Galaxy Stars Make Best of It
Facing Major League Soccer’s best defense, Luis Hernandez and Cobi Jones realize that the spotlight will shine even brighter on them during the Galaxy’s Major League Soccer semifinal series against the Kansas City Wizards, which begins Friday at Arrowhead Stadium.
The potent Galaxy forwards welcome the challenge.
“This team is different than the team we just faced [the high-scoring Tampa Bay Mutiny],” Hernandez said after practice Tuesday at USC’s McAlister Field. “They play a harder type of defense.
“It’s a challenge, especially playing them in their home.”
Jones cited the 1-1-2 regular-season split between the fifth-seeded Galaxy and the top-seeded Wizards.
“Obviously, it’s going to be a tough series since the regular season was such an even matchup,” Jones said. “It’s going to be hard for us offensively to break them down defensively.”
Kansas City gave up a league-low 29 goals in the regular season, and goalkeeper Tony Meola gave up just 0.92 goals per game, also a league low.
In the four matches against the Wizards, Jones had one assist but did not score a goal on his nine shots, four on goal.
Hernandez joined the Galaxy May 20 and faced Kansas City twice, scoring one goal with two assists on seven shots, three on goal.
But it was against the Wizards on June 24 that a frustrated Hernandez boiled over. MLS fined him $2,500 for “confrontational behavior” after he allegedly spit on an opposing player in the aftermath of a 2-0 loss.
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Hernandez was in trouble on another front Tuesday: He was suspended for all games in the 2001 U.S. Open Cup.
The event’s disciplinary committee determined that Hernandez intentionally kicked Chicago midfielder Peter Nowak in the face during the Fire’s victory over the Galaxy in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals Aug. 23 at Cal State Fullerton. Hernandez was also fined an undisclosed amount.
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In a season filled with injuries and national team call-ups for World Cup qualifying, the Galaxy has a chance Friday to start the same lineup for a season-best third consecutive game.
No wonder the team is playing its most consistent occer of the season.
“It’s because we’ve also had everybody in for training now for a couple of weeks,” Coach Sigi Schmid said, “and they know what’s at stake right now with the playoffs.”
Plus, the Galaxy expects to have its three Olympians--midfielders Peter Vagenas and Sasha Victorine and defender Danny Califf--back for Tuesday’s Game 2 at the Rose Bowl.
