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Galaxy to Face Earthquakes in US Open Cup

July 18, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


PASADENA, CA (Thursday, July 18, 2002) - The reigning 2001 U.S. Open Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy will visit the San Jose Earthquakes in the quarterfinals of the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, August 7. The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports World (FSW) and Fox Sports World Español (FSWE) from Spartan Stadium at 7 p.m. PT.

"As defending champion, we took our first steps towards returning to the finals with a strong victory over the Thunder," said Galaxy VP/GM Doug Hamilton. "The Galaxy vs. Earthquakes matches are quickly turning into a classic rivalry where fans can expect a hard fought and exciting match every time these two clubs step on the field."

The Galaxy-Earthquakes match-up marks the third consecutive year that the two MLS-rivals will be meeting in the Open Cup quarterfinals. L.A. has twice eliminated San Jose from the Open Cup, winning 10-9 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in 2001 and downing the 'Quakes 2-0 in 2000.

The Galaxy kicked off its' quest for a second consecutive Open Cup title with a resounding 4-0 victory over the A-League's Minnesota Thunder. The Earthquakes narrowly escaped the Seattle Sounders with a late sudden death overtime goal after drawing 3-3 in regulation to advance.

On October 27, 2001, the Galaxy captured its first U.S. Open Cup title by defeating the New England Revolution 2-1. The victory, at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, gave the Galaxy its first domestic championship. Danny Califf's golden goal in overtime sealed the Galaxy victory.

Los Angeles secured a place in the final when it defeated MLS rival Chicago Fire 1-0 with a golden goal from Alexi Lalas in overtime. In the quarterfinals, Los Angeles advanced past San Jose, 10-9, on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw in regulation and two scoreless sudden-death overtime periods. The Galaxy also posted early round victories over the Premier Development League's Seattle Sounders Select (3-1) on July 11 and the A-League's Nashville Metros (5-0) on June 27.

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 an 89-year-old, single-elimination tournament based upon similar competitions played across the world concurrent with domestic league action.

For more information regarding Los Angeles Galaxy tickets for the club's next home game (July 20 vs. Kansas City), please call the Galaxy toll free at (877) 3GALAXY.

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