MLS Super Cup

Supporter Shield winner vs. MLS Cup winner from previous year

1997: DC United
1998: DC United *
1999: Chicago Fire
2000: DC United *
2001: Kansas City Wizards *
2002: -not contested-
2003: Los Angeles Galaxy *
2004: Chicago Fire
2005: DC United
2006: -not contested-
2007: DC United
2008: Houston Dynamo
2009: Columbus Crew *
2010: Columbus Crew
2011: Los Angeles Galaxy
2012: Los Angeles Galaxy *
2013: San Jose Earthquakes
2014: New York Red Bulls
2015: Los Angeles Galaxy
2016: -no winner-
2017: Seattle Sounders FC
2018: Toronto FC*

(* title was undisputed)

Seattle take 2017 MLS Super Cup

Seattle Sounders 4 - FC Dallas 0

First Half Notes:

12’ – Seattle would have taken an early lead if not for a point-blank save by FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez on forward Clint Dempsey. The chance was set up by Joevin Jones, who flew down the left flank, rounded a defender and centered a pass for Dempsey. The Texas-native struck the ball with his first touch, firing a high shot towards the back post, but Gonzalez was in position to slap the attempt over the crossbar and out for a corner kick.

31’ – Seattle’s Victor Rodriguez put his team up, 1-0, after a failed clearance attempt by FC Dallas fell to the feet of Sounder FC’s Clint Dempsey. The forward instantly put Rodriguez in on goal and the midfielder pushed a shot past Gonzalez, who charged off his line to challenge but could not stop the well-placed shot from Rodriguez.

Second Half Notes:    

49’ – Early in the second frame, Michael Barrios would earn Dallas’ most threatening set piece of the night just outside the penalty area after a Cristian Roldan foul. Mauro Diaz stood over the free kick and sent a dipping shot over the wall, but couldn’t put it under the bar as the shot missed high on the left side of goal.

64’ – The Sounders expanded its lead just past the hour mark as Dempsey took a shot from the top of the 18 that went between the legs of Matt Hedges and on goal. Gonzalez was able to stop the initial screened shot, but forward Will Bruin shouldered off Atiba Harris and beat him to the rebound, which was sitting on the top of the six-yard box and chipped it past the sprawled-out goalkeeper.

67’ – Bruin would strike again just moments later after Maynor Figueroa made a clean tackle in the box to dispossess Rodriguez. Unfortunately, the ball went directly to the forward, who was sitting near the penalty spot. Bruin tucked a low shot inside the left post for a 3-0 Sounders’ lead.

90+2’ – The home side would add a late goal in stoppage time to complete the night as Uruguayan Nicolas Lodeiro sent a cross in from the right flank off the counter and found the head of Lamar Neagle, completing the 4-0 score line and securing a postseason berth for the Sounders.

Scoring Summary:

SEA: Victor Rodriguez (Clint Dempsey) 31
SEA: Will Bruin 64
SEA: Will Bruin 67
SEA: Lamar Neagle (Nicolás Lodeiro, Harry Shipp) 90'+2

Lineups:

FC Dallas – Jesse Gonzalez, Maynor Figueroa, Atiba Harris, Matt Hedges, Hernan Grana, Carlos Gruezo, Javier Morales (Maxi Urruti 57), Tesho Akindele (Victor Ulloa 78), Mauro Diaz (Roland Lamah 70), Kellyn Acosta, Michael Barrios.
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Seitz, Cristian Colman, Ryan Hollingshead, Walker Zimmerman.
Seattle Sounders – Stefan Frei, Chad Marshall, Joevin Jones (Harry Shipp 81), Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres, Clint Dempsey, Cristian Roldan, Gustav Svensson (Nouhou Tolo 23), Nicolas Lodeiro, Victor Rodriguez (Lamar Neagle 76), Will Bruin.
Substitutes Not Used: Bryan Meredith, Tony Alfaro, Henry Wingo, Jordy Delem.

Misconduct Summary: 

DAL – Javier Morales (caution) 8
Attendance: 48,478
Weather: Clear, 60
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Joe Fletcher, Cameron Blanchard
4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Jon Freemon

2017 MLS Super Cup goes to a second match

Saturday's MLS Super Cup between FC Dallas and Seattle Sounders ended in a 0 - 0 draw and will have to go to a second match up in October.

Highlights
https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2017/09/16/highlights-fc-dallas-vs-seattle-sounders-fc-091617

2017 MLS Super Cup preview

KNOW YOUR ENEMY: Seattle Sounders FC | 9.16.17

(by Jean Pierre Guzhnay fcdallas.com)

FC Dallas will host defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday night for the first meeting this season. Dallas (9-8-10, 37 pts) returns to home action after a 3-0 defeat in Atlanta on Sunday and winless in their last eight matches. Seattle (8-1-5, 43 pts) sits in second place after taking their unbeaten record to 12 games with a 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy last week, with their last loss coming on June 17th.

Budding Foes

After three consecutive MLS Cup Playoff meetings, FC Dallas and Seattle hold bad blood despite their geographic disposition. FCD mounted a comeback for the ages two years ago to advance, while the Sounders dispelled Dallas en route to their first MLS Cup last season. Add into the mix the injury to Mauro Diaz in the last regular season meeting between the two, sparks are sure to fly as the teams meet twice down the stretch.

