MLS Cup 2014: Live Blog and Video

Jul 16, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; New England Revolution defender Jose Goncalves (23) and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane (7) escort children onto the field before the game at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Jay Heaps’s New England Revolution clash in MLS Cup 2014 today at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The Galaxy, fresh off a 2-2 aggregate draw against Seattle, advanced on an away goal from Juninho are are in search of a record fifth MLS Cup. As for the Revolution, they have been 0-for-4 in MLS Cup finals, but after disposing of the New York Red Bulls 4-3, New England will hope the third time’s the charm against Los Angeles.

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This Live Blog is unique from all others as this is an all-day blog that will start at 4 a.m. PT/7 a.m. PT. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN, UniMAS, UDN, TSN1 and RDS2. Keep it right here on the MLS Multiplex for continuing coverage of all things Major League Soccer, as well as what should be an exciting close season.

Refresh the screen for updates!

T-480: Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be in the world. Welcome to the MLS Cup 2014 Live Blog between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New England Revolution here on the MLS Multiplex, part of the world-famous FanSided Network. My name is Jo-Ryan Salazar, editor of the MLS Multiplex alongside Sean Maslin. This is it, the final Live Blog of the 2014 Major League Soccer season, and it’s sure to be a good one.

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The Galaxy are on the cusp of sending Landon Donovan out a winner, but the Revolution have experienced a renaissance with the arrival of Jermaine Jones and Lee Nguyen. New England come into this match as heavy underdogs. Someone will be first to five MLS Cup defeats, but the Galaxy can be the first to five league titles today if they are able to play consistent football.

The Revolution are used to defeating the Galaxy at their own game at home though. Their last road victory at StubHub Center was in 2012, when they defeated LA 3-1 on Mar. 31 on goals from Kelyn Rowe (10′), Chris Tierney (13′) and Saer Sene (65′), who is now with the New York Red Bulls. Can they avenge the 5-1 belting they took on July 16 at this venue? We’ll find out.

Here is the match preview, from MLSSoccer.com.

"The Galaxy advanced past the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Championship thanks to the away-goals tie-breaker after losing 2-1 in the second leg on Sunday night (2-2 aggregate). With the victory, the Galaxy will now compete in their ninth MLS Cup final, a league record, and their fourth in the last six years. LA have won the MLS Cup four times, which is tied with D.C. United for the most all-time. The Revolution, who beat the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Championship, will make their fifth MLS Cup final appearance. They lost all four of their previous trips to the title game, including two defeats to the Galaxy: In 2002, the Galaxy beat the Revs, 1-0 in extratime, in Foxboro, Mass., for their first MLS Cup trophy, and they picked up their second MLS title after topping the Revs, 1-0, in 2005 in Frisco, Texas. LA-New England marks the first matchup featuring MLS “original” clubs since 2010, when the Colorado Rapids beat FC Dallas. DECEMBER 7, 2014 MLS Cup Final LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution StubHub Center (3 pm ET) REFEREE: MARK GEIGER AR1: Peter Manikowski AR2: Joe Fletcher 4TH: Armando Villarreal Alternate AR: Chris Strickland"

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Follow the action on Twitter using the hashtags #MLSCup, #MLSCup2014 and #LAvNE.

T-479: The Los Angeles Galaxy finished with the second-best record in Major League Soccer and the MLS Western Conference with a 17-7-10 record (61 points). They defeated Real Salt Lake 5-0 on aggregate in the Western Conference Semifinals before advancing 1-0 on away goals after a 2-2 draw on aggregate in the Western Conference Championship.

As for New England, they finished second in the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 17-13-4 (55 points). They smashed the Columbus Crew 7-3 on aggregate in the Eastern Conference Semifinals before defeating the New York Red Bulls 4-3 on aggregate in the Eastern Conference Championship.

T-475: We have a lot to go over. First, in case you missed it, here is my letter to the Seattle Sounders one-percenters appealing for calm and reason. Also, bold predictions for this match. Finally, what’s going to happen next.

T-473: The Armchair Analyst of MLSSoccer.com, Matt Doyle, writes…

"You know the Landon Donovan storyline. If the LA Galaxy beat the New England Revolution in MLS Cup on Sunday afternoon (3 pm ET; ESPN | WatchESPN | UniMas | Univision Deportes | ESPN Deportes | TSN1 | RDS2), the greatest player in MLS & USMNT history (right?) will go out on top with his sixth Cup title, which would be the most of anyone. It would be the capstone on a remarkable season, a bit of a karmic reversal after this summer’s World Cup snub, and… well, like I said, you know these storylines."

Andrew Wiebe believes that Jay Heaps is a man seeking redemption after falling into the depths of ignominy.

T-471: Keep an eye out for A.J. DeLaGarza, who will be, without a doubt, important in regards to the big picture.

"“If he’s still underrated, I think that people are just not watching,” said Dan Gargan, who has split time at right back in 2014 with DeLaGarza. “A.J. is very well-respected in this league from the players. He may not get credit from the media, but there are plenty of guys that don’t get credit from the media that are still fantastic players, and as players, we know his value. He’s a fantastic defender, and he’s about as reliable as they come.”"

T-470: Also at stake…the final American CONCACAF Champions League berth.

T-469: Expansion news, from our old friend, Commissioner Don Garber.

T-467: Sam Stejskal of MLSSoccer.com talks about the hard road Lee Nguyen took to make it to the big time.

"“People were surrounding me, trying to pull off my shirt,” Nguyen recalls. “My shin guards got stolen, one of the kids took my boot bag, and I was just trying to get to the bus at that point. I think it took about six or seven minutes, but the security guard was able to finally get to me, put his arm around me and kind of work us through the crowd.”"

T-465: Doyle, in his tactical preview, sees today’s match as a battle between possession and pace.

T-462: The right balance of character and chemistry is what distinguishes this Galaxy side from other clubs, according to Adam Serrano of LA Galaxy Insider.

"“Since I came on this team, we’ve been a solid group and have been a contender late in the playoffs every single year,” said Omar Gonzalez. “It has to do with the team that Bruce built because he’s an excellent manager and coach as well as the guys in the locker room, fighting for one another."

T-460: By the way, this guy is singing the National Anthem.