MLS Cup 2009-- Real Salt Lake 1 - LA Galaxy 1 (5-4 on penalties)

The new champions of the MLS are Real Salt Lake, who beat the LA Galaxy last night in the MLS Cup in Seattle on penalty kicks.

Above: Real Salt Lake fans on their way to the MLS Cup

To celebrate the victory, the King of Utah has declared a two day holiday of thanksgiving for later this week. He has also announced a general amnesty for all political prisoners in the kingdom of Utah.

For a match report, click here.

For highlights, click here.

For more photos, click here.

Below: Waiting for the match to begin

The MLS Cup finals are set

Last night Real Salt Lake defeated the Chicago Fire 0-0 (5-4 on penalties) to earn a spot in the MLS Cup. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando (above) stopped three penalty kicks at the end of the match to help his team advance. It is not known whether the King of Utah called Rimando personally to congratulate him on his heroic efforts.

The MLS Cup final will take place next Sunday in Seattle. It will feature Real Salt Lake versus the LA Galaxy.

Below: Chicago Fire fans during the match.

One half of next weekend's MLS Cup final pairing has been set

The LA Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 2-0 in extra-time last night and will be coming to Seattle for next weekend's MLS Cup. Los Angeles will face the winner of tonight's match between the Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake.

Last night I rooted for the Dynamo, mostly because of their long-standing association with the Soviet secret police. Unfortunately, due to an inaccurately disallowed second-half goal, Houston lost.

Below: Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts leaves the field during one of the two power outages that halted the game.

MLS playoff update #1

Real Salt Lake defeated the Columbus Crew last night 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate) to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals of the MLS playoffs. It is not clear how a team from Salt Lake City ends up in the Eastern Conference bracket, but that does not matter. What does matter is that the King of Utah will be happy when he receives news of this result.

Below: Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis receives a hug.