Los Angeles Galaxy president and general manager Doug Hamilton has been saying for weeks now that winning trophies is what's expected. For the first time since 2002, the Galaxy are going to have the opportunity to add some hardware to their trophy case.
Wednesday night at The Home Depot Center, the Galaxy cruised to a 5-2 win against USL First Division side Minnesota Thunder in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals, paced by Herculez Gomez who scored a goal in each half to pace the Galaxy to their third attempt to win the Dewar Trophy.
On paper, the Thunder appeared to be the inferior side, but the game was much closer than the 5-2 score indicated. Through 77 minutes, the Thunder were within a goal of the MLS side, but fatigue, coupled with the Galaxy's superior team speed, eventually caused the collapse and the lopsided score.
The Galaxy's final opponent in the tournament will be fellow MLS side FC Dallas and the Galaxy will have the advantage of hosting the final at The Home Depot Center. It's a prospect that's very exciting to Galaxy coach Steve Sampson.
"I don't think the Galaxy has ever been able to play for a championship in our home facility," said Sampson. "We're looking forward to it and we'd love to raise the cup in front of our home fans."
The Galaxy have now scored nine goals in their last two games after hitting for four in their last league win, last Saturday against the Colorado Rapids. Gomez scored two goals in that game as well and attributes the recent success on offense to the whole team.
"If anything we've got great players in the midfield. Our defense has just been solid. Kevin's (Hartman) been anchoring the back," said Gomez. "You've got to give credit to those guys. Those guys start it, we just finish it."
The Galaxy attack matched the goal output they had against Chivas USA in the fourth round of the Open Cup. But despite the heavy scoreline, the Galaxy were very aware of what the Thunder had done en route to the match, defeating three MLS teams along the way in Real Salt Lake, the Rapids and defending Open Cup champion Kansas City Wizards.
"This Minnesota team is a team we weren't going to take lightly," said Gomez. "They came in beating some pretty good opponents. You've got to give credit where credit is due. They played their hearts out. I know what it's like to be on the losing end to an MLS team in Open Cup play. They have nothing to be ashamed of."
The Galaxy definitely showed a great deal of respect for Minnesota after the game, but probably showed too much respect at the beginning. The Galaxy came out a little tentative and conceded a penalty kick in just the second minute of play. Melvin Tarley sent the spot kick over the bar -- otherwise the game might have been a very different affair.
While he had scored six goals against MLS opposition in Open Cup play coming into the match, and also scored in his first game after signing with Real Salt Lake, Tarley wore a huge albatross around his neck in the first half, later missing on a breakaway attempt. The Galaxy definitely enjoyed more of the ball through out the game, but sloppy clearances out of the back led to a number of good scoring chances for the Thunder.
Landon Donovan, who scored a goal and added an assist, said that while his team scored a convincing win, work still needs to be done if there in any realistic chance for the Galaxy to accomplish their goals.
"When things go well they go well," said Donovan. "We need to do better on the other side of the ball if we're really going to be serious about winning an MLS Cup. But offensively, the way we moved the ball was pretty good tonight. A little lax at times, but pretty good."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
