Hong Myung Bo Back In L.A.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Thursday, November 21, 2002) - The Los Angeles Galaxy's most recent acquisition, Korean World Cup defender Hong Myung Bo, arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday accompanied by L.A. Galaxy VP/GM Doug Hamilton, who attended Hong's final match with the Korean National Team and with former club team Pohang Steelers. He arrived Thursday morning at LAX.

On Friday Hong will head out on his first tour of the construction site for the Home Depot National Training Center. As the new home for the L.A. Galaxy, the Home Depot Center is in its tenth month of construction and is scheduled for completion in June 2003.

Hong's final international match was played on Wednesday at Seoul World Cup Stadium as Brazil defeated South Korea 3-2 on a last minute Ronaldinho penalty kick. The former Korean captain, who made his international debut in 1990, holds the record number of caps for his country (135). In an emotional gesture, Hong gave the traditional Korean bow to the 63,000 spectators on all four sides of the ground. The supporters had watched a spirited Korean side go up twice against the World Cup Champions only to see Ronaldo tie the match each time.

Hong Myung Bo arrived from South Korea, accompanied by Galaxy GM Doug Hamilton.

The L.A. Galaxy, defending MLS Cup champions, acquired the rights to Korean defender Hong Myung Bo earlier this month. Hong, the first Korean player in MLS history, joined the Galaxy from his club team - the Pohang Steelers in Korea's K-League.

The move provided the Galaxy with an experienced international defender, who is known for a no-nonsense, self-assured approach and a keen eye for distribution out of the back.

A veteran of four World Cup finals (1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002), Hong made his most significant impact by helping lead the Korean National Team to the semifinals and a fourth place finish at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, playing in all seven games. He earned FIFA Best XI honors at the event.

The 6-0, 161-pound Hong was also awarded the adidas Bronze Ball for his outstanding performance during the World Cup finishing just behind Oliver Kahn (Germany) and Ronaldo. Hong made his international debut in 1990 on February 4 vs. Norway, and went on to become a member of the South Korea squad that participated in the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.

The 33-year-old Hong, who began his professional career with the Pohang Steelers in 1992, became a fixture in the Korean League (K League). He earned MVP honors in 1992 and was named to the League Best Eleven in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Following a series of outstanding performances for both club and country, Hong switched to Japan's J-League and Belmare Hirasseuka in 1997. He led the club to an Asian Club Championship, before moving on to Kashiwa Reysol. In 1999, Hong was named J-League Most Valuable Player.

In 2000, Hong became the first-ever Korean to captain a Japanese club with Kashiwa Reysol of the J-League. He rejoined the Pohang Steelers of Korea’s K-League in 2001.

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