Club Friendly News

19 Jul 05 International Friendly: Real Defeat Galaxy

Real Madrid scored once in each half to breeze past the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center Monday night.

Michael Owen put the Galacticos ahead in the sixth minute, slotting the ball just over onrushing goalkeeper Kevin Hartman from eight yards. The play began with a give-and-go between Zinedine Zidane and Owen. The Frenchman had the ball at the edge of the penalty area upon the return pass, and danced around the ball long enough to freeze the Galaxy defense. As a result Owen's diagonal run went unnoticed and he was left with an easy goal.

The hosts never backed down despite being severely overmatched, even more so with Landon Donovan away on international duty. Young Paulo Nagamura registered an impressive performance for Los Angeles, and Hartman did all he could to keep the score respectable--twice denying long range blasts off the boot of Roberto Carlos. The Galaxy's best chance to score came off a Jovan Kirovski free kick, but Iker Casillas was equal to the challenge.

England captain David Beckham hobbled off on the hour mark with a hamstring injury suffered after he smashed a free kick into a wall of yellow. He was replaced by Luis Figo.

The final goal came in the 75th minute through substitute Roberto Soldado, who took a pass from Figo and smashed a shot from just outside the penalty area past Hartman's dive.

20 Jul 05 Cosmi Prepares Udinese For CL Preliminaries

The new Bianconero coach believes his side can reach the Champions League stage.

The new season for Udinese will soon kick-off as they are getting ready to play in the Champions League preliminary round. To help the side be prepared for this delicate encounter, Serse CosmiÂ’s squad will play in a triangular tournament against Rapid Bucharest and Panionios on Wednesday night.

“These friendlies will help us to understand what we can give. We shall need attention ahead of the preliminary round and a bit of hurry. However I was and still am satisfied. We shall have to aim on the tactical aspect, but everyone will have to play the same number of minutes.”

20 Jul 05 Galaxy Bow Down To The Galacticos

Will the Real galaxy please stand up? Joel Aceves reflects on Real MadridÂ’s trip to LAÂ…

CARSON, Calif. - The Los Angeles Galaxy hosted Real Madrid, also known as the Galacticos, in what was one of the most anticipated matches of the year for Los Angeles based footy fans. The opportunity to see Real Madrid play in the United States doesnÂ’t come along too often, and neither does the opportunity for the Galaxy to showcase their talent against one of the worldÂ’s best teams.

The International friendly drew much attention to the Home Depot Center as over 3,000 fans paid $30 to watch Real Madrid practice a day before the match. Some fans even paid $50 to sit in the stadiums grassy knoll after the game had been sold out. Indeed, a horde of potential new fans for one of MLS most successful franchises. However after last nightÂ’s game I wouldnÂ’t doubt if the majority hesitate to pay $15 for a Galaxy game. Had it not been for Real MadridÂ’s silky passing and individual flair, the match would have turned into a boring affair. The Galaxy showed too much respect for Real Madrid and allowed the Galacticos to walk away with an easy victory.

The Galaxy wasted an opportunity to stand up against a Real Madrid team that was jet-lagged after traveling through three different time zones and played their second game in just two days. So it was no surprise that Real Madrid won the match by walking on the field and at times toying with the Galaxy. Just six minutes into the match Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane placed a brilliant pass to Owen who lobed it over a rushing Hartman to open the scoring. A few minutes later Beckham would miss the opportunity to double the lead by chipping his shot over the goal. As the game progressed and Real Madrid imposed their dominance on the field, conjuring multiple goal scoring opportunities, Galaxy goal keeper Kevin “el Gato” Hartman proved to be his squad’s best player. Hartman made a series of key saves that kept his squad in the match.

At the start of the second half Herculez Gomez had the Galaxy’s best opportunity to score a goal, blasting a shot from outside the box, but his shot went just a bit wide. However, Real Madrid would take back control of the match and force Hartman to once again make some brilliant saves. Soon after Real Madrid coach Vanderley Luxemburgo started to make his substitutions, bringing in the club’s new Uruguayan acquisitions Pablo Garcia and Carlos Diogo. Also Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo, who is set to join Inter, replaced Zinedine Zidane. Despite Madrid’s array of international stars it would be Roberto Soldado, the clubs home grown talent, who would score the second goal of the match to seal the victory. After the match Real Madrid goal tender Iker Casillas commented on the clubs U.S tour. “We have left behind the best possible image in the United States and I believe the fans have been happy with our matches”.

