In this edition...
1. Ruiz back with the Galaxy and ready to make waves in Hawaii
2. Hawaii first stop for LA Galaxy on Asia Tour 2008
3. A lesson in history: MLS returns to Hawaii
4. Five PPC participants called up to the U.S. National Team to face Mexico on Feb. 6 in Houston
5. Special media rates for PPC offered by Hilton Hawaiian Village
6. PPC Tickets now on sale
7. PPC Media Credential applications now available; deadline set for February 13, 2008
1. Ruiz back with the Galaxy and ready to make waves in Hawaii
In January of 2008, Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz found himself returning to familiar digs. After a trade with FC Dallas, the eighth leading scorer in Major League Soccer history returned to the club where he first started his professional career in the United States, the Los Angeles Galaxy. In his first season he scored a league-best 24 goals in only 26 games on the way to being named the Honda MLS MVP and leading the team to their first-ever MLS Cup title. This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the player commonly known as "Pescadito" or "Fish" to discuss the upcoming Pan-Pacific Championship.
Q: You are one of the few players in the tournament that has already played in Hawaii with the Galaxy in 2005. What was your impression of Honolulu and its fans?
A: "It's amazing. It's an amazing place over there. I am amazed by how much the people love soccer in Honolulu. It's nice to be going back to play another game. I think for the fans who don't get to see the Galaxy or all the other players, they now have the chance...it'll be fun for the fans."
Q: Hawaii culture centers on the beach and surfing. Are you into any water sports at all?
A: "I learned how to surf, so I can't wait to go over there and surf. Last time I was in Hawaii, my former teammates Chris (Albright) and (Danny) Califf taught me how to surf."
Q: With new regions of the world following this tournament such as Asia and Oceania, do you see this as an opportunity to be an ambassador for Guatemala, Central American and soccer as a whole?
A: "For me it's an opportunity. It's a great responsibility to play for LA and now everyone is looking at this team. For my country and my soccer, it's big. I have to play well every game. I feel the pressure, but it's good for my soccer and it's good for my young teammates in Guatemala too. It opens the door for them to go out and play outside of Guatemala."
Q: In Dallas you were the marquee star and the go-to person on the team, but obviously on the Galaxy there are several stars like Beckham and Landon Donovan. Does this change the way you will approach your role with LA?
A: "We know what kind of stars, what kind of players we have on our team. My job is to come here, play well and try to score goals. I'm not trying to be a star. I'm trying to be a good player on the field and a good teammate outside of the field."
2. Hawaii first stop for LA Galaxy on Asia Tour 2008
The globetrotting LA Galaxy have announced that after participating in the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship in Hawaii, they will continue with matches in South Korea and China as part of their Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife.
First, the Galaxy is scheduled to play three-time K-League champions FC Seoul on Saturday, March 1 at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Korea. Next, the club will face off against China All-Star Union on Wednesday, March 5 at Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai, China. Before crisscrossing the globe, the Galaxy will begin their preseason training, their first under new head coach Ruud Gullit, early next month at The Home Depot Center, in Carson, California.
3. A lesson in history: MLS returns to Hawaii
While the Pan-Pacific Championship marks the valiant return of professional soccer to the region, it won't be the first time Major League Soccer has visited the Islands of Hawaii. In 2005, the Los Angeles Galaxy opened their preseason with a match against the defending MLS Cup champions DC United in the Aloha Soccer Cup at Aloha Stadium. The match was headlined by American soccer icon Cobi Jones of the Galaxy and teenage phenomenon Freddy Adu, then with United.
In a contentious battle, DC United claimed the 1-0 victory over the Galaxy in front of 14,578 fans. Argentinean midfielder Christian Gomez scored the only goal of the game off a penalty kick after Jamie Moreno was taking down in the box. But the man of the match was undoubtedly substitute goalkeeper Troy Perkins, who had to step up and make several huge saves after their starter was sent off with a red card.
4. Five PPC participants called up to the U.S. National Team prior to "El Clasico" matchup against Mexico Feb. 6
Five players from the two teams representing Major League Soccer at the Pan-Pacific Championship have been called up to the U.S. National Team training camp this week in preparation for the Feb. 6 match against Mexico in Houston, Tex. For the Galaxy, perennial national team scorer Landon Donovan, as well as young goalkeeper Steve Cronin, were called in. From the defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo, midfielders Ricardo Clark and Brad Davis, as well as defender Eddie Robinson were selected.
All five are expected to rejoin their respective teams after the Mexico match and be available for action during the Pan-Pacific Championship.
5. PPC tickets now on sale
Tickets to the inaugural edition of the Pan-Pacific Championship (PPC) are now available online at www.ticketmaster.com or through all Ticketmaster retail locations. Tickets can also be purchased at the Aloha Stadium Box Office, located at 99-500 Salt Lake Boulevard in Honolulu, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. For further information, call the Box Office at (808) 486-9300, or Ticketmaster at (877) 750-4400.
Each ticket for the Pan-Pacific Championship will allow fans to attend both matches of the respective doubleheader. Advance tickets for the international showcase range from as low as $10-$50 for the Semifinal doubleheader and $15-$60 for the second doubleheader featuring the third place match and PPC Final. Special rates for children 12 are available.
For group ticket inquiries and other Pan-Pacific Championship information, please visit the tournament's official website, www.PPChampionship.net.
