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Out of this world Galaxy moves to MLS semis in 5-2 rout of Mutiny
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Luis Hernandez recorded a goal and three assists as the Los Angeles Galaxy routed the Tampa Bay Mutiny 5-2 Wednesday night to win a first-round series in the Major Soccer League playoffs. Los Angeles won two straight games in the best-of-three series to reach the semifinals for the fourth time in the club's five-year history. The Galaxy will face either Kansas City or Colorado in a best-of-three semifinals. Kansas City leads that series with a victory and a tie, with their game three at Kansas City Sunday. The Galaxy scored the game's first two goals at the Rose Bowl. Ezra Hendrickson scored in the 14th minute to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. After Cobi Jones forced a turnover, Mauricio Cienfuegos quickly passed the loose ball to Hendrickson. Defender Steve Trittschuh bumped Hendrickson from behind but Hendrickson's 15-yard shot rolled inside the left post. In the 19th minute, Brian Kelly extended the Galaxy lead to 2-0. Hernandez chipped the ball to Simon Elliott on a give-and-go. Defender Ritchie Kotschau pulled Elliott down from behind just as Elliott passed to Kelly, who converted a shot from five yards. Mamadou Diallo, the league's leading goal scorer, scored both of Tampa Bay's goals, the first in the 21st minute with a powerful 19-yard shot. Teammate Dominic Kinnear almost tied the score in the 30th minute with a 29-yard free kick that goalkeeper Kevin Hartman tipped the ball over the crossbar. Hernandez and Cienfuegos scored goals early in the second half to open a 4-1 lead. Hernandez chipped a ball to Cienfuegos at the right side of the penalty area, and Cienfuegos returned a pass that Hernandez sent into the goal from his right shin from six yards out in the 48th minute -- his first MLS playoff goal. Three minutes later, Cienfuegos scored off another Hernandez chip. Diallo scored in the 67th minute, then Hernandez assisted on a goal by Jones in the 85th minute. Post-game quotesL.A. coach Sigi Schmid "I am real happy with the results, happy to get this over in two shots; we did not want to go back to Tampa. I thought we were a little unlucky finishing; we could have had 4 or 5 goals in the first half. I thought Luis had two golden chances and a couple of other opportunities. We had two mistakes in the back, and each time we made a mistake Diallo capitalized on it and scored a goal. Even though it was a 5-2 win it was not one of those where you could fell really comfortable, even in the lead, because they are such a dangerous offensive team. I am pleased with what we did and happy with how the team played. "I felt Brian Kelly had a really good game. Luis played with a lot of spirit as well; he was full of energy. Cobi Jones and Mauricio Cienfuegos played well too, all three offensive guys played well." L.A. defender Robin Frasier "We fought hard and defended hard and out of that we got some good counter attacks. Fortunately, we were able to put some away." On Mamadou Diallo: "[Paul] Caligiuri did a great job of tying him up. I thought that, if we played well, we would score a lot of goals." On the next series vs. either Kansas City or Colorado: "They are both good teams and they have some dangerous attacking players. We just have to prepare ourselves and maybe attack like we did tonight." L.A. midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos: "It was the best game with Luis [Hernandez]. He played one and two touch. Luis scored and he assisted. It was a great game for Luis tonight." Is this the best game the Galaxy has played? "Not the best, we scored five goals, but we had 10-15 chances." What is the difference between the last game and today's? "The difference was that in Tampa we were a little tight. We scored one goal and the game was finished. In Tampa, we wanted to score a goal so they would open up like they did tonight, so we could score like we did tonight. On his goal: It was a great pass from Luis. I made a diagonal run and the goalkeeper was late. I reached the ball and scored." L.A. midfielder Brian Kelly "I just went out there tonight and tried to fill the vacancy the three Olympians left. I missed a good opportunity to get the team up on Saturday with a three-yard shot that got blocked off the line. I was not going miss that chance when I got the opportunity again. On Hernandez's goal: "When I went to make the run I could hear him behind me. The ball was played a little bit behind me when I went to try to flick it. I just decided to leave it. I knew I couldn't do anything with it, so I left it for him and he finished it with lethal accuracy. On the game: "It was a great game. The team played well and battled. We played with composure, strong and with heart. It's a great game for us."
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