2000 Jun 14

US Open Cup 2nd Round Match:

Los Angeles Galaxy 2 - 1 Seattle Sounders
Titan Stadium (Cal-State Fullerton), Fullerton, CA
 
23 LA - Vanney (PK)
48 SEA - Howes
90 LA - Jones (Hendrickson)
 
Los Angeles: Matt Reis; Greg Vanney, Robin Fraser, Simon Elliott, Danny Califf; Brian Kelly (Zak Ibsen 85), Peter Vagenas, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Ezra Hendrickson; Seth George (Cobi Jones 46), Luis Hernandez.
 
Seattle: Bill May; Ali John Utush, Kieran Barton, Scott Jenkins, Craig Waibel; Dick McCormick, Andrew Gregor, Greg Howes, Sean Henderson (Craig Tomlinson 46); Viet Nguyen (Erik Storkson 46, Rashid Utush 56), Darren Sawatzky.
 



Match report based on the Sounders' report:

The Seattle Sounders lost a heartbreaking US Open Cup match 2-1 to the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy before 3,063 people in Fullerton, CA. Galaxy forward Cobi Jones, who entered the match at halftime, scored the match-winning goal in the 90th minute. The loss eliminates the Sounders from the second round of the US Open Cup Tournament. Greg Howes tied the score in the 48th minute on a free kick goal for Seattle. Midfielder Greg Vanney scored the match's first goal in the 22nd minute on a penalty kick.

Cobi Jones' goal in the 90th minute came after he was able to slide past Sounders defender Kieran Barton. Jones received a pass from Ezra Hendrickson on the right side, inside the penalty area. Jones put several moves on Barton and was able to create space for himself ten yards from goal. Jones, with space, took a hard, left-footed shot that found the top left corner of the net, past the Sounders goalkeeper Bill May. The Sounders were not able to get a decent scoring opportunity in the remaining seconds of regulation and several minutes of injury time.

Los Angeles scored their first goal on a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. Viet Nguyen fouled Brian Kelly in the penalty area after a great set-up play by Luis Hernandez. Greg Vanney converted the resulting penalty kick, shooting the ball to the lower left corner of the net.

Seattle scored their goal on a Greg Howes 25-yard free kick in the 48th minute. Peter Vagenas fouled Dick McCormick outside the penalty area. Howes fired the resulting free kick low around the wall and Galaxy goalkeeper Matt Reis was screened on the play.

Post Game Quotes
Sounders Head Coach Neil Megson:
I thought we showed really well tonight. It was a tough result. I thought that we played defensively in the first half. The game opened up for both teams in the second half. What can you say about Cobi Jones, he's a great player and scores goals like that. I thought that we were unfortunate with the penalty kick that went in against us.

Galaxy Midfielder Brian Kelly (on the penalty kick):
On the play, I was able to cut behind Luis based on what I thought he was going to do, based on a couple of days of practice with him. He (Luis) played a beautiful back heel to me. I was going to go in on goal. I was fouled from behind. He (Viet Nguyen) came sliding in from behind and clipped my heels as I was getting ready to shoot. We were fortunate enough to score on the penalty kick. It was a great goal by (Greg) Vanney.

Statistics:
Los Angeles Seattle
Shots: 19 6
Saves: 2 2
Corners: 8 3
Fouls: 14 7
Offsides: 3 3
 
Misconduct:
71 Tomlinson (SEA) cautioned for diving.
 
Referees: Kevin Stott, Raymundo Prisco; Asst Refs: Claude Baudin, Desmond O'Sullivan; 5th Official: Paul Naftalis
Attendance: 3,063