The 2002 MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy today announced that they will host the Men's National Team of China in an international friendly on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at 7:30 pm in The Home Depot Center. The match will be the first in a two-game MLS tour for China, with a cross-country visit to the MetroStars planned for six days later.

\"We are pleased to bring soccer fans a match of this quality against the Men's National Team of China at The Home Depot Center,\" said Galaxy Vice President and General Manager Doug Hamilton. \"We are particularly excited to be able to offer a meaningful match for the Chinese community and to be able to introduce them to the L.A. Galaxy and Major League Soccer.\"

Ticket Prices for Galaxy-China match are as follow: Sideline ($45), Corner $30 (Youth $25), Upper Deck $28 (Youth $20), Goal Line $22 (Youth $16). Youths are age 16 and under. Fans can purchase tickets by contacting the Galaxy at 877-3GALAXY and Ticketmaster at 213-480-3232 or 714-740-2000.

The September 3 game will not be the first meeting between the teams, the Galaxy visited China on a tour of the Far East in 2001. The Galaxy defeated the Bora Milutinovic led Chinese National Team, 3-1, in Yuxi, China on Feb. 21; marking the first time an MLS team had defeated a full national team on the road. Mauricio Cienfuegos of El Salvador was the Galaxy's leading scorer, tallying two goals on the afternoon while Sasha Victorine added the third.

During the club's eight-year history, the L.A. Galaxy has faced teams from Argentina, China, Chile, Colombia, England, Germany, Holland, El Salvador, Honduras, Japan, Korea and Mexico. Overall, Los Angeles boasts a 20-9-12 (W-L-T) all-time international record, including a solid 4-4-3 record in 2003. The club has already claimed all there is to win in this region of the world both domestically and internationally having captured the 2002 MLS Cup, 2001 U.S. Open Cup and 2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup titles.

China earned its first appearance in FIFA World Cup finals this past year at the Korea/Japan 2002. Serbian-born Technical Director Bora Milutinovic, the first man in history to lead five different nations to a berth on the world stage, was the catalyst behind that appearance.

However, Milutinovic departed immediately following China's elimination after the first round of the finals, recently resurfacing in the same role in Honduras. Taking his place in December 2002 was Arie Haan, a former Dutch international defender who competed in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups. The Chinese have recorded a win and a tie in their first two friendlies under his direction.

The Chinese, who by many have long been considered Asia's sleeping giants, are just less than one year away from hosting Asian Cup; the national team competition of the Asian Football Confederation and the most important football competition in the Far East. The tour of the United States is considered a big part of the initial preparations for that tournament.

Many of China's National Team players are based in leagues in the Far East. Two of the exceptions ply their trade in the English Premier League, Li Tie, a midfielder for Everton and Manchester City defender Sun Jhai.

Up next, the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Columbus Crew for \"Korean Heritage Night\" at The Home Depot Center on Saturday, August 9 (7:00 p.m. PT kickoff). For more information regarding Los Angeles Galaxy tickets for the club's next home game, please call the Galaxy toll free at (877) 3GALAXY.