Schmid Not Interested in UCLA Post
Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid, who came close to being fired at the end of the 2003 Major League Soccer season, said Sunday that he is not a candidate for the vacant UCLA position.
Schmid, who won three NCAA titles in 19 years as the Bruins’ coach, said he would prefer to rebuild the Galaxy rather than return to Westwood. Former Columbus Crew coach Tom Fitzgerald resigned as UCLA’s coach Friday to return to the University of Tampa.
“Obviously I was at UCLA before, and with the kind of season we had last year I’m sure there are a lot of people out there saying, ‘Hey, this is a chance for Sigi to step away,’ ” Schmid said after the first day of the three-day MLS combine at the Home Depot Center.
“But I’m a competitor. I feel that the Galaxy has good potential for next [season]. I feel we’re going to right the ship, and I want to be part of that.
“I know it’s taking a risk, and I could have a lot more security if I decided to throw my name in the hat at UCLA ... but to me the Galaxy is a challenge right now.”
Ruiz Returns
Carlos Ruiz has returned to Los Angeles after he was not signed to a loan deal by the Wolverhampton Wanderers or Portsmouth of the English Premier League.
The Galaxy’s top striker for the last two seasons had hoped to play in England until the MLS season starts April 3, with an eye toward a permanent move to Europe later .
The Wolves’ deal fell through when the club acquired Romanian international Ionel Ganea instead. Portsmouth’s decision apparently was based on money.
“It [going to England] was something that Carlos wanted to do,” Schmid said. “Sometimes things don’t work out. Sometimes it’s beyond your control as a player.... At least it was an opportunity, and we want him to have a great season with us and then, if another opportunity comes along, he’ll pursue it.”
Howard Probe
England’s Football Assn. (F.A.) said Sunday that it would look into last summer’s $3.6-million transfer of American goalkeeper Tim Howard from the New York/New Jersey MetroStars to Manchester United.
Britain’s Sunday Times reported that as part of the deal, a six-figure sum was paid to an agent who is a business partner of Jason Ferguson, son of Manchester United Coach Sir Alex Ferguson.
Manchester denied any wrongdoing in its acquisition of Howard, who has started every game for the English Premier League champion this season.
Interliga Event
Atlas and Club America advanced to Wednesday’s Interliga tournament finals at the Home Depot Center with a victory and a tie, respectively, on Sunday in front of 31,146 at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Manuel Perez scored his first hat trick, including two goals on penalty kicks, as Atlas routed Atlante, 4-1, in the eight-team event that will qualify two teams for the annual Copa Libertadores in South America.
Frankie Oviedo scored for Club America in its 1-1 tie with UNL.
Times wire services contributed to this report.
