The Los Angeles Galaxy, aiming to become the first repeat U.S. Open Cup champion since the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms (1982-83), have reached the final thanks to 4-1 win over the Dallas Burn Tuesday evening in Fullerton, Calif.
MLS leading scorer, Guatemalan Carlos Ruiz, who had the Galaxy's gamewinner in the quarterfinal against San Jose, put Los Angeles on the path to victory with a 30-yard rocket into the top corner of Dallas' goal after 11 minutes.
Ruiz also assisted on two more first-half goals — from Mauricio Cienfuegos and Cobi Jones. Simon Elliott notched the Galaxy's fourth on a penalty kick after Cienfuegos was fouled. Ronald Cerritos scored an 89th-minute goal for Dallas, which had rested most of its starters in Sunday's league loss to Colorado. Dallas, which has clinched a playoff spot and hosts the MetroStars Thursday, must now worry about its playoff seeding.
In the Open Cup final Oct. 26 or Oct. 27, Los Angeles meets the winner of Tuesday's clash between the Kansas City Wizards and the Columbus Crew.
Open Cup winners receive a $100,000 prize to be divided among the players. The runners-up get $50,000.
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Semifinal
Sept. 3 in Fullerton, Calif.
Los Angeles 4 Dallas 1.
Goals: Ruiz (Victorine) 11, Cienfuegos (Ruiz) 17, Jones (Ruiz) 34, Elliott (pen.) 81; Cerritos (Martinez) 89.
Los Angeles — Reis, Califf, Lalas, Marshall (Frye, 84), Hendrickson, Cienfuegos (Bengard, 82), Vagenas, Elliott, Victorine, Jones (Mullan, 77), Ruiz (Albright, 67).
Dallas — Jordan, Suarez, Morrow, Bonseu (Rhine, 73), Broome, Vaca (O'Brien, 64), Deering, Pareja (Stone, 79), Martinez, Kreis (Johnson, 46), Cerritos.
Yellow cards: Los Angeles — Vagenas 43, Albright 68; Dallas — Bonseu 12, Suarez 29, Deering 43, Broome 60.
Referee: Kevin Stott.
Att.: 3,132.