Nuke Soccer

MLS CUP 2009
LOS ANGELES GALAXY vs REAL SALT LAKE
November 22, 2009, 5:30 pm PT
QWEST FIELD, Seattle, WA

KICKOFF 5:55 pm PT

The first team to reach MLS Cup six times, the Los Angeles Galaxy will take on a team that didn’t exist until the season of their last appearance in Major League Soccer’s championship game – Real Salt Lake – in MLS Cup 2009. The Galaxy lost their first three appearances in the league title game before winning their last two, both coming in extra time by 1-0 scorelines against the New England Revolution. That 2005 season was Real Salt Lake’s first in MLS; they have become just the second expansion team to reach the title game.

The teams met twice during the regular season, with Real Salt Lake coming away with a result in each. In the first meeting, May 6 at Rio Tinto Stadium, the teams played to a remarkable 2-2 draw. As the match entered stoppage time, Robbie Findley’s 34th-minute goal seemed like it would stand up. Landon Donovan then converted a penalty kick just after the 90-minute mark, to put the score at 1-1.

Yet a minute later, RSL converted a spot kick of its own to take a 2-1 lead, but just before the added time ran out, Mike Magee turned home a deflected shot for the final result. It was the third time in MLS history three goals were scored in added time, and the second time two penalties came after the 90th minute ticked over, the last occurring Aug 6, 2000 in a Chicago Fire 3-1 win vs. the MetroStars.

Full Story

In The Game
Game Guide
Donovan MVP
Salt Lake Has Real Stars
Anschutz Trophy Arrives
Complete Coverage