Key Match-Ups

Maxi Urruti vs. Chad Marshall - The Sounders' center back has been a regular in the backline playing 23 games this season seeing 90-minutes of action in each game of Seattle's unbeaten streak. The Argentine striker has been a crucial player in Dallas' attack with 12 goals this season and will look to rejuvenate himself against a sturdy defense anchored by a well-in-form Marshall.

Clint Dempsey vs. Jesse Gonzalez - The USMNT veteran has eleven goals to his name and has taken 20 shots at goal over the last five games. Gonzalez is coming off a season-best eight saves last week despite the loss in Atlanta. Against Seattle and Dempsey, Gonzalez’s key saves can give Dallas the momentum and motivation it needs to take away a much-needed victory at home.

Last Time Out

(4-2-3-1): Stefan Frei: Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres, Chad Marshall, Oniel Fisher; Osvaldo Alonso, Cristian Roldan; Nicolas Lodeiro, Clint Dempsey, Victor Rodriguez; Jordan Morris.

Keys to Three Points

Against a potent attacking side, Dallas’ defense will have to be on their toes to prevent early goals after conceding the first goal in eight straight games. A rivalry matchup against Seattle, who they have seen in three straight postseasons and eliminated them in the Western Conference Semifinals last year, should give Dallas the needed motivation to find a victory this coming Saturday.

https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2017/09/13/know-your-enemy-seattle-sounders-fc-91617



DALvSEA 101: Everything you need to know when the Seattle Sounders visit FC Dallas

(by Ryan Krasnoo soundersfc.com)

WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 5 p.m. PT at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be televised on JOEtv and in Spanish on Univision-Seattle.

WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.

2017 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 11-7-10 (43 points, 2^nd West); FCD: 9-8-10 (37 points, 6^th West).

FORM GUIDE: Sounders: WWDDD; FC Dallas: LDLDL

ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 10-5-5 all time against FC Dallas, including a 3-4-4 mark on the road.

RECENT MEETINGS: The fourth-seeded Sounders knocked off top-seeded FC Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals last season, 4-2 on aggregate. Seattle scored three goals in eight minutes in the first leg at CenturyLink Field before holding on in the second leg in Dallas.

UNBEATEN RUN: The Sounders head to Texas looking to extend their club-record unbeaten streak to 13 matches. Seattle is outscoring its opponents 23-11 and has not lost since June 17.

MORRIS SIDELINED: Forward Jordan Morris exited early against the LA Galaxy on Sunday when he pulled up with a strained hamstring. There’s no timetable yet for his return.

SEPTEMBER SUCCESS: The Sounders have a chance to make September their most successful month as an MLS club. If Seattle wins its remaining three matches this month against FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake and the Vancouver Whitecaps, it would push its all-time September points-per-game average to 1.92, surpassing April and August’s 1.86.

NEAGLE TO THE RESCUE: Lamar Neagle entered Sunday’s home match against the Galaxy in the 83^rd minute with the Sounders trailing 1-0. Less than two minutes later, his one-timed half-volley equalized and helped keep the Sounders’ unbeaten streak alive. It was his first goal for the Rave Green since rejoining the club from D.C. United on Aug. 7.

TORRES SUSPENDED, NOUHOU RETURNS: Defender Roman Torres will serve a one-match suspension on Saturday for his red card near the end of the Galaxy game. Left back Nouhou, who missed last weekend while serving his own one-match suspension for a red card against the Portland Timbers on Aug. 27, will be available for selection in Dallas.

DALLAS DIVE: FC Dallas are winless in their last eight MLS matches and have not won since July 22. They’ve been outscored 19-7 and have fallen to the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, just one point ahead of the San Jose Earthquakes.

EARLY CONCESSIONS: FC Dallas have conceded first in eight of its last nine matches, with the ninth a scoreless draw. FCD is 2-8-4 on the season when conceding first compared to 6-0-3 if it goes in front first.

MISSING MAXI: Forward Maxi Urruti leads FCD with 12 goals this season, but he has only scored once in the last nine games. He had found the back of the net in four straight matches before then.

https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2017/09/12/dalvsea-101-everything-you-need-know-when-seattle-sounders-visit-fc-dallas

No MLS Super Cup winner for 2016

New York Red Bulls and Portland Timbers scrap to 0-0 draw

(by Daniel Feuerstein onceametro.com 7-10-16)

The New York Red Bulls' first game since parting company with Lloyd Sam was a welcome return to home ground after a grueling and dispiriting winless, four-game road trip. The injury-riddled Portland Timbers couldn't put anything past Luis Robles or the backline, but the Red Bulls couldn't get anything past Jake Gleeson and this match ended in a scoreless draw.

In Sam's absence, there has been a lot of talk of Gonzalo Veron, one of two Designated Players on the RBNY roster, stepping up to claim the regular start we've been assuming he'd get almost from the day he signed. Veron did get the start, and while these was some miscommunication out there, he made dangerous runs and found his teammates with some threatening crosses on a few occasions.
 

Unexpectedly, Felipe was the Red Bulls' most consistent threat on goal. Veron, Mike Grella and Bradley Wright-Phillips - nominally RBNY's front three - combined for four shots, none on target. Felipe had four of his own, and three were on frame. But Gleeson stood up to everything the Red Bulls threw at him.

 

So both sides got a point, which was better for Portland than for the Red Bulls. For some, the question is whether RBNY has lost confidence after the Copa America Centenario Break, because its form has dipped precipitously over the last few weeks.

