By Graig Carbino - ALBANY, NY (Nov 22, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- As the old cliché goes, it all comes down to this. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Galaxy do battle tonight with the Eastern Conference, er sort of Eastern, I guess, Conference champion Real Salt Lake with MLS Cup 2009 on the line. It’s the glamour side against the last team to qualify for the playoffs coming to you live from Seattle.
I, on the other hand, will come to you live from my living room. A cross-country flight for the match didn’t exactly fit into my personal budget this year, so I’ll follow along at home. We’ve all seen the previews and predictions, now its time for action. Let’s get right into it, shall we?
8:15pm - We’re still about 45 minutes away from kick-off but the line-ups are in. RSL will go with their standard setup of: Rimando in goal, Russell, Olave, Borchers and Wingert in the back. Johnson, Beckerman, Morales and Williams patrol the midfield with Movsisyan and Findley up top.
8:20pm - The Galaxy make a few surprising changes to their starting XI with Jovan Kirovski and Chris Birchall taking the normal places of Chris Klein and Dema Kovalenko. LA looks like this: Ricketts in net, Franklin, Gonzalez, Berhalter, and Dunivant across the backline, Beckham, Birchall, Kirovski and Donovan in midfield with Buddle and Magee in the forward role.
8:25pm - I have to stay I am surprised by the Kovalenko omission. His grit and heart would seem to mesh well with a final like this. He can go a bit overboard every once in a while though. Maybe that’s the problem.
8:30pm - Oh, I hear Rob Stone, we must be starting. Seattle is awesome. I’ve never been but it looks like a pretty cool city. Awesome fans, nice stadium, sweet atmosphere. Too bad the home club didn’t make the final. I bet they would have sold the whole place out. Still, 42,000 is not too shabby.
8:33pm - I promise, I will stay mostly on task once the game starts. Quick question though: what’s up with Beckham’s new do? It’s like a strange mix between a mullet, sort of faux-hawk, shaved sides kind of thing. I’m not feeling it, but supposedly he and the Mrs are right on the cutting edge of fashion so what do I know?
8:35pm - Beckham in a pre-taped interview with a hat on. Coincidence or change of heart with the haircut? Hmm…
8:38pm - I guess you can say RSL does deserve to be here. They knocked off 1 and 2 from the East in order to advance to the final. Still, just doesn’t seem right for a club that finished 5th in their own division, with a sub .500 record, to be playing in their leagues penultimate championship.
8:40pm - According to JP, Kovalenko has been battling an illness for most of the week so I guess that explains the Birchall move.
8:45pm - I have to admit, I sort of thought Nick Rimando might have been done after Tory Perkins took his spot between the pipes for DC United back in 2006. The guy has totally proved me wrong and has been incredible for Real Salt Lake since his arrival in 2007.
8:50pm - Here come the teams out of the tunnel. Everybody, as you would expect, looks ready to go. Crazy entrance with flags and a red carpet leading both groups over to the near side.
8:50pm - One more fashion note. I must say I like this new turtleneck/sports coat look coach Arena has been rocking this year in LA. I don’t like it for me, but I think it works for him.
8:56pm - And we’re off, one minute later than promised.
8:58pm - Back and forth, frantic start for the first few minutes as is to be expected.
9:03pm - Ball into Findley from Beckerman and the speedy forward almost makes it through on Ricketts. The experienced Berhalter is there to break it up though. Russell then tries to break into the box but the ball is eventually cleared.
9:05pm - Cross from Buddle finds Donovan in the box but he cant settle in time. The ball eventually finds its way out to Dunivant who crosses for Buddle. The forward cant keep his header on target and its out for a goal kick.
9:07pm - Long throw in to Buddle who controls and wins a corner for LA. Beckham to take. It’s low and cleared out for another corner. This time Beckham plays short but it looks like he is offside on the return pass.
9:09pm - Maybe its just me but it looks like Buddle is really up for this one.
9:10pm - Will Johnson with a shoulder tackle to Donovan that knocks him right off the field. Yellow card for Johnson, but I think that might turn out to be a smart play. Donovan was by him with acres of space without that challenge.
9:11pm - Beckham fouls Morales and is hearing the boo-birds early on. Morales is limping pretty good out there right now.
9:13pm - Not good for RSL as Morales is down and does not look good. As the announcers mention, Will Johnson has been struck with food poisoning all week and might not make it all 90 either.
9:15pm - Morales is back, we’ll see if he holds up. By the look on his face I don’t think its going to happen. He’s VERY emotional on the field and does not want to come off but it doesn’t look like he will make it much longer.
9:18pm - Clint Mathis comes on for Morales.
9:20pm - Kirovski with the first real chance of the game. A long ball from Ricketts is chested into the path of Kirovski who settles and fires on Rimando from the top of the 18. It bounces and Rimando bobbles but regains control before any Galaxy attacker can pounce.
9:22pm - Findley v. Berhalter one v. one. Not a match-up that LA wants, but it works out this time. It’s out for a goal kick.
