Postgame Celebration

After a four year hiatus, the LA Galaxy is back in MLS Cup.

If you're into watching athletes celebrate with champagne bottles, skip to the 3:46-minute mark in the video below.

Enjoy...



MLS Cup 2009 is next Sunday, Nov. 22, at Qwest Field in Seattle (5:30 p.m. on ESPN and Galavision). The Galaxy will take on Real Salt Lake, who advance with a 5-4 win over Chicago in penalty kick in the Eastern Conference Championship on Saturday night.

Saying It All

The saying goes that a picture says a thousand words, but only six words are needed to describe the photo above and they are...

Players React to Western Conference Championship Win

The champagne was flowing in the Galaxy locker room, but we were able to pull a few of the guys away to answer some questions about tonight's game.

Here is what they had to say.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA
On the match:
We came out on top tonight against a great team. I thought we played extremely well in the first half, and in segments of the second half, Houston took the game to us. [Donovan] Ricketts made great saves, and [Pat] Onstad came out with a bunch of great saves for Houston throughout the game. We beat a great team and a classy team. I think the world of Dominic [Kinnear], he does a great job with his team, and all fairness to them, I think the extra 30 minutes they had to play on Sunday really depleted their tanks. Obviously, when we got to overtime, I felt very comfortable that our team would find a way to get a goal. It was a game that could’ve gone either way. Let’s be fair about that. They had their chances, we had ours. I give our guys a lot of credits. Our concentration was great. Our center backs were terrific tonight with three forwards that were a handful. What can you say these games – a play or two makes the difference. We were the team that was fortunate to capitalize on our opportunities.

On being crown Western Conference Champions:
I don’t want to end it here. We have to win another game. I think can celebrate the next 12 hours or so, 24 hours, but then we have to get back to business and trying to win the MLS Cup. But, I am really happy for our players. They really came together this year to be a good team. I think a bunch of you know what we looked like the beginning of the year. It was going to take a little time and patience, with the leadership of Landon [Donovan] and David [Beckham] our second half of the season has been terrific. These games aren’t easy. You look back, and there were a couple of plays here and there during the year that made the difference. The home field advantage for the Western Conference Championship was huge. Give our guys a lot of credits, they played very well over the last two months or so.

LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER EDDIE LEWIS
On the match:
Certainly both teams had their chances to win and looked a little bit nervy at times but at the same time you never knew which way it was going to go. I think tactically we gambled a little bit holding on with a few guys but in the end it paid off and certainly we were the stronger team.

On the lights going out:
He tried to keep everybody going obviously, but in all honesty it was difficult. As we sort of talked about it, it was probably quietly welcomed—at least the first one. Once the second one went you know it is always a little bit awkward and certainly the first few minutes coming back after something like that you want to make sure there is not somebody that is not really quite out there yet or half asleep and it can cost you a goal so we were a little bit concerned with the starts after the break but certainly I thought we handled things well. The guys got in good situations tonight.

LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER DAVID BECKHAM
On winning:
You know we still haven’t won anything we want to win next week. Reaching it was the biggest thing we’ve done that, we’ve done that with the hard work and the togetherness that I have spoken about for some time and this team deserves it.

On making MLS Cup:
The important part for us is a franchise and to reach the playoffs. Once we reached the playoffs—anything could happen. And, we’ve proved that. We’ve worked hard and we rode our luck along the way. You have to have a certain amount of luck in any sport. We’re in this position because we’ve worked hard, and whatever’s been going on around the team and around the club—it’s been brought into the locker room—which is the important part.

Los Angeles Galaxy Defender Omar Gonzalez
On the first goal:
I was just ready to put my body on the line, I just had to get my head on it. I haven’t gotten to many headers all year, but time was winding down and I just wanted to get my head on it and it just happened to fall off a Dynamo player and Gregg [Berhalter] was there to finish it up. Beckham put a great ball in there.

On his rookie season:
This was just a dream come true season. Winning the MLS Cup will just make us better. Playing every single game, playing with these players has been just tremendous for me it has definitely helped me grow. I am just happy to be here.

On playing through the two stoppages:
Stopping twice for fifteen minutes was really tough. It takes you out of the game a little bit but you just have to be on your game. Just being able to focus and just fight through that. You body cools down and you just have to get yourself back in the game.

LA Galaxy Defender Gregg Berhalter
On his goal:
Obviously Jovan [Kirovski] looked like he has going to hit it back I just went to the ball and fortunately got in a good position to put it in. It was fun it was an important goal and goals like that are great.

On lights going out:
It’s tough. It’s tough to stop the game it makes it hard to get back into the game but to both teams credit we did that, putting the effort and I think it was a good performance by both teams.

On the team’s performance this year against the Dynamo:
We just stayed together, we stayed focused on what we wanted to do and every time we played them it was an important game and we’re really proud of that. The first time, we were coming off two losses and we really needed a win. The second time was for Western Conference basically first seed so we had a lot of importance. And this obviously was for the Western Conference Championship, so I think we were really focused on the game. This is what you want. It is a lot of hard work and it’s been a long season but it’s rewarding too.

