2005 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP FINAL
LOS ANGELES GALAXY v FC DALLAS
Sept. 28; The Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
A pair of teams that might still have a real pitched battle ahead in their bid for MLS Cup honors meet in the final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with the winner guaranteed to be just the second team in MLS history to lift the Dewar Trophy on multiple occasions. The Los Angeles Galaxy have had a rampaging run to the final, scoring 12 goals in three matches on their way to a third Open Cup final in club history. But it's the first time the Galaxy have ever played for a title on their home ground, winning their U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup honors in Fullerton and at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum respectively, and their lone MLS Cup in New England. FC Dallas have never beaten the Galaxy at The Home Depot Center, as they chase a second honor in club history - the first coming in the 1997 U.S. Open Cup Final when they defeated D.C. United on penalties as they tried to win back-to-back domestic doubles. FC Dallas have survived a longer road to the final, beginning play in the third round as one of two teams to fail to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs a year ago (as well as the two expansion clubs).
LOS ANGELES GALAXY
OPEN CUP HISTORY
This is the third U.S. Open Cup Final for the Galaxy, their first since 2002. They've won one - defeating the New England Revolution 2-1 in extra time at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif. in 2001 (Hendrickson 70, Califf 92 - Harris 30), while losing the following year 1-0 to the Columbus Crew in Columbus (Garcia 30).
Three current members of the Galaxy were Open Cup winners with the club in '01: goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and midfielders Cobi Jones and Peter Vagenas. Four current members of the Galaxy played in that 2002 final: Chris Albright, Tyrone Marshall and Jones and Vagenas,.
The Galaxy have lost just five times in 21 Open Cup matches - two of those coming against Columbus Crew, once in the quarterfinals in 1999, and once in the 2002 final. The other two losses both came to the Chicago Fire, in the semifinals in both 2000 and 2003.
For the first time in club history, the Galaxy were dumped out of the U.S. Open Cup in their opening match a year ago, losing 1-0 to the Minnesota Thunder (A-League) in the fourth round. It snapped a run of five consecutive appearances where they reached at least the semifinals.
Until last year, they had never lost to a lower-division side. Before '04, the Galaxy's shortest run in the Open Cup came in 1999, when a quarterfinal loss to the Columbus Crew followed a win against the San Diego Flash (A-League).2005 U.S. OPEN CUP RUN
The Galaxy advanced to the U.S. Open Cup Final for the third time in club history, putting an end to the Cinderella run of the USL First Division (second tier) Minnesota Thunder with a 5-2 victory on Sept. 13 at The Home Depot Center.
The Thunder nearly took a remarkable second-minute lead, but Melvin Tarley cracked a penalty kick over the crossbar. Cobi Jones made them pay when he turned home a volley in the 29th minute, then Herculez Gomez got the first of his two goals in 44th minute.
Johnny Menyongar halved the lead for the Thunder nine minutes after the restart, but a Tyrone Marshall goal restored the lead to start a three-goal burst in six minutes, rounded out by the second from Gomez (81) and then a goal from Joseph Ngwenya. Chad Dombrowski got a late equalizer for the Thunder, who had defeated MLS sides Real Salt Lake, Colorado and Kansas City in reaching the semifinals for the first time.
Here's Steve Sampson's team: Kevin Hartman; Michael Umana, Chris Albright, Tyrone Marshall, Pablo Chinchilla (Troy Roberts 71); Peter Vagenas (Joseph Ngwenya 66), Ned Grabavoy (Guillermo Ramirez 46), Cobi Jones, Paulo Nagamura; Landon Donovan, Herculez Gomez (Alan Gordon 85)
In the quarterfinal, the Galaxy dumped the San Jose Earthquakes out of the U.S. Open Cup for the fourth time ever, getting two goals from Herculez Gomez then surviving going a man down midway through the second half to hold on for a 2-1 victory.
Gomez put the Galaxy ahead after just five minutes when a clearance out of the Quakes' defense was headed by Jovan Kirovski straight into the path of Gomez, who evaded a challenge from San Jose defender Danny Califf, and scored low to Jon Conway's right.
Then in the 31st minute he scored a second goal that was a near carbon copy of the first. Kirovski was again the provider, as his through ball found Gomez in stride and he duly buried his shot past a diving Conway. ... The Quakes were thrown a lifeline in the 63rd minute when Todd Dunivant received a second caution, and in the 76th minute Ronald Cerritos nodded home Brian Mullan's cross to halve the deficit, but the Galaxy held on.
The Galaxy have now eliminated the Quakes four times in the U.S. Open Cup (2000, 2001, 2002, 2005) including on penalties in 2001 and in extra time in 2002.
In their fourth-round match, the Galaxy dumped stadium-mates Chivas USA out of the U.S. Open Cup with a 5-2 triumph at The Home Depot Center's Track & Field Stadium.
Douglas Sequeira gave Chivas a lead after just four minutes when he headed home a corner kick, but Cobi Jones pulled the Galaxy level eight minutes later when pumped a poor clearance home. Then Chivas again took the lead when Ramon Ramirez curled home a free kick on 20 minutes, but Joseph Ngwenya finished off a semi-breakaway to again draw the Galaxy even (36).
