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MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy Stay Alive with 4-0 Victory

July 17, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


BLAINE, MN (Wednesday, July 17, 2002) - Los Angeles Galaxy successfully defended its U.S. Open Cup title defeating the A-League's Minnesota Thunder, 4-0 to advance to the quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the National Sports Center. The Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz celebrated his first MLS All-Star Game selection with a goal and an assist, while Chris Albright tallied twice and Alejandro Moreno added another to round out the scoring. The Galaxy will play the winner of the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders third round match.

"I was pleased the victory because it was our second win on the road," said Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "It was also good to see Albright and Moreno get on the board and our three forwards Ruiz, Albright and Moreno combined well all evening. The only negative note was that Cobi Jones took a knock on his Achilles tendon and will be reevaluated tomorrow to determine his status for Saturday's game."

Galaxy rookie Alejandro Moreno scored the opening goal of the match with an assist from Carlos Ruiz in the 18th minute. Running onto a pass out of midfield, Ruiz beat the Thunder's offside trap and went in one-on-one with Thunder goalkeeper Jon Lowery. With the goalkeeper off his line, Ruiz laid the ball off to his left for Moreno to slot into the open net.

In the 26th minute, Los Angeles' Chris Albright extended the Galaxy's lead to 2-0 with his first goal of the season. Dribbling up the left wing, Moreno beat one defender before sending a low cross in the box for Albright redirect into the lower left corner.

Galaxy and MLS leading goal scorer Carlos Ruiz netted his first U.S. Open Cup goal in the 59th minute. The scoring sequence started off a Galaxy cornerkick that was headed into the center of the six-yard box. Ruiz pounced on the headed and deflected it past a helpless Lowery for the goal.

Albright, who scored his second of the night, added fourth goal of the match in the 70th minute with an assist from substitute Gavin Glinton. Inside the left corner of the box, Glinton slipped past a defender and pulled

The L.A. Galaxy will take the field this coming Saturday on "Korean Night" when its plays host to the Kansas City Wizards (Kickoff 7:00 p.m. ET) at the Rose Bowl. For more information regarding Los Angeles Galaxy tickets for the club's next home game, please call the Galaxy toll free at (877) 3GALAXY.

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