It's a lot more difficult to go through the past 10 years and find an MLS Cup game that wasn't memorable than it is to find ones that did not live up to expectations. Even the more ho-hum affairs, such as the Los Angeles Galaxy's two Golden Goal victories over New England in 2002 and 2005, have featured quality finishes.
Here is a look at five of the most exciting MLS Cup games:
D.C. United vs. Los Angeles Galaxy -- October 20, 1996
Played in the old Foxboro Stadium right in front of where Gillette Stadium now sits in Foxboro, Mass., these two heavyweights battles it out amid Hurricane-like conditions. The Galaxy faithful probably had the champagne on ice in the second half since their side clung to a 2-0 lead with only 20 minutes to go. But just when it seemed Bruce Arena's team was all but done, Tony Sanneh got United on the board only 14 minutes after he was substituted into the game. Another wise move that worked for Arena was the insertion of Shawn Medved into the game, as he scored the game-tying goal in the 81st minute. Four minutes into overtime, a young Eddie Pope headed home a pinpoint serve from the game's MVP, Marco Etcheverry, to score the Golden Goal in a 3-2 victory and give United their first MLS Cup title.
Chicago Fire vs. Kansas City Wizards -- October 15, 2000
It never seemed like Miklos Molnar's 11th-minute goal (his fifth of that year's postseason) off a cross from Chris Klein would hold up, but Chicago was unable to sneak one by Tony Meola despite teeing up 22 shots on the day. A back four consisting of Klein Nick Garcia, Peter Vermes and Brandon Prideaux held on against a powerful Fire side that included Peter Nowak, Hristo Stoitchkov and DaMarcus Beasley. Meola's shutout capped a run in the playoffs that saw him register five shutouts to continue his fine form from the regular season, as he earned both MLS Cup MVP and MLS MVP honors.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles Galaxy -- October 21, 2001
Rookie striker Dwayne De Rosario was kept on the bench by Frank Yallop for 85 minutes of the game before he came on at the end of regulation for Ronald Cerritos. Fortunately for Yallop, the move worked, as De Rosario gave the Earthquakes a 2-1 victory and their first MLS Cup title with a Golden Goal six minutes into overtime. The Galaxy actually led in this match, courtesy of Mexican star Luis Hernandez's goal midway through the first half. But a 19-year-old Landon Donovan countered with his fifth goal of the playoffs with a beautiful goal from inside the penalty area just two minutes before halftime. This match also marked the end of US international and Los Angeles Galaxy defender Paul Caligiuri's career, as he retired from soccer after playing in MLS for the first six years of the league's history.
New England Revolution vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - October 20, 2002
This game was hardly one you would call riveting during the 90 minutes of regulation. What made it memorable was the fact that 61,316 fans piled into a brand-new Gillette Stadium, giving MLS Cup the look and feel of an NFL game. Once the two sides went into overtime, the action on the field started to heat up, as well. Carlos Ruiz nearly scored on a bicycle kick from inside the penalty area, but Revolution goalkeeper Adin Brown was able to make an awkward save with his head to keep the ball out of the back of the net. Unfortunately for New England, Brown was not able to keep Ruiz from scoring later on in the overtime, as the 2002 MLS MVP snuck loose on a counterattack some 13 minutes into extra time to knock home a ball from Tyrone Marshall. The Golden Goal gave longtime Galaxy standouts such as Cobi Jones and Mauricio Cienfuegos their first MLS Cup titles, and brought head coach Sigi Schmid to tears in the postgame festivities.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Chicago Fire -- November 23, 2003
While the Earthquakes won this game by a two-goal margin (4-2), there might not have been a more exciting game in MLS Cup history. It featured two goals by Landon Donovan, a thrilling save by Earthquakes goalkeeper Pat Onstad on Ante Razov's penalty kick in the second half, and a six-minute stretch early in the second half that included three goals and Onstad's save of Razov's PK. Chicago actually held a shots advantage of 22 to 11 over San Jose, but could not keep pace with Frank Yallop's side. Donovan earned MLS Cup MVP honors, while longtime US international Jeff Agoos celebrated his fifth MLS Cup title -- the most by any player in MLS history -- while honoring the late Clive Charles with a message written on his undershirt during the trophy presentation.
