Revamped Revolution in Store for the Galaxy
At the same time the Galaxy will get its first look at new CMGI Field, it also will see a drastically altered New England Revolution team.
In the 48 hours before today’s 4:30 p.m. PDT game at Foxboro, Mass., the Revolution not only changed coaches but completed a six-player trade with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars that it hopes will bring a much-needed boost in team chemistry.
Instead of having to prepare for Mamadou “Big Mama” Diallo, the leading scorer in Major League Soccer in 2000, the Galaxy will have to contend with Colombian forward Diego Serna, one of three players the MetroStars sent to the Revolution on Friday in the largest player deal in MLS history.
The trade came one day after New England fired coach Fernando Clavijo, who was replaced on an interim basis by assistant Steve Nicol, a former Liverpool and Scotland defender.
In addition to Serna, the Revolution acquired former Galaxy midfielder Daniel Hernandez and defender Brian Kamler from the MetroStars. New York/New Jersey added Diallo, midfielder Andy Williams and defender Ted Chronopoulos. Williams was New England’s team MVP in 2001.
Serna figures to give last-place New England a boost, especially since he is being reunited with Alex Pineda Chacon, whom he paired with last season for the Miami Fusion to form the league’s most potent goal-scoring duo. The two combined for 34 goals and 24 assists.
“Diego is a proven goal scorer who has made an impact in this league since he joined it in 1998,” Nicol said. “He and [Chacon] connected so well together on the field last year, and we are excited to pair them up again.”
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GALAXY TONIGHT
at New England, 4:30 PDT
ESPN2 (10:30 PDT)
Site--CMGI Field.
Radio--KSPN (1110), KTNQ (1020, Spanish).
Records--Galaxy 4-2-2, Revolution 2-4-1.
Record vs. Revolution (2001)--1-1-0.
Update--Midfielder Sasha Victorine did not make the trip and will miss his second consecutive game because of a lower back strain. Midfielder Peter Vagenas, who has been out nine weeks with the same injury, returns and should play, although he won’t start.
