Galaxy Make MLS Playoffs for First Time in Four Years
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.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
The strange phenomenon of MLS playoffs is upon us again. Fans stay away in droves when their teams QUALIFY for post season. Totally incomprehensible. The Galaxy, in preparation for this ritual, have actually closed up the upper deck at HDC. What's up with "soccer fans" in this country? I'm really tired of this indifference.
I say that we sack the USA U-20 coach for his underachieving performance in Egypt. Get going, Sunil.
Other than that, as a fan of the G's, it feel Good to be back with ease.
Lost my manners for a second. Thanks Goats USA for pushing us into the playoffs. Nice to have good tenants. You can stay as long as you want. Can we send you some more of our players in return for your kindness? You can have Kirovsky, Berhalter, Lewis, Klien, Magee after the season is over, free transfers. We'll take Padilla off your hands if he misbehaves.
;-)
Nick, I think your original idea for a T-shirt slogan is more appropriate. ;)
Studs Up, Maicon Santos is a far better player than Padilla. Santos has better touch and far more speed.
I want to stock up on midfielders first. Padilla has pace, touch and plays hard on both sides of the ball. And he is American, regardless of real Chivas claim.
Maicon is okay but injury prone and a bit slow.