LA Galaxy Forward Landon Donovan
On the game:
Give Houston a lot of credit. At the end of the day we knew that we had to make a play in order to win the game and we did.

On the team’s improvement from last season:
Anything is possible. It hasn’t been easy, it has been a lot of hard work but I think that we deserved it.

On the team:
Houston deserves a lot of credit too, but the reality is that this is a real team you don’t win a soccer game with one player, two players or three players you win a soccer game with 11, 14, 18, 22 or 24 guys through out the year and that is what have been.

On dealing with all the delays:
It makes it interesting. It is a little bit weird but I was really impressed how our guys dealt with it. A lot of times it can be really frustrating but we got on with it and it was what it was.

HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the team’s performance:
We just had bad decisions on the ball. We could have taken another touch, keep possession of the ball because it’s a big field, there are a lot of gaps out there, but I think sometimes we were just trying to get the ball forward too fast.

On the Dynamo players:
I’m proud of the guys the way they played. A great group of guys that could have asked to go above and beyond like a lot of teams do in this league, and they came through. Some young guys have made some good season and great strives, and all the veterans are consistent. So in the end when you don’t win, you kind of come out empty.

HOUSTON DYNAMO MIDFIELDER RICARDO CLARK
On the game:
I think it was unlucky, we couldn’t finish our chances. I thought we had the better chances, we had one header in the crossbar, and we had a goal that was called badly. So, it was tough. I think the officiating kind of let us down tonight, but at the end of the day, there is nothing you can do about it so we just have to move on, it was a good season.

On the foul that led to the Galaxy’s first goal:
The foul that led to the set piece for the goal was kind of soft based on the previous calls the referee has been make it. I don’t think they were consistent with that at all. So, I think that caused us the game. I think it was fair to call the penalty but I don’t think the foul that ended in Galaxy’s first goal was fair.

HOUSTON DYNAMO MIDFIELDER STUART HOLDEN
On the game:
I don’t take anything away from LA, they are a good team, but I thought we had the better of the play for the majority of the first and second half. We didn’t take our chances and obviously, it was a game that was going to be decided by a mistake or a set piece, and that’s what it came down to. From there, we were pushing forward, and they got the penalty kick. It’s disappointing because I think we have a winning team, we could have won it all, but it didn’t work out that way.

On the season:
It was up and down throughout the year, but overall it was a good year for us. To finish second in the Conference tied in points with LA, to done well in Champions League up to the last game, I think overall this team under circumstances, all that we put on a yearly basis, I think we did well to get wherever we were. But obviously we are not satisfied with that; we think we had a team that could have won the MLS Cup.

Galaxy Advance to MLS Cup with 2-0 Extratime Win Over Houston

LA Galaxy 2, Houston Dynamo 0
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Home Depot Center — Carson, Calif.

Scoring Summary:
LA – Gregg Berhalter 1 (Unassisted) 103’
LA – Landon Donovan 3 (Penalty Kick) 109’

Misconduct Summary:
HOU – Brian Mullen (Yellow Card) 26’
LA – Dema Kovalenko (Yellow Card) 72’
LA – Landon Donovan (Yellow Card) 89’
HOU – Bobby Boswell (Yellow Card) 111’
HOU – Luis Angel Landin (Yellow Card) 119’

Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts, A.J. DeLaGarza, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin, Dema Kovalenko, Landon Donovan©, David Beckham, Chris Klein (Jovan Kirovski 63’), Mike Magee (Eddie Lewis 101’), Edson Buddle (Alan Gordon 96’).

Subs Not Used: Josh Saunders, Yohance Marshall, Chris Birchall, Bryan Jordan.

Houston Dynamo: Pat Onstad, Wade Barrett, Geoff Cameron, Bobby Boswell, Andrew Hainault, Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis (Eddie Robinson 96’), Stuart Holden, Brian Mullan (Corey Ashe 82’), Bring Ching©, Dominic Oduro (Luis Angel Landin 72’).

Subs Not Used: Tally Hall, Ryan Cochrane, Craig Waibel, Cam Weaver.

