The Western Conference Final started late for East Coast viewers and ended late for the crowd at the Home Depot Center, with LA advancing to the 2009 MLS Cup 2-0 in overtime. Two lengthy stoppages due to power outages and overtime pushed the game past the venue's regular 11pm curfew. With chances few and far apart, Houston had the best opportunity in regulation, having a goal waived off in the 80th-minute.
In overtime, Houston continued to look dangerous early but couldn't find a goal. In the 103rd-minute, a David Beckham freekick ended with a scramble in front of the Houston goal. Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter put the ball in for the game's only goal. LA doubled that lead from the spot in the 109th when Landon Donovan beat Pat Onstad. Once again, Donovan sent his penalty to the keeper's right rather than taking his normal keeper left shot. Beckham barely missed making it 3-0 directly from a freekick three minutes later.
"We still haven't won anything," Beckham said. "We want to win next week but reaching it was the biggest thing. We've done that, done the hard work and this team deserves it."
Donovan Ricketts got the shutout for LA, highlighting his performance with a save in regulation against Brian Ching and denying Houston late in overtime.
