Here on the FanSided Network, the MLS Multiplex continues its ongoing series of reflections of the past 19 MLS Cup finals with a look back at the 1999 MLS Cup Final. The 1999 season was a year in which Major League Soccer was beginning its transition to following the Laws of the Game by the book, with the overtime shootout rule being eliminated after the MLS Cup. Don Garber would begin his service as the commissioner of the league in 1999.
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In 1999, the first-ever soccer-specific stadium, Columbus Crew, would be inaugurated, setting the stage for other soccer-specific stadiums to be built in years to come. Bruce Arena, the architect of D.C. United‘s dynasty of success, would hand the reins over to Thomas Rongen, who continued the wave of success for D.C. The club was bolstered with talent, including Jaime Moreno, Roy Lassiter, and Ben Olsen, the latter of who would go on to find success as the current manager of the club.
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D.C. finished atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 23 wins, six shootout wins, three shootout losses and nine losses (57 points). This would be the first-ever season in which D.C. won the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, D.C. swept the Miami Fusion two games to none with a 2-0 win followed by a 3-2 shootout victory in the second game. In the Eastern Conference Championship, D.C. defeated the Columbus Crew two games to one with 2-1 and 4-0 wins against a 5-1 defeat.
The Los Angeles Galaxy would see their fortunes turn around after Octavio Zambrano was replaced by Sigi Schmid in April of 1999. Notable players on the Galaxy first team that year included Cobi Jones, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Greg Vanney and Carlos Hermosillo. Despite not winning the MLS Cup, the Galaxy’s foundation would soon bear fruit years later in 2002 under Schmid.
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Los Angeles finished with a record of 20 wins, three shootout wins, four shootout losses and 12 losses (54 points), good enough for first place in the MLS Western Conference. The Galaxy swept the Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference Semifinals with 3-0 and 2-0 shutout victories. In the Western Conference Championship, the Galaxy defeated the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) with 2-1 and 3-1 results against a 3-2 defeat.
MLS Cup ’99 took place on Nov. 21, 199 at the old Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. A stagnant Los Angeles Galaxy offense was in part due to Richie Williams’s marking of Cienfuegos, as well as only one save made from United goalkeeper Tom Presthus.
Moreno scored in the 19th minute and Olsen wrapped it up in first-half injury time to give United its third MLS Cup in four seasons with a 2-0 win over the Galaxy. This would also be the second time D.C. United would secure the league double of the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup. Finally, it would wrap up the first great dynasty in Major League Soccer, as the balance of power would swing in 2000.