The Los Angeles Galaxy defeat the New England Revolution in extra time to win the 2014 MLS Cup.
The Los Angeles Galaxy and the New England Revolution squared off Sunday in the Major League Soccer Cup final. It pits two United States men’s national team staples against one another in Landon Donovan for the Galaxy and Jermaine Jones of the Revolution.
The real story line coming into the game surrounded Landon Donovan, who previously announced he’d be retiring from soccer.
Despite the build up and anticipation to the game, the MLS Cup got off to a sloppy start from both teams with less than beautiful play coming from either squad. A 0-0 draw was carried into the break and changes were expected from both teams.
Early in the second half the Galaxy were the first on the board and seemed to take control of the driver’s seat. Gyazi Zardes chested down a beautiful cross, then brought it from his right foot to his left foot around a defender in the box to get a goal and the lead.
The Los Angeles Galaxy, while seemingly in control, began to unravel with a lot of the blame being directed towards Robbie Keane, who also earned the ire of Landon Donovan a couple times on the pitch. Keane was carrying the ball into the box and had an open Donovan available in the box but chose to shoot himself instead of passing, resulting in wasted opportunity. Later, Donovan played a ball around a defender intended to himself but Keane grabbed it and was called for the offsides. At that point, Donovan seemed to yell at Keane. Moments later, the Revolution got a game-tying goal from Chris Tierney.
That goal brought a new energy and life to the revolution team who seemed defeated earlier. Teal Bunbury nearly scored a goal on a chip towards the back top corner of the goal but was denied by the cross bar.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw that forced overtime.
In the second period of extra time, Keane was able to correct his earlier missteps by scoring the go-ahead goal. It came off a beautiful long through ball from Marcelo Sarvas, which Keane brought down inside the box and put past the keeper.
The Galaxy were able to hold on to get the win, giving Donovan his sixth MLS title in his final game. It also came in the team’s home stadium.
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