 

"Overall on the day we have a lot of half chances, we have a lot of chances and created a lot of opportunities and it wasn't quite good enough on the day," said Jesse Marsch, "Talking to some of the guys in the locker room, was it a confidence issue, was it a lack of sharpness or a little bit of both? We got to still have a lot of belief on this team so at the end of the day we can push hard and get a result. Towards the end we did, but I thought we could've done more at the start of the second half."
 

On another day, whatever issues are affecting the Red Bulls up front might have been compounded by the team's misfortune at the back. The luckless Gideon Baah went to the ground in the first half, apparently aggravating the same injury that hobbled in RBNY's match in Columbus two weeks ago. This signaled the return of French center back Damien Perrinelle to MLS. He has played in a couple of USL games for NYRB II and in the friendly win against Club America as part of a gentle reintroduction to the first team. Called off the bench more abruptly than had been planned, he looked like he hadn't lost a step.

 

"It's an amazing feeling. First of all I want to thank all my teammates, to all the Red Bulls Staff. It's a very good feeling and I wasn't expecting to play this game, but it was nice," said Perrinelle, "Not so many minutes but, I thought I was going to play five in the back at the end of the game.
 

I was ready from the start [when Gideon Baah went down with the injury], because I expect this kind of thing, this wasn't the first time it happened with me, when I am on the bench I expect to be ready."
 

The best of Perrinelle was on display in the 85th minute when he made a fantastic tackle on Fanendo Adi. But the center back made several timely interventions that suggested he has not lost anything but time to injury.

 

But the result extends a troubling streak for the Red Bulls: winless in their last five with just two points and two goals scored in that stretch. They will try to turn it around on Wednesday, July 13, when they host Orlando City - an opponent dealing with a little turmoil of its own, having just fired head coach Adrian Heath. Maybe RBNY's luck will change.

 

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http://www.onceametro.com/2016/7/10/12144352/new-york-red-bulls-portland-timbers-0-0-mls-jake-gleeson-gonzalo-veron-damien-perrinelle

LA Galaxy take MLS Super Cup 2015

(espnfc.com 4-12-15)

Alan Gordon scored midway through the first half and the Los Angeles Galaxy held off the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Sunday to snap a two-game scoreless stretch.

In the 23rd minute, Omar Gonzalez headed a free kick toward the far post and an unmarked Gordon headed it home in his 200th MLS appearance. It was the first goal in three games for Los Angeles (2-2-2) after being held scoreless in back-to-back matches for the first time since 2012.

Jaime Penedo made 10 saves for the Galaxy, including a sliding block of Aaron Kovar's open attempt in the 87th minute.

Seattle (2-2-1) is winless in its last 10 games at Los Angeles, with its last win coming in 2009.
Gordon started in place of Robbie Keane, the reigning MLS MVP, who was out with an injury. U.S. national team captain Clint Dempsey sat out for the Sounders.

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2395788/cyle-larin-and-kaka-lead-orlando-city-past-the-portland-timbers

Red Bulls take the 2014 MLS Super Cup

Red Bulls marvel at "engaged, unstoppable" Henry vs. SKC

(by Franco Panizo newyorkredbulls.com 9-8-14)

When Thierry Henry is engaged, he is simply overpowering.

That was a refrain that was reiterated more than once inside the New York Red Bulls’ locker room following a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City that put them back in a playoff position on Saturday.

It was not just the sizzling second-half goal Henry scored that was the difference in the match, but also his determined demeanor from the opening whistle.

Stationed in a new role out on the left side of the midfield, the 37-year-old Henry demonstrated from the opening whistle a fiery passion that lasted even after the final whistle at Red Bull Arena.

New York’s captain is no stranger to showing his trademark intensity and fierce competitiveness, but this was a bit different.

More of it was channeled towards beating the opposition. More of it was used to encourage teammates rather than scowl at them for mistakes (though, naturally, there was some of that). More of it was used to hustle and defend, things that even the technically-gifted Henry has been criticized quite a bit for since joining the Red Bulls.

“When Thierry’s pissed off in the right way, when he’s engaged and when he’s taking it upon himself to be mentally into it right from the beginning, he’s unstoppable,” said midfielder Dax McCarty.

 “You can’t stop a player like that when he wants to play at his absolute best. I think he always wants to play at his best, but sometimes his frustration comes out in the wrong ways.

“I thought tonight he was unbelievable defensively, playing more tilted to the left. That kid Igor Juliao likes to bomb up and down the right wing and for the most part Thierry was right there with him and he was still making things happen going forward. When he’s like that, there’s not one person in this league that can stop him.”

Henry having this engaged approached could simply be chalked up to how important the match was for the Red Bulls, who started the night on the outside of the Eastern Conference’s playoff picture. But there was more behind it than that.

After seeing his club be frustratingly inconsistent all season, Henry approached head coach Mike Petke this week in training to have a conversation. The specifics of that talk were not made public by either Petke or Henry following Saturday’s triumph, but what came of it were positives that appear to resemble the ones that emanated from their long meeting last year following a heated confrontation in training.

“Thierry, true to who he is as a person and a captain, he sought me out and we had a long conversation,” said Petke. “Together we rededicated ourselves and tried to figure some stuff out. I told him, ‘Before, you showed what a captain is by coming to me earlier in the week and speaking about some things. Now, you’re going to show what a captain is on the field,’ and he did.”

