MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy axed by Minnesota in first round of U.S Open Cup

Published on July 20, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


Minneapolis, MN- The Los Angeles Galaxy were knocked out of the fourth round of the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by the A-League's Minnesota Thunder, falling 1-0 on Tuesday night at The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Minnesota Thunder defender Chris Brunt's first half goal proved to be the difference in the match.

With the victory, the Thunder advance to the quarterfinals of the single-elimination tournament where they will meet the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, August 4 at James Griffith Stadium in Minneapolis.

The Thunder came out pressuring and nearly went ahead just 25 seconds into the match. After a Galaxy turnover in the defensive third of the field, the Thunder's Johnny Menyonger rifled a shot from the edge of the box that eluded a diving Galaxy goalkeeper Dan Popik but skidded just wide the far post. The hosts threatened again in the ninth minute, but an effort from Minnesota forward Melvin Tarley was well wide of its intended target.

In the 12th minute, L.A. Galaxy rookie forward Joseph Ngwenya looked to break into the scoring column for the Galaxy, but his close-range header of an Arturo Torres cross sailed just wide of the post for a Thunder goal kick.

Finally, after Thunder continued to push forward, it was the hosts who took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute of play. After a Galaxy foul about 25 yards from goal on the right side, former Columbus Crew midfielder Jeff Matteo curled a free kick to the far post and right onto the head of defender Chris Brunt. Brunt's header deflected off the hand of Popik and into the goal.

Los Angeles put together some possession after finding themselves behind, their efforts eventually resulting in a shot by midfielder Sasha Victorine from just outside the penalty area, but it did not trouble Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren, who collected the ball on two hops inside the six-yard box. Neither side mounted much of an attack in the remainder of the half and the hosts carried their lead into the break.

After the interval, Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid made two changes to his lineup. The veteran coach brought in Marcelo Saragosa for Ryan Suarez, dropping Victorine into the back line and also called upon Josh Gardner to spell Paul Broome. The appearance marked Gardner's first in a Galaxy uniform in official competition.

The game opened up in the first minutes of the second half, though neither team was able to find the net both found more space along the touchlines. Ten minutes into the half, Schmid brought Guatemalan international Carlos Ruiz in for Ngwenya.

It was Ruiz who nearly drew the visitors even in the 69th minute after Jovan Kirovski sliced through the Thunder defense on fifty-plus-yard run up the middle of the field, but his effort was no problem for Warren, who made an easy save. After dodging the bullet, the hosts nearly doubled their lead in the 77th minute, but Marco Ferruzzi's first time effort went wide of the near post.

Each side looked to change the outcome in the final ten minutes, including a blast from Ruiz in the 89th minute parried over the crossbar by Warren, but neither was able to hit home as the Thunder walked off the pitch victorious much to the delight of the Metrodome crowd.

Dating back to 1914, the U.S. Open Cup is the oldest soccer cup competition in the United States and among the oldest in the world. Open to affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States, the annual U.S. Open Cup is a 90-year-old, single-elimination tournament based upon similar competitions played across the world concurrent with domestic league action.

On Saturday, the Galaxy return to MLS action and continue their demanding four-game road trip at Kansas City (5:00 p.m. PT). The match will televised tape delayed to 8:00 pm to viewers throughout Southern California on KWHY Channel 22 (Spanish), but will be available live on radio in both English (KMPC 1540 AM) and Spanish (KMXE 830 AM).

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 20, 2004


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