And they didn’t kick a ball today.
The post-season berth comes courtesy of intrastadium rivals Chivas USA who beat an out of gas D.C. United Saturday 2-0 on the road. United finished with 10 men after Ben Olsen was sent off for clocking Chivas USA defender Yamith Cuesta on the back of the head with a retaliatory “free kick.” It was United’s best shot of the evening.
Game story, video highlights and more here.
BTW, in related news – given that Chivas USA’s Jorge Flores and Gerson Mayen are playing in Egypt at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup – the U.S. is on their way home in the wake of its comprehensive loss to former Galaxy defender’s Hong Myung-Bo’s South Korea and the failure of results Saturday going the U.S. way.
How close was the U.S. elimination? After Brazil beat Australia, the U.S. needed the Czech Republic to beat Costa Rica by two goals. Alas, the Czechs could only manage a 3-2 win and the U.S. are out.
In what is not a particularly hopeful sign for the future of U.S. soccer, it’s the first time the U.S. team has failed to advance past the group stage at the U-20 World Cup since 1987.
BTW, it’s the first time the Galaxy get to extend their season since winning MLS Cup 2005.
And in other non-surprising news, there’s this. Ho hum.
Updated:
Galaxy playoff tickets, starting at $24, go on sale 10 a.m. Monday with the opponent and date to be determined. The first 10,000 ticket purchasers will receive a complimentary Galaxy “I can’t believe we freaking made it” “Go for Gold” playoff T-shirt. Even cheaper is a playoff four-pack starting at $66 that includes four tickets to the Galaxy’s home playoff game, four hot dogs and four sodas.