- WATCH:Highlights from MLS Cup 2011
- VIEW:An infographic exploring the 2011 season
- READ:The story behind the legendary game-winning goal
- VIEW:Photos from the fabled night in Carson
- TICKETS:Click here to buy playoff tickets
2011 MLS Cup | Highlights
2011 MLS Cup | Infographic
2011 MLS Cup | Photo Gallery
2011 MLS Cup | The Story Behind the Goal
In one defining moment, the LA Galaxy made MLS history and solidified their status as the premier club in the league.
Prior to the Galaxy’s 2011 MLS Cup triumph, no team had won a championship with Designated Player on their roster and in one fell swoop that team that boasted the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane bucked that trend.
The moment of brilliance came in the 72nd minute, innocuously enough off an A.J. DeLaGarza clearance.
With DeLaGarza lofting the ball into the air, Beckham who was dealing with a torn hamstring, leapt into the air and nodded the ball toward an on-rushing Robbie Keane. The Irishman barreled through several defenders as he cut up field before lying off a pass for Donovan, who skirted an attempt past goalkeeper Tally Hall for the game winner.
As Donovan slid in the corner flag, the capacity crowd at The Home Depot Center reveled in the moment that LA’s stars had finally brought a title home to the Galaxy.
“For the last month I have been, like the rest of these guys, so determined to win," Donovan said. "I didn't care who scored. I didn't care if it was an own goal. I didn't care how the ball went in. I just wanted it to go in, and I mean that wholeheartedly. Winning feels so good. The goals come and go, but the moment when the whistle blew is what I'll remember."
"My sole purpose is to be as aggressive as possible and to make good runs," Donovan added. "People, justifiably so, see Robbie as a great goal scorer, but he's a great soccer player. The pass he gave me for the goal was fantastic. Absolutely world class."
The MLS Cup victory was especially meaningful for Beckham, who had drawn considerable criticism about his commitment to the club during his first five years with the Galaxy. But once he finally had the chance to lift the Phillip Anschutz trophy aloft, all the Englishman heard were cheers.
"Being successful always feels good. Proving people wrong feels even [better]. People doubted us,” said Beckham. “We're the Galaxy, we're the biggest club in this league, and we're proud tonight."
Even as the champagne was still drying after the Galaxy’s triumph over Houston, LA’s focus was already firmly placed on duplicating that opportunity a year later.
“We’re in a league that’s designed to knock you down when you’re good," said Donovan. "The league is designed for the bad teams to get better and the good teams to get worse, but I think we’re a little bit greedy…My earliest thought was how we could improve."