“He led the team, he put tireless work in and he capped it off with a Goal of the Year nomination, for sure.”

The tally came in the 52nd minute. Henry received a pass from Lloyd Sam, burst by his mark and hit a screamer into the far top corner. Dom Dwyer responded two minutes later with a nice strike of his own, but the Red Bulls did enough to ensure that Henry’s world-class finish would stand as the winner.

Henry came off in the 89th minute, and while he could have been gassed given the hardworking shift he put in, he still had enough in the tank to berate fourth official Jose Carlos Rivero before and after the final whistle.

It was just another example of the kind of ambition that may well have rubbed off on the rest of Red Bulls in a week in which they absolutely needed an injection of enthusiasm.

“When he wants something, that’s when you start to see that everybody gets behind him and, this week, that’s what it’s all about,” said goalkeeper Luis Robles. “He was engaged, he was encouraging people, and he was just saying that it’s time to stop all the talk, it’s time to stop the excuses and let’s just go, let’s do it together.

“When he’s up in the front leading, no one, no one is going to slack off and that’s exactly what this week was about.”

2014 Super Cup - leg 1

Match Recap: Sporting Kansas City 1, New York Red Bulls 1

http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2014/05/highlights-sporting-kc-1-new-york-red-bulls-1

(match highlights link ^)

(by Steve Brisendine mlssoccer.com 5-27-14)

Early on, it looked as though Thierry Henry's 100th start for the New York Red Bulls would be the beginning of a forgettable – even regrettable – night for his club.

But after withstanding an early offensive flurry from Sporting Kansas City and falling behind even before the 10-minute mark, both Henry and the Red Bulls made something decent of Tuesday night's match. Henry assisted on Bradley Wright-Phillips' league-leading 11th goal early in the second half, and the Red Bulls left Sporting Park with a 1-1 draw.

It broke a three-match losing streak for New York (3-5-6), while Sporting – who led after nine minutes on Toni Dovale's first MLS goal – are 5-4-4 and on a four-match winless streak after their second straight draw.

They did get Aurelien Collin back from a two-match absence due to a hamstring strain, though, and the big central defender's aerial presence and open-field tackling ability likely helped Sporting take the point.

Sporting attacked out of the gate and could have been up 3-0 after five minutes but for two big defensive plays and a blast that just missed by inches.

Igor Juliao made a long run into the box and chipped goalkeeper Luis Robles in the second minute, only to see Chris Duvall clear the ball off the line. Ibrahim Sekagya made another goalmouth clearance of Sal Zizzo's header in the fifth minute, and Benny Feilhaber drove a close-range free kick off the underside of the crossbar later in the fifth.

Dovale wouldn't be denied on Sporting's next big chance, though. He took Feilhaber's through ball in traffic, worked his way to a spot just outside the top of the penalty arc and unleashed a left-footed shot that curled into the lower left corner of Luis Robles' goal.

After that, though, Sporting wouldn't get off another shot on goal until Robles saved Dovale's blast toward the upper right corner in the 79th. That was also the last save Robles had to make, as Kansas City didn't put another attempt on frame.

The confetti cannons did go off in the 25th minute, but prematurely; Kevin Ellis put the ball in the net from close range but was whistled for a foul on Robles that created the opportunity.

Five minutes after the break, it was even. Wright-Phillips made a run to take Henry's through ball, drove on goal and put his shot just under 'keeper Eric Kronberg.

Kronberg came up big on a pair of challenging shots not long after the hour mark to keep things even, though. He dived to his right to parry Peguy Luyindula's low drive out for a corner in the 66th minute, then controlled Henry's dipping try from outside the area after the restart.

San Jose ends Galaxy's hopes for a 3rd consecutive Super Cup

Gordon's brace leads the Quakes over Galaxy in thrilling California Clasico

(mlssoccer.com 6-29-13)

The Goonies put it all back together again against the team that started it all.

Shea Salinas and Alan Gordon scored in second-half injury time to give the 10-man San Jose Earthquakes a shocking 3-2 victory against the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on Saturday night.

Salinas hammered home a loose rebound in the 92nd minute and Gordon nodded home an open header at the back post in the 93rd minute as the sellout crowd of 50,028 went bonkers. It was the second stunning comeback San Jose has mounted against the Galaxy at Stanford in as many seasons; the Quakes came from two goals down to beat LA 4-3 on June 30, 2012.

San Jose (5-7-6) improved to 2-1-0 under interim coach Mark Watson and, perhaps more importantly, rekindled memories of last season, when the Quakes had nine goals in second-half stoppage time, eight of which led to a win or draw.

Gordon had scored his first goal of the season in the 68th minute to draw San Jose to within a goal, but the Quakes’ chances looked dire after defender Victor Bernardez saw two yellow cards in the space of eight minutes and was sent off in the 77th minute.

Yet LA (7-7-3) could not make goals from Marcelo Sarvas in the 20th minute and Hector Jimenez in the 65th stand up and thus missed a chance to record just their second winning streak of the season.

Salinas pounced on a free ball after LA goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was unable to corral a deflected flick header from San Jose rookie Adam Jahn.

Gordon found the game-winner moments later off a chipped cross from just inside LA’s penalty area by San Jose midfielder Sam Cronin.

Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane assisted on both LA goals, but the Galaxy were left to rue their missed chances at putting the game away – especially Jon Busch’s save on Jimenez in the 88th minute.

