Published: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Los Angeles Galaxy headed to MLS Cup after 2-0 win over Houston Dynamo
CARSON, Calif. — Gregg Berhalter and Landon Donovan scored in overtime to put the Los Angeles Galaxy into MLS Cup final with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Friday night.
The Galaxy will play in its first MLS Cup final since 2005 on Nov. 22 in Seattle against the winner of Saturday’s Eastern Conference final match between Chicago and Real Salt Lake.
Los Angeles will make its sixth MLS Cup final appearance since the league began in 1996. The Galaxy won championships in 2002 and 2005.
David Beckham’s free kick set up Berhalter’s goal in the 102nd minute. The Dynamo’s Eddie Robinson tried to clear Omar Gonzalez’s header off Beckham’s free kick but Berhalter poked the ball into the net from 7 yards.
Donovan converted a penalty kick in the 109th minute to set the MLS record for career playoff scoring with 17 goals.
Houston’s Ricardo Clark tripped Alan Gordon in the penalty area. After goalkeeper Pat Onstad dove to his left, Donovan scored his third goal in this year’s playoffs.
The Dynamo’s Brian Ching had the best chance to score during regulation. He headed a 7-yard line drive off Brian Mullan’s right-wing cross but goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts used his right hand to deflect the ball off the crossbar.
Houston’s Andrew Hainault scored on a header off Brad Davis’s ensuing corner kick in the 80th minute but Luis Angel Landin’s foul before Hainault’s shot nullified the goal.
Play was suspended twice after the stadium lights went out because of power dips, a release from the Home Depot Center said. The game was stopped for a 18 minutes in each half.
The Dynamo’s Wade Barrett made his first appearance since Aug. 30 when he started for Mike Chabala at left back. Chabala was suspended for receiving yellow cards in each of the two conference semifinal games against Seattle.
The Galaxy will play in its first MLS Cup final since 2005 on Nov. 22 in Seattle against the winner of Saturday’s Eastern Conference final match between Chicago and Real Salt Lake.
Los Angeles will make its sixth MLS Cup final appearance since the league began in 1996. The Galaxy won championships in 2002 and 2005.
David Beckham’s free kick set up Berhalter’s goal in the 102nd minute. The Dynamo’s Eddie Robinson tried to clear Omar Gonzalez’s header off Beckham’s free kick but Berhalter poked the ball into the net from 7 yards.
Donovan converted a penalty kick in the 109th minute to set the MLS record for career playoff scoring with 17 goals.
Houston’s Ricardo Clark tripped Alan Gordon in the penalty area. After goalkeeper Pat Onstad dove to his left, Donovan scored his third goal in this year’s playoffs.
The Dynamo’s Brian Ching had the best chance to score during regulation. He headed a 7-yard line drive off Brian Mullan’s right-wing cross but goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts used his right hand to deflect the ball off the crossbar.
Houston’s Andrew Hainault scored on a header off Brad Davis’s ensuing corner kick in the 80th minute but Luis Angel Landin’s foul before Hainault’s shot nullified the goal.
Play was suspended twice after the stadium lights went out because of power dips, a release from the Home Depot Center said. The game was stopped for a 18 minutes in each half.
The Dynamo’s Wade Barrett made his first appearance since Aug. 30 when he started for Mike Chabala at left back. Chabala was suspended for receiving yellow cards in each of the two conference semifinal games against Seattle.
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