Galaxy Fails to Overcome Slow Start in 3-2 Loss

Remember how Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid said his team’s spirited victory over D.C. United on Saturday served as a wake-up call?

It seems someone hit the snooze button ... a lot.

The three-goal hole the Galaxy dug for itself Tuesday night was too much to overcome as the Galaxy’s hopes of winning the U.S. Open Cup were doused with a 3-2 semifinal loss to the Chicago Fire.

After a scoreless first half in front of 5,327 at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville, Ill., the Fire struck for three goals in a 14-minute span.

Including Major League Soccer play, the Fire has beaten the Galaxy three times since Aug. 20, and Chicago will meet the winner of the Oct. 1 D.C. United-New York/New Jersey MetroStar semifinal match in the Open Cup final on Oct. 15.

Alejandro Moreno and Arturo Torres scored for the Galaxy.

-- Paul Gutierrez