Gomez Propels Galaxy to Final

The Galaxy opened a spot for Herculez Gomez on its senior roster on Tuesday by trading Jovan Kirovski, a former U.S. national team player, to the Colorado Rapids.

Gomez showed his gratitude Wednesday, scoring two goals in a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Thunder in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal game at the Home Depot Center. The Thunder is a first-division team from the United Soccer Leagues.

The Galaxy will play host to FC Dallas, a 1-0 winner over the Chicago Fire, in the final on Sept. 28.

“I need to get over that two-goal hump,” joked Gomez, who also scored two goals in a quarterfinal victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Now, if only Gomez can earn as much respect from the public-address announcer as he receives from Galaxy General Manager Doug Hamilton and Coach Steve Sampson.

The announcer credited Landon Donovan, who scored the game’s first goal in the 29th minute off a Cobi Jones cross, on Gomez’s goal, which came 15 minutes later.

Gomez scored his second goal in the 81st minute, knocking in a deflection off Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren.

Tyrone Marshall and Joseph Ngwenya also scored second-half goals for the Galaxy.

“We are very proud to bring a final to our fans,” Sampson said. “It is very important that we raise a cup in front of them.”

The game had an ominous start for the Galaxy, winner of the Open Cup in 2001. Defender Pablo Chinchilla was given a yellow card after tackling John Menyongar from behind in the penalty area.

Melvin Tarley took the penalty kick for the Thunder, which eliminated the Galaxy in the fourth round of last year’s Open Cup with a 1-0 victory, but his shot sailed over the net.

Menyongar scored for Minnesota in the 54th minute, and Chad Dombroski had a goal in the 85th minute.

At halftime, the Galaxy reintroduced midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, who played 29 games with the team last season and was acquired from Sao Paulo of Brazil on Tuesday after having played on loan in 2004.

“I look forward and will do everything I can to help conquer the two championships that are in front of us,” said Saragosa, expected to play Saturday in an MLS match against the Kansas City Wizards.

At Frisco, Texas, Ronnie O’Brien rebounded his own shot and scored in the 20th minute to move FC Dallas into the final for the first time since the franchise, then known as the Dallas Burn, won the U.S. Open Cup in 1997.

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U.S. OPEN CUP FINAL

Galaxy vs. FC Dallas

Sept. 28 at Home Depot Center