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Played
November 20, 2011 9:28 PM EST
The Home Depot Center — Carson, California
Referee:‬ R. Salazar‎
Attendance:‬ 30281‎
 
 

MLS Cup Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy - Houston Dynamo

The Galaxy are heavily favored to take home Major League Soccer's ultimate prize against the Brad Davis-less visitors.

By Seth Vertelney

Will Bruin; Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS
LA Galaxy (4-4-2): Saunders; Franklin, DeLaGarza, Gonzalez, Dunivant; Magee, Juninho, Beckham, Donovan; Keane, Cristman.

INJURY REPORT

OUT: DF Sean Alvarado (R knee surgery); DF Leonardo (R knee surgery); FW Chad Barrett (dislocated foot)

QUESTIONABLE: MF David Beckham (back spasms); DF Gregg Berhalter (R foot sprain); DF Bryan Jordan (L middle finger tendon rupture)

Houston Dynamo (4-4-2): Hall; Hainault, Boswell, Cameron, Taylor; Cruz, Moffat, Carmargo, Ashe; Ching, Carr.

INJURY REPORT

OUT: FW Cam Weaver (R hip); MF Brad Davis (torn quad)

DID YOU KNOW?
  • The Dynamo will be missing their MVP candidate Brad Davis, who went down in the Eastern Conference final with a torn quad
  • The Galaxy will also be without a starter, as forward Chad Barrett dislocated his foot in training last week.
  • The Galaxy have a chance to cap off one of the greatest seasons in MLS history with a win. Their 67 points in the regular season is the second-highest total in league history, and their 0.82 goals conceded per game is third best in league history.
  • The Galaxy have not lost a game at the Home Depot Center all season. The Dynamo did not win a road match until Sept. 24, but have now won four consecutive matches on the road, including playoff games.
  • With all of their stars, it's been the unsung Mike Magee who's been the hero for the Galaxy in the playoffs, as he's scored a goal in all three postseason matches.
  • The Galaxy defeated the Dynamo 1-0 at the Home Depot Center in May. The Dynamo won the reverse fixture in October by a 3-1 score, but the Galaxy fielded an almost entirely second-choice lineup, with the Supporters' Shield having been clinched already.
  • Bruce Arena and Dominic Kinnear are both tied with Sigi Schmid and Frank Yallop for the most MLS Cups won as a coach with two. The winner of this match will earn his third, and will sit alone as the coach with the most MLS Cup victories ever.


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
USA - Major League Soccer ‎(MLS)‎ May 26, 2012 Houston Dynamo 2 - Los Angeles Galaxy 1
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  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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USA - Major League Soccer ‎(MLS)‎ Nov 20, 2011 Los Angeles Galaxy 1 - Houston Dynamo 0
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USA - Major League Soccer ‎(MLS)‎ Oct 23, 2011 Houston Dynamo 3 - Los Angeles Galaxy 1
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USA - Major League Soccer ‎(MLS)‎ May 25, 2011 Los Angeles Galaxy 1 - Houston Dynamo 0
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USA - Major League Soccer ‎(MLS)‎ Jun 5, 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy 4 - Houston Dynamo 1
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Last Five Matches
Team News
Available Squads
12Josh SaundersGoalkeeper
2Todd DunivantDefender
4Omar GonzalezDefender
28Sean FranklinDefender
20A.J. DeLaGarzaDefender
23David BeckhamMidfielder
19JuninhoMidfielder
18Mike MageeMidfielder
10Robbie KeaneStriker
10Landon DonovanStriker
17Adam CristmanStriker
1Donovan RickettsGoalkeeper
16Gregg BerhalterDefender
-Frankie HejdukDefender
-Jovan KirovskiStriker
-Paolo Daniel CardozoMidfielder
33Chris BirchallMidfielder
26Michael StephensMidfielder
1Tally HallGoalkeeper
32Bobby BoswellDefender
31Andre HainaultDefender
4Jermaine TaylorDefender
20Geoff CameronDefender
22Adam MoffatMidfielder
-Luiz Camargo
-Danny CruzMidfielder
26Corey AsheMidfielder
11Brian ChingStriker
3Calen CarrStriker
30Tyler DericGoalkeeper
2Hunter FreemanDefender
-Eddie RobinsonDefender
-Jevaughn WatsonMidfielder
23Colin ClarkMidfielder
12Will BruinStriker
-Carlo CostlyStriker
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Kenny Cooper Kenny Cooper
Striker
NY Red Bulls
11 2
Chris Wondolowski Chris Wondolowski
Striker
San Jose Earthquakes
11 1
Thierry Henry Thierry Henry
Striker
NY Red Bulls
9 0
Saer Sene Saer Sene
Striker
New England
7 1
Maicon Santos Maicon Santos
Striker
D.C. United
7 0