The Los Angeles Galaxy clinched their third MLS Championship with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in last night’s MLS Cup Final.
Landon Donovan scored the decisive goal for LA following good buildup play from David Beckham and Robbie Keane.
The Galaxy started the game strongly, and Adam Cristman wasted a golden chance in the 12th minute when he headed wide from a Beckham corner inside the six-yard box.
Cristman was starting in place of the injured Chad Barrett, and was presented with another good chance to open the scoring 15 minutes later. Donovan beat Jermaine Taylor out on the flank and teed up Beckham, who sent over a teasing cross that Cristman headed over the bar.
One minute before half-time, Houston created their only shot on target of the night when Danny Cruz had his long range effort saved comfortably by Josh Saunders.
Keane beat several defenders just before half-tie and laid off to Mike Magee, but Magee blasted the ball into the stands and the teams went into the interval scoreless.
Republic of Ireland international Keane continued to torment the Dynamo backline throughout the second half. Keane got in behind on the 49th minute only to fire wide, and then later had a goal disallowed as the Dynamo struggled to cope with his pace.
In the 72nd minute Keane then played his part as the Galaxy scored the game-clinching goal. Beckham started the move with a flicked header through to Keane, then the Irish international fed Donovan who lifted the ball over Tally Hall and into the net to spark wild celebrations among the crowd.
The Galaxy dominated possession in the latter stages to close out a deserved 1-0 win. As the Galaxy kept the ball in the corner during stoppage time, the Houston fans let themselves down by throwing objects at Beckham and Donovan.
When the whistle blew, there was a long celebratory embrace between the Galaxy’s two star players whose career together has ended better than it began.
Forgotten is the petty dispute that went on in their first season together in LA, with Beckham and Donovan having now added a significant chapter to both their careers after last night’s victory.
Beckham has now achieved the honor of winning a league title in all three countries he has played in during his career. Beckham is only the second English player ever to win the league title in three different countries. The first man being Trevor Steven who achieved the feat with Everton, Glasgow Rangers and Marseille.
Donovan sealed his fourth MLS Cup win, having previously won two with the San Jose Earthquakes and one with the Galaxy in 2005. Donovan also won his second MLS Cup MVP award and netted his 20th career post-season goal, thus furthering his claim as the best player to ever come from the USA.
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena won his third MLS championship last night, and will be looking to build a dynasty in LA if he can keep most of this roster together.
LINEUPS
LA – Saunders, Franklin, Gonzalez, DeLaGarza, Dunivant, Donovan, Beckham, Juninho, Magee, Cristman (Birchall 57), Keane.
HOU – Hall, Hainault, Boswell, Cameron, Taylor, Cruz (Clark 78), Camargo, Moffat, Ashe (Watson 84), Ching, Carr (Costly 66).
SCORING SUMMARY
LA – Landon Donovan (Robbie Keane, David Beckham) 72’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Attendance: 30,281
The Galaxy started the game strongly, and Adam Cristman wasted a golden chance in the 12th minute when he headed wide from a Beckham corner inside the six-yard box.
Cristman was starting in place of the injured Chad Barrett, and was presented with another good chance to open the scoring 15 minutes later. Donovan beat Jermaine Taylor out on the flank and teed up Beckham, who sent over a teasing cross that Cristman headed over the bar.
One minute before half-time, Houston created their only shot on target of the night when Danny Cruz had his long range effort saved comfortably by Josh Saunders.
Keane beat several defenders just before half-tie and laid off to Mike Magee, but Magee blasted the ball into the stands and the teams went into the interval scoreless.
Republic of Ireland international Keane continued to torment the Dynamo backline throughout the second half. Keane got in behind on the 49th minute only to fire wide, and then later had a goal disallowed as the Dynamo struggled to cope with his pace.
In the 72nd minute Keane then played his part as the Galaxy scored the game-clinching goal. Beckham started the move with a flicked header through to Keane, then the Irish international fed Donovan who lifted the ball over Tally Hall and into the net to spark wild celebrations among the crowd.
The Galaxy dominated possession in the latter stages to close out a deserved 1-0 win. As the Galaxy kept the ball in the corner during stoppage time, the Houston fans let themselves down by throwing objects at Beckham and Donovan.
When the whistle blew, there was a long celebratory embrace between the Galaxy’s two star players whose career together has ended better than it began.
Forgotten is the petty dispute that went on in their first season together in LA, with Beckham and Donovan having now added a significant chapter to both their careers after last night’s victory.
Beckham has now achieved the honor of winning a league title in all three countries he has played in during his career. Beckham is only the second English player ever to win the league title in three different countries. The first man being Trevor Steven who achieved the feat with Everton, Glasgow Rangers and Marseille.
Donovan sealed his fourth MLS Cup win, having previously won two with the San Jose Earthquakes and one with the Galaxy in 2005. Donovan also won his second MLS Cup MVP award and netted his 20th career post-season goal, thus furthering his claim as the best player to ever come from the USA.
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena won his third MLS championship last night, and will be looking to build a dynasty in LA if he can keep most of this roster together.
LINEUPS
LA – Saunders, Franklin, Gonzalez, DeLaGarza, Dunivant, Donovan, Beckham, Juninho, Magee, Cristman (Birchall 57), Keane.
HOU – Hall, Hainault, Boswell, Cameron, Taylor, Cruz (Clark 78), Camargo, Moffat, Ashe (Watson 84), Ching, Carr (Costly 66).
SCORING SUMMARY
LA – Landon Donovan (Robbie Keane, David Beckham) 72’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Attendance: 30,281
