Galaxy President Tim Leiweke "The contract [for new head coach Sigi Schmid] is for three years. We brought him here because he has been a success every place he has been. I am quite confident that he will continue that here. We think he is going to win. The reality is that this team has scored three goals in five games and a change was needed." (If Sigi was not available would Octavio [Zambrano] have been fired?) "Yes, We have an assistant coach that we have faith in, Ralph Perez, if we did not have faith in Ralph we would …

MLS commissioner Douglas G. Logan today announced the reassignment of Miami Fusion midfielder Carlos Valderrama to the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Tampa Bay coach Tim Hankinson has indicated that he intends to start Valderrama for the Mutiny in its game against the MetroStars on Sunday, April 25 in a match that will be televised live on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET. "It has become clear in the past days that an irreconcilable impasse has been reached between the Miami Fusion and Carlos Valderrama with regard to his continued participation with that team," Logan said. "At the same time, it has become …

Most of the regular visitors to SAG (Soccer America Graffiti) discussion boards have noted the new programming implemented this week. The response has been very positive. We appreciate the patience of everyone who has been asking for a password protected area for some time. Here are some responses to the most frequently asked questions we have received. There are also some very good responses and suggestions for clearing off all the previously read messages which have reappeared on SAG itself. Why are you now requiring a password and valid email account? We were receiving far too many complaints (and losing …

The U.S. women's national team put together a powerful performance and earned a dramatic winning goal two minutes into stoppage time to defeat arch-rival China, 2-1, in front of 15,257 ecstatic fans at Hersheypark Stadium. Midfielder Tisha Venturini, who had entered the match in the 90th minute for Kristine Lilly, scored on her first and last touch of the game, bringing the crowd to its feet and avenging a 2-1 loss to China in the championship game of the Algarve Cup on March 20. With the seconds ticking away and the near sell-out crowd urging the Americans to score, Shannon …

Semifinals, Second Leg April 22 in Palma de Mallorca Mallorca (Spain) 1 Chelsea (England) 0. Goal: Biagini 14. Mallorca -- Roa, Olaizola, Marcelino, Siviero (Carreras, 46), M.Soler, Lauren, Engonga, Stankovic (Arpon, 80), Paunovic, Dani, Biagini (F.Soler, 67). Chelsea -- De Goey, Ferrer, Desailly, Leboeuf, Le Saux (Babayaro, 46), Petrescu (Morris, 78), Di Matteo, Poyet, Wise, T.A.Flo, Zola. Att.: 18,848. (Mallorca wins 2-1 on aggregate.) April 22 in Rome Lazio (Italy) 0 Lokomotiv Moscow 0. Lazio -- Marchegiani, Negro, Pancaro, Nesta, Mihajlovic, Lombardo, Nedved, Fernando Couto (Almeyda, 46), Stankovic, Vieri (Boksic, 87), Mancini (De La Pena, 76). Lok. Moscow -- Nigmatullin, …

The Los Angeles Galaxy has relieved Octavio Zambrano of his duties as head coach and named U.S. U-20 national team and UCLA coach Sigi Schmid as its new head coach. "After extensive review and analysis, I feel it is in this club's best interest to make a head coaching change," said Los Angeles GM Sergio del Prado. "We have all the necessary elements to be an excellent and exciting team, but we've had trouble putting it all together. We have more than half a season remaining and we plan on being a force into the playoffs." Zambrano became the second …

Chicago Fire -- none. Colorado Rapids -- M Kevin Anderson (strained gluteus maximus) and F Paul Bravo (turf toe) are probable. Columbus Crew -- G Juergen Sommer (torn ACL) is on injured reserve. Dallas Burn -- G Mark Dodd (knee tendonitis) and M Mark Santel (sprained MCL) are probable; D Chad Deering (sprained MCL) is out. D.C. United -- G Tom Presthus (strained groin), D Carlos Llamosa (strained abdominal) and M Ben Olsen (strained lower back) are probable; D Curt Onalfo (partially torn Achilles) and M Richie Williams (sprained ankle) are out. Kansas City Wizards -- D Sean Bowers (neck …