Just before the break, Herculez Gomez again scored, picking off a pass before firing a long-range effort to give the Galaxy the lead. After squandering numerous chances throughout the second half, the Galaxy killed off the match with two late goals, Landon Donovan punishing a poor back pass (89) then Chris Albright finishing off the contest with a stoppage time strike.IN THE LEAGUE
The Galaxy come into the U.S. Open Cup Final off their first victory in three matches, a 2-1 win against the Kansas City Wizards last Sunday evening at The Home Depot Center. The Galaxy are currently in third place in the Western Conference with 42 points from 30 matches, one behind FC Dallas, who have two matches in hand.
Herculez Gomez put the home side after 33 minutes with an excellent finish from a real quick strike, latching onto a ball played over the Wizards defense and blistering a first-time shot past the diving Bo Oshoniyi inside his right-hand post.
The Wizards pulled level in the 72nd minute. Jimmy Conrad collected a loose ball and skipped forward before splitting the Galaxy defense with a perfectly-weighted through ball that Josh Wolff drove home from the heart of the area.
But the Galaxy nosed back in front just two minutes later, Landon Donovan serving a free kick from the right and Marcelo Saragosa celebrating his return to the Galaxy by rising up to head home just inside the left-hand post.
Here's Sampson's team on the night: Kevin Hartman - Chris Albright, Ugo Ihemelu, Tyrone Marshall, Todd Dunivant - Cobi Jones (Troy Roberts 89), Paulo Nagamura (Marcelo Saragosa 42), Peter Vagenas, Landon Donovan - Joseph Ngwenya (Mubarike Chisoni 67), Herculez GomezFC DALLAS
OPEN CUP HISTORY
The only honor in Dallas club history came in 1997, when they claimed the U.S. Open Cup title, defeating D.C. United on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw in Indianapolis, their only previous appearance in the final.
On their way to the title that year, the then-Burn defeated the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (A), Chicago Stingers (D3) and MetroStars to reach the final, the semifinal win coming in extra time thanks to a Jorge Flores goal in the 103rd minute.
In the final, the then-Burn hit all five of their penalty kicks, while Raul Diaz Arce put United's second over the bar to open the window for Dallas. Jorge Rodriguez hit the fifth to give Dallas the cup.
Of the team that played in the final that night, none are still with FC Dallas. In fact, just one is still in the league: Jason Kreis, an extra-time substitute.
Here's the team Dave Dir ran out that night: Mark Dodd - Tom Soehn, Wade Webber, Brandon Pollard, Richard Farrer (Jorge Rodriguez 68), Mark Santel (Jason Kreis 100), Ted Eck, Daniel Pinedo, Alain Sutter, Gerell Elliott (Damian 73), Dante Washington
They've reached the semifinals three other times - losing in 1996 to D.C. United, in 1998 to Chicago Fire and in 2002 to Los Angeles Galaxy. Twice they've been dumped out at the first hurdle by lower-level competition - in 2001 by the PDL Seattle Sounders Select and in 2003 by the Hammerheads.2005 U.S. OPEN CUP RUN
After starting out winless in league play in their new stadium, FC Dallas reached the U.S. Open Cup Final for the second time in club history - the first since 1997 - with a 1-0 victory against the Chicago Fire in the semifinals at Pizza Hut Park on Sept. 13.
Ronnie O'Brien scored the game's lone goal in the 20th minute, knocking home his own rebound, and FC Dallas survived playing nearly the final 35 minutes a man down after Simo Valakari received two bookings.
Here's Colin Clarke's team on the night: Scott Garlick, Bobby Rhine (Chris Gbandi 89), Steve Jolley, Greg Vanney, David Wagenfuhr, Ronnie O'Brien, Simo Valakari, Mark Wilson (Carey Talley 80), Ramon Nunez (Aaron Pitchkolan 69), Roberto Mina (Drew Moor 61), Carlos Ruiz
FC Dallas reached the semifinal stage of the U.S. Open Cup for the fifth time in club history when they defeated D.C. United on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes in their quarterfinal tie.
United opened the scoring in the 47th minute when the Hoops found themselves pressed deep into their own box by United's combination play and Dema Kovalenko set up Christian Gomez to roll a simple finish under Scott Garlick from close range.
But Kovalenko was sent off for a second bookable offense in the 72nd minute, then four minutes deep into stoppage time Carlos Ruiz took possession 25 yards out and turned to goal, boldly running at Bobby Boswell and cutting left past Facundo Erpen before stroking a cool finish past Troy Perkins to level the match.
In the penalty shootout, FC Dallas made their first three efforts, while John Wilson pushed his wide right and Josh Gros had his saved by Garlick. Local boy Abe Thompson then strolled up and emphatically sent FCD into the semifinals.
FC Dallas booked passage to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 victory against a nine-man Columbus Crew in extra time in their fourth-round tie at Crew Stadium.
