MLS Cup or Bust!
Its do-or-die time for the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake as they meet in Seattle to crown this year's MLS Cup champion. (Image via MLSNET.COM)
It is the sixth time the Galaxy make an appearance in the Final, the last having been in 2005 when they won it all. But it was a bittersweet victory given it was immediately followed by a playoff drought that saw the L.A. side miss out for three years straight. Few positives to speak of gave fans little hope that the club's problems would be over anytime soon, but late last season, hope arrived in the form of General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena. However, he did not arrive soon enough to make a significant difference before the end of the 2008 campaign.
This year was very different. Arena orchestrated what will for a long time be remembered as the best turnaround in MLS history. Through a series of key acquisitions and smart draft picks, the former U.S. National Team tactician revived the once floundering club and led them to today's match. In the process, Arena picked up Coach of the Year honors and gave L.A. fans its second Rookie of the Year, in the form of Omar Gonzalez.
Galaxy forward Landon Donovan took another step forward in his development under Arena's leadership. His leadership and ever improving play proved to be a powerful combination for the Galaxy. MLS agreed and on Thursday, they awarded the star forward MLS MVP honors, adding to his long collection of awards on the year that also includes Goal of the Year honors, also awarded last week.
A victory today by the Galaxy would be a perfect ending to Arena's and Donovan's year, but Real Salt Lake are fighters and it won't be easy.
Real qualified for the playoffs as a wildcard, much like the 2005 Galaxy squad that won the MLS Cup, but it is their first trip to the big dance. Like the Galaxy, they also had a marathon session last week, needing penalties to settle the score between themselves and the Chicago Fire. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando came up huge for Real during the penalty shootout, registering three saves to keep his team in it and setting the stage for a victory. Ironically, Real's winning penalty would be converted by an ex-Galaxy player, Ned Grabavoy, whose contributions with the 2005 Galaxy squad helped the blue-and-gold advance past the San Jose Earthquakes and into the MLS Cup Final.
A good number of people have already written off the squad from Utah, but herein lies what may be the biggest danger for the Galaxy: overconfidence. Despite the Galaxy's star power, they were unable to defeat Real during the regular season, instead registering a tie and a loss in their two matches. Now that the stakes are raised, the Galaxy are likely to want to do everything they possibly can to change that trend, but Real are a tough group.
A great match is expected today and in front of what is arguably the most colorful soccer environment in the States. Don't miss it!
Game Details
MLS Cup Final:
Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
Sunday, November 22, 2009
TV: ESPN, Galavision - Radio: 1120 AM, 1150 AM