In the wake of the recent tragedy that took place at Columbine High School, the Colorado Rapids have postponed their Major League Soccer game originally scheduled for Saturday night, April 24, against the Chicago Fire. "It is with a heavy heart that we have decided that playing a soccer game this weekend is just not something that we wish to do right now," said Rapids GM Dan Counce. "Our focus and the focus of this community need to continue to be in Littleton." "For now, we just want the families and friends of all those affected to know that we …

The Los Angeles Galaxy has announced a press conference for Noon (PT) April 22 and is expected to name UCLA and U.S. U-20 national team coach Sigi Schmid as its new head coach, according to several Los Angeles area newspapers. Schmid, who has just returned from Nigeria, where he led the U.S. U-20s to the second round of the 1999 World Youth Championship, has had a long and successful career at UCLA. He replaces Octavio Zambrano, who led the Galaxy to a 24-8 record last season, but has seen the team struggle in 1999, scoring just three goals in five …

Here's a look at MLS games on TV this weekend. The Colorado-Chicago match scheduled for April 24 has been postponed. Date Matchup Kickoff (ET) Television April 24 New England at D.C. United 7:30 p.m. Fox Sports New England; NewsChannel 8 April 24 Kansas City at Miami 7:30 p.m. No TV April 24 Columbus at Dallas 8:30 p.m. Fox Sports Ohio April 24 San Jose at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m. Fox Sports Bay Area* April 25 Tampa Bay at MetroStars 1:00 p.m. ESPN *-The Galaxy vs. Clash game can be seen live on the MLS/ESPN shootout package, …

FEATURES Ron Newman Down And Out In Kansas City By Bob Luder? MLS: When You Don't Make The Cut By Dan Woog Salvadoran Fans Vent At D.C. Home Opener By Steven Goff U.S. Pleased But Not Content With Nigeria '99 Finish By Scott French Nigeria '99: Howard Gets His Chance In U.S. Goal By Scott French Soccer America's 1999 College Choice Directory U.S. Women Enjoy 'First-Class' Residency Camp By Dean Caparaz COLUMNS Soccer Talk -- Newman lit up the game By Paul Gardner DEPARTMENTS

• Up Front
• MLS Roundup
• Q&A: Jason Kreis
• MLS Scoreboard
• Nigeria '99 Roundup
• American Scoreboard
• A-League …

STANDINGS Eastern Conference Northeast GP W L GF GA P Boston 1 1 0 3 1 5 Connecticut 2 0 2 3 5 1 Lehigh Vall. 0 0 0 0 0 0 Long Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pittsburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rochester 0 0 0 0 0 0 Staten Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 Toronto 0 0 0 0 0 0 Atlantic GP W L GF GA P Jacksonville 2 1 1 5 6 5 Atlanta 1 1 0 1 0 4 Charleston 0 0 0 0 0 0 …

Goalkeeper Walter Zenga (3) New England Defenders Eric Dade (2) Dallas Lubos Kubik (3) Chicago Carlos Llamosa (3) D.C. United Mauricio Wright (3) San Jose Midfielders Chris Armas (1) Chicago Wade Barrett (1) San Jose Jerzy Podbrozny (1) Chicago Joe Franchino (1) Los Angeles Forwards Jason Kreis (2) Dallas Ronald Cerritos (1) San Jose ò In parentheses is the number of times a player has been named to the Team of the Week.

U.S. women's national team coach Tony DiCicco has named his 20-player roster for the next four matches on the NIKE Road to Pasadena tour, two each against China and Japan, as he nears his final selections for the 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup Team. The Road to Pasadena will take the USA to nine cities before beginning Women's World Cup play on June 19 against Denmark at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. DiCicco will use the same 18 field players for all four matches, the only changes coming at the goalkeeper. U.S. starter Briana Scurry will be on the roster …

D3 Pro League STANDINGS North GP W L GF GA P Cape Cod 0 0 0 0 0 0 Delaware 0 0 0 0 0 0 N. Hampshire 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Jersey 0 0 0 0 0 0 North Jersey 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reading 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rhode Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 South Jersey 0 0 0 0 0 0 Western Mass. 0 0 0 0 0 0 Atlantic GP W L GF GA P Carolina 0 0 0 0 0 0 Charlotte 0 …