Flawed New England Defense Gifts Robbie Keane and LA Galaxy MLS Cup

For the fifth time in MLS Cup history, the New England Revolution were forced to watch a celebration they dreamed of participating in.  This time around, the defeat was a bit more agonizing to swallow. When Chris Tierney's 79th-minute strike found the back of the net, it looked like the Revolution would find a way to score a second goal and lift their first MLS Cup.  The visiting supporters at the StubHub Center, and the rest of the fans watching back home across New England, were inches away from letting out all of their past failures into one exuberant celebration in the 85th minute. But their celebration was halted when Teal Bunbury's shot from the left wing hit the inside of the top post. Even after Bunbury's attempt off the crossbar, New England showed no let up in its attacking impetus. With all of the momentum behind them, Jay Heaps' side were poised to break the franchise's final curse.  Despite all of their offensive efforts, the Revolution could not cover up the one area in which they were exposed all match.  On Robbie Keane's game-winning goal in the 111th minute, the back four was disorganized and allowed the Irish forward to remain onside. The main ...

LA Galaxy vs. New England: Breaking Down Every Positional Battle in MLS Cup

After nine months of play in Major League Soccer, a champion will be crowned at the StubHub Center Sunday, when the LA Galaxy host the New England Revolution in the 2014 MLS Cup final.  Both teams finished second in their respective conferences during the regular season. But throughout the postseason, they have both proved they are the best representatives for the Eastern and Western Conferences.  This will be the third time the two franchises have met in the MLS Cup final. LA won both the 2002 and 2005 finals by a 1-0 score in extra time.  To get you prepared for this championship clash, we have put together a comprehensive position-by-position breakdown to determine who has the better side heading into the final.Begin Slideshow

Play of Each Team’s Defense Will Be Biggest X-Factor in the MLS Cup Final

Plenty of the talk surrounding the 2014 MLS Cup Final has been about the brilliant attacking play of the LA Galaxy and New England Revolution during the postseason.  We can gush over the play of Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, Lee Nguyen and Jermaine Jones all we want, but when a champion is crowned Sunday at StubHub Center, the true star of the game will be a defender.  During the terrific postseason runs put together by both sides, they have needed their respective defenses to put in star showings to earn a chance to hoist a trophy this season.  LA's back four have been more visible during the postseason because they have conceded on just two occasions. Before the 2-1 defeat to Seattle in the second leg of the Western Conference Final, the Galaxy had not conceded in the playoffs.  The LA defense succeeded thanks to a personnel change made by manager Bruce Arena before the 5-0 blowout win over Real Salt Lake in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinal.  In the big home victory, Arena utilized A.J. DeLaGarza at right-back instead of his normal center-back alignment next to Omar Gonzalez. The switch reaped its rewards in just 10 minutes, as DeLaGarza earned an ...

MLS Team of the Weekend from Conference Final 2nd Legs

Thanks to star performances from key players, the New England Revolution and LA Galaxy clinched spots in the December 7 MLS Cup Final.  New England advanced out of the Eastern Conference on a 4-3 aggregate after a 2-2 home draw with New York, while LA took advantage of the away-goals rule to advance on a 2-2 aggregate from the Western Conference.  In the matches at CenturyLink Field and Gillette Stadium, a few stars and some unexpected role players rose to the occasion to help their respective sides stay alive in the hunt for the MLS Cup. Continue reading on for a look at the MLS Team of the Week from the Conference Final second legs. Begin Slideshow

Seattle vs. LA Galaxy: Winners and Losers from MLS Game

The LA Galaxy advanced to their ninth MLS Cup Final in franchise history by way of a crucial away goal scored in the 54th minute by Juninho. Bruce Arena's side lost the second leg of the Western Conference Final to Seattle 2-1, but they went through on a 2-2 aggregate thanks to the away goal.  The Galaxy will now face New England in a rematch of the the 2002 and 2005 finals, both of which were won by LA. Here's a look at the winners and losers from the second leg of the Western Conference Final. Begin Slideshow

Seattle vs. LA Galaxy: Live Score, Highlights from MLS Game

Western Conference Final Second Leg--CenturyLink Field, Seattle Seattle 2-1 LA (LA advances to the MLS Cup Final on a 2-2 aggregate due to away goals)  Goals: Brad Evans (SEA) 27'; Clint Dempsey (SEA) 32'; Juninho (LA) 54'  Seattle: Frei, Yedlin, Marshall, Scott, Gonzalez, Evans, Alonso (Azira 74'), Pineda (Rose 75'), Neagle (Pappa 79'), Dempsey, Martins  LA: Penedo, Gargan, Gonzalez, Leonardo, Rogers, Ishizaki (Gordon 74'), Sarvas, Juninho (Husidic 87'), Donovan, Keane, Zardes    Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

New England vs. New York: Winners and Losers from MLS Playoff Game

The New England Revolution advanced to the MLS Cup Final with a 2-2 draw at home against the New York Red Bulls Saturday. The result handed New England the series victory on a 4-3 aggregate.  Charlie Davies was the main star for the Revolution, as he provided a brace in between New York goals scored by Tim Cahill and Peguy Luyindula.  The Revolution, who are in the final for the fifth time in franchise history, will play either the Seattle Sounders or LA Galaxy on the road on December 7. Here's a look at the winners and losers from the Eastern Conference Final second leg.Begin Slideshow

New England vs. New York: Live Score, Highlights from MLS Game

MLS Eastern Conference Final Second Leg--Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Mass.  New England 2-2 New York (New England Advances 4-3 on Aggregate) Goals: Tim Cahill (NY) 26', Charlie Davies (NE) 42', 71', Peguy Luyindula (NY) 53'  New England: Shuttleworth, Alston, Soares, Goncalves, Farrell, Caldwell, Jones, Tierney, Nguyen, Bunbury, Davies (Rowe 84')  New York: Robles, Eckersley, Olave, Sekagya (Lade 86'), Oyongo, McCarty, Alexander, Sam, Luyindula, Henry, Cahill   Follow Joe on Twitter: @JTansey90. Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Seattle vs. LA Galaxy: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape MLS Game

For the fourth time since October 19, the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy will take to the pitch in a crucial Western Conference clash. This time around, a berth in the MLS Cup Final on December 7 is on the line.  After the first leg of the Western Conference Final, the Galaxy hold a slim 1-0 lead over the Sounders, who bested them at the end of the regular season to win the Supporters' Shield.  Although they were kept out of the away-goals column in the first leg, the Sounders carry a distinct home-field advantage into Sunday's second leg.  Here's a look at the key issues and decisions that will shape the second leg at CenturyLink Field. Begin Slideshow

New England vs. New York: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape MLS Game

The first spot in the 2014 MLS Cup Final will be handed out Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, when the New England Revolution host the New York Red Bulls.  Jay Heaps' Revolution hold a 2-1 advantage on aggregate after netting two away goals at Red Bull Arena in the first leg Sunday.  As if New York needed something else to not go in its favor, it will be without Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips due to a yellow-card suspension he picked up in the first leg.  Here's a look at the key issues and decisions that will shape this MLS playoff match. Begin Slideshow