LA Galaxy Supporters Win 2010 ACES CUP; Southern California Dominance of Sounders FC Continues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 23, 2010 -- After Chivas USA’s Union Ultras captured the ACES cup in 2009, the Los Angeles Galaxy Supporters groups Angel City Brigade and LA Riot Squad will share the ACES Cup spoils in 2010 for their roles in pushing the Galaxy to notch seven goals in two games to defeat the Sounders in 2010.

The ACES Cup is a fan based competition that awards a cash prize to MLS fan groups based on their club’s overall goal differential against Sounders FC.

Although it couldn’t be formalized until the final weekend of the regular season, the 2010 Cup competition was effectively over on the 4th of July when a James Riley own-goal bounced past Sounder keeper Kasey Keller to count for the Galaxy’s 7th tally against the Sounders in league play.

That Sunday, as the World Cup was off for a few days after wrapping up the Quarter Finals, the Home Depot Center was as intense as ever, with US National team members Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle returning from national team duty and 27,000 Galaxy fans out in full force.

“That own-goal from Riley is an example of the kind of disruptive effect that an intense atmosphere can have on opposing teams.” Explained ACES Co-founder Andrew Wheaton. “Whether the crowd noise affected Keller and Riley’s communication or if the intensity of the atmosphere just got in Riley’s head, the fans probably had a big hand in that goal either way.”

Fan intensity is one aspect of supporter culture that ACES founders hope to reward through the ACES cup.

“Sure, we hold Sounder fans to account, but we also want to recognize what other supporters groups are doing right.” Explained Wheaton “The Riot Squad are a great example because they are vocal and loyal to their club, but they also aren’t afraid to take a stand and even be critical of players or their front office.”

In 2009, LA Riot Squad supporters gained international attention for their commentary on Beckham’s perceived diluted loyalty to their club upon his return form an extended loan to Seria A’s AC Milan.

Some of the best MLS supporters groups regularly get involved in their respective communities on non-football related issues.

‘We Stare Because We Care’ is the Angel City Brigade’s tagline for their Breast Cancer awareness effort in which they will create visibility to the issue via “special banners in pink and we will use pink streamers at the beginning of the game instead of Galaxy colors” according to www.angelcitybrigade.net.

“Two traits that I think you’ll find among the most passionate football supporters anywhere in the world is that they love the sport and they love their city so it’s natural that you see these supporters screaming in the stands and also volunteering in their community.” Explained Mason Adair, ACES co-founder “Both LARS and ACB do all of that.”

For their part in supporting the Galaxy through a phenomenal 2010 MLS season, the LA Riot Squad and Angel City Brigade will split a $400 ACES Cup cash prize.

2010 ACES Cup highlights:
• Seattle wasn’t defeated by Edson Buddle’s Golden Boot, as Buddle only scored once against the Sounders. Six different Galaxy players and one Sounder combined for the 7 goals against Seattle.

• One of the most stunning goals against the Sounders came during the game in Carson on the 4th of July when Juninho hit a stunning golazo from 30 yards out after Ianni and Riley gave him plenty of space.
• Earlier, in 19th minute of the same game, loaded with World Cup story lines of what might have been if he had been used more, Buddle scores off of a Donovan corner for his 10th of the year in front of the packed ACB section.
• It’s not just clubs from Southern California that dominate the Sounders but players hailing from LA too. With his June 11th hat trick, Orange County native and DC United Forward Chris Pontias had the most goals against the Sounders of any player in 2010.

• Two former Sounders, Sébastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union) and Cam Weaver (Houston Dynamo), contributed two of the 35 goals against the Sounders in 2010.

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