FULLERTON, Calif. — Three days after making his debut at goalkepeer, Mike Magee continued his startling run with a game-winning goal as the LA Galaxy beat the LA Blues 2-1 in US Open Cup third-round action at Titan Stadium on Tuesday.
With the victory, the Galaxy advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will meet Seattle in Tukwila, Wash., on July 12.
Magee and Omar Gonzalez scored six minutes apart as the Galaxy overcame a deficit. Cesar Rivera had scored in the 62nd minute to give the Blues a surprising lead.
The Galaxy fielded a strong lineup, including an experienced back line of A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter and Sean Franklin. Chad Barrett and Paolo Cardozo gave them a pair of experienced forwards as well.
The MLS side dominated the early part of the match but had little to show for it. Their most dangerous action of the first half came with about 10 minutes before the break, when Jovan Kirovski put a header on goal. Blues 'keeper Oscar Dautt made the initial save but the rebound fell to Berhalter, who knocked it right back on goal but Nelson Akwari cleared it off the line.
It was the Blues who scored first and took a stunning lead. In the 61st minute, Chivas USA loanee Chukwudi Chijindu fed Carlos Borja, who slotted the ball towards the far post. Rivera got to the ball and as the Galaxy defense froze, put the ball past Galaxy 'keeper Brian Perk and into the back of the net.
A small but hearty band of Blues supporters cheered the goal loudly as their team celebrated in front of them.
The Galaxy immediately responded with their second substitution of the match as Juninho came on for Kirovski. Cardozo nearly got the Galaxy on the scoreboard with a dangerous shot. The Uruguayan attacker danced around a Blues defender and fired a shot on goal but Dautt pushed it over the crossbar.
Finally, the Galaxy quelled fears of an upset when they scored in the 75th minute. Juninho sent a free kick on goal. Gonzalez leapt for the ball and knocked a header over Dautt's arms and into the corner of the net.
Six minutes later, the Galaxy scored the match-winner. Again Juninho started the sequence with a free kick and again Gonzalez got to it. He knocked the header towards the left side of the field where Magee stood unmarked. The MLS Player of the Week easily scored, placing his shot from about 10 yards out into the back of the net.
The Blues failed to mount any real pressure on the Galaxy over the final 10-plus minutes and came short in their quest of an upset.
Scoring Summary:
LAB -- Cesar Rivera (Carlos Borja) 62
LA -- Omar Gonzalez (Juninho) 75
LA -- Mike Magee (Omar Gonzalez) 81
Misconduct Summary:
LAB -- Josh Tudela (caution; Reckless Foul) 1
LA -- Gregg Berhalter (caution; Reckless Tackle) 8
LAB -- Mehrshad Momeni (caution; Delaying a Restart) 70
LA -- Adam Cristman (caution; Fails to Respect Distance) 88
LAB -- Israel Sesay (caution; Dissent) 90
LAB -- Israel Sesay (caution; Dissent) 90
LAB -- Israel Sesay (ejection; Second Caution) 90
Lineups:
Los Angeles Blues -- Oscar Dautt, Cameron Dunn (Leonard Griffin 40), Nelson Akwari, Erlys Garcia, Mike Randolph, Mehrshad Momeni (Akeem Priestly 87), Josh Tudela, Edwin Miranda (Cesar Rivera 46), Israel Sesay, Carlos Borja, Chukwudi Chijindu.
Substitutes Not Used: Gerardo Bravo, Tomislav Colic, Shahryar Dastan, Amir Abedzadeh.
LA Galaxy -- Brian Perk, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter, A.J. DeLaGarza, Bryan Jordan (Miguel Lopez 46), Michael Stephens, Jovan Kirovski (Juninho 64), Mike Magee, Chad Barrett (Adam Cristman 83), Paolo Cardozo.
Substitutes Not Used: Kyle Davies, Hector Jimenez, Dan Keat, Josh Saunders.
Referee: Alejandro Mariscal
Referee's Assistants: Eduardo Mariscal; Apolinar Mariscal
4th Official: Felisha Mariscal
Attendance: 3,627
Time of Game: 1:56
Weather: Clear and 69 degrees
