SANTA BARBARA, CA - The Los Angeles Galaxy were defeated by Cruz Azul, 4-1, in front of 7,980 fans on a warm Wednesday night at UCSB's Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, CA. Cruz Azul used clinical finishing to beat the Galaxy with three unassisted goals from forward Javier Compora and midfielders Gerado Torrado and Israel Lopez, plus an assisted strike by defender Adrian Sanchez. The Galaxy's lone goal was a superb finish by midfielder Kyle Martino in the second half.
Earlier today, Cruz Azul announced that Mexico World Cup forward Francisco "Kikin" Fonseca had signed with Benfica (Portugal) and would not be present for the match. Meanwhile, the Galaxy lost USA World Cup forward Landon Donovan, who suffered a pulled left hamstring during warm-ups, for the match.
In the first half, Cruz Azul controlled the pace and flow of the match as forwards Cesar Delgado and Javier Campora created a number of dangerous chances. However, midfielder Richard Nunez missed the best opportunity sending his shot from within the six-yard box just wide of the right post.
Absorbing the pressure from the Cementeros, Los Angeles looked to counter attack. Galaxy forward Herculez Gomez and midfielder Kyle Martino combined for the team's best goal scoring chance of the first half. Off a quick counter attack, Gomez played Martino up the right wing. Martino beat his defender one-on-one to the side and fired a hard left footed shot that was saved by Cruz Azul goalkeeper Oscar Perez.
Los Angeles defender Troy Roberts cleared a sure goal off the line as Cruz Azul forward Cesar Delgado got in behind the Galaxy defense and had to dribble around a charging Cronin well off his line and about the 18-yard box. The move by Cronin paid off as Roberts was able to recover and make the save off the goal line.
In the 37th minute, Campora found the back off the net to give Cruz Azul a 1-0 advantage. Cruz Azul forward Danilo Vergne broke through the midfield of the Galaxy and fired a long range shot from 20 yards out that was stopped by Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin. However, Campora jumped on the rebound and easily placed a low shot around Cronin for the goal.
In the second half, the Galaxy came out with a purpose and looked the level the score. Galaxy forward Alan Gordon nearly tied the match sliding onto a Gardner cross inside the box, only to see Perez come up with the save. The rebound went all the way back out to the top of the box and the foot of Jones, but his shot went just wide of the right post.
In the 56th minute, Los Angeles leveled the score with a brilliant strike from midfielder Kyle Martino. Once again, it was Jones who played a perfect cross field pass onto the foot of Martino, who dribbled inside the top of the box and chipped a sliding Perez.
However, the Cementeros would respond as Mexico World Cup midfielder Gerrado Torrado stole the ball in the Galaxy's half and unleashed a 35-yard shot past Cronin and into the lower left corner.
In the 64th minute, Cruz Azul defender Adrian Sanchez headed in a corner kick from midfielder Israel Lopez, giving the Cementeros a 3-1 advantage.
The Galaxy looked to have pulled back a goal a minute later, as Chris Alright headed in the a corner kick from Martino, but the goal was called back for an offsides call before the corner kick.
Cruz Azul would seal the victory in the 88th minute with a 20-yard blast from Israel Lopez off a loose ball just outside the box.
Scoring Summary:
CA - Compora (Unassisted) '37
LA - Martino (Jones) '56
CA - Torrado (Unassisted) '57
CA - Sanchez (Lopez) '64
CA - Lopez (Unassisted) '88
Cruz Azul Lineup: Oscar Perez (Yosgart Gutierrez '74), Alberto Rodriguez (Rafael Garcia '72) , Joel Huiqui, Israel Lopez, Gerrardo Torrado (Alberto Hernandez '74), Salvador Carmona, Richard Nuñez, Adrian Sanchez, Cesar Delgado, Danilo Vergne, Javier Campora.
Substitutes Not Used: Rogalio Chavez, Gabriel Pereyra, Miguel Sabau, Mario Ramirez.
Los Angeles Lineup: Steve Cronin, Chris Albright, Troy Roberts, Kyle Veris, Ben Benditson, Cobi Jones, Paulo Nagamura, Kyle Martino (Quavas Kirk '77), Josh Gardner, Alan Gordon (John Wolyniec '67), Herculez Gomez (Mike Enfield '55).
Substitutes Not Used: Kevin Hartman, Ugo Ihemelu, Peter Vagenas.
Los Angeles Galaxy 2006 tickets are on sale now. For more information or to order tickets, please call the Galaxy toll-free at 1-877-3-GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com.
