MLS Cup LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo

acalmenvoy

Anyone watching?

LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo

The Galaxy, with midfielder David Beckham playing his final competitive game in an MLS uniform, is going for a second consecutive league title, something only one other team has accomplished in the last 15 years. That team is the Houston Dynamo, the team the Galaxy will face today.

The two met in last year’s MLS Cup final on the same field, with the Galaxy winning, 1-0.

Neither team unveiled much in the way of surprises in their starting lineups, with the most noteworthy move being Coach Bruce Arena’s decision to push midfielder Landon Donovan up front for the Galaxy, pairing him at forward with Robbie Keane.

Keane has five goals in his last three games, two more than the rest of the team has scored over that span. Donovan, meanwhile, is playing in his record sixth Cup final and going for a record fifth title as well.

Backing those two in the midfield are the 37-year-old Beckham, Juninho, Mike Magee and Christian Wilhelmsson.

The Galaxy’s backline is unchanged with veterans Todd Dunivant and Sean Franklin on the wings and Omar Gonzalez paired with rookie Tommy Meyer in the center.

Josh Saunders is in goal.

For Houston, Will Bruin will start at forward alongside Calen Carr. Bruin is the team’s leading scorer with 12 regular-season goals and a franchise-record four more in five playoff games, while Carr is returning to the lineup for the first time since sustaining an injury in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Sporting Kansas City.

Ricardo Clark, Adam Moffat, mid-season addition Oscar Boniek Garcia of Honduras and Brad Davis are the Dynamo midfielders. Davis is the big key in midfielder, with his 28 assists over the last two seasons -- not counting three in the playoffs -- leading the league.

Jermaine Taylor, Bobby Boswell, Corey Ashe and Kofi Sarkodie are on the backline in front of keeper Tally Hall, who has given up multiple goals only once in his last 12 games.

Stevecw

Yep LA were all over them at the start...Donovan missed a sitter. Last 10 it has been mainly Houston. Decent game so far tho

acalmenvoy

Stevecw wrote: »

Yep LA were all over them at the start...Donovan missed a sitter. Last 10 it has been mainly Houston. Decent game so far tho

Just you and me so...:D, this is one bad game, no wonder the Yanks don't take to football (soccaarrr!)

acalmenvoy

1-0 Heuston, Carr :eek:

Stevecw

LA 1 down, 1 good run and yer man stuck it away well.

Stevecw

Goalscorer looks fecked, he's off

Stevecw

Yes 1-1 !

ollie1

Keane has two goals disallowed :pac:

Stevecw

2-1 for LA, donovan with the peno...well deserved

born2bwild

Not mad about Robbie's new haircut

Stevecw

Giles Barnes, jaysus this where he washed up in the end

Corholio

Christ, Giles Barnes has fallen a long way. Was once fairly sought after when he was younger.

Stevecw

Good effort by Robbie there

theteal

Keane did the hard bit there, bottom right was wide open

Mr.Crinklewood

theteal wrote: »

Keane did the hard bit there, bottom right was wide open

Did will to create the chance, but should have scored.

theteal

oooooh could it be a last minute beckham special??????

edit: nope

Corholio

It's still a very poor standard of football, whatever about Beckham improving the look of the league, the matches are still mostly shocking.

kmart6

Good man Robbie

Stevecw

Robbie wins & scores the peno to make it 3-1

theteal

get off the pitch, hugging people, its not a testimonial

born2bwild

Doesn't seem like a real football match - it's like they're shooting a movie about sawcer.

Really weird - a long way from the 'la to the LA, eh Robbie?

FlawedGenius

Robbie was excellent. Poor enough level but still by far our best striker.

Mr.Nice Guy

I thought it was a good final. Keano played very well. Nice to see him score the final goal too as he has been L.A.'s best player, even though the US media like to harp on about Beckham and Donovan. I'd be surprised if there aren't a few Premiership clubs having a look at him for a loan move. I could see 'Arry trying to woo him back to London.

Xavi6

"David Beckham poses with an unidentified fan after LA Galaxy's MLS Cup win" :pac:

Seaneh

FlawedGenius wrote: »

Robbie was excellent. Poor enough level but still by far our best striker.