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Underdog Real Salt Lake stuns the David Backham and Landon Donovan-led L.A. Galaxy in the MLS Cup to win the league championship. RSL wins in a penalty shootout 5-4.
Up a goal at halftime, everything appeared to be going according to plan for Landon Donovan, David Backham and the rest of the L.A. Galaxy. However, a feisty Real Salt Lake team took the MLS Cup to overtime. Once there, goalkeeper Nick Rimando huge save and Robbie Russel's winning shot gave the upstarts a penalty shootout 5-4 victory and the championship.
Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando made two saves during penalties, and league MVP Landon Donovan missed badly over the crossbar giving RSL a chance in the extra rounds. After Rimando smothered Edson Buddle's shot, Russell beat backup Los Angeles keeper Josh Saunders into the lower left corner to set off a wild celebration.
RSL entered the playoffs with a sub .500 record and beat both conference champions en route to the title. They're the first team with a losing record to win a major U.S. pro sports league championship. Hooray, MLS?
Be sure to head on over to Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox where the post-game celebration will be held.
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Real Salt Lake, Prestige Franchise?
The boys from Prestige Worldwide would be proud. Real Salt Lake’s MLS win is great for the fans, sure — it’s a moment of ecstasy in a young franchise’s ongoing development. But the real kicker comes from the increased fan interest that RSL Soapbox sees as inevitable now that Real are the champs:
Nov 23 6:18p by Eamonn Brennan - 3 comments