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Real Salt Lake defeats LA Galaxy in MLS Cup 2009 in penalty kick shootout
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Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, winning their first MLS Cup in dramatic fashion. The game was won on penalty kicks after the regulation game and two extra periods ended with the score tied at 1-1. Robbie Russell scored for RSL in the seventh round of penalty kicks to seal the victory. Real Salt Lake came to Seattle and did what nobody thought they could do--they won the MLS Cup championship in front of 46,011 fans at Qwest Field.
As the first period progressed, the LA Galaxy started to take control of the game. They broke free several times pressuring the RSL defense. David Beckham sent several corner kicks in front of the goal, but the Galaxy could not convert these into goals. The Galaxy's first goal began with a pass from Beckham to Landon Donovan who drove up the right side and crossed it to the back post to a streaking Mike Magee. Magee was in great position and made good contact with the ball for a perfect shot into the net.
In the first period, Beckham collided with RSL's Javier Morales, winning the ball in the centre circle. He escaped a caution but RSL lost their influential midfielder for the game. RSL midfielder Will Johnson came off at halftime because of food poisoning.
- Click on the "View Slideshow" link below to see photos from the game
But even without their two leading midfielders, the tide began to turn for RSL in the second half. League MVP Landon Donovan was blanketed by the Real defense and was never given space. Beckham started to limp noticeably as the pain killers for his injury started to wear off. The Galaxy seemed worn down in the second period and RSL was continually on the attack and getting into great position. The RSL goal came about when RSL captain Kyle Beckerman got the ball into the box. After Galaxy defenders blocked a couple of consecutive RSL shots, the ball bounced in front of Robbie Findley who nailed the close up shot.
Galaxy goal keeper Donovan Ricketts, who had injured his hand earlier in the game, was replaced by Josh Saunders.
RSL continued to outplay the Galaxy in the second half but could only score the one goal. The Galaxy were fortunate just to reach penalties. "I don't think all of them were out of gas," Kyle Beckerman said of the Galaxy. "But there were a lot of them gassing at the end."
In extra periods, RSL had good opportunities, but shots by Clint Mathis and Robbie Findley narrowly missed into the side netting. The Galaxy had an opportunity when Magee got to the byline and sent in a cross from the left. But Chris Wingert headed the ball clear at the back post to deny Chris Klein.
In the penalty kick phase, RSL had the best luck, scoring five goals to the Galaxy's four. Robbie Russell, a defender/midfielder who had not scored a goal all season, became the unlikely hero, vaulting RSL to the title.
- See video footage of the championship shootout here.
"It's always tough losing, whether you lose on penalties or in normal play but we can be proud of where we've come to,'' Beckham said. "I wouldn't say it's tougher to lose on penalties but it's Russian roulette, it's not a nice way to lose but that's the way it is.
It was the second straight shootout victory for RSL, which beat Chicago 5-4 on penalties last week for the Eastern Conference championship.
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