LA Galaxy: 2011 MLS Cup Champions
Galaxy 1 Houston Dynamo 0 from Home Depot Center
Champion: David Beckham lifts the MLS Cup trophy after what could be his final MLS game (AP Photo).
Staff Writer Phil Collin has the game story.
Columnist Kevin Modesti has the big picture view.
Quotable:
"It has been a three-year rebuilding process and this one has been difficult to top," said defender Todd Dunivant, putting the accomplishment in context. "It's a dream season."
The game was a fitting end to a fine season. Even the 1-0 scoreline was apt given the minimalist nature of many of the Galaxy wins this season by a similar scoreline.
Businesslike. Efficient. Coach Bruce Arena has this MLS Cup winning thing down to a fine art by this stage of his career.
But the Galaxy's play at times this season was also EPL quality - certainly the goal was today in a game that got better as it wore on. It wasn't the finest game at times, but there was always a sense of how much was at stake, a feeling the contest could turn in an instant.
As it did, on a finely worked goal by the Galaxy's three biggest stars.
Jet-lagged Robbie Keane was so exhausted, he told Todd Dunivant he could barely stand after the final whistle.
David Beckham, who played with an injured hamstring, gutted out the game to win a championship in what is potentially his final season with the Galaxy, just like he did in his last go around with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
And Landon Donovan nursed injuries through the latter part of the season well enough to still seal another championship with another opportunistic strike. The Galaxy's leading scorer in the regular season scored in three consecutive playoff games to lead the Galaxy to the title.
I'll have more on the win and the Galaxy's season in Tuesday's column.
But for now:
*MLS Cup Tweets are here.
*Tweet of the Night by SI writer and "The Beckham Experiment" author Grant Wahl:
Genuinely happy for David Beckham. Someday you'll realize the book was one of the best things that happened to your team.
*Phil also filed a few notes from the game.
Watch the trophy presentation:
Watch the locker room celebration:
Watch the winng goal, a thing of beauty:
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
The Silver Ball Has Found A New Home For 2012!
Omar and AJ were phoenomenal last night. They snuffed out anything Dynamo had. Even Franklin did not screw up. And Todd was Dunivant, simply stated.
Felt sorry for Cristman and his 3 straight misses in the first half but he was capably relieved by Donovan when Birchall came in.
Was Keane really offside on the disallowed goal? It was the leaning torso controversy again.
Interesting that Beckham's pass to Keane to start the goal sequence was from his head rather than his celebrated right foot.
Amazing that with all hype about the Galaxy winning the Supporters Shield and having the home field advantage for the entire playoff run, they somehow ended up on the visitors bench for the game. Did not make sense.
Galaxy need to rehearse their game celebration. They did not share the Cup with all the fans. Only Omar, Chris and Mike ran a half lap on the east end of the stadium.