Notes:
• With the win, the Galaxy advance to MLS Cup 2009, against the winner of tomorrow’s Eastern Conference Championship between the Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake. MLS Cup will be played on Sunday, November 22 at 5:30 p.m. (PT) at Qwest Field in Seattle.
• This was the first-ever postseason game between the Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo.
• The two teams met twice in the regular season, with the Galaxy winning 1-0 at home on June 28 behind a first half goal from Todd Dunivant. They met again at Robertson Stadium on October 18, with that game finishing 0-0.
• Bruce Arena made one change to the team that beat Chivas USA 1-0 on Sunday with A.J. DeLaGarza entering the lineup at left back in place of Todd Dunivant who missed the game through illness. Chris Birchall, who had missed Sunday’s game through illness, took DeLaGarza’s spot on the bench for LA.
• In addition to Birchall, the Galaxy were alsowithout Alecko Eskandarian, Stefani Miglioranzi and Julian Valentin, who all missed the game through injury.
• DeLaGarza made his MLS postseason debut in the game. He is the seventh Galaxy player to make his MLS postseason debut in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs.
• Gregg Berhalter’s goal in the 103rd minute was the first goal of his Galaxy career in all competitions.
• Landon Donovan converted a penalty kick in the 109th minute to make the score 2-0. He now has three goals this postseason, scoring in all three of the Galaxy’s playoff games. He is the leading goalscorer in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs.
• The goal was the 17th of his MLS postseason career, making him the league’s all-time leader in playoff goals.
• After earning just three penalty kicks in the regular season, the Galaxy have now earned two in three postseason games, with each coming at the south end of The Home Depot Center.
• Under the current playoff format, Donovan has played the Western Conference Championship three times, scoring four goals in those matches and winning all three.
• Donovan Ricketts made five saves to earn his second consecutive postseason shutout.
• Dema Kovalenko and Landon Donovan were each booked in this game but are eligible to play in MLS Cup 2009. No Galaxy players will be suspended for that game.
• The game entered the half tied at 0-0. It was the Galaxy’s second consecutive postseason game that entered the half 0-0 and the second straight game between these two sides that was 0-0 at halftime.
• After playing 120 minutes tonight without scoring a goal, the Dynamo have now gone 367 consecutive minutes without a goal against the Galaxy. That streak dates back to the 23rd minute of the Dynamo’s 3-0 win over LA on October 18, 2008, a loss that eliminated the Galaxy from postseason contention.
• This was the Galaxy’s first MLS Cup Playoff game to go to extratime since MLS Cup 2005, which they won 1-0 over the New England Revolution thanks to a 105th minute goal from Guillermo “Pando” Ramirez.
• The last time the Galaxy went to extra time in an official competition was the 2007 SuperLiga Final, which was tied 1-1 after 120 minute of regulation and extratime. The Galaxy would eventually lose that game to Pachuca 4-3 on penalties.
• The stadium lights went out at two separate times in the game, first at the 17:55 mark in the first half and then again at the 50:23 mark in the second half. The first delay lasted 18 minutes and 10 seconds while the second also lasted 18 minutes and 10 seconds.
• As a result of the power outages and extratime, the game took a total of three hours and five minutes to complete.
• The attendance for today’s game was 25,373, making it the second biggest crowd to see a non-MLS Cup, postseason game at The Home Depot Center. Only Sunday’s sellout crowd for LA’s 1-0 win over Chivas USA was bigger.
• For more about today’s game, please visit www.lagalaxy.com.

Western Conference Championship on the Line

Two teams, one game, one berth in MLS Cup on the line.

The Western Conference Championship is up for grabs tonight as the Galaxy host the Houston Dynamo. LA defeated the Dynamo 1-0 here on June 28, with Todd Dunivant getting the game's only goal that night. While a repeat of that result would be welcomed tonight, the goalscorer will have to be different as Dunivant will miss the match through illness. He is replaced in the starting lineup by A.J. DeLaGarza who will make his postseason debut.

Here is the complete Galaxy team...

-----------Buddle-------Magee-----------

Donovan---------Beckham-----------Klein

-----------------Kovalenko----------------

DeLaGarza--Berhalter--Gonzalez--Franklin

------------------Ricketts------------------

Subs: Saunders, Marshall, Lewis, Birchall, Jordan, Kirovski, Gordon.

No surprises for the visiting Houston Dynamo, who lineup like this...

-------------Ching--------Oduro------------

Davis-------------Holden-------------Mullan

-------------------Clark---------------------

Barrett----Cameron----Boswell-----Hainault

-------------------Onstad-------------------

Subs: Hall, Cochrane, Robinson, Waibel, Ashe, Landin, Weaver

This Week Inisde the Galaxy - Western Conference Championship

Come along as we look back at the win over Chivas USA and ahead to the Western Conference Championship against the Houston Dynamo. We also catch up with award winners Bruce Arena and Landon Donovan.

All that and more, This Week Inside the Galaxy.

Twitter Game Day Chant

Photo Courtesy LA Kings

Earlier this morning, a Twttierphenomena occurred when Galaxy fans started a Game Day Chant that made a lot of noise in the Twitterverse. Even our good friends the LA Kings got into it (see photo above of David at a recent Kings game).

Other people that chanted: KIIS-FM and American Idol's @RyanSeacrest @HerbalifeHQ @BJ6 @LA_Live @HomeDepotCenter @MissLAGalaxy 2010 ESPNZoneLALive @StaplesCenterLA @Power106LA @pattyrodriguez @AlyshaDelValle @ibjeffg @DaveStyles and many, many more...

We would like to take this moment to thank everyone who took part in the chant this morning. If you have a Twitter feed, it's not too late to join in on the fun. It's very easy, simply Tweet-- Match Day Twitter Chant: Let's Go @LAGalaxy!! (Keep it going and RT!)

See you at the stadium!