Real MadridÂ’s Brazilian striker Ronaldo missed the match due to muscular problems. The GalaxyÂ’s Landon Donovan was also unavailable, as he is currently with the United States National team competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Real Madrid will continue their pre season tour in Asia. Surprisingly Luis Figo, who was supposed to fly back to Europe, boarded Real MadridÂ’s flight to China. Despite the rumors that negotiations with Italian outfit Internazionale of Milan were a done deal, Figo remained with Real Madrid. Liverpool and Valencia are said to also be interested in the Portuguese midfielder.


Real Madrid -- Iker Casillas (Diego Lopez 82), Roberto Carlos (Raul Bravo 68), Ivan Helguera, Francisco Pavon, Michel Salgado (Carlos Diogo 73), David Beckham (Pablo Garcia 61), Thomas Gravesen, Jose Gutierrez (Ruben de la Red 78), Zinedine Zidane (Luis Figo 61), Raul Gonzalez (Roberto Soldado 70), Michael Owen (Jose Manuel Jurado 78).

Los Angeles Galaxy -- Kevin Hartman, Chris Albright (Troy Roberts 73), Todd Dunivant, Ugo Ihemelu, Tyrone Marshall, Cobi Jones (Ednaldo Conceicao 55), Guillermo Ramirez (Alan Gordon 88), Peter Vagenas (Ned Grabavoy 79), Paulo Nagamura, Jovan Kirovski (Michael Enfield 83), Herculez Gomez.

20 Jul 05 Friendly Frolics For United, Charlton, Saints

Manchester United prepared for their Far East tour with a 6-0 rout of Peterborough in front of a sell-out 15,400 crowd at London Road for Posh boss Barry Fry's testimonial match. Ruud van Nistelrooy netted a hat-trick, Cristiano Ronaldo added a brace and Guiseppe Rossi was also on target as United strolled home.

Charlton Athletic had five different players on the scoresheet as they thrashed Coca-Cola League Two side Torquay United 5-1 at Plainmoor. Summer signing Darren Bent opened the scoring but the Gulls leveled through Leon Constantine before Jerome Thomas, Jason Euell (penalty), Lloyd Sam and Bryan Hughes wrapped it up for the Addicks.

Newly relegated Southampton forgot about the impending exit of striker Peter Crouch by winning 4-0 against near-neighbours non-league Eastleigh. Crouch was due to play but is now poised to join Liverpool. Saints went ahead in the 32nd minute with David McGoldrick, then added three second-half goals through Nigel Quashie, McGoldrick and Simon Gillett.

New polish international goalkeeper Artur Boruc was the star for Celtic in a goalless draw against Leicester City, saving a penalty and producing a string h of fine saves on his debut as the Bhoys followed up the weekendÂ’s scoreless draw at Fulham with another at the Walkers Stadium.

Old Firm rivals Rangers beat Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road with second-half goals from Peter Lovenkrands and Nacho Novo.

20 Jul 05 Nacional-Espanyol Tie In China

Uruguayan champions Nacional and Spanish outfit Espanyol tied 1-1 in a match corresponding to the Euro-South America Football Clubs Contest 2005, played in China.
Espanyol opened the scoring in the 50th minute through Yonathan, but Nacional equalised in the 90th minute through future prospect Gonzalo Castro.

The match was played at the Suzhou City Stadium.

The result means Espanyol are eliminated from the tournament after losing 2-1 against Feyenoord in their first match.

Nacional will meet Feyenoord on July 25th to decide the winners of the championship.

Nacional (1) Jorge Bava, Mauricio Victorino, Diego Jaume, Carlos Valdez, Ignacio La Luz, Oscar Javier Morales, Fernando Machado (Fabian Coelho 58), Rodrigo Vazquez (Alberto Silva 59), Martin Liguera, Luis Romero (Luis Suarez 65) y Gonzalo Castro
Coach: Martin Lasarte

Espanyol (1) Gabriel, Jarque (Chica 46), Lopo (Robufle 46), Sergio Sanchez, David Garcia, Moises, Eduardo Costa (Escudero 46), Ferran Corominas, Yofre (Ivan De la Pena 74), Riera (Camarra 46), Yonathan
Coach: Miguel Angel Lotina

Referee: Liu Sung Hi (China)