CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, September 18, 2012) – The LA Galaxy will host Alumni Night on Saturday, September 22 when the club hosts Toronto FC at The Home Depot Center. Highlighting the night will be the induction of the club’s 2002 MLS Cup winning squad to the club’s Wall of Legends, prior to the game. In addition to the induction ceremony, the club will hold an Alumni Game on the stadium field starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Galaxy won the first of their three MLS Cup championships in 2002, defeating the New England Revolution 1-0 in extratime of MLS Cup 2002, thanks to a Golden Goal from Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz, who won the MLS Cup MVP for his goal scoring heroics that day at Gillette Stadium, was also the MLS MVP that season, scoring a club record 24 goals before adding eight more in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Among those who are scheduled to be in attendance from the 2002 team are Mauricio Cienfuegos, Cobi Jones and Alexi Lalas, who each wore the captain’s armband at different points during the season, as well as Isaias Bardales Jr., Alex Bengard, Simon Elliott, Adam Frye, Gavin Glinton and Jesus Ochoa, all of whom were members of the 2002 MLS Cup winning side. That group will then be joined by a number of former Galaxy greats such as Dan Calichman, Paul Caligiuri, Chris Klein, Eddie Lewis, Clint Mathis and Danny Pena and many others to form an Alumni Team that will be coached by Ralph Perez, an assistant coach on the 2002 squad.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., the Alumni Team, who will be wearing replicas of the club’s 2002 jersey, will take on a team of Galaxy Academy players in a 40-minute game on the stadium field at The Home Depot Center. Following the game, all of the alumni players will then head to SoccerFest where they will sign autographs for fans, who will also have the chance to take a picture with all three of the club’s MLS Cup trophies. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win autographed Alumni Game t-shirts and bid on a number of signed items from the 2002 season at the LA Galaxy Foundation booth.
All of the alumni in attendance will also be recognized on the field at halftime of Saturday night’s game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and is presented by Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Deportes.
Saturday will also serve as the official launch of the Galaxy’s new Alumni Association, which will provide the opportunity for former players, coaches and administrative staff to remain actively involved with the club while promoting the sport of soccer. Fans can learn more about the Alumni Association by visiting www.lagalaxy.com/alumni.
For more information about Saturday’s game, or to purchase tickets for it, please visit www.lagalaxy.com/alumninight or call 877-342-5299.
