*The Galaxy will meet new USL pro franchise the LA Blues in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup next week after the team disposed Tuesday of lower level opponent the Ventura County Fusion. The Fusion weren’t helped by the fact their captain Andy Rose is on trial with the Chicago Fire and missed the game.

The Galaxy face the Blues Tuesday at Titan Stadium in Fullerton where the MLS outfit often plays games of this ilk fielding largely reserve squads; somewhat confusingly the stadium is where the Blues plays most of their home games, but the game is apparently a “home” affair for the Galaxy.

Plenty of MLS connections for the Blues, of course, where former Galaxy youngster Izzy Sesay will be among those motivated to prove the club wrong for releasing him.

Incidentally, here’s the full bracket for the competition.

Updated 2:30 p.m.

The Galaxy have just announced that tickets to the game have gone on sale starting at $10. Call 1-877-3GALAXY (342-5299)

*Before the Galaxy (9-2-7) meets the Blues it will face the Earthquakes (5-5-4) in San Jose Saturday where fewer than 500 tickets remained Tuesday afternoon for the game at 10,000-capacity Buckshaw Stadium, presumably on the assumption David Beckham will show up for the occasion.

The Earthquakes beat the Galaxy 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last year, scoring sensation Chris Wondolowski getting the winner with one of his league-leading 18 goals on the season.

The game will be shown at 8 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.

*With the Gold Cup final scheduled to be played in Pasadena Saturday (scroll down for a preview of today’s semifinals), Chivas USA (4-6-5) are similarly on the road Saturday, facing former Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz and the Philadelphia Union (6-4-4) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at PPL Park (live on Prime).

Chivas USA are without forward Alejandro Moreno, away for several weeks on Copa Amrica duty with Venezuela, for a game they fell 3-0 in last year. Concussion victim Jimmy Conrad also remains out for the Goats.

Before the Union meets Chivas USA, however, they will play tonight against Sporting Kansas City.

*The California-heavy U.S. U-17 team plays Uzbekistan at 1 p.m. today in the second game of its World Cup campaign after beating the Czech Republic Sunday.

*Finally, local colleges are releasing their fall schedules thick and fast with the latest to do so being the Cal State Northridge men on Tuesday.