RSL notes: Findley shows off quickness
Claret-and-Cobalt bring home MLS Cup championship to Utah
In the middle of a scrappy play that included a blocked shot and Galaxy defenders flying everywhere, Findley reacted first when the ball popped out by the far post and poked home from close range.
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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 |
"The ball was just bouncing around and it fell right by my foot," Findley said. "I was able to get my left foot on it and put it in the goal."
The opportunistic strike and a thunderous penalty kick provided the end product on a night where Findley wasn't able to get behind the Los Angeles back four as often as he would have liked through the middle.
Los Angeles' defensive approach forced Findley into wide positions to find space to run at defenders and create problems for the Galaxy. Findley's best chance to show off his pace -- a looping run from the right corner two minutes after halftime -- didn't lead to a goal, but it did result in a collision that ultimately forced Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts from the game during the second half.
Findley praised Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter for limiting his space and sending him elsewhere in search of room to roam.
"(Berhalter) played me well," Findley said. "He would sit off me a lot of times and try to make me go in there and get the ball. But for the most part, the corners were open for us because their wide backs were stepping up to our midfielders. We found success just putting it down there."
BECKHAM'S VISIT: Following the match, as Real Salt Lake's players sprayed champagne in their locker room, David Beckham walked down the hall from the LA Galaxy's locker room.
He went into the RSL locker room, and after briefly congratulating Real chairman Dave Checketts, the room quieted and he addressed the Real players.
"Congratulations -- you've had an amazing season. You deserved to win. It's always tough for any team to lose on penalties. You had a great season -- you are a great team," Beckham said. "The unity that you showed is one of the things that we talked about before the game. Hope you have a great night -- you deserve it -- and see you next season."
MAKING EXTRA TIME PAY: In an ideal world, Real Salt Lake wants to spend most of its time on the ball. That ideal world didn't coincide with the opening 45 minutes at Qwest Field. Spells of possession often eluded RSL in the first half as Los Angeles compressed the field and made it difficult to play through the midfield.
The balance shifted as the second half commenced. As the match progressed and Los Angeles couldn't maintain the tight shape it displayed in the first half, RSL enjoyed more time and space on the ball and kept possession better as a result.
All of that possession eventually paid off as the match entered the latter stages of regulation and careened into extra time. Los Angeles spent most of its time chasing defensively, while RSL had fresher legs because it didn't have to close down space. The extra energy boosted RSL and ensured they remained on the front foot until the final whistle, while the Galaxy didn't look as lively on the counter as it normally does.
"I don't think all of them were out of gas, but they had quite a few players that were gassing at the end," Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. "I think when you take care of the ball at the end of matches, you're going to have more steam than the other team."
CHECKETTS PASSES ALONG WISDOM: After spending a lifetime in the professional sports business, Checketts knows a thing or two about preparing for a championship game. He also knows a thing or two about getting to the big stage and failing to bring home the title after watching his New York Knicks lose in the 1994 NBA Finals during his four-year tenure as team president.
Checketts said he shared that heartbreaking experience with his team and implored them not to let this rare chance to take home a championship pass during a team dinner on Friday night.
"While we were together at dinner on Friday night, I said, look, it's tougher to get all the way to the end and not get it done," Checketts said. "It hurts more than not getting there at all. If you're going to get there, then grab it. If you're going to get there, then win it. And we're here, so go get it. It's time to win it."
WIN ONE FOR UTAH: The state of Utah has waited a long time for a major professional sports title. Not since the Utah Stars cut down the nets to celebrate the ABA championship in 1971 had a Utah-based team won a major championship. As Real Salt Lake prepared for MLS Cup, Utah lined up firmly behind its soccer team.
After years of watching the Utah Jazz reach the cusp of a title without crossing the threshold, Utahns flooded Seattle with Claret-and-Cobalt as they hoped Real Salt Lake would break the duck. RSL coach Jason Kreis said their support shows how deeply the fans cared and called the championship a "really big thing for Utah."
"I think it would give a small indication of what it means by how many people were there tonight," Kreis said. "I thought it was outstanding fan support. I was walking down the (Pike Place) Fish Market today and I must have seen a hundred Real Salt Lake fans and maybe five Galaxy fans. I think that was an indication of how well supported we were tonight, and how important it is to the people of Salt Lake City."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
