Galaxy Game for Real Madrid
Here are a few figures for Galaxy fans to juggle in light of Tuesday’s draw for the second FIFA World Club Championship in Spain this summer:
* Real Madrid paid Barcelona $56.1 million last year to make Luis Figo the world’s most expensive player.
* The defending and eight-time European champion was named FIFA’s Team of the Century in December and is one of the world’s most successful soccer clubs.
Galaxy players are not impressed.
“They’re another 11 guys, we’re 11 guys and when the whistle blows it doesn’t matter how much money they’re making or who they are, anything can happen,” midfielder Pete Vagenas said Tuesday, responding to the news that the Galaxy will play Real Madrid on its home turf, 90,000-seat Santiago Bernebeu Stadium, on Aug. 3.
The Galaxy opens play July 31 against African champion Hearts of Oak, from Ghana. It also plays Asian Super Cup winner Jubilo Iwata of Japan on Aug. 6.
The winner of the July 28-Aug. 12 tournament’s three groups and the best second-place team will advance to the semifinals.
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Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid said winger Cobi Jones and Major League Soccer are likely to announce Jones’ return to the Galaxy in the next day or two. . . . Defender and team captain Robin Fraser underwent hernia surgery and will be sidelined for four to five weeks.
