Bring on the Galaxy

Perez's OT goal sends Crew to U.S. Open Cup finals

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- John Wilmar Perez scored two goals, including the game-winner 18 minutes into overtime, as the Columbus Crew beat the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 in overtime Tuesday night in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup.

Columbus will play host to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the final on Oct. 24.

"Being down 2-0, we had nothing left to do but attack," Crew coach Greg Andrulis said. "It was a dramatic game and we will remember it."

Perez won it for the Crew after Tony Meola blocked Edson Buddle's shot, but Buddle collected the rebound and passed to Perez, who scored from 15 yards out.

"That goal was a blur to me," Andrulis said. "I will look forward to watching it tonight. It got us into the finals at home and we are thrilled."

Perez tied it at 2 in injury time after defender Mike Burns' attempt to clear away a corner kick went to Perez, who volleyed a hard shot in from 12 yards.

Columbus made it 2-1 in the 76th minute after Kyle Martino passed to Buddle, who dribbled around two defenders and scored from 9 yards.

Crew defender Chad McCarty scored into his own net two minutes into the game. Chris Klein sent a cross to Dario Fabbro, who one-timed a shot from 6 yards out. Goalkeeper Jon Busch made a kick save that bounced off McCarty's chest and into the goal.

"It was just unlucky," McCarty said. "I was running back to cover a man and I couldn't do anything to avoid it."

The Wizards went up 2-0 in the 62nd minute when Chris Brown took a cross from Eric Quill and headed it inside the near post. Brown had entered three minutes earlier.

"We worked hard, we worked smart, but we didn't finish the game," Wizards coach Bob Gansler said. "We got back on our heels a bit and that gave them the opportunity to come back."

The Open Cup dates to 1914 and is the nation's oldest annual soccer competition. It's open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States.

Major League Soccer teams, including the current cup holder, the Galaxy, have won five of the last seven championships. Los Angeles advanced to this year's final by beating the Dallas Burn 4-1 on Sept. 3.

The Crew have not lost an Open Cup game at home (5-1-1), and are 12-4 in Cup competition.

 

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