|
Posted: Sunday November 16, 2003 01:42 AM
SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- Landon Donovan scored in the 27th minute of extra time, sending the San Jose Earthquakes to the MLS Cup final with a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Wizards.
The winning play developed on the fringe of the penalty area as Donovan sent a pass to Ronnie Eklund, who sent a return feed along the turf. Donovan rushed onto it and hammered a shot past goalkeeper Tony Meola for the "golden goal."
San Jose, which staged a remarkable rally against Los Angeles in the Western Conference semifinals, will face the Chicago Fire on November 23 at The Home Depot Center. It is the Earthquakes' first appearance in the final since winning the title in 2001.
The Quakes were seven minutes away from elimination when Brian Mullan forged a 2-2 tie with his first career postseason goal.
Following a rough and scorless first half, Chris Klein found Igor Simutenkov inside the box in the 57th minute to put Los Angeles in front.
San Jose midfielder Manny Lagos tied it four minutes later, but Klein put Kansas City back in front in the 72nd minute after getting a feed from Preki and losing his defender.
| 
