PASADENA, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Carlos Ruiz scored twice as the Los Angeles Galaxy opened their MLS Cup semifinal series Saturday night with a 4-0 rout of the Colorado Rapids.
Ruiz leads all postseason scorers and has tied an MLS record with six goals and two assists. Ante Razov of the Chicago Fire also registered 14 points in the 2000 playoffs.
The Galaxy got off to a rough start as captain Cobi Jones went down on a hard tackle by defender Robin Fraser, who drew a yellow card in the fourth minute. Jones was taken from the field on a stretcher but returned to a standing ovation six minutes later.
A corner kick by Jones from the right side set up the game's first goal in the 21st minute. Jones' service into the box was met by defender Danny Califf, who beat Colorado's Ritchie Kotschau on a header at the near goalpost. The ball bounced between goalkeeper David Kramer and midfielder Chris Henderson for Califf's third career postseason goal.
Two minutes later, Galaxy forward Alejandro Moreno saw his point-blank shot stopped by a charging Kramer. But the Rapids goalkeeper could do nothing when Moreno served Ruiz moments later for an expert finish.
Los Angeles outshot Colorado, 12-5, in the first half and could have had more, but Jones' deflected shot struck the crossbar in the 34th minute.
The Rapids had a chance to halve the deficit on a penalty kick by Kotschau, who made a run into the left side of the box and was pushed from behind by Moreno. Rapids captain John Spencer stepped up to take the spot kick, but his right-footed shot was denied by goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
In the 71st minute, Ezra Hendrickson served Mauricio Cienfuegos on the right side of the penalty area. The Salvadoran's diagonal shot by denied by Kramer, but Hendrickson continued his run and knocked the rebound into an open net.
Two minutes before leaving for a substitute, Ruiz converted a centering pass from midfielder Simon Elliott for his sixth playoff goal, tying the record shared by Raul Diaz Arce and Roy Lassiter.
Game Two is Wednesday in Denver.
