MLS Cup 2009: Real Salt Lake is the champions!
For only the second time in history, the title match in Major League Soccer went to penalty kicks and the team with the early lead, the Los Angeles Galaxy, fell at the death to Real Salt Lake.
It took 120 minutes and 14 penalties but Real Salt Lake won the 2009 MLS Cup by defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy. More than 46,000 fans — many wearing the light green of the Seattle Sounders — packed the Qwest Field and saw only the second final ever to go the whole distance. In the end, RSL goalkeeper and match MVP Nick Rimando saved Edson Buddle’s seventh round attempt while Robbie Russell scored and this proved to be the only difference between two evenly matched teams.
The Galaxy nearly scored the match’s first goal in the 36th minute. In a counterattack that involved a nice interchange between Donovan and Buddle, Mike Magee received a pass at the top of the 18-yard box. His well-struck shot stayed on the ground and crossed the face of Rimando’s goal before rolling across the touchline past the goalie’s left post.
Birchall saw yellow in the 39th minute after a hard challenge on Mathis.
It was another L.A. counterattack that drew first blood. Beckham charged through the midfield before leading Donovan into the box. The American striker could have taken a shot, but opted to show off his deft passing touch as he lofted a ball across to Magee. All the first-year Galaxy midfielder had to do was touch the ball into the net and he didn’t make a mistake.
In the 64th minute, the side from Utah found the equalizer when Movsisyan’s blast from close range bounced off a Galaxy defender and fell to Findley. The striker, who tallied a dozen goals during the regular season, kept his left-footed shot true.
Following the goal, Ricketts came off holding the hand he injured in the collision and Josh Saunders replaced the Jamaican. It was the first substitution of a goalkeeper in MLS Cup history.
Movsisyan should have made it 2-1 in the 71st minute, but the attacker’s touch abandoned him as he entered the box and the subsequent shot found itself deep in the stands behind the cage.
With the end of regulation looming, the pace of play quickened as both sides searched for a winner. Neither could convert on a couple of half-chances, however, and 90 minutes ran out with the match square at one.
In the 116th minute, Olave fouled Donovan and gave L.A. a dangerous free kick but Rimando easily punched away Beckham’s curving ball.
RSL almost won the 2009 MLS Cup with seconds remaining, but an extremely tired Williams didn’t have the legs to reach Mathis’ pass as it rolled into the six-yard box and the match went to spot kicks.
PENALTIES
Beckham (Galaxy) — goal
Mathis (RSL) — goal
Berhalter (Galaxy) — goal
Findley (RSL) — goal
Kirovski (Galaxy) — miss (save)
Beckerman (RSL) — miss (save)
Donovan (Galaxy) — miss (over the net)
Grabavoy (RSL) — goal
Magee (Galaxy) — goal
Williams (RSL) — miss (save)
Klein (Galaxy) — goal
Wingert (RSL) — goal
Buddle (Galaxy) — miss (save)
Russell (RSL) — goal
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Wow, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.