Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy looks on as Sounders striker Eddie Johnson celebrates after scoring for Seattle against Chivas USA Wednesday in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal (AP Photo).

Former Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid, who grew up in Torrance, is aiming for a record fourth consecutive U.S. Open Cup after the Sounders defeated Chivas USA Wednesday in a semifinal that was closer than the 4-1 scoreline suggested.

Here’s the view from Seattle.

The first half was very even,” said Chivas USA defender James Riley, who formerly played with the Sounders. “We were very unfortunate to give up that goal to Eddie [Johnson]. Eddie on a breakaway is exactly what we were trying to prevent, but our lines were a little off and he finishes so well that he was able to put it in. To go down one nil at the half is very unfortunate, because we really wanted to go in tied. Then when they got a goal one minute into the second half, it was obviously a dagger. It was difficult to come back against a quality team like that, especially at Starfire. We had an uphill battle. We got it to two to one, and obviously at two to one we thought we had a chance to equalize because it is the hardest lead to defend in soccer. We thought we could have had it, but they won the critical moments on offense and defense tonight.”

Watch:

Chicago Fire 0 Galaxy 2

Guess Robbie Keane deserves a Vegas vacation for his birthday.

Also: Frank Lampard’s presence at a recent Galaxy game explained.

The coolest Chicago day in about two weeks greets the Galaxy today in a noon ESPN matchup against the Fire.

With Robbie Keane apparently planning a 33rd birthday celebration in Vegas after the game judging by his wife’s Twitter chatter, he will want something extra to celebrate and the cooler weather should give the Galaxy a better chance of arresting a two-game losing skid and climbing above Chivas USA in the standings.

This is the third game in 10 days for the Fire who are on something of a roll, club officials noted:

Currently in the midst of a four game unbeaten streak, the Fire’s record at home to start the 2012 MLS season (5-1-2; 17 points) is the best through eight matches since the Fire moved to Toyota Park in 2006 and is tied for the second best home start in club history with 2001 and 2003.

Not what the struggling Galaxy needs.

Bad boy Beckham is out, but perhaps more importantly defender Omar Gonzalez has returned to provide defensive stability in front of what will be an expectant capacity crowd.

Staff Writer Phil Collin has the game preview.

Watch:

This was an excruciating game to watch for about 70 minutes.

As in deathly, tediously inexorably, dull. And in no way urgent.

Staff Writer Phil Collin has the game story.

Notable: Chivas USA are unbeaten in seven of the last eight matches.

Quotable:

“I thought we were probably a little too passive in the beginning of the game, not urgent enough,” Chivas USA coach Robin Fraser said. “First half I thought things were a little bit too slow, we didn’t move the ball quickly enough, we didn’t make it difficult for them at all. I felt in the second half our urgency was much better.

“Certainly the second half of the second half I thought it was very good. … More than anything we just come out of it as a group realizing that we have to [be urgent]. The urgency that we saw in the second half is what we need to see more of.

“The difference in our team when we play with urgency versus when we play with less urgency, it’s a stark difference. At the end of the day we have to do things better to win games, certainly a big part of that for us is just our approach and again, our urgency. I think we have quality players and in this league so many games are won really based on how urgently you approach a game. When you look at a lot of the teams that have been successful in this league over the years, it is a lot about concentration, focus, and urgency.”

Got that?

Juan Pablo Angel:

Next for Chivas USA: At Seattle in the U.S. Open Cup Wednesday.