MLS Cup 2001

San Jose, Galaxy meet to settle California pride, league title.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Saturday, October 20, 2001) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes didn't get to properly determine the Major League Soccer Western Division title during the regular season, but the league's two California representatives will be able to settle bragging rights tomorrow at MLS Cup 2001.

The Galaxy (14-7-5, 47 points) and San Jose (13-7-6, 45) were scheduled to close the MLS season with a home-and-home series which wound up canceled because of the terrorist attacks of September 11. The Earthquakes won the first two meetings of 2001.

"Both teams were really looking forward to play those last two regular season games of the season and go after that Western Division," said San Jose's Frank Yallop who was named "Coach of the Year" in his rookie season on the bench. "We both enjoy playing each other and it's going to be a wonderful final. It'll be good."

Sunday's 12:30 p.m. (ET) title contest at Columbus Crew Stadium will be telecast by ABC with ESPN2 as a backup should world events preempt the ABC broadcast.

The improbable final pits the Galaxy, making its third appearance in the championship game -- having lost the crown to D.C. United in 1996 and 1999 -- against the Earthquakes who missed the playoffs the last four seasons and finished 2000 with the league's worst record.

The Galaxy has plenty of firepower and enters the final as the favorite, no upset considering San Jose has been surprising people all year.

Midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, a L.A. member since the league's outset in 1996, runs the show with Cobi Jones attacking from the midfield and Luis Hernandez and Sasha Victorine striking. Defender Ezra Hendrickson has made it a habit of providing key goals and assists.

"When you look at the goals that have resulted in those semifinal games, they are good goals and some good chances being created," Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. "San Jose is a very good attacking team. We're a team that can deal with that and play along the same lines."

Los Angeles is hoping to achieve the first triple in U.S. history. Already the winner of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, which is for the region of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, the Galaxy will follow its MLS Cup appearance by playing the following weekend against the New England Revolution for the U.S. Open Cup crown.

Winning the Champions Cup qualified the Galaxy for the World Club Championship, a tournament that was eventually canceled leaving L.A. with virtually a month off in the midst of its MLS season. I'm extremely proud of our team and we've overcome a lot more adversity than some people have talked about but whatever has been thrown at us this year, we've been able to deal with and continue forward," Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. "I'm very proud of our players, especially the guys who are making their third appearance in six years in MLS Cup."

The Earthquakes also boast plenty of attack, but perhaps the key to the teams success has been its improved defense, led by "Defender of the Year," Jeff Agoos, who was acquired from D.C. United, where he played in four MLS Cups, and "Comeback Player of the Year" Troy Dayak, who over came a career threatening neck injury and two-year absence with 15 months of rehabilitation. Joe Cannon was outstanding in goal, conceding two goals in the five playoff games.

Then, of course, there was the acquisition of teen-aged forward Landon Donovan, from Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, to join holdover midfielder Ronald Cerritos and striker Manuel Lagos. Donovan found net twice in his only outing against the Galaxy.

Donovan has four goals in five playoff outings. Victorine leads the Galaxy with three goals in six postseason matches.

"I think with it being a final, there is obviously going to be a high level of intensity and you're going to see some aggression on both teams," Jones said. "But both teams like to play as well and I think you're going to see some quality soccer out there and I don't think fans are going to be disappointed at all."