SEMIFINAL 2
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 7 p.m. PT
The Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY v D.C. UNITED
REFEREE/ARBITRO: Alex Prus (USA)
ASSISTANT REFEREES/ARBITROS ASISTENTES: Chris Strickland (USA); C.J. Morgante (USA)
FOURTH OFFICIAL/CUARTO OFICIAL: Baldomero Toledo (USA)
MATCH BACKGROUND / ANTECEDENTES DEL PARTIDO
Rivals from almost the first days of Major League Soccer, the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United once again meet with a trophy on the line, this time battling for a place in the inaugural SuperLiga competition.
The teams have met twice in international competition, and on both occasions the Galaxy came away victorious. In 1997, the first season Major League Soccer teams took part in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, the clubs met in a single-game semifinal at RFK Stadium in Washington, and Cobi Jones' goal after just 10 minutes proved to be the only one in the contest. The Galaxy then lost 3:5 to Mexican side CDSC Cruz Azul in the final. The teams met again in the semifinals of 2000 Champions' Cup, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. They traded penalty kicks - Greg Vanney converting for the Galaxy in the 29th minute, before Marco Etcheverry equalized in the 48th minute - before the match entered a penalty kick shootout. This time the Galaxy prevailed, winning 4-2 in the shootout, and the captured the only continental honor in the club's history in the final, defeating CD Olimpia of Honduras 3:2.
Of course, the clubs have also met on two occasions for the MLS Cup title. In the remarkable 1996 final, goals from Eduardo Hurtado (5) and Chris Armas (56) gave the Galaxy the lead in a driving storm, but Tony Sanneh (73) and Shawn Medved (81) goals sent the game into extra time, where an Eddie Pope golden-goal header gave United the inaugural MLS championship. The teams met again in 1999, where goals from Jaime Moreno (19) and Ben Olsen (48+) secured the third of United's league titles.
DOMESTIC FORM GUIDE
Last Thursday, just a week before their SuperLiga semifinal, the teams met for the second time in 2007 in league play. The sellout crowd of 46,683 on hand at RFK Stadium was given something to cheer about early, as Luciano Emilio scored the game's only goal in the 27th minute, his league-leading 13th goal on the campaign. The Galaxy's comeback efforts were dealt a blow in the 67th minute when Kyle Martino was sent off with a straight red card from referee Jair Marrufo for a heavy tackle on United playmaker Fred. The large crowd got what many also came to see in the 72nd minute, when David Beckham came on the field for his Major League Soccer debut, replacing Quavas Kirk. The RFK faithful were then almost treated to another bit of history with 10 minutes left, when Jaime Moreno found himself all alone in front of goal. But Joe Cannon made a terrific save to deflect his shot just wide, stopping his bid for his 109th career league goal, which would make him the all-time leader.
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are winless in three league games after winning two of their three group games in SuperLiga, one of two teams to do that. Defenders Chris Albright and Troy Roberts are still ruled out through injury, while midfielders Cobi Jones and David Beckham are still in doubt as they return from hip and ankle injuries respectively.
12.08.2007: New England Revolution - LA Galaxy 1:0
The Los Angeles Galaxy saw their league winless run reach four games with a 1-0 loss to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Taylor Twellman scored in the 55th minute to give the Revolution a deserved victory, latching onto a Shalrie Joseph through ball that wasn't cleared before turning and lashing home a low shot from the heart of the area. David Beckham did not play after he was ruled out with a flare-up to his ankle injury prior to the match.
09.09.2007: D.C. United - LA Galaxy 1:0
05.08.2007: Toronto FC - LA Galaxy 0:0
The Los Angeles Galaxy returned to league action for the first time in more than a month, starting a three-game road swing with a scoreless draw against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Toronto FC dominated from the outset, and could have taken the lead in the eighth minute. Andrea Lombardo ran onto a ball played over the top and looped a soft shot past Joe Cannon as the Galaxy 'keeper came well off his line. But defender Ty Harden came sliding in to sweep it off the line away to safety.
D.C. United
D.C. United last played when they took on the Galaxy in league competition, their second successive win since the completion of the SuperLiga group stage. The only United player ruled out is forward Jamil Walker, with a long-term injury.
09.09.2007: D.C. United - LA Galaxy 1:0
05.08.2007: New England Revolution - D.C. United 0:3
D.C. United put an end to a three-game winless streak in league play, claiming a decisive 3:0 win against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. In the 22nd minute, Matt Reis failed to hold a shot and before he could reclaim it, Josh Gros stormed in to poke it home. Nine minutes later Luciano Emilio slotted home past Reis, and 14 minutes from the end Emilio finished off his brace, coming in alone on goal before sliding his shot past Reis.
FOR THE FINAL
The SuperLiga final will be played on Wednesday, August 29. The venue scenario is as follows:
a. If an MLS team qualifies to the final versus an FMF team, the MLS team will host.
b. If an MLS team plays another MLS team in the final, performance during the entire tournament (first round and semifinals) will determine which club will host. Tiebreakers are (in order): 1. Most Points during the first round and semifinal round 2. Head to Head 3. Goal differential 4. Goals scored 5. Drawing of lots
