| QUOTE (Fox Soccer Channel) |
| CARSON, Calif. (AP) - Herculez Gomez scored early to give the Los Angeles Galaxy their second U.S. Open Cup championship with a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Wednesday night. Gomez, who began the season as a developmental player, scored his sixth goal of the tournament in the 25th minute. Chris Albright secured Landon Donovan's pass on the right side of the penalty area and chipped the ball to Gomez, whose 12-yard half-volley bounced inside the right post and the Galaxy won its first U.S. Open Cup title since 2001. Gomez tied Melvin Tarley from the United Soccer League's Minnesota Thunder as the tournament's top goal-scorer. Dallas had a chance to take an early lead but Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman tackled the ball away from Roberto Mina on a breakaway in the 17th minute. Hartman made his only save in second-half stoppage time, when he deflected Mark Wilson's 17-yard line drive over the net with his left hand. Dallas goalkeeper Scott Garlick finished with six saves. Los Angeles remained undefeated in six games against Dallas at the Home Depot Center since the stadium opened in 2003. The U.S. Open Cup, which started in 1914, is an invitational tournament for amateur and professional clubs to compete for the national soccer championship. |