Galaxy

Help! How do I navigate this site?!?

Well besides the Lakers and Kings, the other sport I love is soccer. And although I am not that avid a fan (unfortunately, most Galaxy games are not televised), I still wanted to put just a few photos and stats for them up on here :)

The team was formed, like all other MLS teams in 1995, and started the inaugural season in 1996. The team was made up of several 'marquee players" and players contracted from other minor leages, such as the A-league, NISL, etc. Some players who played overseas, decided to return to their country, and help Major League Soccer to get off to a great start. The Galaxy started the first year with a 12 - 0 record, but then fell on hard times, but recovered towards the end, finishing in first place of the western division. Defeating San José and Dallas in the playoffs, landed them in the final game, facing Washington United for the MLS cup. Playing the game in torrential rain, the Galaxy pulled out to a 2 : 0 lead, but 15 minutes from the end disaster struck, and the regulation game ended in a 2:2 tie, forcing the game into "Golden Goal" overtime, when the winning goal was scored by Eddie Pope of Washington DC United, wresting the trophy from the grasp of Los Angeles. The team led all other MLS teams in attendance, averaging 28,916 fans per game, with a high of 92,216 for the double header matching the USA vs Mexico (US Cup) and the Galaxy vs Tampa Bay, and 69,255 for it's opening game against the New York / New Jersey Metro Stars..
The 1997 season was a little more turbulent, the team having forgotten how to win, and soon found itself lingering in last place of the Western Conference. Lothar Osiander was fired and Octavio Zambrano was named 'interim' coach, a tag he would carry until the end of the season, when he was named 'coach'. After winning five games in July, losing again in August, the team finally picked itself up, and eked out second place at season's end, but again fell on hard times, losing the first-round playoff games to Dallas, ending the season.
As expected, attendance was down during the year, due in large part to absences of the team's top players, having been called up to play for their respective national teams for 1998 World Cup qualifying matches, and the GaLAxy has more than their share of players selected.
During the expansion draft held on 6 November 1997, management decided to leave Danny Peña, Paul Caligiuri, Kevin Hartman, Harut Karapetyan and others unprotected, and promptly lost Peña and Hartman to Chicago, saving Caligiuri and Karapetyan*, then also losing Brian Taylor to Miami.
The team now faces the 1998 season with only one goalkeeper.
On 27 January 1998 the GaLAxy Management announced the return of Kevin Hartman and Danny Peña, and acquired Carlos Hermosillo in mid-season. Jorge Campos, and the much-improved Chris Armas left the team for Chicago. The 1998 season ended, unfortunately not winning the Cup, due to two losses to Chicago in the second round of the Conference playoffs. Nevertheless the team set new league records. Goals scored in one season: 85. Points won in a season: 70. Road wins in a season: 13 (3 losses). Wins in one season: 22 or 24 counting shootout wins.

* For every player selected, the losing team was allowed to withraw a player from the pool.

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