Just as a few months ago in the MLS Cup Final, the Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution played to a 1-0 result. But unlike the last time the two met, on this occasion the Revolution claimed victory thanks to a Clint Dempsey goal in the first half against the run of play.
The match began with a wave of emotions. Prior to kickoff, the Galaxy remembered Doug Hamilton, the Galaxy president and general manager who passed away of a heart attack just a few short weeks ago. Immediately following a video memorial and a moment of silence, the Galaxy were presented with their championship rings from last November's 1-0 MLS Cup victory against New England.
The ceremony was highlighted by a fireworks display and the pyrotechnics ignited the home side, as the Galaxy dominated the opening quarter-hour of the match, generating virtually every scoring chance early on.
The first Galaxy threat came after just 30 seconds when Cobi Jones found Landon Donovan with a scooped pass over the heads of the Revolution defense. Donovan used his speed to get in behind the back line, but his first touch was a little too heavy and Matt Reis came off his line to collect the loose ball for the Revs.
Donovan caused headaches again minutes later, earning a free kick at the top of the penalty area. Herculez Gomez eventually was the man to take the shot, and while his effort found its way through traffic, Reis again was equal to the task.
The Galaxy continued to keep the Revolution 'keeper busy and in the ninth minute, it was Donovan feeding Gomez. Gomez ran onto Donovan's through ball and fired first time from just inside the box, forcing yet another save from Reis.
The game settled down in midfield for a brief spell, and New England managed to work its way forward. In the 28th minute, an apparent goal by Clint Dempsey was disallowed when the referee determined that Taylor Twellman had interfered with Galaxy 'keeper Kevin Hartman, who was trying to make the save as the ball looped just under the crossbar.
The Galaxy tried to take advantage, and minutes later, Chris Albright streaked up the right side and sent a dangerous cross into the middle. Albright's cross bounced inside the six, but it was just out of the reach of Jones, who could only stab at the ball and send his shot over the bar.
Against the run of play, the Revolution took the lead in the 33rd minute. New England won a free kick, and from just outside the left edge of the box, Andy Dorman sent a driven cross inside the Galaxy penalty area. Dempsey was the first to get to the cross as he eluded his marker and sent a powerful header into the back of the net.
Dempsey nearly doubled his total moments later. He started off on a long run deep in midfield, beat defender Nate Sturgis off the dribble and then from an angle hit a low, powerful shot on frame. But Hartman made the save look routine, getting down quick and leaving no rebound.
The second half started more evenly than the first. Just two minutes into the second half, Joey Franchino raced in on Hartman. The Revolution captain tried to chest down a pass and inadvertently directed his first touch on frame, and only a quick reaction save from Hartman kept the Galaxy within one goal.
What had been a caution free first half quickly turned. Early yellow cards to Ugo Ihemelu of the Galaxy and Daniel Hernandez of the Revolution set the tone for a more physical second half.
Both sides struggled to create any real scoring chances until the Galaxy attack finally showed signs of life in the 63rd minute, when Chris Albright let loose down the right flank and sent a driven cross into the area. Jones managed to get a head to the cross but the ball was a little behind him and he couldn't direct his header on target.
As the half wore on, the Revolution seemed content to drop players behind the ball and defend, making scoring chances for the home side that much more difficult to come by.
A flurry in front of the Revolution net in the 78th minute led to a quality scoring chance when a weak clearance fell to the foot of second-half substitute Naldo da Conceicao. However, the Brazilian's shot never made it to goal as it was blocked by the defense.
That effort was the last real scoring chance the Galaxy produced on the night. In a game where the Galaxy opened strong, it was the Revolution that claimed victory on the night with a goal against the first half run of play.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
