The Los Angeles Galaxy will be meeting the Houston Dynamo in an all AEG MLS Cup Final at the Home Depot Center, thanks to their 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Sunday night. RSL was without Nat Borchers and played a hobbled Jamison Olave, and it was obvious that Olave was not at his best. That, combined with some brilliant play by David Beckham and Robbie Keane led LA to a well-deserved victory in an entertaining match.
Los Angeles Galaxy Vs. Real Salt Lake, 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs: Full Time, LA Going To MLS Cup Final
The opening 20 minutes of the match were a bit dull, but things finally got very interesting in the 23rd minute, when Andy Williams shoved Omar Gonzalez in the box and gave away a penalty. Landon Donovan converted to put LA up, but it only took two minutes for Alvaro Saborio to equalize for RSL. The first half ended with a flurry of chances, as both Keane and Kyle Beckerman hit posts, but the two teams went into the locker room tied 1-1.
LA were the much better team in the second half, and clinched the victory in just over 20 more minutes of play. Mike Magee scored the eventual game-winner in the 58th minute, heading in a David Beckham cross, while Keane beat Olave in a one-on-one counter attack battle to seal the deal in the 68th. RSL pushed forward and tried to get back into the game, but ultimately couldn't find a way back in and was sent out of the playoffs by the winners of the regular season.
For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.
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