They say everyone loves a longshot. But what about fans of the team the longshots beat? Are they supposed to love the lovable losers who suddenly win? And what happens when, on the rarest of occasions, two longshots make it all the way to the championship game to play each other?
We’ll get those answers Sunday when the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake contest the MLS Cup in Seattle. Neither team, by prognostication, should be playing for the top prize in American professional soccer. But if predictions were directions, L.A. and Salt Lake got lost along the way.
Sunday’s final airs in prime time on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. Here, for your viewing pleasure, an MLS Cup primer:
How long a longshot?
The Galaxy, which finished atop the Western Conference standings this season at 12-6-12 with 48 points, ended the 2008 season tied for the worst record in all of MLS. In one year, L.A. had a six-game, 15-point turnaround. Salt Lake, too, defied expectation. With a losing record (11-12-7), Real just sneaked into the playoffs, care of a 3-0 drubbing of the Rapids that basically knocked out Colorado.
Book ’em, Beckham.
When David Beckham returned to the Galaxy in July after a loan to AC Milan, L.A. fans actually booed their star player because of his European absence. But Beckham, who finally took to the U.S. game with his best stateside effort to date this season, is back in their good graces.
Oh, Donovan.
Beckham will get face time on camera, sure. But it’s Landon Donovan who leads the Galaxy. The star forward on Thursday was named MLS MVP after his 12 goals and six assists led L.A. during the regular season. He scored twice in a first-round series over Chivas USA and his overtime goal against Houston helped win a conference final playoff.
Best in the West?
What gives with two Western Conference teams meeting in the championship game? The MLS has a playoff system that awards wild-card spots to teams with the best records, despite what conference they’re in. This season, five Western teams and three Eastern teams made the playoffs. In the future, watch for MLS to consider a league-wide table without conferences.
History lives.
If Sunday’s game is anything like the first L.A.-Salt Lake matchup this season, there will be action galore. On May 6, the teams combined for three goals — in stoppage time. Donovan’s goal in the 91st tied the game for L.A., then Will Johnson gave Real the lead a minute later. Then Mike Magee’s strike in the 94th saved a 3-3 finish.
MLS Cup
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
At Qwest Field in Seattle, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
