It has been an honor to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy are a professional football (soccer) team based in Carson, California that participates in Major League Soccer. The name "Galaxy" refers to Los Angeles being the home of many Hollywood "stars". for the last two years,'' Sampson said in a statement. ``It was truly a privilege to bring two championships to the fans of Los Angeles. ``I truly enjoyed my time here and wish everyone all the best in the future." Lalas said relieving Sampson of his duties was a difficult choice to make. ``I take no pleasure in doing this,'' he said. ``But I'm in charge of the team, and I'm responsible to the fans to give them the kind of team they deserve. The Galaxy standard admittedly is very high, and this is not a question of blame but accountability.'' larry.morgan@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2272 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Steve Sampson led the Galaxy to only two victories in 11 games this season. Victor Decolongon/Getty Images |
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