Los Angeles Galaxy lose to Real Salt Lake in MLS Cup Final

Galaxy players wait for penalty shot to be taken (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

MLS Cup favorites Los Angeles Galaxy were downed by Real Salt Lake in a penalty shootout on Sunday, giving Utah its first pro-sports championship since 1971. The Cup could not be decided in regular or extra time, so the teams ran the gauntlet with RSL coming out victorious. Both keepers came up big in Seattle, but a final save by Salt Lake’s Rimando secured the victory, and the 2009 championship.

The two teams were very well matched, as each move on the field resulted in an equal reaction from the opposing side. The Galaxy started Mike Magee and Edson Buddle up front, while Arena started Johan Kirovski and Landon Donovan on the wings. Bruce also opted to start Chris Birchall instead of Dema Kovalenko in the holding midfield spot. David Beckham flourished providing service from the center midfield role, linking up with and omnipresent Donovan on many occasions.

The first half was dominated by a hungry Los Angeles squad. Buddle had chances in the opening half with service coming from all sides. It was not the striker’s night though, as he failed every attempt to get a really good strike at goal. Kirovski had a great volley which tested Rimando in the 25th, but the keeper handled the situation with ease.

Mike Magee celebrates goal in MLS Cup Final(AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Landon Donovan, this seasons MLS MVP, would change the game just before the half. Beckham would find Donovan streaking down the right side, where Landon would put up a perfectly timed cross into the box. Workhorse Mike Magee used the sliver of space to beat the keeper with one touch on the ball, opening the scoring for the night in stunning fashion. It was high times for the Galaxy as they went into the half after a great opening performance.

Unfortunately for the LA, the fun would end there. A scrappy, yet effective Salt Lake squad would outplay them for most of the second half. Beckham was fighting a bruised bone, and was noticeably limping when idle on the field in the Second half. The Salt Lake defense started to double and triple the leagues MVP, leaving Donovan virtually ineffective for the half. The midfield combination of Clint Mathis, Ned Grabavoy, Kyle Beckerman, and Andy Williams made them a formidable force as they forced their hand upon the Galaxy.

The equalizer finally came in the 64th from an in-form Robbie Findley. He was the heart of the attack the whole night, and came up big when picking up a deflected ball and shooting it past Donovan Ricketts. It was all a result of a defensive mishap, but Findley did well to hit the ball just right to get it past the keeper. This was the beginning of the end for the Galaxy, as they looked worn in the latter stages of the game.

Landon Donovan walks back after missing his shot(AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

The negatives for the Galaxy came in the form of injuries to key players on the defensive end. The most consistent member of the squad, star keeper Donovan Ricketts, went down with what would later be diagnosed as a broken hand. Rookie of the Year Omar Gonzalez came out in the 89th with a leg injury. This ultimately hurt the line up, as they were not allowed to bring on more offensive players as time went on. AJ DeLaGarza was a great asset on the field though, as he used his speed and recovery to thwart would be shots on goal.

Extra time came and went with the teams deadlocked at one a piece. Penalties would be next, and the Galaxy would have to rely on the instincts of backup keeper Josh Saunders. Saunders did a decent job filling in for Ricketts earlier in the season, and did a fantastic job filling that spot in the last half of the game.

Beckham, bum foot and all, beat Rimando low to the keepers right to start things off. Mathis would then put his in, as would Gregg Berhalter and Findley. Both Rimando and Saunders came up big with saves, leaving Kirovski and Beckerman with nothing. Landon Donovan was next, deadly in this spot on every other attempt. He lost concentration and beat both the keeper and the crossbar. It was a great attempt, just a bit too high this time. Grabavoy and Magee both netted theirs, but Andy Williams potential game winner was saved by Saunders.

In the sixth round both Chris Klein and Chris Wingert put in their chances, leaving Buddle to do his part to get the win. Edson put in a lazy attempt to the keepers left, and Rimando pounced on it for the save of the game. Robbie Russell coolly stepped to the spot, placed his attempt, and put it home to be solidify RSL’s place in MLS history.

After the game, Beckham proclaimed to the media that “It's Russian roulette. It’s not a nice way to go out. It's just the way it is." Donovan, who accepted defeat with class, told the press “I just put it in the air. You know, it's probably partially due to tired legs and not concentrating in that moment.”

After a season filled with ups and downs, controversy and elation, it was apparent that everybody involved was just happy to see it come to a close. Although it didn’t go in the Galaxy’s favor this time, they should be happy with the way they played, and all the highlights they had. The MLS crowned LA with an MVP and Rookie of the Year award, along with a Coach and Goal of the Year title. It was by no stretch a waste of a season, as the fans welcome their team home with open arms. They came a long way since last year’s disaster, and will look to build on the strengths which got them through this season.

The future of David Beckham is set, but he will return after the World Cup. Landon Donovan will make the most important decision of his life, as he is being called upon by numerous European clubs. We will expect to see standout rookies Omar and AJ back next year, while Donovan Ricketts will hopefully stand as the keeper for years to come. Berhalter and Sean Franklin will complete the ominous defense, and they will be a huge factor in replicating the results from this season. With Bruce Arena at the head to orchestrate the madness, don’t be surprised if the Galaxy are contenders for years to come.