The MLS Multiplex on the FanSided Network continues its series of reflections of the past 19 MLS Cup finals heading into the 2015 Major League Soccer season. In this segment, we take a look back at the 2009 MLS Cup final between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. This marked the second time in which two teams from the same conference would meet in an MLS Cup final.
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2009 would witness the rise of the Seattle Sounders, currently the league’s most-supported club. Sigi Schmid became the first manager for the club and continues to be the gaffer for Seattle as of this article date. Xbox would be the shirt sponsor of the Sounders. Meanwhile, Amway Global because the shirt sponsor of the San Jose Earthquakes and the MLS Reserve Division was discontinued.
The Galaxy, under current manager Bruce Arena, finished the regular season with a record of 12-6-12 (48 points), good for first place in the MLS Western Conference. The Galaxy were stacked with talent. Besides midfielders David Beckham and forward Landon Donovan, the Galaxy included goalkeepers Josh Saunders and Donovan Ricketts; defenders A.J. DeLaGarza, Gregg Berhalter (now current manager of the Crew) and Omar Gonzalez (who would go on to become a Designated Player himself), midfielders Mike Magee and Chris Klein (now the Galaxy Team President) and forwards Jovan Kirovski (now the Galaxy’s Technical Director) and Alan Gordon (who would return to the Galaxy after stints in Toronto and San Jose and win an MLS Cup with the club in 2014).
The View from Avalon
In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Galaxy defeated Chivas USA 3-2 on aggregate. The first leg, held at StubHub Center (then known as the Home Depot Center) with the second leg, saw Los Angeles draw 2-2 with Chivas. Magee (14′) and Donovan (41′) scored for the Galaxy in that contest. Donovan’s 73rd minute penalty in the second leg was enough for the Galaxy to go through.
In the Western Conference Championship against the Houston Dynamo, the Galaxy were engaged in a scoreless draw in regulation. After the lights went out for a while, forcing a delay, Los Angeles went through 2-0 on goals from Berhalter (103′) and Donovan (109′).
Real Salt Lake were managed in 2009 by Jason Kreis, now the manager of New York City FC. RSL were led by a bevy of talent, including goalkeepers Nick Rimando and Chris Seitz (now with FC Dallas); defenders Tony Beltran, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers (now with the Portland Timbers) and Chris Wingert, midfielders Ned Grabavoy, Clint Mathis, Javier Morales and Kyle Beckerman; and forwards Robbie Findley, Will Johnson (also currently with the Timbers) and Fabian Espindola (now with D.C. United). Real Salt Lake ended the regular season 11-12-7 (40 points), which was good for fifth place in the MLS Western Conference; however due to tiebreakers, they were placed in the Eastern Conference bracket.
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Real Salt Lake opened their postseason run with a 4-2 aggregate victory over the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference semifinals. In the first leg at Rio Tinto Stadium at Sandy, Utah, Findley scored in the 88th minute to give RSL a 1-0 win. The second leg was a goal festival, but Morales (37′), Findley (45′ + 2′) and Andy Williams (77′) powered Real Salt Lake to a 3-2 win at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. In the Eastern Conference Championship at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., RSL were locked in a scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire through 120 minutes before prevailing 5-4 on penalties, Grabavoy earning the match-winner.
MLS Cup 2009 was held on Nov. 22, 2009 at CenturyLink Field (then known as Qwest Field) in Seattle, Wash. Magee, who would later be picked up by the Chicago Fire in 2013, scored in the 41st minute but that lead would be relinquished thanks to 64th-minute heroics by Findley. Another penalty shootout would ensue, with defender Robbie Russell winning the first star for RSL.
The match would be significant as it kick-started the rivalry between the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. For the Galaxy and David Beckham, they would get another chance at the cup in 2011 and begin a dynasty of winning three league championships in four seasons.