The names and opponents changed, but unfortunately for the LA Galaxy, the result stayed the same.
The defending MLS Cup champs were knocked out of the US Open Cup by the Carolina RailHawks on Tuesday, bowing out of the competition with a 2-1 loss at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
Pat Noonan had put the Galaxy up with an early strike but Carolina scored two goals in the final 15 minutes to snatch the victory.
The loss was the Galaxy's third consecutive in such manner as San Jose and Houston overcame early Galaxy leads to win as well.
Noonan donned the captain's armband as the Galaxy sent out a reserve-laden squad. Hector Jimenez stole a ball in the 38th minute and found Chad Barrett down the right wing, who fed Noonan at the top of the area. The veteran striker put the ball away, beating former MLSer Ray Burse to give the Galaxy the lead.
Jimenez though left the game before the half with a knee injury, the severity of which was not immediately known.
The Galaxy lost Barrett and defender Bryan Gaul to injury by the 71st minute as well, perhaps playing a factor in the comeback.
Carolina began their late barrage with a quarter-hour left. Former New England attacker Zack Schilawaski got the ball to Ty Shipalane, who got behind the Galaxy defense and beat Bill Gaudette for the equalizer. Shipalane then spurred the hosts on to the match-winner when he sent a long cross in from the right wing that found the head of Brian Shriver in front of goal. Gaudette couldn't control the rebound and the RailHawks completed their rally.
The Galaxy now have lost nine games in all competitions this year, one more than they had in all of 2011.
WATCH: Full Match Highlights
LA Galaxy 1, Carolina RailHawks 2
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, N.C.
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Third Round
Scoring Summary:
LA – Pat Noonan 1 (Chad Barrett 1) 38’
CAR – Ty Shipalane 1 (Zach Schilawski 3) 75’
CAR – Brian Shriver 5 (Ty Shipalane 1) 88’
Misconduct Summary:
CAR – Ty Shipalane (Yellow Card) 72’
LA – Rafael Garcia (Yellow Card) 83’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Bill Gaudette; Tommy Meyer, David Junior Lopes, Leonardo, Bryan Gaul (Rafael Garcia 71’); Hector Jimenez (Bryan Jordan 44’), Michael Stephens, Marcelo Sarvas, Kyle Nakazawa; Pat Noonan©, Chad Barrett (Mike Magee 65’).
Subs Not Used: Brian Perk, Kenney Walker, Edson Buddle.
Carolina RailHawks: Ray Burse; Cory Elenio, Gale Agbossoumonde, Austin King, Kupono Low©; Amir Lowery, Austin da Luz, Brenier Ortiz (Ty Shipalane 66’), Nick Zimmerman; Brian Shriver, Zack Schilawski (Jason Garey 82’).
Subs Not Used: Akira Fitzgerald, Sam Stockley, Jamie Finch, Chris Nurse, Mike Palacio.
Referee: Kevin Terry
Referee’s Assistants: Daniel Thornberry and Ben Wooten
4th Official: Brandon Marion
