Galaxy Rolls in U.S. Open Cup

The road, it turns out, was kind to the Galaxy as it began defense of its U.S. Open Cup championship Wednesday night.

Very kind.

The Galaxy went halfway across the country to beat the A-League’s Minnesota Thunder, 4-0, in a third-round game before 5,154 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.

It was the 10th time the Galaxy played on the road in its last 13 games.

The Galaxy will remain on the road for the country’s oldest soccer tournament, playing the San Jose Earthquakes, who beat the Seattle Sounders of the A-League, 4-3 in overtime, on Aug. 7 in a quarterfinal match.

Against the Thunder, midfielder Chris Albright scored two goals and forward Carlos Ruiz and midfielder Alejandro Moreno each had a goal and an assist. Goalkeeper Matt Reis, making his first start since June 1, had six saves.

The Galaxy’s first score came in the 18th minute.

With Ruiz approaching the goal on a one-on-one against goalkeeper Jon Lowery, Ruiz suddenly passed left to an onrushing Moreno, who scored.

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Ruiz was named a starter for the MLS All-Star team that will face the U.S. national team Aug. 3 in Washington, D.C.