Fire Beats Galaxy for Another U.S. Open Cup

L.A. Times Archives

Sept. 28, 2006 12 AM PT

From the Associated Press

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. —

There’s something about the U.S. Open Cup that brings out the best in the Chicago Fire.

The Fire won its fourth Open Cup title Wednesday night, getting first-half goals from Nate Jaqua and Andy Herron and a late score from Thiago to beat the Galaxy, 3-1.

Chicago is the fifth team to win the title four times.

Alan Gordon scored in the 51st minute for the Galaxy, which was trying to become the first team since 1982 to win consecutive Open Cup titles.

The U.S. Open Cup is the oldest team sports tournament in the United States, dating to 1914 without interruption. It’s open to all pro and amateur teams.

Either Chicago or the Galaxy has made the Open Cup final every year since 2000, but the two had never played each other. Chicago had three titles, winning in its inaugural season of 1998, and again in 2000 and 2003. The Galaxy won in 2001 and last year.

Playing on its home field, the Fire quickly took control. Chicago put pressure on Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman several times in the opening minutes, finally breaking through in the 10th.

C.J. Brown got the ball off a free kick from Justin Mapp and headed it toward the goal. It fell short, but Herron sneaked in from behind and crossed to Jaqua, who headed it into the back of the net for the goal.

Six minutes later, the Fire scored again. Justin Mapp had the ball, but was spun around by a Galaxy defender. He kept control of the ball, though, and crossed it to Herron, who split two defenders and buried it into the far corner of the net.

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Title matches

Results of the U.S. Open Cup championship games since MLS teams entered competition:

1996 -- D.C. United 3, Rochester (A-League) 0

* 1997 -- Dallas 0, D.C. United 0

(Dallas won on penalty kicks)

* 1998 -- Chicago 2, Columbus 1

* 1999 -- Rochester (A-League) 2, Colorado 0

* 2000 -- Chicago 2, Miami 1

* 2001 -- Galaxy 2, New England 1

* 2002 -- Columbus 1, Galaxy 0

* 2003 -- Chicago 1, MetroStars 0