|
|
Analysis Dramatic overtime gives Los Angeles another 1-0 MLS Cup final victory over Revolution.By Robert Wagman
(Sunday, November 13, 2005) -- For the second time in the last four MLS Cups, the Los Angeles Galaxy used an overtime goal to defeat the New England Revolution 1-0 this afternoon in the Major League Soccer championship match at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Tex. Galaxy substitute Guillermo Ramirez's first-touch blast of a rebound when Revolution keeper Matt Reis could not cleanly punch out a corner kick in the 107th minute was the difference. The irony was that Ramirez had been benched during the season because he could not find a scoring touch. The difference between 2002 and today was three years ago, Carlos Ruiz's goal in a second overtime was golden and the Galaxy had won. Today, the procedure was changed so the two 15-minute extra periods were mandatory and Los Angeles had to protect its lead for more than 14 minutes. Twice, reserve striker Jose Cancela nearly scored for the Revolution in overtime. His blast in the seventh minute of the first overtime session was targeted for the top corner, but goalkeeper Kevin Hartman pushed it over the end line. After the Revs trailed 1-0, Cancela's hard shot from an angle was headed off the goal-line by Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu in the dying minutes. Professional championship games, regardless of the sport, often prove anticlimactic, failing to measure up to the hype. This had been the case with perhaps half or so of the previous nine MLS Cups. Today's final did not live up to its billing until the last 10 minutes of regulation and the 30 minutes of overtime. For long periods, neither team could take control or, when they did, they had little to show for it. The end of the match, however, was as exciting as could be hoped for in a championship encounter. The match started out quickly with end-to end-action. Then, in about the 20th minute, when both teams settled in, things slowed down noticeably. Last week, in the Eastern Conference final, New England managed to defeat the Chicago Fire 1-0, but only managed a single shot on the Fire goal for the entire match. Today, New England was not much better during regulation as its midfield could not give its potent front line much service, resulting in few clear chances. The Galaxy front line of Landon Donovan and Herculez Gomez was a threat early with Gomez netting a goal that was called offside. But, as the match progressed, Donovan was much less in evidence and, although Los Angeles looked to be the superior team, it could not get on the scoreboard until Ramirez's shot early in the second overtime. It was a physical match and one played without a lot of skill, at times. Referee Kevin Stott handed out an MLS Cup record 10 cautions -- five to each side -- and called 51 fouls, 27 against the Galaxy. Stott showed great restraint late in the match or else both teams would have had players sent off with second yellows. Quite often, the labyrinth MLS playoff scheme does not yield the best two teams in the final, but this year's MLS Cup was different. New England was clearly been the class of the Eastern Division from the start of the season and Los Angeles, despite finishing fourth in the West, was clearly the best in its division since winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in September. Today, New England could not get its vaunted high-scoring offense into gear and the result was the Galaxy claimed its second MLS crown. Player ratings Los Angeles Galaxy Starters Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman - 5.5: Only called on twice for saves, but made one good stop and managed his area well. Defender Chris Albright - 6.5 The best of the Galaxy backs. Played solid defense and pushed the ball forward on attack often. Defender Ugo Ihemelu - 6: Played well in the middle and preserved the victory by heading a ball off the goal-line line late in the second overtime period. Defender Tyrone Marshall - 5.5: Matched the Revolution foul for foul. Was a physical presence in the middle. Defender Todd Dunivant- 5.5: Had a sound match on the outside, not conceding much to Revs attackers. Midfielder Cobi Jones - 6: The veteran certainly did not show his age as he effectively pushed forward throughout the match. Midfielder Peter Vagenas - 5.5: Had a defensive role and was effective in blocking passing lanes and holding off Revolution midfielders. Midfielder Paulo Nagamura - 5.5: A solid, mainly defensive effort. Did very well to control Clint Dempsey and Pat Noonan. Midfielder Ned Grabavoy - 5: Did not make much of an impression. Came off early. Forward Landon Donovan - 5.5: Another of his on-again, off-again matches. Was a major threat at times, at others seemed to disappear. Forward Herculez Gomez -- 6 The most consistent Galaxy threat, especially in the first half. Offside by inches on a disallowed goal and had several other good chances. Reserves Midfielder Guillermo Ramirez (66th minute for Grabavoy) - 6.5: The best player from the middle of the second half on. Scored the winner and had two other good chances. Midfielder Ednaldo da Conceicao (111th minute for Jones) - 5.5: Helped kill off the match. Forward Alan Gordon (112th minute for Gomez) - 5: A short, but helpful appearance. New England Revolution Starters Goalkeeper Matt Reis - 5.5: By far, the busier of the two keepers. Made several good saves, but should have done better on the late corner kick that led to the winning goal. Defender Jay Heaps - 5.5: Not artistic, but got the job done more times than not with a physical effort. Defender Michael Parkhurst - 5.5: At times, played like a rookie, giving away several good chances. But cleared a Galaxy shot off his goal-line in the overtime with a terrific, individual effort. Defender Joe Franchino - 5.5: Had a lot of trouble with Gomez and Donovan, but held up well otherwise. Midfielder James Riley - 5: He had a few quality moments but, on balance, did not produce a strong performance. Midfielder Daniel Hernandez - 5: Not very effective. Could not put balls into dangerous position for his forwards. Midfielder Shalrie Joseph - 6: The only consistent player in the Revolution midfield. Gave it everything he had, but came up short. Midfielder Clint Dempsey - 5: Never a threat. Midfielder Steve Ralston - 5.5: Pushed hard on the wing, but got very little support and had a generally poor day crossing the ball, normally his strong point. Forward Pat Noonan - 5: A frustrating day. Could not do much with poor service and came out early. Forward Taylor Twellman - 5.5: Worked about as hard as he could with little result. Could not get off the shot the Revs needed. Reserves Midfielder Jose Cancela (66th minute for Noonan) - 6: Was the best Revs player after entering the match. Was quite unlucky when his attempt to tie late in overtime was cleared off the line by a defender. Midfielder Andy Dorman (91st minute for Hernandez) - 5: Made little impression in the overtime, although his fresh legs did help some. Midfielder Ryan Latham (112th minute for Riley) - 5: Had little impact on the final minutes. Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman. |
