CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy sent a message to the remainder of the field in the U.S. Open Cup, the two-time Open Cup champions are "in it to win it."
Starting a relatively first choice lineup, the Galaxy smashed amateur side PSA Elite 6-1 on Wednesday at StubHub Center. Captain and reigning MLS MVP Robbie Keane led the way for the Galaxy with three goals and an assist in the rout.
Even though the Galaxy were facing a team way down the American Soccer pyramid, Keane believes it was important for LA to show their intent in the tournament.
“It doesn’t matter who you play. We’ve seen it before. [Upsets] happens in England all the time. It happens on a regular basis and it happened last year to us against Carolina. So you have to take these games seriously and the teams that don’t take these games seriously usually get beat,” Keane said. “These players who come here [from PSA Elite] want to come and impress and they did very well the first half and got a goal. And they made it hard. At the end of the day, we had a job to do and we had to do it to the best of our ability and do it in the right manner, treating the team with respect, whether it’s a semi-professional team or not.”
The Galaxy will find out on Thursday whether they will face San Jose Earthquakes, Portland Timbers or Real Salt Lake in the fifth round of the tournament. No matter who the Galaxy are drawn against, Keane believes that his side is poised for a deep run..
“We certainly want to win,” Keane said. “We’re in it to win it. No question.”
