FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Cobi Jones scored two of Los
Angeles' four first-period goals and the Galaxy held on for 5-3
victory over the Miami Fusion on Saturday.
Jones scored twice within a minute in the first half, as the
Galaxy repeatedly ran past the Fusion defense to easy scoring
opportunities.
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Jay Heaps attempts to block a shot by the Galaxy's Cobi Jones, who scored two first-period goals. |
Luis Hernandez opened the scoring with a successful free kick
into the upper right-hand corner of the Miami goal at the 19th
minute. Los Angeles' other goals came as a result of breakdowns in
the Fusion defense.
Mauricio Cienfuegos dribbled uncontested deep into the Fusion
goal area and found an open Sebastien Vorbe, who drilled in a shot
past Miami goalkeeper Jeff Cassar in the 31st minute.
Jones intercepted a pass inside the Los Angeles goal area and
was unmarked as he dribbled 50 yards to just outside the Fusion
penalty box, where he successfully converted on a 26-yard shot at
the 38th minute.
Jones barely had time to rest from his long run when Hernandez
fed him with a pass from the left wing and Jones drilled a shot
into the Miami goal at the 39th minute, giving the Galaxy a 4-0
lead.
Andy Williams scored Miami's first goal at the 66th minute. Five
minutes later, Jay Heaps took Los Angeles goalkeeper Kevin
Hartman's deflection off a shot by Diego Serna and scored inside
the 6-yard box to cut Miami's deficit to 4-2.
Tyrone Marshall's header off a crossing pass from Henry
Gutierrez beat Hartman at the 86th minute and pulled Miami within a
goal.
However, one minute later, Galaxy reserve midfielder Peter
Vagenas scored to secure the victory.
Prior to the match, Miami traded forward Eric Wynalda to the New
England Revolution in exchange for defender/midfielder Ivan
McKinley.
Wynalda, the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. national team,
leaves Miami after an injury-plagued season. Since joining the
Fusion late in 1999, Wynalda scored three goals and had two assists
in 12 regular season games.