L.A. Galaxy Stunned by Tragedy

Doug Hamilton, president and general manager of the defending MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy, died Thursday after an apparent heart attack while flying back from the team's CONCACAF Champions Cup match in Costa Rica.

Under Doug Hamilton as General Manager, the L.A. Galaxy won two MLS Cup titles during his four years with the club. A two-time Major League Soccer Executive of the Year, Hamilton died aboard a Lacsa Airlines flight after it left San Jose airport Thursday evening, airline spokeswoman Sofia Valverde said.

"He appeared to have symptoms similar to a heart attack," Valverde said.

One of the Galaxy's team doctors, Dr. Howard Liebeskind, tried to resuscitate him as the pilot returned the plane to San Jose, according to Michael Roth, vice president of communications for AEG, the investor-operator of the Galaxy.

Hamilton was returning to the United States after the Galaxy played Saprissa of Costa Rica during a second leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal Wednesday. He had turned 43 on Monday, Roth said.

The team changed its plans to remain in Costa Rica and planned to return to Los Angeles on Friday.

Hamilton joined the Galaxy four seasons ago after spending two years as executive vice president and GM of the Miami Fusion.

He previously worked for Adidas America for six years. He graduated from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

Hamilton is survived by his wife, Paige, and a 5-year-old son.


Very, very sad, and my condolances go out to his family, friends,the Galaxy as well as the U.S. Soccer community.....He's a figure that will be surly missed........

Only 43, that's so sad - and leaving behind a 5 year-old. My condolences.

YNWA