Robbie Keane (above) hoists the trophy over his head after the LA Galaxy defeated the New England to win the MLS Cup on December 7, 2014, in Carson, California. (Photo: Michael Janosz/isiphotos.com)
CARSON, California -- Landon Donovan ended his illustrious 15-year career in style Sunday as the LA Galaxy became the first team to win five MLS Cups.
Forward Robbie Keane scored the game-winning goal in extra time, boosting the Galaxy to a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution before a capacity crowd of 27,000 at the StubHub Center.
It was Donovan’s record-breaking sixth MLS Cup triumph, while New England has never captured the championship despite reaching the final five times.
Keane, who was named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player on Wednesday, capped a memorable week by earning game MVP honors thanks to a clinically taken 111th minute goal. Marcelo Sarvas launched a long ball from the midfield, allowing the Ireland international to run onto it in the left side of the box and finish past goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth from eight-yards out into the lower right corner.
LA grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute, when Gyasi Zardes snared a right-wing feed from Stefan Ishizaki to beat Shuttleworth from close range.
The Revolution equalized in the 78th minute. Second-half substitute Patrick Mullins outraced center back Omar Gonzalez to a ball in the left side of the penalty area, finding Chris Tierney with a feed from near the goal line. Tierney took a touch and slotted a left-footed shot into the lower right corner from the edge of the six-yard box.
Donovan, 32, enters retirement as the MLS' all-time leader in goals and assists with 144 and 136, respectively.
The victory earned the Galaxy the USA’s top qualifying slot for the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League, followed by the Seattle Sounders (USA 2), D.C. United (USA 3) and Real Salt Lake (USA 4).
