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Played
November 21, 2011 2:28 AM GMT
The Home Depot Center — Carson, California
Referee: R. Salazar
Attendance: 30281
November 21, 2011 2:28 AM GMT
The Home Depot Center — Carson, California
Referee: R. Salazar
Attendance: 30281
71′
Landon Donovan
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| Los Angeles Galaxy | 1.62 | 1.01 | 1.57 | 1.02 | 1.60 | 1.65 | 1.57 | 1.66 | 1.60 |
| Draw | 3.60 | 10.00 | 3.50 | 15.00 | 3.75 | 3.40 | 3.70 | 3.60 | 3.50 |
| Houston Dynamo | 5.00 | 126.00 | 6.25 | 71.00 | 5.75 | 5.50 | 6.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 |
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
Flop of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Tally Hall
Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating LA Galaxy 1-0 Houston Dynamo: Landon Donovan scores lone goal to give Bruce Arena's side third MLS Cup
The home side controlled the game from the beginning and eventually found the back of the net late in the second half thanks to their three star players
By Mike Slane
Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Houston Dynamo 1-0 at the Home Depot Center to win the 2011 MLS Cup after their three designated players - David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan - were all involved in the game's only goal, which was finished off by the USA international.
The Galaxy capped off a fantastic regular season that saw the team pick up a league-leading 67 points by winning their third title in front of a packed house at their home ground.
Donovan was awarded the MLS Cup final MVP after scoring in the 72nd minute on a play that was set up by both Beckham and Keane.
It was a fitting ending to what could have been Donovan's final game playing alongside Beckham, whose historic five-year deal with the Galaxy is now over. And Donovan had nothing but praise for his longtime team-mate while accepting his MVP award.
"He pulled his hamstring earlier in the week and was basically playing on one leg tonight," Donovan said. "He put in a warrior-like effort and I'm real honoured to play next to him."
Beckham now has won titles in three different nations - England, Spain and now the United States. He was, however, unclear about a potential return to the MLS after the game.
Nearly 16 minutes later, the Galaxy duo was at it again. This time, Beckham placed a cross to Cristman, who snuck past the defence but watched his header rise above the bar.
The Galaxy continued to put the pressure on the Dynamo in the closing stages of the first half, leaving Houston with no real scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes. And Los Angeles would pick up right where it left off after half-time.
Just three minutes after the break, Keane beat the offside trap to latch onto a deflected long pass and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Tally Hall. Slightly off balance, the Irish international skipped the ball just inches wide of the far post in yet another golden opportunity for the hosts.
Moments later, it appeared as though Keane had finally broken the deadlock when he put a strike through Hall's legs into the net. But as the fans were celebrating, the referee held up the offside flag on a controversial offside call. Replays, however, suggested that he was indeed level with the defender when Beckham delivered the ball.
But the Galaxy would eventually get their goal in the 72nd minute thanks to their three most expensive players. Coming down the left side of the pitch, Beckham tapped the ball to Keane, who then touched it to Donovan to apply the finish with a right-footed shot.
Beckham nearly completed the ideal ending to what could have been his final MLS game when his free kick from just outside the box was saved by Hall in the closing seconds.
The Dynamo did not have a chance from the beginning as they were without league MVP finalist Brad Davis, who went down in the Eastern Conference final with a torn quad. Davis was replaced in the midfield by left back Corey Ashe and Jermaine Taylor filled in at the defensive spot, but neither player excelled.
For the Galaxy, the win marked head coach Bruce Arena's record-setting third triumph in the league's championship after leading his squad to a perfect record at home during the regular season and play-offs, including a 1-0 victory over Houston back in May.
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The Galaxy capped off a fantastic regular season that saw the team pick up a league-leading 67 points by winning their third title in front of a packed house at their home ground.
Donovan was awarded the MLS Cup final MVP after scoring in the 72nd minute on a play that was set up by both Beckham and Keane.
It was a fitting ending to what could have been Donovan's final game playing alongside Beckham, whose historic five-year deal with the Galaxy is now over. And Donovan had nothing but praise for his longtime team-mate while accepting his MVP award.
"He pulled his hamstring earlier in the week and was basically playing on one leg tonight," Donovan said. "He put in a warrior-like effort and I'm real honoured to play next to him."
Beckham now has won titles in three different nations - England, Spain and now the United States. He was, however, unclear about a potential return to the MLS after the game.
Golden boy | Beckham celebrates Donovan's eventual winner
The Galaxy were in the driver's seat early on and Beckham nearly set up the first goal of the game off a corner kick in the 11th minute, but Adam Cristman's header from point-blank range sailed over the crossbar despite being unmarked right in front of the goal.Nearly 16 minutes later, the Galaxy duo was at it again. This time, Beckham placed a cross to Cristman, who snuck past the defence but watched his header rise above the bar.
The Galaxy continued to put the pressure on the Dynamo in the closing stages of the first half, leaving Houston with no real scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes. And Los Angeles would pick up right where it left off after half-time.
Just three minutes after the break, Keane beat the offside trap to latch onto a deflected long pass and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Tally Hall. Slightly off balance, the Irish international skipped the ball just inches wide of the far post in yet another golden opportunity for the hosts.
Moments later, it appeared as though Keane had finally broken the deadlock when he put a strike through Hall's legs into the net. But as the fans were celebrating, the referee held up the offside flag on a controversial offside call. Replays, however, suggested that he was indeed level with the defender when Beckham delivered the ball.
But the Galaxy would eventually get their goal in the 72nd minute thanks to their three most expensive players. Coming down the left side of the pitch, Beckham tapped the ball to Keane, who then touched it to Donovan to apply the finish with a right-footed shot.
Beckham nearly completed the ideal ending to what could have been his final MLS game when his free kick from just outside the box was saved by Hall in the closing seconds.
The Dynamo did not have a chance from the beginning as they were without league MVP finalist Brad Davis, who went down in the Eastern Conference final with a torn quad. Davis was replaced in the midfield by left back Corey Ashe and Jermaine Taylor filled in at the defensive spot, but neither player excelled.
For the Galaxy, the win marked head coach Bruce Arena's record-setting third triumph in the league's championship after leading his squad to a perfect record at home during the regular season and play-offs, including a 1-0 victory over Houston back in May.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In GMT
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Kenny Cooper
Striker New York Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
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Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
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Thierry Henry
Striker New York Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
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Saer Sene
Striker New England Revolution |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |
