Real Salt Lake defy odds to lift MLS Cup
Claret-and-Cobalt play hearts out to topple Galaxy, win championship
"We started off the season, actually two years ago, with a dream and idea of what this team could and would look like," RSL head coach Jason Kreis said. "I saw when we played our best that we were one of the best teams in the league. Now I'm glad to say that we are the best team."
MLS CUP NEWS
• RSL stun Galaxy in PK win • Rimando named MLS Cup MVP • Counted out, RSL never stopped • Kreis credits RSL's spirit, morale • Undecided fans lead pregame 'March' • RSL defy odds to lift MLS Cup • RSL shuffles midfield on fly • Saunders puts in remarkable effort • Dissappointment tinges pride for LA • Galaxy notes: Ricketts breaks hand • RSL notes: Findley shows quickness • MLS Cup 2009 notes & facts
MLS CUP SIGHTS & SOUNDS
 Behind the scenes Watch RSL 1, LA 1 (5-4, PKs) Watch Findley ties the game Watch Magee puts LA ahead Watch Postgame penalty kicks Watch Russell's winning PK Watch MLS Cup presentation Watch RSL postgame presser Watch LA postgame presser Watch ET postgame show Watch ET All-Access: The Sitter Watch ET All-Access: Garber Watch MLS Cup pregame Watch Supporters Summit Watch Galaxy pregame presser Watch RSL pregame presser Watch |
RSL defied the odds. Nothing was in their favor. They ended the season with a 11-12-7 record. They slid into the playoffs. And then they slayed the dragons -- the defending MLS champion Columbus Crew, the Chicago Fire (second in the East) and the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Western Conference champions. All the clubs had won MLS Cups and were known as three of the best clubs in the league.
But Sunday night, after battling the Galaxy to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes then winning the penalty-kick shootout, it was RSL that proved it too was worthy of a championship trophy.
"We knew if we made the playoffs, anything could happen," RSL defender Chris Wingert said. "It's all about peaking at the right time."
Real held off Los Angeles for the majority of the night. The Galaxy netted a first-half goal through Mike Magee, but that was it. After that, there were attempts -- but not many. It was nothing that RSL couldn't handle, especially with goalkeeper Nick Rimando minding the net. Rimando made two saves, one in each half, and blocked two penalty attempts in the post-match shootout.
"We knew if it came down to penalty kicks, we would be confident," said Rimando, named the Volkswagen MLS Cup MVP. "We should have scored in the second half. We were that good."
Team captain Kyle Beckerman said he had no doubt that RSL would pull off the victory.
"We played our hearts out," Beckerman said. "We played our style of soccer. I think it's fun to watch. It's definitely fun to play. The star for us is the whole team. When we play well, it's because everyone is playing well."
MLS veteran Clint Mathis wrapped up his 11th MLS season, finally winning a trophy.
"You can always look back and say what if," Mathis said. "But what ifs don't matter. People said we didn't deserve to win. We've played good soccer, great soccer this season. We've been the better team in a number of games. The guys worked their butts off."
Mathis and Ned Grabavoy came into the match as substitutes and helped anchor RSL's midfield when injury took Javier Morales and illness took Will Johnson. The duo helped shut down the LA attack. Each player also netted a penalty kick to help RSL earn the championship. Fabian Espindola came into the match in the second half and also made a difference with two shots. At the end of the night, everyone stepped up when the team needed them most.
"Towards the end of the season, I really started enjoying myself," Kreis said. "When you have an idea or a vision about how you'd like to put a team together, when it comes to fruition, it's gratifying."
Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
