MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy Fall to Necaxa in Champions Cup

Published on April 10, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


FULLERTON, CA (Wednesday, April 09, 2003) - The defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy were dominated by the visiting CID Necaxa on Wednesday night, handing the home side a 4-1 loss at the Cal State Fullerton's Titan Stadium. In his first start of the year, Galaxy forward Alex Pineda Chacon scored the club's only goal for his first of the season.

Los Angeles trails in aggregate goal total, 1-4, heading into the second leg of the home-and-home total-goals series in the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup tournament. The Galaxy also slipped to 0-3-1 all-time vs. Necaxa with the loss.

"It was an embarrassing game for us, we did not play well and let them take the game to us, " said Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "We gave up a couple of bad goals, it was a little bit like the game we played in New York last year (a 5-0 loss). The first half of the game was for the taking, there were really few people you can point to and say they had a good game. I am not going to point fingers at one or two players because it was a team effort in the loss. We had good chances, but the difference was when they (Necaxa) had a chance they didn't miss it. "

The first half featured an entertaining, free-flowing action from both teams. Although the Galaxy put together several offensives, it was the Necaxa who enjoyed the first goal of the match.

In the 27th minute, Necaxa opened the scoring on a brilliant strike from forward Juan Franco. Storming up the right wing, Los Rayos midfielder Victor Ruiz played Franco up the right side and behind the defense. Franco, who delayed for his on rushing teammates, looked to cross but instead fired a right-footed shot inside the near post that caught Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.

Los Angeles leveled the score in the 35th minute as Honduran international Alex Pineda Chacon scored his first goal with the Galaxy on an exceptionally hit freekick. Defender Alexi Lalas was fouled just above the top of the box by Necaxa goalscorer Franco, setting up a direct kick from 19 yards out. Making his first start for the Galaxy, Pineda Chacon curled a right-footed shot around the wall and inside the upper right corner to knot the match at 1-1.

The second half started on a bad note for the Galaxy as Los Rayos' Franco put his team ahead in the 51st minute. Midfielder Luis Roberto Alves curled a cross into the box from the left flank and Franco made a far post run, beating the Galaxy defense and sending a glancing header past Hartman and into the lower right corner. It was Franco's second goal of the game.

The Galaxy had an opportunity to equalize in the 63rd minute. Simon Elliott's half volley from 17 yards out went past Necaxa goalkeeper Omar Ortiz and just over the cross bar.

In the final ten minutes, the Galaxy went from down one to down by three goals by the final whistle. In the 81st minute, Los Rayos' Alves scored his second goal of the match. Next, second half substitute Miguel Larrosa added the final goal of the game in the 87th minute to give Necaxa a 4-1 advantage.

Los Angeles played most of the game without striker Carlos Ruiz, the League's 2002 season and Cup MVP, due to a fractured molar that was removed on Sunday. Ruiz entered the match in the 81st minute, replacing defender Hong Myung Bo. Ruiz suffered the injury in a collision this past Saturday in the final minutes of the club's 1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew.

The Galaxy will meet CID Necaxa of Mexico in the second leg on April 16 (4:00 pm PT) at Necaxa's home ground Estadio Olimpico in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

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

Check out the LA Galaxy Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from April 10, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central