9:23pm - Hard work from Donovan wins a corner for LA. Great corner from Beckham leaves Rimando stranded. Gonzalez gets on the end of it but cant keep his effort below the crossbar. Big chance their for the Galaxy. Still waiting for RSL’s first chance on goal.
9:28pm - Snap shot from Williams misses the target. Not much from RSL going forward at all so far. Beckerman getting a decent amount of time on the ball but so far his passes over the top haven’t found his attackers. When they have made it through Findley has usually been offside.
9:30pm - Ball over the top to Findley, third time offside.
9:31pm - Looks like Magee has moved back to left midfield with Donovan shifting to the second forward position. Just as I type Donovan streaks up the middle, draws the defense, and slides the ball wide to Magee. Magee advances into the box but drags his shot wide.
9:34pm - Great pass from Beckham to Kirovski who then springs Franklin down the right. The defender tries to pull his pass back to Kirovski who isn’t on the same page.
9:36pm - WOW. Great flick from Beckham to Donovan who plays in Buddle alone. The flag goes up though.
9:37pm - Goal LA. Beckham springs the counter with a though ball to Donovan down the right. Donovan plays a wonderful cross through the box right to the foot of Magee who slides home unchallenged. We’re 42 minutes in and the Galaxy are full value for their lead at the moment. RSL have not done enough to still be on level terms.
9:41pm - Two minutes of added time. RSL finally have a shot on goal from Borchers off an Andy Williams free kick. The header is right at Ricketts and saved easily.
9:43pm - There is the whistle and we have made it to half-time. Not a ton of chances either way but LA have created more and deserve their lead. RSL tried to get back into things right at the end but will need to do much more in the second half to level this match. LA will be very dangerous on the counter if Salt Lake decide to start throwing numbers forward. See you in 15 for the final 45.
10:00pm - And we’re back. Ned Grabavoy on for Will Johnson at the half. No changes for LA so far.
10:02pm - Bad giveaway from LA and Findley is in alone. Ricketts, Findley and the recovering Gonzalez collide and the ball is eventually cleared. Ricketts and Findley are both down injured.
10:05pm - Findley is up but Ricketts is still prone. It looks like his right hand has taken most of the blow. Seems like the Jamaican international will be able to continue.
10:07pm - Hard foul from Wingert on Beckham. Some smiles from Becks as he looks around for the call. Only a warning for the defender.
10:11pm - Another offside for RSL, this time on Williams. Still not much going offensively for Salt Lake. Hard foul on Donovan right near the top of the box. This looks like Beckham territory.
10:13pm - The ball strikes the wall and goes out for a throw in. Gonzalez throws long for Buddle but RSL clear.
10:15pm - Fantastic through ball from Beckerman to Russell. The ball is tapped to Movsisyan who is challenged from behind by Birchall. Movsisyan goes done but nothing is given. Dodgy tackle at best from Birchall who is very lucky not be called for the penalty and possibly given a second yellow card.
10:17pm - Getting a little chippy out there now as Buddle flips Mathis to the ground.
10:19pm - Goal RSL. It’s Robbie Findley. Scrappy goal as the ball bounces around in the box before falling to Movsisyan. The striker’s attempt is blocked but drops right into Findley’s path who makes no mistake.
10:20pm - Worse news for LA as Rickets walks off the field and needs to be replaced. Josh Saunders will come in as the replacement. It’s all to play for with 25 minutes to go.
10:22pm - Corner kick to LA after an over-the-head pass from Beckham to Donovan is deflected over the end line. Nothing doing on the set piece as Gonzalez handles.
10:25pm - LA is starting to show cracks at the back. This time Movsisyan is through only for Berhalter to intercept at the vital moment. Movsisyan breaks in again on goal but fires high. Lots of chances for RSL these last few minutes.
10:28pm - Buddle settles off a long pass from Saunders and lays the ball off to an onrushing Donovan. Unfortunately for LA his left-footed drive sails wide.
10:30pm - Espindola coming on for Movsisyan. Farewell to Yura as he moves on to Randers in Denmark following the season.
10:34pm - Chris Klein subbing in for Chris Birchall now. Looking to sure up the right side as Birchall had moved out wide with Beckham sliding further infield.
10:36pm - Foul on Beckham by Beckerman. Quick free kick taken but Buddle cant keep his header down. Goal kick RSL.
10:37pm - Cross for a wide open Espindola but he is judged to be offside.
10:38pm - Quick turn and shot off a thrown in from Buddle. Saved and then spilled by Rimando but RSL clear. Ball down the right from Franklin to Klein cut out by Borchers. Corner to LA cleared but then sent back in from Beckham. It all comes to nothing in the end.
10:41pm - Findley is sprung again, 1 v. 2 against Gonzalez and Berhalter. He manages to get a shot/cross off but Saunders is there to bat it away. LA come back down the other end as Donovan plays in Buddle but he is offside.
