MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy Knocked out of Open Cup by Fire

Published on September 23, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


NAPERVILLE, IL (Tuesday, September 23, 2003) – The Chicago Fire eliminated the 2001 U.S. Open Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy from the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in a 3-2 loss on Tuesday night at Cardinal Stadium. Los Angeles rallied with two late goals from Alejandro Moreno and Arturo Torres, but the effort was not enough to overcome a three-goal deficit. MLS Rookie of the Year Candidate, Damani Ralph and veterans DaMarcus Beasley and Ante Razov each scored once to advance to the finals of the U.S. Open Cup.

"I am pleased with the character that we showed, but I'm not pleased with the result," said Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid. "I thought that we showed some great character in battling back and bringing the score to three to two. In the first half, the game was pretty even and we had probably more chances then they had in terms of good clean chances. Obviously, our discipline in the second half needed to be better."

In a fast paced, offensive first half, Los Angeles controlled the flow of the match and created the majority of scoring opportunities including a header from Chris Albright that sailed just over the cross bar and a dangerous long range shot from Alejandro Moreno that rattled the wood work.

The Galaxy's best scoring chance came in the 15th minute as Danny Califf headed a Simon Elliott corner kick into the up right corner. However, referee Gus St. Silva whistled a questionable foul negating the goal.

In the 24th minute, Peter Vagenas threaded a low pass from deep in the Galaxy's half up the heart of the field and right in the path of a sprinting Ruiz. With Fire defender Jim Curtin on his back, Ruiz chipped Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton. Sprawled out on the ground, Thornton barely managed to get a hand on the shot deflecting it wide where Ruiz then attempted to put away the rebound, but had his shot deflected wide.

Chicago managed to outshoot the Galaxy in the first half, but most of the shots were from long range and posed no real danger. The few chances the Fire did create were denied by a tenacious Galaxy defense time and time again. The first chance came on a break away by midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, who broke into the only to have his shot to the lower right corner stopped by the outstretched hand of Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.

Even on a gift pass inside the box from Mauricio Cienfuegos to Ante Razov, the Fire was unable to capitalize as Hartman went down to block the first shot. The rebound landed to Orlando Perez, whose shot four yards out was blocked by Danny Califf.

The second half was a different story for the Galaxy beginning in the 55th minute. Chicago's Beasley tallied the first goal of the match. Damni Ralph began the play with a run the left wing working his way behind the Galaxy's defense. Ralph slotted a low pass into the box past Hong Myung Bo and to the foot of Beasley, who took the pass first time and buried it in the back of the net.

Ralph added the Fire's second goal of the match in the 63rd minute, finishing off a nice combination from Razov and Evan Whitfield. From the right wing, Whitfield's pass into the box found an open Ralph, who tucked the back into the goal for a 2-0 advantage.

In the 69th minute, Fire frontrunner Razov added to the scoring summary from a clearly offside position that was not whistled by the referee. Beasley from the top of his own box caught the Galaxy on the offensive sending a long pass up the middle to Razov, who beat Hartman high at the near post.

Los Angeles pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute through forward Alejandro Moreno, who ran onto a long pass from Simon Elliott. Moreno collected the pass and fired a hard shot inside the far post beating Thornton.

Only two-minutes later, a re-vitalized Galaxy offense scored their second goal of the match. Cobi Jones lofted a freekick into the box for Ruiz, who miss-fired on a bicycle kick. The rebound bounced to rookie Arturo Torres, who tucked the ball in the upper right corner pulling the Galaxy with a goal.

In the 90th minute defender Hong Myung Bo was sent off for a dangerous tackle on the Fire's DaMarcus Beasley.

The L.A. Galaxy will host Kansas City Wizards on "Wells Fargo Night" with the first 10,000 fans age 16 and under receiving a complimentary Wells Fargo shoe bag on Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 7:00 pm in The Home Depot Center. The first 12,000 fans in attendance at The Home Depot Center when the Galaxy takes on United will receive a Hong Myung Bo Bobblehead. For more information regarding Los Angeles Galaxy tickets for the club's next home game, please call the Galaxy toll free at (877) 3-GALAXY.

Check out the LA Galaxy Statistics

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



Major League Soccer Stories from September 23, 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