Carey Talley knocked home an Oscar Pareja service in the 29th minute, but the Crew equalized seven minutes later as Kyle Martino finished off a lovely passing sequence.
The draw stayed intact into extra time, when Danny Szetela and Frankie Hejduk were sent off with direct red cards within four minutes for fouls on Arturo Alvarez. Abe Thompson's powerful drive gave FC Dallas the lead in the 113th minute, then Eddie Johnson converted a penalty three minutes later after he was taken down by Jamal Sutton to provide the final margin.
In the third round, FC Dallas survived more giant-killing exploits from the USL Second Division Wilmington Hammerheads (third tier), getting two goals in extra time for a 3-1 victory at University of Texas-Dallas. Two years ago, the Hammerheads defeated Dallas 4-1 in a fourth-round match in Wilmington, and after Derek Popovich shot them into an 18th-minute lead a repeat was in view. But Abe Thompson equalized on the half-hour, then Carey Talley headed home a Roberto Mina cross (98), before Mina finished off the match with a tremendous long-range effort (112) to send the Hoops through.IN THE LEAGUE
FC Dallas come into the final unbeaten in three games, a 1-1 draw against the league-leading San Jose Earthquakes coming last weekend after two consecutive wins at home - their first two league wins in their new stadium. FC Dallas have 43 points from 28 matches, second place in the Western Conference, a point ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy with two games in hand.
FC Dallas took a deserved lead on 58 minutes, Abe Thompson tripped up by Pat Onstad as the rookie striker rounded the Earthquakes 'keeper, and Ramon Nunez drilled home the resulting spot kick.
But after a fracas that saw a player from both sides sent off - San Jose's Eddie Robinson and Carey Talley of FC Dallas - the home side showed new life and pulled level in the 68th minute. Brian Mullan ran onto a deflected ball in the right corner and whipped in a cross that fell into the mixer until Brian Ching was able to poke it out of the crowd and into the net for his second goal in as many matches after returning from hamstring surgery.
Clarke sent out a team with a number of usual reserves, still coming away from Spartan Stadium with a point. Here's his team on the night: Scott Garlick - Drew Moor, Steve Jolley, Alex Yi (Clarence Goodson 66), Chris Gbandi - Arturo Alvarez (David Wagenfuhr 83), Aaron Pitchkolan, Carey Talley, Simo Valakari, Ramon Nunez (Bobby Rhine 70) - Abe ThompsonGALAXY v DALLAS
The teams have met once before in U.S. Open Cup play, the Galaxy winning 4-1 in a 2002 semifinal at Fullerton (Ruiz 11, Cienfuegos 17, Jones 34, Elliott 81 - Cerritos 89).
Just one current Dallas player was in the starting lineup that night for the Burn - midfielder Oscar Pareja. Current FC Dallas assistant coach Steve Morrow was also in the first XI, while current Hoops Eddie Johnson, Ronnie O'Brien and Bobby Rhine all came on as substitutes.
The Galaxy had three current players in the team that night: Cobi Jones, Tyrone Marshall and Peter Vagenas. Chris Albright came on as a substitute, while current FC Dallas striker Carlos Ruiz started and played 67 minutes for the Galaxy.
Dallas has never won against the Galaxy at The Home Depot Center, losing all five previous meetings in Carson against L.A. (outscored 13-2 in those matches). However, FC Dallas did defeat Chivas USA twice this season at The Home Depot Center.
In addition, the teams have met three times in the MLS Cup Playoffs, last in 1999, when the Galaxy advanced to the MLS Cup Final after beating the then-Burn 2 games to 1. The teams have 44 times in all competitions: the Galaxy have 23 wins (1 shootout) with 86 goals; FC Dallas 15 wins (3 shootout) with 56 goals, and 7 draws.
This season, FC Dallas have won two of three league games this season with the Galaxy taking the other, each winning on their home ground. The Galaxy claimed a 2-0 victory at The Home Depot Center on April 30 (Donovan 9, Vagenas 39), then FC Dallas captured a 1-0 victory at the Cotton Bowl on June 18 (Mina 32) before winning 4-1 at Pizza Hut Park just a week ago (Sept. 21) (og 34; Mina 37, 45; Thompson 93+ - og 86)
Here's Clarke's team in that game (4-3-3): Scott Garlick - Bobby Rhine, Clarence Goodson, Greg Vanney, David Wagenfuhr - Mark Wilson, Simo Valakari, Ronnie O'Brien - Ramon Nuñez (Carey Talley 61). Roberto Mina (Abe Thompson 84), Arturo Alvarez (Aaron Pitchkolan 77)
Here's Sampson's team (4-4-2): Kevin Hartman - Troy Roberts (Joseph Ngwenya 46), Pablo Chinchilla (Guillermo Ramirez 77), Tyrone Marshall, Todd Dunivant - Chris Albright, Paulo Nagamura, Peter Vagenas, Ned Grabavoy (Marcelo Saragosa 46) - Landon Donovan, Herculez Gomez
