And if the Galaxy had won, they would have advanced to next month’s tournament final in Las Vegas, which not only would have meant a road trip but it also would have cluttered a schedule that already has the team playing three league games in 10 days.

The Galaxy's Daniel Steres tries to score in front of the net during a Leagues Cup semifinal match against Cruz Azul at Dignity Health Sports Park on Tuesday.

Cruz Azul, five weeks into the Liga MX’s Apertura, had no such dilemma, starting its regular lineup, one that included goalkeeper Jesus Corona and three others who have been called up to the Mexican national team within the last year.

The Galaxy nearly got an equalizer in the 33 rd minute when Daniel Steres ran onto a long, bending free kick from Efrain Alvarez inside the six-yard box.

The tie lasted just two minutes past the intermission, though, with Orbelin Pineda putting Cruz Azul head to stay, bending a right-footed shot inside the right post from about 25 yards.

But Corona, surprised by the shot as much as anything else, grabbed Chris Pontius’ header out of the air on the goal line for his second save of the night, keeping the game from going to penalty kicks.