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 Lak...

Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - MLS
Article is property of BleacherReport.com