Nate Jaqua hasn't scored an MLS goal since 2009. Put the Seattle Sounders forward in a U.S. Open Cup game, however, and it's almost certain he'll get one.
Jaqua and Fredy Montero scored in the first half, and Lamar Neagle added an insurance goal in the second, giving the Sounders a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game on Wednesday night.
The Sounders, who are seeking their third straight Open Cup title, will host FC Dallas in a semifinal on Aug. 30. Only the New York Greek Americans (1967-69) have won three straight Open Cups in the 98-year history of the tournament.
Adam Cristman scored for the MLS-leading Galaxy, eliminated in the quarterfinals by Seattle for the second straight season.
Jaqua has scored eight goals in U.S. Open Cup games. He had five in last year's tournament for the Sounders, including both in a 2-0 quarterfinal victory over the Galaxy.
''We're going to have to name him Mr. Open Cup pretty soon,'' Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said. ''He was unlucky early - that header he had went off the post. Then he finally got one, and I think he'd like to have a couple of those chances back. He could have finished with three or four tonight, for sure.''
The one that did go in for Jaqua - his first of this year's tournament - came late in the 4th minute. Jaqua took a through ball from Pat Noonan in the left side of the penalty area and drilled it into the back right corner past goalkeeper Josh Saunders.
''It was nice to get a goal. Usually, when you get that one, then more start to follow,'' said Jaqua, whose last MLS goal - on Oct. 24, 2009 - has been followed by six Open Cup goals since. ''That's how it goes sometimes. But I'll use that as good momentum for myself. The bottom line is we got the win and we're moving on to the next round.''
Montero made it 2-0 early in the 25th minute. Jaqua started that play by sending the ball across the top of the box from the left side. Montero settled it on his foot, turned, and from the top center of the box fired it into the back right corner.
Cristman, who had a near-miss earlier in the first half, ran onto a cross from Chris Birchall in the 6-yard box and ripped it past goalkeeper Terry Boss into the back left corner midway through the 40th minute.
''I thought if you take away the first 25 minutes - which might be a pretty stupid statement - it got better,'' Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. ''Seattle at the start of the game was excellent, our reaction was poor, and we were dominated in the first 25 minutes. We ended the half playing well. It was 2-1, and given what we saw in the early going, that was pretty good position to be in.''
Neagle sealed it for the Sounders with his goal in the 74th minute. Midfielder Alvaro Fernandez intercepted the ball just over midfield on the right side. He got around a defender, sent a through ball into the box, and Neagle ran onto it at the top of the 6-yard box, and easily tucked it into the back left corner.
The wide-open game featured 36 shots, with Seattle having a 23-13 advantage. Of those, 18 were on goal, 11 for the Sounders.