The game opened in fairly tight fashion until the Galaxy cut through San Jose’s defense with a couple of nifty volleys. Donovan floated a pass across the top of San Jose’s box, which Keane struck on the fly with his left foot. The ball found Sarvas open at 11 yards, where he cashed in with a right-footed volley of his own to the near post for his second goal this season.

Donovan and Keane teamed again to help Jimenez double LA’s advantage. Donovan beat Bernardez to shake himself free just inside San Jose’s offensive third, then fed an overlapping Keane in the left side of the Quakes’ penalty area. With a clot of defenders approaching, Keane fed the ball across the 6-yard box to the far post, where Jimenez slotted home into the open net for goal No. 2 of 2013.

Cudicini had to come up big in the 50th minute, when Chris Wondolowski’s header was not fully cleared, leaving a rebound for Marvin Chavez to hammer from 8 yards. But the shot went right into the body of a prone Cudicini.

Cudicini could not come up with the goods in the dying moments, however, and San Jose had found what the Quakes undoubtedly hope will be a turning point after gaining just 18 points from the first half of their MLS slate.

LA Galaxy take undisputed 2012 Super Cup

L.A. Galaxy win MLS Cup

(aol.sportingnews.com/soccer 11-20-11)

The L.A. Galaxy captured their third MLS championship on Sunday night with an exquisite winning goal that couldn’t have been more appropriate for a club named for a collection of stars.

After more than an hour of frustration and several egregious misses by some of L.A.’s lesser lights, multimillionaire Designated Players David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan showed a sellout crowd of 30,281 at The Home Depot Center and the resilient Houston Dynamo how titles are won. The Galaxy’s 1-0 triumph in MLS Cup 2011 was sealed in the 72nd minute, when Beckham rose to meet the ball and, with a skilled flick of his head, found Keane on the left.

The Irishman tore toward goal and practically screwed Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell into the turf with a cut to the right. Donovan exploited the space, ran toward the left post and met Keane’s soft through pass.

Like he did last summer in the waning seconds against Algeria, Donovan delivered. A deft shot from with his right foot evaded Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall and settled just inside the right post, giving L.A. a lead it wouldn’t possibly relinquish at home with so much stake.

If Beckham leaves MLS—his five-year deal expires at year end—he’ll do so as a league champion for the eighth time in his career. His seventh title came in his final season at Real Madrid in 2007. He played on a hurt hamstring on Sunday, and was saluted with a “We want Beckham!” chant from the fans following the match.

Donovan won his fourth MLS Cup on Sunday night, but surely this one will mean the most. He earned three in his first five years, a period in which he admits that he was less developed as both a player and a person. He’s now 29 years old, a World Cup hero and the captain of American soccer’s most accomplished and recognized club.

Keane, a scoring legend for both his country and in the English Premier League, claimed the first league championship of a storied career.

The trio earns more than $12.2 million per season combined, more than twice the entire salary budget of 15 of the league’s 17 other teams. For a club that was at the bottom of the league just three years ago, the money surely was well spent. The Galaxy led practically wire to wire, finishing the regular season 19-5-10 then going 4-0-0 in the playoffs. L.A. also won its CONCACAF Champions League group, adding to the argument that this team, anchored by its great triumvirate but boasting stars on the rise like Omar Gonzalez and Juninho, is the best in MLS history.

No club featuring a Designated Player, whose salaries count only a small portion against a team’s budget, had won an MLS title before Sunday.

To the Dynamo’s credit, L.A. had to work for its championship. This was the most decorated MLS Cup final match-up in MLS’s 16-year history, just the third featuring former titlists and the first pitting teams with multiple MLS Cups on their respective resumes. Houston (15-10-13) competed like a champion, but without injured MVP runner-up Brad Davis, simply lacked the firepower to threaten the hosts.

The Galaxy easily could have won by several goals, but the vast majority of the early chances fell to forward Adam Cristman, who was thrust into the starting lineup because of the ankle injury suffered by Chad Barrett. Cristman pressured the Dynamo back line and was able to get open, but he wasn’t up to the occasion and scuffed at least three golden opportunities. Midfielder Mike Magee, who’d been clutch throughout the playoffs, left his accuracy in the locker room as well.

L.A. coach Bruce Arena removed Cristman in the 58th, inserted Chris Birchall and pushed Donovan up top alongside Keane. A minute before, Keane had an apparent goal called back for offside, which surely frustrated the Galaxy but signaled that Houston was about to break. Donovan’s desperation to win this title ensured the next opportunity wouldn’t be wasted. Keane and Donovan nearly combined on a promising counterattack in the 61st, then 11 minutes later, produced a goal that will live in MLS legend.

Donovan accepted the game MVP award on the field after the whistle, shortly after racing toward the crowd and pumping his fists. It was the conclusion of another triumphant chapter in a career that has made him America’s most celebrated soccer player, and a fitting end to a game and a season that proved that Designated Players can thrive and deliver in MLS.

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LA Galaxy Win 2011 Supporters' Shield

LA Galaxy clinch best record in MLS following Philadelphia’s 2-0 win over Seattle

(lagalaxy.com 10-8-11)

The LA Galaxy have captured the 2011 Supporters’ Shield as a result of the Philadelphia Union’s 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC tonight at CenturyLink Field. With the result, the Galaxy have an 18-4-10 record for 64 points, giving LA an insurmountable seven-point advantage at the top of the MLS standings.

