Galaxy Has ‘Positive’ Experience
What the Galaxy’s 0-0 draw with China on Wednesday night lacked in drama it more than made up for in the experience gained by the defending Major League Soccer champions.
At least that’s what Galaxy players took out of the scoreless tie in which they outshot the Chinese, 3-2, in front of a mostly pro-China crowd of 10,285 at the Home Depot Center.
Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid was quick to point out the positives of tying a national team (even a somewhat soft and 72nd-ranked Chinese national team, one that was outscored by a combined 9-0 at last summer’s World Cup), getting so many different players in the game (17 Galaxy players took part) and recording a much-needed shutout (the Galaxy has only two in league play).
“Getting the shutout is very important,” Schmid said, “because it establishes a mind-set that we’re able to shut out D.C. United [on Saturday, when the Galaxy resumes MLS play on the road].”
It also established a sense of confidence in back-up goalkeeper Dan Popik, who had two saves.
“It feels great; this is the second game I got this year,” Popik said. “I just want to come out, work hard and get shutouts. That’s what happened.”
The Chinese, who head to New Jersey to play the MetroStars on Tuesday to close out their two-game MLS tour, had only five players who played in the World Cup, where they lost to Costa Rica, 2-0; eventual champion Brazil, 4-0, and third-place Turkey, 3-0.
Three Galaxy starters had the night off -- defender Danny Califf, goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and midfielder Cobi Jones.
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Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz was selected the MLS player of the month for August by the Professional Soccer Reporters’ Assn.
It is the Guatemalan international’s first such honor this season and third overall.
Ruiz, the league’s most valuable player last season, scored 11 points on five goals and an assist in five matches during the month and is tied with New England striker Taylor Twellman for the league lead with 13 goals. Ruiz is third in the scoring race with 29 points, behind Kansas City midfielder Preki (32) and Twellman (30).
