By Ridge Mahoney

HERO: Galaxy keeper Kevin Hartman pulled off several excellent saves to help the defending champion escape Columbus Crew Stadium with a 1-1 tie in the MLS 2003 opener on Saturday.

Galaxy fans nicknamed him ''El Gato'' for his lightning-quick reflexes. In catlike fashion he robbed Freddy Garcia on a point-blank chance and snuffed several other choice opportunities.

The Crew outshot L.A. 18-11 but only Edson Buddle's header from a Garcia free kick got past Hartman.

VILLAIN: Defender Tyrone Marshall flattened several opponents, most notably a shuddering foul on Ross Paule that knocked the Crew midfielder out of the game and earned Marshall a yellow card that could have been a darker color. Paule suffered a severe contusion on his right ankle but is traveling with the team to Mexico today for its CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Morelia on Wednesday.

ROUGH DAY AT THE OFFICE: Forward Carlos Ruiz needed several minutes of medical attention before he was able to leave the field after the final whistle. In a last-minute, multi-player collision Ruiz suffered a jaw contusion and a laceration on the inside of his mouth. One of his teeth was loosened and he is visiting the dentist today. He apparently was elbowed by Brian McBride when he went up for a ball in a tangle with Michael Clark and Alexi Lalas.

GOAL-MAKER: Clark kept Ruiz contained much of the game but the 2002 MVP pounced when Brian Maisonneuve's scuffed clearance turned into a cross for him to head into the net. Counting playoffs and MLS Cup 2002, in which he scored the only goal in overtime, Ruiz has tallied at least once in 22 of his 35 MLS games.

EXPANSION WATCH: Tulsa drew 14,025 fans for its MLS game on Saturday in which the Wizards beat the Burn, 3-0. Lamar Hunt said the Tulsa organizers had also received commitments for 2,500 season tickets. MLS has set a benchmark of 7,500 season tickets as one of the requirements for an expansion franchise.

NOTES: San Jose forward Dwayne DeRosario is scheduled for surgery Monday on a torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. … D.C. United defender Milton Reyes will undergo an MRI exam today to determine the extent of a knee injury he suffered in a 1-1 tie with Richmond of the A-League on Saturday. … The MetroStars beat the A-League's Rochester, 2-0, on goals by rookie midfielder Ricardo Clark and defender Chris Leitch. … Carlos Bocanegra scored the only goal in Chicago's 1-0 defeat of Colorado in Baton Rouge, La.