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SAN JOSE BEATS CHICAGO 4-2 TO WIN MLS CUP 2003
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11.23.2003
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The San Jose Earthquakes defeated
the Chicago Fire 4-2 at The Home Depot Center to win their
second MLS Cup Title. Landon Donovan scored two goals to
lead the Earthquakes to the title. Ronnie Ekelund and
Richard Mulrooney also scored for San Jose. The Fire
received a goal from DaMarcus Beasley and an own goal by Chris
Roner.
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Ronnie Ekelund opened the scoring
in the 5th minute when he smashed home a free kick passed Zach
Thorton (1:0).
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Midfielder Andy Williams received
a back pass and unleashed a rocket that narrowly missed the near
post.
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In the 37th minute, Manny Lagos
volleyed a Brian Mullan pass that Thorton made a superb save to
keep the ball out of the net.
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Just a minute later, Landon
Donovan was sent in behind the Chicago defense with a great
through ball from Jamil Walker. Donovan calmly collected
the ball and beat an onrushing Thorton (2:0).
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After the intermission, the pace
of the match picked up quickly as Chicago pulled a goal back
just over a minute into the second half.
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Williams played a nice ball that
got behind the San Jose defense and the speedy DaMarcus Beasley
beat 'keeper Pat Onstad to the ball an slotted the ball into the
far corner (2:1).
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Under a minute later, San Jose
went back up by two goals. Richard Mulrooney scoring the
timely goal by making a great run and finishing the ball into
the bottom corner (3:1).
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In the 54th minute, Evan Whitfield
sent in a cross that San Jose defender' Chris Roner deflected
into his own net (3:2).
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Four minutes after almost received
another gift from Roner, as he shamelessly fouled Damani Ralph
inside the area.
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Ante Razov stepped up to the spot
and struck his penalty towards the left side of the goal but
Onstad read it beautifully and held onto the ball.
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Second half substitute Dwayne
DeRosario played in a great ball to Landon Donovan who perfectly
timed his run into the 6-yard box, and beat both defender Jim
Curtain and Thorton to slot ball into the near post (4:2).
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Razov missed another great chance
in the 82nd minute when he could not manage to get on the end of
a pass from Ralph as the ball went over the end line.
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Defender Jeff Agoos won his fifth
MLS Cup Championship. Three with DC United and his second with
San Jose.
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Landon Donovan earned Honda's MLS
Cup Most Valuable Player award for his contributions in their
triumph.
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