The Los Angeles Galaxy put an end to the Cinderella run of Roma FC at The Home Depot Center on Tuesday night. Goals by Quavas Kirk and Alan Gordon paced the hosts to victory as they got their title defense off on the right foot in dominating their USASA opponents, who still managed to keep the score respectable.
The Dallas-based amateur side spent the majority of the first half with all 10 field players firmly entrenched in their own half of the field. The disparity in talent was obvious as the Galaxy controlled possession throughout the opening half. To the credit of the visitors, the few times they did venture forward, they managed to get numbers back quickly to avoid any real dangerous counter attacks.
The Galaxy scoring chances, however, did start coming early and often. Just minutes in, the Galaxy won a free kick 25 yards away from goal. Herculez Gomez stepped over the ball and fired a shot directed towards the lower corner, but Roma FC 'keeper Nestor Merlo dove to his right to save the shot.
One of the few times in the half the Galaxy did manage to create some danger from a counterattack started on the right side with Alan Gordon. The ball made its way from Gordon to Gomez, then to the foot of Kyle Martino. Martino fed Josh Gardner on the left side, who crossed from the end line. But Merlo was quick off his line and snagged the ball out of the air.
The Galaxy continued to dominate. With so many players getting behind the ball for FC Roma, both Galaxy fullbacks had plenty of room to go forward. In one of his many attacks down the right side in the opening half, Chris Albright combined with Quavas Kirk in the corner before playing a ball into the middle, where the 6-foot-3 Gordon rose up to win a header. The chance beat Merlo, but scraped off the top of the crossbar.
One of the few forays into the attack for Roma FC came moments later. After working the ball to the edge of the Galaxy penalty area, Juan Sastoque played a very clever back heel to Patrick Shamu. But Shamu could only manage a weak effort that was easily saved by Kevin Hartman.
Gardner continued to wreak havoc on the left flank, winning corner kick after corner kick. Eventually Gardner decided to have a go of his own after Kyle Veris picked him out with a long ball out of the back. Gardner got in behind his marker and dribbled in at the top corner of the box before a low shot directed towards the back post, but it rolled just wide.
Los Angeles finally broke through in the 35th minute. Pete Vagenas picked out Kirk, who dribbled towards the middle of the field. Kirk fired with the outside of his right foot, bending a shot past the outstretched hand of Merlo and into the corner of the net. The goal was Kirk's first-ever goal as a professional.
The Galaxy continued to press but couldn't add to their total in the first half. Coming out of the locker in the second half, Roma FC showed more dedication to the attack, and created a chance just minutes in. Shamu dribbled through the middle of the park with all kinds of space before sliding a through ball into the area for Dominic Schell. However, Galaxy 'keeper Kevin Hartman alertly came off his line and slid to clear the ball, just before the former MLS man could cause any damage.
The home side went right back onto the attack though. Gomez drove a cross from the right side in the 49th minute and Martino ran onto the ball from his attacking midfield position before heading the ball on target, but right at Merlo, who made an easy save.
Roma FC continued to show intentions of getting back into things. Shamu found Schell again on the right side, and from just outside the 18 Schell managed to get his shot on target, but Hartman was in good position and made the save look routine.
In the 62nd minute, Gardner stripped the ball off of his defender, ran to the end line and crossed the ball to the middle. Gomez ran onto the ball and struck a diving header, only to see it come off the upright.
Merlo continued to keep his side in the game. In the 67th minute Gomez fed a low cross along the edge of the six yard box to Gordon. Gordon fired at the back post and appeared to have a sure goal, but Merlo snatched the ball off the line to keep Roma FC within one.
Gordon had his revenge moments later. Merlo mishandled a pass back allowing Gordon to steal the ball right off of his foot, and he dribbled the ball into the net uncontested to double the advantage for the hosts.
Roma FC continued to perform admirably. In the 71st minute the amateur side won a free kick right in front of the Galaxy net. The ensuing restart was directed on target, but right at Hartman who made the easy save.
Roma FC managed one last ditch effort in the 88th minute when second half sub Brad Flanagan was sent loose in the offensive third. Flanagan dribbled into the penalty area, but was forced into a sharp angled shot, and saw his effort saved by Hartman.
That was the last chance for the game amateur side, who had already claimed their place in Open Cup lore with their third-round defeat of Chivas USA. But the Galaxy still moved into the quarterfinals, and one step closer to a repeat championship.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
