MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy Advance to Quarterfinals of CONCACAF Champions Cup

Published on March 24, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


FULLERTON, CA (Sunday, March 23, 2003) - Los Angeles Galaxy defender Alexi Lalas headed home the series-clinching goal on a 72nd-minute header to lead the MLS Cup champions to a 1-0 victory over CD Motagua of Honduras in the CONCACAF Champions Cup at Cal State Fullerton's Titan Stadium. The Galaxy captured the home-and-home total-goals series on a 3-2 aggregate total after tying the first match vs. Motagua, 2-2, in Honduras last weekend. The L.A. Galaxy advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup tournament for the third time in club history and will face Necaxa of the Mexican First Division.

"We faced a very well organized and coached team, but we still had the best chances to score, " said Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "Our defense was superb tonight and we dominated in our match-ups in the back. This tournament is our version of the Champions' League. "

Los Angeles played without striker Carlos Ruiz, the League's 2002 season and Cup MVP, due to the pair of yellow cards he received in the first leg against the Honduran club.

The Galaxy owned the better of the play in the first half and dominated using crosses from the wings to take advantage of team's height in the box. In fact, the Los Angeles' first three scoring attempts came in the air, including Chris Albright's header in the 10th minute that sailed just over the cross bar.

In the 42nd minute, Galaxy defender Hong Myung Bo produced the best opportunity in the first half. Dribbling along the top of the box, Hong created just enough space to fire a hard shot to the upper left corner. The Korean's shot easily beat Motagua goalkeeper Noel Valladares before rocketing off the goal post just inches from finding the back of the net.

As the match wore on, the Galaxy continued to earn the majority of the quality chances in the second half. Salvadoran midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, who announced the upcoming Major League Soccer season will be his final professional season, added a spark off the bench in the 63rd minute, replacing Alex Pineda Chacon.

With just 12 minutes remaining in regulation, Lalas scored the only goal of the game on a lightning quick strike. Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones took a short corner kick from Cienfuegos. Driving to the endline, Jones sent a cross into the box. Five yards from goal, Lalas beat his defender and headed the cross into the back of the net. His powerful header easily beat Valladares just under the center of the cross bar.

"It was a great ball. That's what Cobi does, he gets down the sideline and just hits great balls," said Lalas. "These tournaments are all opportunities for us to show what we all believe in, that is we have individual players and teams that can compete on the international level."

In the 88th minute, defender Danny Califf received his second caution of the Champions' Cup tournament and as a result will be suspended for the first game vs. Necaxa. Per CONCACAF rules, Califf, who was also cautioned in the first meeting with Motagua in Honduras, will have to sit out.

The Galaxy, who join Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew in the final eight teams, meet CD Necaxa of Mexico in a home-and-home series that is tentatively slated to kick off on April 9 at Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton and April 16 at Necaxa's home ground, the historic Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.

For more information regarding 2003 Los Angeles Galaxy season tickets at The Home Depot Center, please call the Galaxy toll free at (877) 3GALAXY.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 24, 2003


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