10:43pm - Another sub here for LA as Gonzalez has to go off injured. AJ Delegarza will come in with Franklin moving in to the middle of defense.
10:45pm - Seven minutes of added time as Espindola fires into the side netting.
10:47pm - Free kick to RSL as Delagarza fouls Grabavoy. Mathis fires high into the hands of Saunders.
10:50pm - Dangerous cross from Williams into Espindola. Delagarza with a comb over header to get it away. Corner to RSL comes to nothing.
10:52pm - Back and forth right at the end with an RSL penalty shout in the last few seconds. It was correctly waved away and we are headed for extra time.
10:58pm - Overtime has begun. Beckham up for a header with Grabavoy. Foul called on the English international for a stray arm.
11:00pm - Big chance for RSL. Espindola waltzes into the box before the ball works itself to Findley. Delagarza with a big sliding block to keep the match level.
11:05pm - Another chance for Findley. Mathis plays it wide to the forward who’s quick shot is just wide of the post and into the side netting.
11:07pm - Donovan is back out on the left and just stripped Findley after he had done the same to Dunivant. Foul by Beckham on Beckerman. It looks like Beckham has started to tire here in the last few minutes. He isn’t the only one. Clint Mathis goes near post with the free kick and hits it into the side netting.
11:09pm - Salt Lake has pretty much had the upper hand for most of this first overtime period. Berhalter and Saunders aren’t on the same page but the defender is able to clear for a corner. Out for a throw in that Donovan picks up before being fouled by Russell.
11:13pm - Beckham springs Donovan down the left who crosses back to the right for Klein. The winger plays in a cross but it is too high for Magee and cleared to safety. That ends the first period and the teams will switch sides. Beckham is noticeably limping but there are no subs left to take his place.
11:15pm - Second overtime period set to start and everybody will need to dig deep at this point, including me. I wouldn’t necessarily call this game a dud, but it has been a bit dull for long stretches.
11: 18pm - I swear half the players out there look like they are limping. I know we are in extra time, but these players have done this before. It’s not 95 and humid out there tonight. Cross into Klein from Magee headed away by Borchers. Foul on Klein and it will be a free kick coming out. Few second delay as the net is repaired.
11:22pm - Another nice challenge from Borchers to take the ball off the feet of Buddle. We are at a moderate walking pace right now. Everyone is gassed but there is still time for a winning goal. Don’t ask me why but my gut tells me RSL are going to nick one right at the death.
11:25pm - More hustle from Donovan to draw a foul deep in Salt Lake territory. Free kick delivered by Beckham and punched away by Rimando. Corner now to RSL.
11:27pm - LA spin the counter as Donovan shoots right at Rimando from an acute angle. RSL try to break back the other way but they are slowed down. Grabavoy eventually cuts into the box but heads right at Saunders.
11:29pm - Late free kick to RSL with a minute to play. Saunders comes out aggressively to pick the ball out of the sky. He punts down field for Donovan and Rimando has to come way out to punch away.
11:30pm - There will be one minute added on.
11:31pm - Mathis into Williams for one last chance but it just alludes the RSL playmaker. Williams is totally spent and cant even get off his back after lunging for the through ball. Is that Beckham making himself sick? I don’t even know what I am watching at this point. We are pushing midnight and 3,000 words and I might not be able to get up after this one finally ends either. Oh well, onto page seven we go.
11:35pm - Beckham will kick first and he doesn’t look very well. Shot low into the left corner, 1-0 LA.
11:36pm - Mathis to take for RSL and he blasts it home. 1-1.
11:37pm - Berhalter up next for LA. The defender with a short run up and blasts past Rimando into the corner. Nice effort by the defender. Findley next for RSL and shoots into the top left corner, 2-all.
11:38pm - Here is Kirovski for LA. Save Rimando! Not a great penalty but a good guess by the goalkeeper. Now Beckerman, save Saunders! Wow, 2-all still!
11:39pm - Now Donovan and he shoots over the crossbar! Amazing. Grabavoy steps up and RSL have the lead, 3-2.
11:40pm - Now Magee must score. He does and its 3-3. What can Saunders do?
11:41pm - Here comes Andy Williams to win it for RSL. Save Saunders!! Incredible. Bad penalty by Williams but it still needed saving. Chris Klein takes for LA and scores.
11:42pm - Wingert will take and needs to score. He does and it is 4-all. Will it ever end?
11:43pm - Now Edson Buddle steps up for LA. Buddle shoots and it is saved by Rimando.
11:44pm - Russell to take for RSL with the championship on the line. He scores and Real Salt Lake are the 2009 MLS Cup Champions!!!
11:45pm - I guess it just goes to show you that as long as you make the playoffs your in with a shot to win the title. I have a hard time saying Real Salt Lake were the best team all year but they were number one tonight. Thanks for reading, goodnight everyone.
Graig Carbino covers American Abroad and writes a weekly column for USSoccerPlayers. Contact him at graiger11@yahoo.com
