MLS Major League Soccer

Crew-Galaxy Tie

Published on April 5, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


COLUMBUS, OH - Reigning MLS Honda MVP Carlos Ruiz netted the equalizer for the defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy as they tied the Columbus Crew 1-1 on MLS' Opening Day on a brisk and windy afternoon at Columbus Crew Stadium. Forward Edson Buddle tallied the first goal of MLS' eighth season for the home team in a nationally televised matchup between the defending MLS Cup champions (Galaxy) and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions (Crew).

The Crew came out of the gates strong with quick attacks that found the space behind the Galaxy back line. Columbus outshot the Galaxy 7-0 in the first half hour but several spectacular saves by L.A. goalkeeper Kevin Hartman kept the Crew off the board. The MLS career leader in goals-against-average stopped point-blank shots from Brian McBride (5th min), Buddle (6th min), Freddy Garcia (13th min) and Ross Paule (22nd min).

Just when the Galaxy began to emerge and begin to hold their own in attack, the Crew struck for a goal in the 36th minute as Buddle headed a Garcia free kick inside the right post. The 21-year-old, who made his first appearance with the U.S. National Team last Saturday against Venezuela, used his size and strength to beat a Galaxy defender to the ball.

The Galaxy played with urgency after the break and applied pressure in the Crew half of the field. But the equalizer by the visitors came on a fortuitous play in the 64th minute. A penetrating run by the Galaxy's Peter Vagenas down the right side of the Crew box, was stopped by the Crew's Brian Maisonneuve, who poked the ball toward the opposite side of the goal. Ruiz was the first to react and pounced on the loose ball with an expert header inside the right post.

It was the first goal by "El Pescadito" at Crew Stadium as he picked up where he left off in 2002. Ruiz, the leading goal scorer in MLS in 2002 with 24 goals, netted the overtime golden goal which gave the Galaxy MLS Cup 2002 on October 20, 2002.

The Galaxy nearly gave back the goal one minute later when Buddle delivered a pass ahead into space for a run by Kyle Martino, one of the most active players throughout the game for the Crew. Racing in on goal alone, Martino sent a low right-footed shot wide left of goal with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The teams exchanged opportunities in a lively end of regulation with the Crew benefiting from the entrance of the unpredictable Jeff Cunningham into the game. The best overtime scoring chance fell to the Crew as Galaxy defender Alexi Lalas was forced to clear an Eric Denton shot off the line.

Making his MLS debut in the match was World Cup defender Hong Myung Bo, who became the first Korean to ever play in MLS. A contingent of Korean fans on hand cheered his every touch on the ball.

Both clubs will see midweek action against Mexican competition in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the regional club competition. The Galaxy host Necaxa at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, California on April 9 (10:00PM ET) while the Crew travel to play Monarcas Morelia at the Estadio Morelos in Michoacan, Mexico on the same day.

The two teams return to MLS action next Saturday, April 12, as the Galaxy continue on a record stretch of eight consecutive road games to start the season with a match against the Dallas Burn (4:00PM ET, ESPN2). The Crew also travel to meet the MetroStars on April 12 at Giants Stadium (7:30PM ET).

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 5, 2003


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