Western Conference Final
Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 Houston Dynamo
First off, kudos to all fans that stayed up for the end of this one; you guys are the true fans. For the people who did stay up, and waited out the power outages, they were treated to a great finale. Both teams played to an even draw at the end of the 90 minutes, however the Dynamo did create more opportunities than the Galaxy throughout the course of the game. However the Galaxy Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made six saves on the night, including one that hit the crossbar after he got a hand on it, to record the shutout and keep the Galaxy in the match. The Galaxy did create some chances but were still out shot by the Dynamo 14-6, and put 6 of their 14 shots on frame. In the 80th minute it almost looked for sure that Houston would pull the win out in regulation. Andrew Hainault headed the ball into the net on a corner kick, and it looked as if the Dynamo would go up 1-0. However as soon as the ball crossed the line, the referee's whistle blew, and controversy ensued. The official called Houston's Luis Angel Landin for tripping the Galaxy's Mike Maggee. The entire Houston bench was furious as the call neglected the goal, and the match was to be decided in extra-times as the two teams were still tied at the end of 90 minutes.
The Galaxy were in control in extra-time, as Los Angeles was in control of possession and shots on target. Still, the Galaxy could not find early in the extra-time session and it looked like they would go to the break still scoreless. Then off a lose ball from a David Beckham free kick, old-time Galaxy veteran Gregg Berhalter scored in the 102nd minute to give the host a 1-0 lead. After the break the Galaxy killed off the game by not giving the Dynamo a chance to put together a productive attack. Then again off a great pass from David Beckham, Landon Donovan received the ball and played it to Alan Gordon who was taken down in the box. Donovan stepped up and hit is Penalty Kick and sent the Galaxy back to their first final since 2005. Despite being out shot 14-6 by the Dynamo the Galaxy and their star-filled line up (by MLS standards) are finally back to their finals after a season of controversy, loans, name-calling, and an excessive amount of tying games in the early part of the year. By claiming the Western Conference Championship, it appears Bruce Arena's transformation of the club is complete.
Eastern Conference Final
Chicago Fire 0-0 Real Salt Lake (RSL advances on Penalty Kick 5-4)
The atmosphere was electric in Bridgestone last Saturday as the Fire hosted RSL for the Eastern Conference Final. Salt Lake out shot the Fire 10-9 in regulation, and put three more on target than Chicago. But due to some fantastic saves by Fire Goalkeeper Jon Busch, Salt Lake could not find the back of the net. The woodwork was the best friend for RSL last Saturday as on three separate occasions the Fire hit the post and were denied a goal. Like the Western Final the Eastern Conference also was to be decided after the original 90 minutes. The Fire put up three shots all on target but Salt Lake Goal Keeper Nick Rimando put made a total of seven saves on the night for the shutout. On the other side of the field the Lakers fired two shots in the extra-time session, with only one finding the frame. However, Busch was up to the task stopping the only one he faced as part of the seven saves he made on the night to persevere the shutout. After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer (OK, one game where the soccer-haters were actually right..but still wrong overall) it was time for the excitement, pressure, intensity, tension, suspense, and well let's face it, down right luck that is the Penalty Kicks.
-The following will be extremely hard for Dan to report on, because it is hard for a soccer fan to see his club loose by the mercy's of petty Penalty Kick, apologies.-
Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who's future in Chicago is questionable, scored on his penalty to put the Fire up 1-0, but Salt Lake's Clint Mathis equalized for RSL. Then hometown hero Brian McBride put the Fire up 2-1, that lead stood after Javier Morales missed for the Lakers. The lead went to 3-1 when Wilman Conde scored and it looked like the Fire were in good shape. Robbie Finely scored to get Salt Lake within one, and then a miss by Chicago's John Thorrington gave Salt Lake a chance. Kyle Beckerman scored to even the score at 3-3. Both teams scored in the final round and the score was 4-4. Nick Rimando saved Logan Pause's effort, and RSL had a chance to get the win from Fabian Espidola. Espidola's shot was high and the Fire were still alive. But again Rimando came up big stopping Brandon Prideaux's shot, and Chicago native, and late match substitute Ned Grabavoy gave Salt Lake their first ever MLS Cup Birth by burring his PK and stunning the Chicago crowd. With the goal, Salt Lake is in the MLS Cup Final for the first time in team history, once year after being denied three times by the post in a 1-0 Conference loss to New York last. RSL's advancement is the second time in a row that the #8 seed in the playoffs advances to the Cup Final
It has been a wild season, capped by a crazy playoff. But now after 32 Rounds of Regular Season Play, and three rounds of the post-season we finally have a set final. Sunday's match-up in Seattle will feature the history of winning and the star power to back it up in the Los Angeles Galaxy. Who will be facing the Cinderellas of the playoffs and the newcomers of the league who have only been in the MLS since 2005, Real Salt Lake. With so much difference in these two clubs, and the grade-A atmosphere that has developed in Seattle, Sunday's Final is sure to be a blast.
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