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MLS LA Galaxy

Ruiz Returns Galaxy to U.S. Open Cup SemiFinals

August 8, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


SAN JOSE, CA (Wednesday, August 07, 2002) - A golden goal by forward Carlos Ruiz propelled the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 1-0 overtime victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at Spartan Stadium on Wednesday night. The goal came just eleven minutes into sudden death overtime after the teams finished in a 0-0 deadlock during regulation. The Galaxy will move on to play the Dallas Burn, who defeated Colorado 1-0 in overtime earlier tonight, in semifinals on Tuesday, September 3, 2002 at Cal State Fullerton's Titan Stadium (Kickoff 8:00 pm PT).

"I am happy because we beat a very strong team and I am looking forward to the next game at home against Dallas," said Ruiz. "I believe that because we are playing at home we should make them respect our turf, but before that we must focus on our next opponent the Revolution in a game that we must win in order to close the gap for first place."

In a spectacular finish, Guatemalan International Ruiz scored his sixth game-winning goal of the season in the 101st minute with a spinning shot over the right shoulder of Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Conway. Defender Ezra Hendrickson sent a high pass up to mid-field for Ruiz, who spun defender Jeff Agoos off his hip as he turned for goal. Once past Agoos, Ruiz flicked the ball over Jimmy Conrad for himself before finding the back of the net.

"No I don't think I committed a on Agoos," commented Ruiz on the goal. "All I did was collected the ball that was served to me from (Ezra) Hendrickson and made the "Sombrero" (self-pass) on Conrad and ran freely into the box for the goal."

The Galaxy snapped San Jose's 15-game unbeaten streak at Spartan Stadium including wins in its last 12 consecutive matches.

"It is a good win, but it still doesn't make up for the MLS Cup final but there is a little bit of satisfaction to beat them at their place," said Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "It was a huge goal by Carlos Ruiz putting us into the semifinals with the opportunity to get to the finals and have a chance to defend our U.S. Open Cup title.

In the first half, Los Angeles and San Jose both came away feeling it should have posted a least one goal on the scoreboard. In the 3rd minute, Mauricio Cienfuegos tested Conway with a long range shot that Conway just tipped up and over the cross bar.

In the 11th minute, Earthquakes forward Ariel Graziani swung and missed on open net opportunity from inside the six-yard box. On the right wing, U.S. World Cup star Landon Donovan drove to the end line and sent a low cross just out of reach of Galaxy goalkeeper Matt Reis across the goalmouth for Graziani.

Coming off his line in the 17th minute, Reis miss played a back pass, having his clearance fall to San Jose's Donovan at the top of the 18-yard box. Donovan attempted to take the errant ball first time, but hit a streaking shot wide right of the open net.

The Galaxy nearly broke through in the 42nd minute with a beautifully crafted offensive foray between Cobi Jones and Mauricio Cienfuegos. Above the top of the box, Cienfuegos spun and lifted a soft pass just over the 'Quakes defense for Jones, who rifled a low shot to the near post but was denied by goalkeeper Jon Conway.

However, Reis earned a measure of redemption in the 46th minute for his early mistake. Above the box, Jeff Agoos blasted a free kick to the upper right corner only to see Reis make a leaping save to parry the dangerous attempt away.

As the teams returned to the field following halftime, the Galaxy squandered a prime opportunity to take the lead in the match less than eight minutes into the second half. Los Angeles defender Ezra Hendrickson nearly put the Galaxy ahead in the match, cracking a shot from the top 18-yard box that forced Conway to punch the ball clear.

Ruiz, MLS' leading scorer, created two scoring opportunities in the 73rd and 79th minutes. On the first, Ruiz nodded a Jones freekick just wide of the right post. Only six minutes later. Ruiz pounced on the rebound of the freekick, but fighting off a defender on his back could not get enough on the shot.

In the final two minutes of regulation, San Jose's Ronnie Ekelund's shot from 30-yards out forced and acrobatic save from Reis in the 88th minute. In response, Los Angeles' Gavin Glinton dribbled up field and fired a shot from 25-yards out forcing a save from Conway.

The Los Angeles Galaxy (9-7-3, 30pts) faces another test at home against Eastern Conference rival - the New England Revolution - on Saturday, August 10, 2002 at Rose Bowl beginning at 7:00 p.m. (PT). For more information regarding Los Angeles Galaxy tickets, please call the Galaxy toll free at (877) 3GALAXY.

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