MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy Move to Semifinals of U.S. Open Cup

Published on August 28, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


SEATTLE, WA (Wednesday, August 27, 2003) – The Los Angeles Galaxy advanced to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup following a 5-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders (A-League) on Wednesday night at Seahawks Stadium. The Galaxy will move on to play the Chicago Fire, who defeated Colorado 2-1 in overtime earlier tonight, in semifinals at a date and time to be determined by U.S. Soccer later this week.

The Galaxy opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, as forward Carlos Ruiz coolly finished off a penalty kick beating Sounders goalkeeper Rich Cullen. Galaxy forward Alejandro Moreno earned the conversion attempt for the visiting side when he was fouled in the box by Sounders defender Ryan Edwards. Chris Albright started the play springing Moreno behind the Sounders defense with a long ball from behind the midfield line.

In the 39th minute, midfielder Antonio Martinez scored to give the Galaxy a 2-0 advantage. Midfielder Simon Elliott took a pass from Albright first-time with his left foot, sending a bending ball up the left wing rewarding a long run from out of the back by Martinez. Bringing the ball down out the air, Martinez pulled the Sounders' Cullen off his line before hitting a soft chip inside the far post.

At the half, Los Angeles made two substitutions bringing on forward Arturo Torres at right back for Tyrone Marshall and Jesus Ochoa in for Chris Albright in the right midfield. Seattle suffered a setback as midfielder Viet Nguyen was removed due to a sprained right ankle for Sean Callahan.

In the 53rd minute, Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman earned his ticket to Seattle making three spectacular saves in a one-minute span. First, Hartman denied two headers from defender Zach Scott from point blank range off an Andrew Gregor corner kick. Seattle countered off the clearance finding Kyle Smith in a questionably offside position on the left wing. Smith dribbled in one-on-one against Hartman only to have the Galaxy ‘keeper go down before reaching up to snag his shot out of the air from six-yards out.

The Sounders nearly climbed back in the match in the 58th minute. However, Referee Jesse Johnson waived off a goal from Seattle's off another Gregor corner kick. Johnson whistled a foul on Seattle's Zach Scott after his leaping challenge knocked Hartman out of the air as he went to play the cross.

In the 62nd minute, a scuffle ensued along the Galaxy bench following a tough tackle by Andrew Gregor, which sent Arturo Torres into the club's bench. Following the play, the Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz was cautioned, while Andrew Gregor received a yellow card for the tackle on Torres.

Los Angeles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 67th minute off a strike from Alejandro Moreno. Martinez crossed a curving ball into the box to Moreno, who headed the ball past Cullen.

In the 70th minute, Seattle midfielder Jason Farrell pulled one back for the Sounders. Farrell collected the rebound from a corner kick at the top of the box and blasted a high shot past Hartman, who was recovering from making the initial play on the corner kick.

With time running out, Los Angeles added two more goals from Carlos Ruiz in the 87th and 90th minutes with assists from Jesus Ochoa and Simon Elliott, respectively. Ruiz's second goal came off a nice combination from Cobi Jones to Ochoa outside the box, while the third was a perfect through ball by Elliott behind the defense that Ruiz chipped home for the final score line.

The defending MLS Cup Champion Galaxy return to MLS action versus the Dallas Burn this Saturday, August 30 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA (7:00 pm Kickoff). The match will air tape delayed nationally on ESPN2 beginning at 11:00 p.m. PT.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 28, 2003


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