So I have been a bit confused this week by everyone labeling RSL the underdog, during the regular season RSL won 11 matches, while LA won 12. Yes the number of losses was much larger between the two sides, but head to head over the last 5 years these two sides are as even as it could get 15 matches played and each with 5 wins, 5 losses and 5 draws. RSL had scored 24 goals against LA and given up 23 in those matches, So was anyone surprised by the fact that the MLS Cup would go to stoppage time and eventually PK's? Once that happened it was going to end like this:
Maybe, just maybe now Bill, Garth, and Jason will get a little slack from the fans.
The victory means a lot of things for RSL but a couple of them are going to be huge for the team.
First up is the boost of season ticket sales that should come from this win could be over 2,000 if fans react the way I imagine they will. Second up is that no more SuperLiga for RSL we have earned the right to play in the 2010 CONCACF Champions League. Third, no play in matches for the US Open Cup instead we automatically make it into the tournament.
For RSL season ticket holders this will be a huge impact as now the 5 non MLS match tickets that are part of your season ticket package will be matches that matter, still against teams from around the US, Mexico and the rest of CONCACAF, but they will all matter. I think the prestige of being a RSL season ticket holder will now be something others envy as they jump on the bandwagon (the more the merrier).
So here are the official match stats:
Real Salt Lake (3-0-1) vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1-1)
November 22, 2009 -- Qwest Field
Scoring Summary:
LA -- Mike Magee 2 (Landon Donovan 1, David Beckham 1) 41
RSL -- Robbie Findley 3 (unassisted) 64
Penalty-kick shootout:
LA -- David Beckham (Goal)
RSL -- Clint Mathis (Goal)
LA -- Gregg Berhalter (Goal)
RSL -- Robbie Findley (Goal)
LA -- Jovan Kirovski (Saved)
RSL -- Kyle Beckerman (Saved)
LA -- Landon Donovan (High)
RSL -- Ned Grabavoy (Goal)
LA -- Mike Magee (Goal)
RSL -- Andy Williams (Saved)
LA -- Chris Klein (Goal)
RSL -- Chris Wingert (Goal)
LA -- Edson Buddle (Saved)
RSL -- Robbie Russell (Goal)
Real Salt Lake -- Nick Rimando, Robbie Russell, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Chris Wingert, Andy Williams, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales (Clint Mathis 22), Will Johnson (Ned Grabavoy 46), Robbie Findley, Yura Movsisyan (Fabian Espindola 75).
Substitutes Not Used: Jean Alexandre, Tony Beltran, Pablo Campos, Chris Seitz
Los Angeles Galaxy -- Donovan Ricketts (Josh Saunders 66), Sean Franklin, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez (A.J. DeLaGarza 89), Todd Dunivant, David Beckham, Mike Magee, Chris Birchall (Chris Klein 79), Jovan Kirovski, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan.
Substitutes Not Used: Alan Gordon, Dema Kovalenko, Eddie Lewis, Yohance Marshall
| Los Angeles Galaxy | Real Salt Lake | |||
| total shots: | 13 | (Landon Donovan 3, Mike Magee 3) |
19 | (Robbie Findley 5) |
| shots on goal: | 3 | (3 tied with 1) | 4 | (Robbie Findley 2) |
| fouls: | 22 | (David Beckham 4, Jovan Kirovski 4) |
19 | (Fabian Espindola 4) |
| offsides: | 5 | (Edson Buddle 3) | 8 | (Robbie Findley 6) |
| corner kicks: | 7 | (David Beckham 7) | 4 | (Andy Williams 2) |
| saves: | 3 | (Donovan Ricketts 2) | 2 | (Nick Rimando 2) |
Misconduct Summary:
RSL -- Will Johnson (caution; Tactical Foul) 14
LA -- Chris Birchall (caution; Reckless Tackle) 39
referee: Kevin Stott
Referee's Assistants: C.J. Morgante; Rob Fereday
4th official: Baldomero Toledo
time of game: 2:47
attendance: 46,011
weather: Cloudy -and- 45 degrees
OK, time to start packing and getting ready to come home, and we do so as Champions
OFF MY SOAPBOX
We Are The Champions