This is the fourth time in club history and the second straight season in which the Galaxy have won the Supporters’ Shield, which is given annually to the team that finished with the best regular season record in MLS. The Galaxy’s four Supporters’ Shield wins are now tied with D.C. United as the most in MLS history, one more than the Columbus Crew.

By winning the Supporters’ Shield, the Galaxy have clinched home-field advantage throughout the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs while also earning a berth in Group Play of the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League.

The Galaxy, who first won the Supporters’ Shield with an MLS record 68 points in 1998 and then again in 2002 when they won their first MLS Cup, are now the third team in MLS history to repeat at Supporters’ Shield winners, having also won the trophy last year, when they finished the season with an 18-7-5 record for a league-best 59 points. They join D.C. United (2006 and 2007) and the Columbus Crew (2008 and 2009) as the only repeat winners of the Supporters’ Shield.

In the first 15 years of MLS, five teams have won the MLS Cup in the same year as they won the Supporters’ Shield with the Columbus Crew the last to accomplish the feat, doing so in 2008 when they had an MLS-best 57 points and then beat the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in MLS Cup, which was played that year at The Home Depot Center.

LA battle Colorado to take 2011 Super Cup

Shorthanded Galaxy stifle 10-man Rapids for 3-1 win

(by Nick Thomas mlsnet.com 6-18-11)

The LA Galaxy may have been missing both Landon Donovan and David Beckham, but they still ran out comfortable 3-1 winners over a 10-man Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.

The defending champions saw their nine-game unbeaten streak snapped thanks to an own-goal from Drew Moor, a wonder-strike from Juninho and a late insurance goal that iced the victory for LA.

Colorado seemed to have the bulk of possession in the first half-hour but it was the Galaxy who took the lead against the run of play. In the 25th minute, Miguel López placed a deft ball behind the Rapids defense for Chris Birchall, who was able to cross into Moor’s path.

The Rapids defender, who scored the winner in stoppage time last week against Portland, was unable to control the cross, turning it into his own net from close range. The Rapids players complained that the ball had gone out of play before Birchall was able to get his cross in.

Moor almost made up for that mistake with a strong close-range header from a corner in the 41st minute, but could only head it over the bar. A minute later, it was 2-0 as LA midfielder Juninho picked the ball up and placed a right-footed cracker from 25 yards out into the corner of Matt Pickens’ net.

Rapids coach Gary Smith made an aggressive lineup change at halftime, bringing on Omar Cummings for his first action since suffering an ankle injury on May 4. That gave Colorado three forwards on the pitch, with starters Conor Casey and Caleb Folan.

The old combination of Cummings and Casey proved fruitful in the 64th minute as the Jamaican dribbled into the penalty area and hit a low, right-footed shot against the post. The ball rebounded into Casey’s path and he tapped into the empty net to bring the Rapids to within one.

But their rally was stopped short 10 minutes later as Folan was red-carded for a harsh challenge on Juninho. The Galaxy capitalized in the 81st minute as second-half substitute Barrett latched onto a cross from Todd Dunivant inside the penalty area to seal the game.

With the win, the Western Conference-leading Galaxy improve to 9-2-7; they next travel to California rivals San Jose on June 25. The Rapids, meanwhile, drop to 5-4-7 and have not won at home since April 3. They next travel to Columbus on June 26.

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2010 Super Cup preview



Beckham, Arena downplay the hype

(by Larry Morgan lagalaxy.com 6-16-11)

The LA Galaxy’s David Beckham remembers watching last season’s MLS Cup between Colorado and FC Dallas and found it a particularly frustrating experience, knowing he and his Galaxy teammates had designs of being in Toronto on that cold, November night and playing for the league title.

Now it is almost seven months later, and the Galaxy (8-2-7) are about to take on the defending champion Rapids (5-3-7) on Saturday in Commerce City, Colo., in the teams’ first meeting of the season. But if you’re looking for any extra incentive on the Galaxy’s part, you won’t find it.

Not a lot of it anyway.

“I don’t think it matters who you come up against. This is a new season,” Beckham said Thursday. “They deserved it last season, it’s a new season and we need to concentrate on what we do and what we can focus on.

“If you want to win things, you have to come up against the best teams and the best players.”

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena also downplayed any possibility of extra incentive in Saturday’s match.

“You can make that all you want it to be, but it’s over with,” he said. “That was last year, and this year is a different situation. We’re going to Colorado to play a good team and we want to try and get three points.

‘”I don’t think anyone’s even mentioned (incentive), to be honest with you. The way our league goes, you kind of forget real quick who won the championship the year before. You don’t have time to be thinking about it a whole lot.”

Defender Todd Dunivant was one of the few Galaxy players who said the air will be a little different on Saturday, and it had nothing to do with the high altitude at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

“Yeah, there’s incentive,” he said, “because they did what we wanted to do last year. They got hot at the right time, went all the way and won the championship. There’s certainly more in it for us.

“These guys are the champs until somebody says otherwise.”

Added forward Mike Magee, “The thing I noticed last year when we played (2009 champion) Salt Lake was they got the crest on their jersey and had a target on their back.

“I remember watching the final last year and having a bitter taste in my mouth, thinking it should have been us. All those things definitely will be on my mind.”

