Monday League Review

Good Teams, Great Crowds, one Memorable Finish. For the sixth time in league history the MLS Cup history it took more than 90 minute to decide the league champion. Real Salt Lake beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 5-4 on Penalty Kicks to claim the club's first MLS Cup in their five year history. It was the second time in league history that the Final was decided on Penalty Kick, with the only other time being the 2006 Final between Houston and New England. The season is now over and Real Salt Lake are the Champions of MLS. The most unlikely of teams as the Lakers finished with a losing record, and were the first team to win the MLS Cup with a sub .500 record in the regular season. In addition to Salt Lake's pathetic regular season record, the Lakers also become the league's second team to win the MLS Cup as the #8 seed in the playoffs, with the only other side to do such a feat was the Galaxy in 2005. Speaking of the Galaxy it is a true heart breaking loss. After losing their halftime lead Los Angeles were never in the game. The Lakers controlled possession, and in the end proved their merit in Penalty Kicks. For Donovan and Beckham and Co. it is a true heart-breaker, however only a fool would say they do not have a shot to be back next year. As for the Real Salt Lake, as their Spanish Name suggest they are indeed Royalty, as RSL are now the Kings of MLS after winning a breath taking final, in an incredible atmospheric. For MLS's agenda, it was a dream Final. (With the exception of Beckham losing, and that atrocious artificial turf). Still, the crowd, the stars, the Cinderella, and the shootout, will be enough to make MLS Cup 2009, a memorable one. Here is a review of how the action went down in the final game of the MLS calender.

Start of the Game

The Seattle crowd was pumped up as the league rewards them for a fantastic attendance record, the Sounders averaged well over 32,000 a game (and to think they were going to limit the seating to 24,000). However, as great an atmosphere the loyal fans in Seattle created, the pitch in Qwest Field made the opening 35 minute of the Final hard to watch. Neither club seemed to get a hold of the match, whether it was early match jitters from playing in a Cup Final, to the fact that two clubs who are used to playing on grass in their stadiums were now playing on Field Turf. Neither Los Angeles or Salt Lake seemed to get a hold of the match and string some passes together. Note for the MLS; Never put the final on synthetic turf again, if Seattle has the final again, roll in some real grass, if you want get the kids from Michigan State University to do that, they are good at that you know. Another point to the early match was the fact that Salt Lake had to use one of their subs as Javier Morelas who has been key for the Lakers had to come out in the 22nd minute because of an injury. From that point on in the second half the Galaxy seemed to be gaining more confidence moving forward. Los Angeles threaten the RSL goal, and finally scored the first goal of the match as Mike Magee scored off a cross from Landon Donovan in the 41st minute. The play started with Beckham and Donovan working a give and go in the midfield. Then Beckham gave the ball back to Donovan on the wing, and Donovan crossed it to Magee Magee buried the shot and LA went up 1-0 at the half.

Second Half

The late Galaxy goal made it look like the Galaxy would have the momentum for the second half and ride out their 1-0 lead to victory. However, that was not meant to be as from the start of the half RSL came out in control of the flow of the game. The Galaxy's Eddson Buddle could not get free, and the Beckham-Donovan combo all but disappeared as the Salt Lake defense clogged the middle of the field. Then it was RSL and not LA who was creating the chances. The Lakers came close as in the 57th minute Salt Lake's Robbie Finley collied with Galaxy Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. Moments latter in the 64th minute Salt Lake's Robbie Finley came back from his collision and scored off a loose ball caused by a Salt Lake cross in the box, and some poor defending and clearing by the Galaxy. Finley's goal leveled the match 1-1, and from that point on Salt Lake was in control, constantly looking for that winning goal. After the goal Ricketts had to come out of the game after aggravating his injury he sustained from his collision from Finley. That is when Galaxy manager Bruce Arena used one of his subs on replacing Ricketts with backup keeper Josh Saunders (first back-up keeper used in MLS Cup history). Saunders performed well as he helped fight off the RSL onslaught that he faced, and he met the task and passed the test with flying colors. At the end of 0 minutes the score was still tied at 90 minutes which meant it would go into extra-time. In the extra-time session the Galaxy looked tired, and playing for PKs. Meanwhile Salt Lake was still creating opportunities, and chances to win the game. Even though the Lakers dominated the match over the course of 120 minutes LA still out shot Salt Lake 10-8. But MLS Cup Final MVP Nick Rimmando made 4 saves in the 120 minutes to claim his MVP prize. With the teams still even at the end of 120 minutes it was time for the dread the misery, the glory that was PK. However I am going to do this for only once, I promise, and leave my commentary about the PKs for tomorrow. IT'S LATE FOLKS, also I want to break down every kick of the ball.

So remember where we were, going into PKs to determine who would be the Champions of the MLS, and the who would be considered the best of American Club Soccer. Penalty Kicks are nerve racking, tense, and just pure luck. What a way to end a final. See you tomorrow for the Penalty Kick commentary, and my final thoughts of MLS Cup 2009......Seriously MLS-No More Turf.