LA Galaxy win 1-0 to claim their third MLS Cup title

By Money Mike

After choking in the MLS Cup playoffs the last two years, the Los Angeles Galaxy have finally won an MLS Cup title in the Beckham era. The Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in what could be David Beckham's final game with the LA Galaxy. 30,281 filled up the Home Depot Center. Most of which were hoping that Beckham would end his LA Galaxy career with an MLS Championship (if this were to be his last game with LA), and a couple weeks ago, I said that if this were to be his final match and the Galaxy didn't win the Cup, this would've been an epic fail following the Cup final defeat here in Seattle against Real Salt Lake in 2009 and a 3-0 beating they got from FC Dallas in the 2010 Western Conference final. But after the final was all said and done, the Galaxy came out on top and lift the Trophy for the third time in their history.

LA nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Adam Cristman, who made 11 appearances and scored only one goal, was found unmarked off a David Beckham corner kick, but he couldn't get his header on target, missing wide of the right post. Cristman was getting the start in place of Chad Barrett after Barrett dislocated his ankle earlier this week during practice.

Cristman had another chance in minute 27. David Beckham sent another dangerous ball into the penalty area. Cristman got up and again headed the ball off the mark before colliding with goalkeeper Tally Hall.

Houston struggled to test LA goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who had been filling in for Donovan Ricketts in the 2nd half of the season since Ricketts suffered a broken hand back on July 2nd against the San Jose Earthquakes. The best chance they had came in the 43rd minute. Calen Carr sent a very good ball out wide to the right for Danny Cruz. Cruz then cut to his left foot and ripped a low drive, but it was right at Saunders. Again, that was just about the best chance the Dynamo had in this match.

A minute later, the Galaxy had another chance to break the tie. Robbie Keane found Mike Magee in the box, but the opportunity came to waste as Magee's left footed shot flew well over the bar.

In the 49th minute, Robbie Keane had a golden opportunity to put LA on top. Keane ran onto a loose ball that caromed off Luiz Camargo's head, but he trickled a shot wide of the far post.

In the 72nd minute, the LA Galaxy finally got their goal. Robbie Keane picked out Landon Donovan with a beautiful through ball in the box. Donovan lifted the ball over Tally Hall and into the far corner. Geoff Cameron tried to clear the ball of the line, but he wasn't fast enough and you knew that there was no way back for the Dynamo with the lack of chances they had in the game. The Galaxy were knocking on the door and with over 18 minutes to go, they get the goal that turned out to be the winner.

For Landon Donovan, that was his 20th career postseason goal and his forth all-time in the MLS Cup as he continues to add to his amazing career. Donovan is the all-time leading goalscorer in LA Galaxy history, he's the all time greatest goalscorer in U.S. national team history and he has now won four MLS Cup titles in his career and there is still more milestones to reach in years to come for the 29-year old.

Scoring summary:

Los Angeles Galaxy - Landon Donovan (Robbie Keane, David Beckham)

Misconduct summary:

Houston Dynamo - Bobby Boswell (caution; Handball)

Los Angeles Galaxy - Adam Cristman (caution; Reckless tackle)

Houston Dynamo - Andre Hainault (caution; Reckless foul)

Los Angeles Galaxy - David Beckham (caution; Tactical foul)

Los Angeles Galaxy - Landon Donovan (caution; Delaying a restart)

Lineups:

Houston Dynamo - Tally Hall; Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Jermaine Taylor; Danny Cruz (Colin Clark 78'), Luiz Camargo, Adam Moffat, Corey Ashe (Je-Vaughn Watson 84'); Brian Ching, Calen Carr (Carlo Costly 66')

Los Angeles Galaxy - Josh Saunders; Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant; Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Juninho, Mike Magee; Adam Cristman (Chris Birchall 57'), Robbie Keane

Seattle Sounders FC vs Los Angeles Galaxy preview

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders head down to the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, not only to keep their 3 game winning streak alive, but also to put an end to a 5 game losing skid against their opponents, the Los Angeles Galaxy. Last week, the Sounders finished off the month of June with a 2-1 win at home against the New England Revolution, their 3 game win streak has put them a step closer from 1st place in the Western Conference. As of right now, the Sounders are 4 points back of the Galaxy for 1st place and are 3 behind FC Dallas for 2nd place after Dallas defeated the Columbus Crew 2-0 last night. The Galaxy are coming off a 0-0 draw to the San Jose Earthquakes but they lost starting goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to an ulna fracture on his left arm, and backup goalkeeper Josh Saunders after he picked up a red card in that same game. These two teams met in the season opener in Seattle on March 16, where the Sounders had loads of chances, but the lone goal by Juninho and great goalkeeping by Josh Saunders prooved to be the story in LA's 1-0 win. Main focus for this one is who Sigi Schmid will start up front and what his plan to shut down LA's attack is.


Injury report:

Seattle Sounders FC - For the Seattle Sounders, well it's been tough for them, two months now without Steve Zakuani and O'Brian White. White is currently working his way back to full fitness. Sigi said that he's expected to start practicing with the first team after this match. There's a chance O'Brian White will be back for the rivalry match in Portland next Sunday, if not, the Sounders next home match on the 16th against the Colorado Rapids. Fredy Montero missed the last match on Sunday with a quad strain, as of right now, he's listed as probable. My fingers are crossed, hoping he'll play in this match. Brad Evans has been missing for quite a while as well with a strained hammy. He's also listed as probable.

Los Angeles Galaxy - For LA, Defenders Sean Alvarado and Leonardo are out with Right knee surgery. And as I said earlier, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts has a fractured ulna on his left arm and is out. David Beckham, who fucked up a Royal Wedding about a month ago, has back spasms and is listed as questionable. From what I'm hearing, he's not going to play tomorrow. And finally, Frankie Hejduk is listed as questionable with inflammation on his right ankle.


Suspensions:

There's only one player suspended for this match and that is LA's backup goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who did very well against us in the 1st match of the season. So now all the Galaxy have is their #3 goalkeeper Brian Perk who played 1 game for PDL Club Seattle Wolves in 2009. My guess is the Galaxy will bring in Kevin Guppy who is under contract with the MLS League-Wide reserve goalkeeper pool.


Key matchups:

Alvaro Fernandez vs Sean Franklin - Keep an eye on this matchup on the left wing with Fernandez who has been involved in a lot more attacking plays lately and scored last week. He's going to go up against Sean Franklin who has been a brick wall for left sided midfielders and is also an attacking option for Los Angeles.

Landon Donovan vs James Riley - Landon Donovan is making his return to the Galaxy after USA's disappointing 4-2 loss in the Gold Cup final to Mexico. I think Bruce Arena will put him at left midfield which would set up a matchup with him and James Riley. Right now this matchup would favor Donovan.