But not the only thing, others players said. The regular season is at the halfway point, and the Galaxy simply are looking for a victory against a team that has been tough on them away from The Home Depot Center. The Galaxy are 8-15-4 all-time on the road against Colorado, although they did claim their first-ever win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park 1-0 last May 5.

“When you’re playing the prior champion you always want to play a little harder and give a little bit extra,” goalkeeper Josh Saunders said. “But we’re treating this game like we need three points.

“They are the reigning champions, but we need the three points. That’s more important than anything.”

Crew battle RSL to take 2010 Super Cup

RSL reach end of tough opening stretch

Defending champs lick their wounds after Columbus loss

(by Randy Davis 4-25-10 mlssoccer.com)

Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis has referred to the first five games this season
against some of the top competition in the league as a measuring stick of how
strong his club could be this season.

After Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew, the defending champs have to be
concerned what to make of Kreis’ postgame assessment as “very, very
discouraged.”

Real Salt Lake had an opportunity to change the complexion early on in this
match. Álvaro Saborío received a gift from an ill-advised pass-back to goalkeeper Will Hesmer, but he lost his footing on the soggy grass and couldn’t get a shot off at the temporarily open net.

The defending MLS Chp champs can also attribute their rough start to struggling with set pieces. They’ve given up three penalty kicks in just five games -- capped by Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s game-winner on Saturday -- and all but two of the seven goals allowed have come off of free kicks, throw-ins or penalties.

“I’m really disappointed that we’ve given up so many
penalties,” defender Nat Borchers said.

Although Kreis refused to comment on some of the key decisions by referee’s in this one,
Borchers was less tight-lipped.

“There were some very strange calls in the game,” Borchers said. “And some calls that
would raise some eyebrows to most unbiased fans.”

For the second straight match, RSL had to improvise with the lineup. Chris Wingert
and Ned Grabavoy were out for the second match in a row, and Javier Morales and
Robbie Findley both came on in the second half, but weren’t deemed ready for 90
minutes of action. Their insertion in
the second half provided a spark as RSL had been chasing the game, but it was
too little, too late.

“I think it’s most important that we have faith in ourselves and then it helps to have a coaching staff that works with us and reminds that we did it all last year and we had a bad record in the beginning," goalkeeper Nick Rimando said. "Ours isn’t too bad right now – there’s worse out there – so we’re going home for the next three games and if we get nine points out of that, then good, but if not, we’ve still got a long season.”

First-year player Collen Warner received his first MLS start as Kreis looked for help in the midfield among the wounded. The University of Portland star played well in the U.S. Open Cup play-in game against San Jose earlier this month, and was rewarded in last Saturday’s match against the LA Galaxy when he came on in the 64th minute for his first appearance in league play.

Real Salt Lake will play four of their next five games at home, starting next week against Toronto FC.

“We wanted to get more points out of this road stretch,” Borchers mentioned. “But
we know that we’re very good at home.”

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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
QUOTESHEET
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2010

COLUMBUS CREW STADIUM
– COLUMBUS, OH

COLUMBUS CREW 1
: 0 REAL SALT LAKE



REAL SALT LAKE HEAD COACH JASON KREIS

On the officiating:

“Decisions are going against us and whether or not they are the right decisions, there are decisions that are having to be made. I’m hoping that that will shake over the season and that a bounce or two will go our way and that there will be a decision, or maybe two or three or five that will go our way and it will all level out.”



On the Crew’s play:

“I thought they played very well. I think it was the best match they played this season. I watched their first two and by a large way this was their best match of the season.”



On starting Collen Warner over Nelson Gonzalez in midfield:

“Nelson [Gonzalez] has come in and done a job for us for a team that hadn’t gotten results. He came in at the Seattle game and we ended up drawing that game and he starts in the Galaxy game and we lose that game. We have more players that we feel good about than we have positions on the field. It was no knock on Nelson, it was time to give the other kid a chance and I think he did well. I think we have good
options.”

REAL SALT LAKE MIDFIELDER KYLE BECKERMAN

On Real Salt Lake’s confidence in its style of play after winning 2009 MLS Cup:

“We’ve found a style that works for us, and that works in this league, so I think that’s something we want to continue to do; play that style. That’s all we keep doing, is just keep trying to play our style and it really works for us, especially away from home.”

REAL SALT LAKE GOALKEEPER NICK RIMANDO

On RSL’s start to the season:

“I think it’s most important that we have faith in ourselves and then it helps to have a coaching staff that works with us and reminds that we did it all last year and we had a bad record in the beginning. Ours isn’t too bad right now – there’s worse out there – so we’re going home for the next three games and if we get nine points out of that, then good, but if not, we’ve still got a long season.”

COLUMBUS HEAD COACH ROBERT WARZYCHA

On Robbie Rogers:

“I thought Robbie played very well defensively. He was in the right spot and he covered a lot of ground. He was in the right places and I was very happy with his performance.”



On Gino Padula’s injury:

“I don’t have a full medical report, so I don’t know exactly what happened, but I do know it was something in his knee.”



On only having one shot on goal:

“I’ll take it; its three points. I’d rather win a scrappy game and know we’ll get better. Today we had one shot on goal and actually scored and I’m happy about it. “



On Real Salt Lake:

“They’re a good team. They won the championship last year, but the result didn’t fall their way. I’m glad we won today.”

