Underdog RSL Riegns MLS

On Sunday, Major League Soccer contested the 14th MLS Cup Final. The game was played at Rio Tinto Stadium, home of the expansion Seattle Sounders, who have quickly established one of the top atmospheres in the league. LA Galaxy, with stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan, were heavy favorites over Real Salt Lake, whose best player is defensive midfielder Kyle Beckerman.

Although the game was close, LA Galaxy looked to make good on expectations, attacks were coming in from all sides and RSL was on the back foot. Then in the 41st minute, it was Beckham to Donovan who played a perfect cross to Mike Magee. LA would take that lead into halftime, when Salt Lake manager, Jason Kries, made his second forced substitution.

Perhaps the turning point came less than three minutes into the second half. When RSL forward, and US hopeful, Robbie Findley broke the offsides trap down the right wing and into the LA area, A bad touch led to a fifty/fifty ball with Jamaican keeper Donovan Ricketts, and then to a bad collision. Both players were down, but neither immediately left the game. Yet, fifteen minutes later, with the ball ricocheting around the area, Findley drove the ball past Ricketts to even the score. Then, fifteen minutes and one goal after the incident, Ricketts was to hurt to play, and backup Josh Saunders was brought in.

The score remained the same for the next hour of play, leading to penalties for Sauders and the rest. The first four penalty-takers made theirs, including Beckham. Then the next three takers missed, including Donovan, who promptly ripped off this captain's arm band. Los Angeles needed a goal and a save going into the final round, and they got it. The lifeline was short-lived, however, when in round seven Edson Buddle was saved, and Robbie Russell was not. Real Salt Lake had won their first MLS Cup.

Next, the MLS attention turns to Philadelphia. This week, the next MLS franchise will choose their first players in the expansion draft. Soon, it will be the MLS 2010 season, and then the World Cup.