Real Salt Lake clinches MLS Cup from LA Galaxy in penalty shoot-out

Real Sal Lake have won the 2009 MLS Cup, defeating LA Galaxy 5-4 on penalties.

In regular time, the Galaxy took the lead after 41 minutes at Seattle’s Qwest Field after David Beckham and Landon Donovan combined to set up Mike Magee for the opener.

But Salt Lake fought back and managed an equaliser in the 64th minute through former Galaxy player Robbie Findley to send the game into extra-time and then a penalty shoot-out.

Two minutes after Findley scored, Galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts left the pitch with an injured hand, giving the gloves to Josh Saunders for just his seventh game of the season.

In the ensuing shoot-out, it was RSL keeper Nick Rimando who was the man of the moment, saving Jovan Kirovski’s third-round spot-kick before saving Edison Buddle’s shot later on as Robbie Russell stepped up, converted and gave his side the win and the championship.

Rimando was awarded with the Most Valuable Player for the match which was played in front of a sellout crowd of 46,011.