MLS Cup 2009 notes & facts
Reading between the lines of Real Salt Lake's MLS Cup victory
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 |
It was the second MLS Cup to be decided on penalty kicks. In the 2006 final, after a 1-1 draw, Houston defeated New England 4-3 on penalties (shootout went five rounds).
Jason Kreis became the fourth former MLS player to win as a head coach, joining Frank Yallop (San Jose 2001 and 2003), Peter Nowak (2004) and Dominic Kinnear (2006, 2007).
Real Salt Lake became the first team in MLS history to win a championship after finishing below .500 during the regular season. RSL had an 11-12-7 record over the course of the year, the fourth to come into the final with a losing record (and second in as many years), but the first to win the trophy.
Nick Rimando was just the second goalkeeper to be named MLS Cup MVP after his performance. Tony Meola won the MVP Award after MLS Cup 2000, a 1-0 Kansas City Wizards victory against the Chicago Fire.
Rimando saved three penalty kicks in the shootout following RSL's Eastern Conference final win vs. Chicago last week. He saved two in the MLS Cup Final shootout, with one going high. Opponents have converted just 11 of 20 penalty kicks in shootouts against Rimando over the course of his MLS career.
In regulation play, Landon Donovan was 19-of-21 in the regular season, with another 2-for-2 in the playoffs, in penalty kicks. Both penalties were saved -- meaning every attempt he had taken was on frame. His attempt in the shootout after MLS Cup 2009 went over the bar.
The attendance was 46,011, the fourth highest in MLS Cup history, and highest since 2002 (which drew a record 61,316). It was also the seventh highest soccer crowd in Qwest Field history.
Donovan Ricketts was the first goalkeeper to be substituted in MLS Cup history. His replacement, Josh Saunders, saved two of the seven penalties he faced in the post-match shootout.