COLUMBUS DEFENDER ANDY IRO

On defending Real
Salt Lake’s attack:

“Salt Lake has everything you could want up top, from size, to speed, to skill; and I think we did a good job on them tonight. Whether it’s me or Chad [Marshall] or Eric
[Brunner], we feel like we’ll win the majority of balls in the air, and the midfield
did a good job of winning second balls and closing their midfielders down.”

COLUMBUS MIDFIELDER ROBBIE ROGERS

On the rainy conditions in tonight’s match:

“I was talking to Steve [Lenhart] before the game and we said ‘Let’s just have fun tonight.’ We were playing in the rain; the weather was perfect, the temperature was perfect and I had a great time. The game was a little chippy, but sometimes those are the best ones.”

COLUMBUS GOALKEEPER WILLIAM HESMER

On withstanding RSL’s late pressure on goal:

“I thought we could have done a little better job of possessing the ball. But at the end of the game you know they’re going to throw everything they have at you and you’re going to have to withstand pressure and fight and battle hard and win some challenges in the box and we did that for the most part.”

Crew take undisputed 2009 Super Cup

Columbus Crew Win 2008 MLS Cup

(by asn staff americansoccernews.net 11-23-08)

Major League Soccer’s newly-crowned MVP was front and center at the league’s showpiece game at Home Depot Center Sunday afternoon, as the Columbus Crew beat the New York Red Bulls to win MLS Cup 2008. The man in question, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, set up all three Columbus goals to win his team its first MLS Cup.

With the victory, Columbus becomes the first Supporters’ Shield winner to capture the elusive ‘double’ since the LA Galaxy in 2002. It is the fifth time in 13 years that the Supporters’ Shield champions have won MLS Cup after DC United (1996, 1997), Kansas City (2000) and the Galaxy six years ago.

Chad Marshall’s winning goal came off a Columbus corner kick just 87 seconds after John Wolyniec had equalized for New York. Previously, Columbus forward Alejandro Moreno opened the scoring in the 31st minute.

Schelotto nearly added to his tally in the 76th minute, shooting the ball off the crossbar. Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero was beaten on the shot, which almost definitely would have decided the game in Columbus’ favor had it gone in.

Instead, the deciding goal came five minutes later. Frankie Hejduk headed it over Cepero to give Columbus a 3-1 lead that stood until the final whistle.

New York dominated the game for much of the first half, particularly the first 30 minutes. But John Wolyniec (13th minute), Dane Richards (22′), Kevin Goldthwaite (18′) and Juan Pablo Angel (29′) were unable to find the net. Moreno’s breakaway goal appeared to take the wind out of the Red Bulls’ sails.

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Super Cup history

There is a constant battle of opinions going on in the world of MLS fans when it comes to should the league be more "American" or more "European."

Those that think the league should resemble those in Europe more are referred to as Euro-snobs. Those that think it should be more "American" are usually reminded that the league used to take a more "American" approach but it failed to capture the interest of a very educated soccer population in this country.

Schedules, playoffs, single table or not, relegation, etc. are always open for discussion. But perhaps the biggest of them all is who is the league's true champion, MLS Cup winner or Supporter Shield winner?

"American" fans will say MLS Cup winner, "Euro-snobs" will say Supporter Shield winner.

I constantly go back and forth because I can see the benefit of both parties' arguments.

So awhile back I floated the idea on BigSoccer that the league should play a Super Cup game pitting the MLS Cup winner against the Supporter Shield winner. I suggested it be the first game of the following year or could even be played in the off season as a charity match to raise money for a worthy cause.

Not too many agreed with me or some thought it was a good idea but that it would never happen because it was gimmicky. I still think it is a good idea.

Anyway, so recently I went back through the leagues schedules to see who would have won the Super Cup had it been contested. To keep it simple I just looked at the first game played between the two teams the following year no matter whose home pitch it was played on.

It was fun and kept me entertained for a few days as I went back through the old schedules and looked for articles about the games.

Here is what I came up with;

1997 - unknown (Tampa Bay won the Supporters Shield, DC United won MLS Cup. I haven't been able to find a schedule that goes that far back to see who won their first game in 1997.)

1998 - DC United undisputed

1999 - unknown (LA won the Supporters Shield, Chicago won MLS Cup. Still looking for a schedule for 1999 season.)

2000 - DC United undisputed

2001 - Kansas City Wizards undisputed

2002 - Not Contested (Miami Fusion won the Supporters Shield, San Jose won MLS Cup. Miami Fusion went out of business in 2002 leaving the Super Cup uncontested.)

2003 - LA Galaxy undisputed

2004 - Chicago Fire (Played San Jose on May 10th in Chicago to a 0 - 0 draw. They met again on May 31st in San Jose and Chicago won 4 - 1.)

2005 - DC United (Played Columbus Crew on May 8th in DC to a 1 - 1 draw. They met again on June 19th in DC again and the Crew were beaten 3 - 1.)

2006 - Not Contested (This game would have been epic. San Jose vs LA, but unfortunately San Jose moved to Houston 2006 due to stadium issues. I chose not look at the first Houston vs LA game of 2006. That wouldn't be fair to the San Jose fans.)

2007 - DC United (Played Houston on April 15th in DC and won 2 - 0.)

2008 - DC United (Played Houston on May 26th in DC and won 2 - 1.)

2009 and beyond look for subsequent posts with photos and articles.

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I also invisioned a big ass trophy that would stand out, black, like some ancient greek pottery that all leagues around the world would envy.



Anyway, it could happen.