The LA Galaxy fell to FC Seoul on Saturday, March 1 losing 2-1 on penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation in the Motorola Cup at Seoul World Cup Stadium in the first game of the Galaxy's Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife.
The Galaxy had the better of the play in the game's opening minutes and took the lead in the 22nd minute when Alan Gordon beat the offsides trap to get on the end of a David Beckham freekick. Gordon beat Kim Ho Jun with a right-footed shot for a 1-0 advantage. Carlos Ruiz was fouled in the center of the field about 35 yards from goal, setting up a freekick opportunity for Beckham. Rather than go for goal, the Galaxy captain deftly clipped the ball over the defense for Gordon who ran onto the pass and took it down with his chest before hitting a right-footed shot past the Korean keeper.
FC Seoul equalized ten minutes later when Jung Jo Gook scored from the penalty spot. A cross from the left wing went through the box, only for referee Lee Sang Yong to say that Celestine Babayaro impeded a Seoul player, leading him to point to the spot. Gook stepped up and sent his kick straight down the middle, beating Steve Cronin to level the score at 1-1.
Both teams went close to taking the lead following the Gook penalty with the hosts getting in behind the Galaxy defense twice and Bryan Jordan and Carlos Ruiz each carving out quality chances only to be denied.
Ruud Gullit made a pair of changes at halftime, brining on Michael Gavin and Ely Allen for Babayaro and Mike Randolph, in an attempt to solidify the left flank. The move nearly paid off shortly after the hour mark as Allen got in at the back post, only to put his volley over the bar from a tight angle.
Later in the half, Ruiz went close to putting LA in front with an acrobatic half volley. Meanwhile, Jordan was able to get behind and his short cross found Ruiz, but his highlight reel attempt went over the bar.,p>
Seoul had a pair of late chances to get the victory in regulation as Kim Chi Gon and Lee Sang Hup sent shots on goal, only for Cronin to make the save each time, sending the match to penalties to decide the Motorola Cup.
Beckham stepped up to take the first penalty and converted his kick for a 1-0 LA edge. However, that would be the only successful penalty for the Galaxy as Carlos Ruiz, Peter Vagenas, Chris Klein and Greg Vanney all had their attempts saved. Kim Eun Jung and Lee Sang Hup scored on Seoul's first two attempts to earn the victory for FC Seoul, despite Cronin making a pair of saves on Seoul's third and fourth attempts.
Scoring Summary
LAG - Alan Gordon (David Beckham) 22'
FCS - Jung Jo Gook (Penalty Kick) 32'
Misconduct Summary
LAG - Babayaro - Yellow Card - 29'
FCS - Kim Chi Gon - Yellow Card 79'
Lineups
LA Galaxy: Steve Cronin, Mike Randolph (Michael Gavin 46'), Greg Vanney, Abel Xavier, Chris Klein, Alvaro, Celestine Babayaro (Ely Allen 46'), David Beckham, Alan Gordon (Peter Vagenas 69'), Bryan Jordan, Carlos Ruiz.
Subs Not Used: Josh Wicks, Sean Franklin, Julian Valentin, Troy Roberts, Brandon McDonald, Josh Tudela.
FC Seoul: Kim Ho Jun, Choi Won Kwon, Kim Jin Kyu, Kim Chi Gon, Adilson, Lee Chung Yong (Kim Eun Jung 72'), Kim Han Yoon, Lee Min Sung, Lee Eul Yong (Ku Kyung Hyen 84'), Dejan Damjanovic (Koh Myong Jin 66'), Jung Jo Gook.
