CARSON, Calif. - Extra-time goals from Landon Donovan, Kyle Martino and Santino Quaranta killed any hopes the New York Red Bulls had of playing in the U.S. Open Cup as the Los Angeles Galaxy won 3-1 at The Home Depot Center on Tuesday.
The match was a U.S. Open Cup second-round play-in match and the Galaxy thus advances to the tournament proper. New York, meanwhile, will not participate in the U.S. Open Cup this year.
One bright spot for the Red Bulls was Juan Pablo Angel. The former Aston Villa striker made his Red Bull debut when he came on for Josmer Altidore in the 60th minute. He scored on a free kick in the 109th minute but it only drew New York to within one goal.
With Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon on the bench, New York figured to get a bit of a break by not having to face one of the top goalkeepers in the league. Cronin, though, played like the two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year that Cannon is and kept the visitors off the scoreboard on several occasions throughout the match.
Dema Kovalenko was the first to feel Cronin's wrath. Kovalenko ripped a shot from just outside the penalty area but Cronin dived to his left and parried the ball away.
Still, Cronin created New York's best scoring chance of the first half when he knocked Josmer Altidore down inside the penalty area. Altidore had darted around Ty Harden and walked in alone on Cronin but the Galaxy goalkeeper dived and clipped Altidore's feet and knocked the teenager to the ground.
Altidore stepped up to take the spot kick but hit the ball low. Cronin had no problems diving to his left to stop the shot.
The Red Bulls maintained possession throughout the first half but had few opportunities. Red Bulls midfielders could not easily get the ball to Altidore and Clint Mathis' feet. Mathis, however, had a bit of a breakaway when he scooped up a loose ball and carried it down the right flank in the 21st minute but his 19-yard attempt sailed well wide of the goal.
At the stroke of halftime, Kovalenko drew a free kick when he was fouled by Peter Vagenas some 22 yards out. Mathis took the set piece but Cronin stopped the low shot with ease.
The Red Bulls received a break early in the second half when Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones was sent off. After Jones and Dave van den Bergh fought for a loose ball, Jones apparently lost his cool and stomped on van den Bergh while the Dutchman was on the ground. Referee Ramon Hernandez pulled out a red card and immediately sent Jones off.
Juan Pablo Angel stepped onto the field for the first time in a Red Bulls uniform in the 60th minute. His first attempt was several minutes later but his off-balance side volley attempt went weakly toward goal.
Landon Donovan entered the game two minutes later as Frank Yallop pulled his own ace off the bench.
It was Donovan who first made a difference. He sprinted free down the center of the field in the 73rd minute, and Kovalenko knocked Donovan down from behind and was booked. Having already picked up a yellow card early in the match, Kovalenko was sent off and both teams were left with 10 men.
Still, it was Angel who had a shot on goal first. Van den Bergh whipped a cross in and Angel powered it on frame but Cronin stood firm and deflected the ball. It hit the post and bounced out of danger. On the next Galaxy possession, Donovan unloaded a 20-yard shot that rattled off the crossbar.
Todd Dunivant stepped in front of a Galaxy pass and carried it into the Galaxy's third. He was fouled by Vagenas 22 yards out and the Red Bulls were awarded a free kick. Angel stepped up and took it but hit the ball over the wall and right to Cronin.
In the 90th minute, John Wolyniec had an open shot inside the penalty area on a counterattack. Wolyniec ripped a left-footed shot from 12 yards out but Cronin made yet another save, his 10th of the match.
It took almost no time for the Galaxy to get on the scoreboard in extra time. Vagenas and Donovan combined on a nifty play and Vagenas ended up inside the penalty area. However, New York's Jeff Parke knocked Vagenas down and the Galaxy were awarded a penalty kick.
Donovan coolly slipped the ball into the back of the net and the Galaxy opened the scoring in the 93rd minute.
The Galaxy doubled their advantage with a goal in the run of play in the 103rd minute. Santino Quaranta, who replaced Findley after regulation, fired a cross from the edge of the penalty area inside the six-yard box. Martino headed the ball on goal, hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the goal line.
In the 108th minute, Nathan Sturgis fouled Wolyniec outside the penalty area to set up a free kick. Angel stepped and powered the free kick into the back of the net.
Later, though, Cronin turned Angel away on the doorstep. Cronin dived for a shot from Seth Stammler and made a save but the rebound fell to Angel. Cronin scrambled and stopped Angel from equalizing the match.
Quaranta finished off a Galaxy counterattack in the 120th minute for the final margin of victory.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
