Galaxy loses to Seattle, 3-1, in U.S. Open Cup

Nate Jaqua and Fredy Montero scored in the first half, and Lamar Neagle added an insurance goal in the second, giving the Seattle Sounders a 3-1 victory over the Galaxy in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game Wednesday night at Tukwila, Wash.

The Sounders, who are seeking their third consecutive U.S. Open Cup title, will host FC Dallas in a semifinal Aug. 30. Only the New York Greek Americans (1967-69) have won three Open Cups in the tournament’s 98-year history.

Adam Cristman scored for the MLS-leading Galaxy, eliminated in the quarterfinals by Seattle for the second season in a row.

Jaqua, who had five goals for the Sounders in last year’s U.S. Open Cup, scored his first one of this year’s tournament late in the fourth minute.

Birchall suspended

MLS handed Galaxy defender Chris Birchall a two-game suspension and a $500 fine as a result of his 93rd-minute tackle of Chicago’s Patrick Nyarko on Saturday in a 2-1 victory over the Fire. Chicago forward Diego Chaves received a one-game suspension and a $250 fine for his reckless tackle of Landon Donovan in the 91st minute.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee said Birchall “showed utter disregard for his opponent’s safety” when he tackled Nyarko. The tackle sparked a brief skirmish between the two benches as the Fire felt Birchall intended to injure Nyarko. Birchall, who was given a yellow card, will sit out matches against Columbus on July 20 and against Vancouver on July 30.