Hartman Shines, but Galaxy Loses
Without suspended forward Carlos Ruiz, the Galaxy knew it would need strong play from its defense and especially goalkeeper Kevin Hartman in Saturday’s Major League Soccer game against the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
Hartman came through for the most part, but the Galaxy couldn’t in a 1-0 loss in front of 22,274 fans at rain-drenched Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Hartman made a season-high 11 saves, but a goal in the 65th minute by 18-year-old rookie Mike Magee on a nice through ball from Mark Lisi was the difference for the MetroStars (6-3-2) as the Galaxy remained winless on the road in 2003 at 0-5-4.
“Once again, we gave up a goal and didn’t score any,” Galaxy defender Alexi Lalas said of the team’s fourth scoreless game and fifth one-goal loss this season. “It’s obviously frustrating because we felt that this was an opportunity for us to get points.”
But without Ruiz, who was serving the first game of a two-game suspension for elbowing Carey Talley of the Kansas City Wizards, the Galaxy’s offensive chances were few and far between.
The Galaxy did get a glimpse of its future when 17-year-old Guillermo “Memo” Gonzalez replaced veteran midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos in the 70th minute. Gonzalez became the youngest player to ever appear for the Galaxy (2-5-5).
-- Jim Barrero
In other MLS games:
Kansas City 4, Chicago 2 -- Preki scored a goal on a penalty kick in the 70th minute and earlier assisted on three others in a span of 15 minutes to lead the Wizards (5-2-5) over the Fire (5-3-3) in front of 16,944 at Kansas City, Mo. MLS goal-scoring leader Ante Razov scored his eighth for the Fire.
San Jose 2, Columbus 1 -- Jamil Walker’s goal in the 77th minute broke a tie and the Earthquakes (6-2-3) held off the Crew (4-5-3) in front of 8,058 at San Jose. Brian McBride scored the goal for Columbus.
Dallas 3, Colorado 1 -- Jason Kreis’ goal in the second minute of first-half injury time helped the Burn (2-5-3) defeat the Rapids (2-7-2) in front of 7,810 at Southlake, Texas.
Washington 1, New England 1 -- Hristo Stoitchkov’s first goal as a member of D.C. United (2-3-6) earned it a tie against the visiting Revolution (4-3-4) in front of 11,022 at Washington.
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In Women’s United Soccer Assn. games:
San Diego 4, New York 2 -- Julie Fleeting had two goals and an assist to lead the Spirit (4-3-4) over the Power (5-6-1) in front of 4,783 at San Diego.
Carolina 1, Boston 0 -- Erin Baxter scored her first goal in 45 career games to lead the Courage (4-5-2) over the Breakers (5-4-2) in front of 6,259 at Boston.
