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MLS San Jose Earthquakes

1-0 Overtime Loss Eliminates Earthquakes From U.S. Open Cup

August 8, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


San Jose (August 7, 2002) - The defending Major League Soccer Champion San Jose Earthquakes (12-7-2) fell 1-0 in overtime to the Los Angeles Galaxy (9-7-3) in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Spartan Stadium on Wednesday night. The loss eliminates the Earthquakes from the U.S. Open Cup competition and ends the team's 15-game home winning streak, a streak that dates back to Aug. 25, 2001. The Earthquakes still own a 12-game MLS regular season winning streak at Spartan Stadium.

Los Angeles forward Carlos Ruiz clinched the win eleven minutes into the first overtime following 90 minutes of scoreless play. Galaxy midfielder Ezra Hendrickson sent a long ball over the Earthquakes defense to Ruiz, who held off San Jose defender Jeff Agoos and then managed to flick the ball above defender Jimmy Conrad. Ruiz moved in alone against Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Conway and sent a shot into the upper right corner of the net for the win, marking the third consecutive year the Galaxy have eliminated the Earthquakes from the Cup.

The 88-year old U.S. Open Cup is the oldest national soccer tournament in the United States and is modeled after similar open cup competitions throughout the world. Amateur, minor league and MLS teams are eligible to play in the tournament.

It appeared that San Jose would be advancing to the semifinals just two minutes into the overtime when second half substitute Dwayne De Rosario's header off a cross flew just over the crossbar. Earthquakes midfielder Ronnie Ekelund nearly avoided overtime entirely however, forcing a diving save from Galaxy goalkeeper Matt Reis on a wicked 25-yard shot in the 88th minute. Following a San Jose attack, the Los Angeles defense sent the ball skidding out of their penalty box, allowing Ekelund to one-touch the ball toward the left corner of the net. San Jose forward Landon Donovan had a prime chance to get the Earthquakes on the board in the 66th minute as Ramiro Corrales lofted a ball directly in front of the L.A. net. Reis raced out and dove on the ball, blocking it with his foot moments before Donovan could finish the play. Three minutes later Agoos unleashed a vicious volley off a corner kick from Richard Mulrooney. L.A. defender Simon Elliott was able to get in front of the shot and send it over the crossbar.

A physical first half ended with a near goal for the Earthquakes when Ekelund blasted a free kick from around 23-yards out towards the upper left corner of the L.A. goal. Reis was forced to make a full extension diving save to maintain the scoreless tie.

San Jose had the best opportunity of the early going when midfielder Manny Lagos stole a Galaxy pass and headed up field. Lagos sliced into the middle before sending a pass to Landon Donovan on the right side. Donovan turned and hit an overlapping Ian Russell with the ball, whose cross was barely missed by a stretching Graziani. The Earthquakes have this weekend off and return to MLS action on Saturday, August 17 with a match against D.C. United at 1:00 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium. August 17 is Health Day, presented by TheraLife at Spartan Stadium, and it is also Quakes Crazy Day. The Health Day features programs and activities from institutions such as Stanford Medical School Blood Center, O'Connor Hospital, TriEnergetics and others. The event will showcase items, methods, practices and information on how to live a healthier life. Quakes Crazy Day activities include face painting, poster making, and hair dyeing outside the Spartan Stadium.

Notes:

-The Earthquakes have lost to the Galaxy three straight years in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.

-Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Conway made his third start of 2002 tonight.

-The loss was just the third time all season San Jose has failed to score at least one goal. An MLS team last shut out the Earthquakes March 30, 2002 at Colorado (1-0).

-San Jose ended their 15-game Spartan Stadium winning streak.

Quotes:

Frank Yallop, on game: "We are obviously disappointed with the result. We had plenty of chances in the first half and we just didn't put them away. I am not disappointed with the guy's effort though. L.A. got a good finish from Ruiz in the overtime and tonight was just not our night."

Frank Yallop, on game: "L.A. is not easy to play against. They made it difficult for us all night, but I think in the balance of play we were the more dangerous team."

Frank Yallop, on Ronnie Ekelund: "I thought that Ronnie was the best player on the field tonight, he had a tremendous game."

Ian Russell, on game: "We had some good chances in the first half, but we did not put them away. It was not the prettiest game out there tonight. It is frustrating, because I thought this was the year we would win the Cup."

Manny Lagos, on game: "It is disappointing to get eliminated from the Cup. It was very important to us to win the tournament this year. We need to learn from this loss and put our energy into the league. We have a little break here, and then we really need to focus on the final stretch of the season. Hopefully this loss will inspire us to play well towards the end of the season."

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