Ruiz Gone, but Galaxy Has Answer
How does the Galaxy replace the league’s reigning most valuable player?
Why, by putting the previous Major League Soccer MVP into the starting lineup, of course.
But that doesn’t mean Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid is thrilled about losing Carlos Ruiz for two games to an MLS-mandated suspension and replacing him with Alex Pineda Chacon at forward today at New York/New Jersey.
Not with Schmid and the Galaxy believing that Ruiz’s punishment was worse than his crime. Ruiz was slapped with the penalty after his wayward elbow broke the orbit bone of Kansas City midfielder Carey Talley’s left eye.
“In all my years of coaching, I’ve had players on my team before, as other coaches have, who step over the line on a consistent basis,” Schmid said. “Carlos isn’t one of those.”
The Galaxy acquired the rights to Pineda Chacon in a trade with New England Jan. 17, the Revolution getting backup goalkeeper Matt Reis in the deal.
Brazil Awaits U.S.
As if losing to Turkey in the Confederations Cup weren’t bad enough, the United States now has to deal with an embarrassed Brazil today in Lyon, France. Brazil was upset by Cameroon in its opener, 1-0.
“We have to win our next two games,” Brazilian midfielder Ronaldhino said. “The next match will be a first final for us. If we don’t win, it’ll be difficult to reach the next phase.”
The United States, 5-2-1 this year, has lost eight consecutive matches in Europe and 13 of its last 14 on the Continent.
U.S. Coach Bruce Arena, hoping to shake things up, is expected to shuffle his lineup after his team failed to click in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the Turks.
In Friday’s Confederations Cup games, Colombia defeated New Zealand, 3-1, at Lyon and host France edged Japan, 2-1, at St. Etienne.
Bora’s Back Home
Bora Milutinovic, former coach of the U.S., China, Mexico, Costa Rica and Nigeria, is heading home to coach his record sixth national team. He agreed to take over the team representing his native Serbia and Montenegro, according to Branko Bulatovic, secretary general of the Serbia-Montenegro Soccer Assn.
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Times wire services contributed to this report.
