LA to defend US Cup title

The LA Galaxy will have the chance to defend their US Open Cup title after defeating Houston 3-1 last night. However, if LA want to keep the silverware, they will need to win on the road. Lifetime in USOC games the club is 4-5 on the road, but one of those 'road' victories came against Chivas USA in LA.

The match last night saw signs of life right from the opening whistle as LA went to goal early, with Alan Gordon getting the first of the night in the 6th minute. Dwayne De Rosario answered for Houston just 6 minutes later, but LA's Landon Donovan caught net in the final moments of the first half. Houston had a chance to get the second goal back in first half stoppage time, when they were rewarded a penalty kick, but Kevin Hartman came up with a huge save to keep his side on top.

The second half was slower at first, but Houston picked it up as they looked for the equalizer. Their search brought Brian Ching in for the first time since his knee surgery early last month. The Dynamo was putting pressure on goal, but LA kept clearing everything out.

All this attacking left Houston open for a counter attack and sure enough, in the third minute of stoppage time, LA found that opening. Santino Quaranta sunk any chance Houston had of last minute heroics as he put a nifty little shot past Pat Onstad.

Even with a name change, the team that once knew San Jose cannot find a way to win in LA.