In front of 46,011 on hand at Seattle’s Qwest Field, Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-1 (5-4 on penalties) to capture their first MLS Cup trophy. 

After a slow start for both squads, the first major incident became an injury to RSL midfielder Javier Morales. Unable to continue, an emotional Morales was subbed out in the 22nd minute.

In the 41st minute, the Galaxy struck first, as 2009 MLS MVP Landon Donovan crossed a ball to Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee at the far post, who kicked it in. RSL created a few scoring chances prior to the half, but were unable to capitalize. At half time, the Galaxy led 1-0.

In the 64th mnute, RSL evened the score. Inside the penalty area, Movsisyan shot a ball toward goal that was immediately blocked. Bouncing around, the ball finally found Findley, who put it home with his left foot. On the play, Ricketts seemed to injure his hand that was already in pain after a collision he had earlier in the half with RSL forward Robbie Findley. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena was ultimately forced to pull Ricketts for backup goalkeeper Josh Saunders. It marked the first time a goalkeeper was substituted in MLS Cup history.

With neither team able to score in the rest of the second half and overtime, RSL and the Galaxy had to take play into a penalty shoot out to crown a champion.

In the first three rounds of the penalty shoot out, both teams matched each other with goals in the first two and saves in the third. In round four, Donovan kicked the ball over the crossbar and Ned Grabavoy knocked one in to give RSL their first lead, 3-2. In round five, Magee would tie it 3-3 for the Galaxy and Andy Williams was stopped by Saunders, keeping it tied. Both teams scored again on their respective kicks in round six to make it 4-4. Finally, in round seven, Rimando came up with a save on an Edsun Buddle kick and Robbie Russell stepped up and hit home a ball into the left corner, giving RSL the win.

For his performance in the penalty shootout, Rimando was named the MLS Cup MVP.

Twitterers recognized the fact that Real Salt Lake was a sub-.500 team (11-12-7) during the regular season:

1. 
   bbudlong Well done Real Salt Lake against Galaxy. Sub-.500 all the way to the MLS Cup on penalties! 23 Nov 2009 from web
   
   
2. 
   trpdtn yes it’s remarkable, but the fact that RSL won the MLS Cup after a sub-.500 regular season is a damn shame. 23 Nov 2009 from Tweetie
   
   
3. 
   Phonedog_Noah A sub-.500 team won the MLS Cup? That’s absurd and a total league fail. Why have a regular season at all? 23 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck
   
   

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Twitterers from Utah comment on Real Salt Lake’s victory:

1. 
   chrismanning Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup in their 5th year in the league! It’s a great time to be from Utah! 23 Nov 2009 from web
   
   
2. 
   Merk RSL just brought home the first championship in Utah professional sports history! #mlscup #realsaltlake 23 Nov 2009 from web
   
   

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Twitterers also comment on Donovan’s penalty kick miss and the Galaxy loss:

1. 
   MegWags How do you lose with the MLS MVP and Rookie of the Year? I cannot believe Donovan missed the shoot out goal. Sad day! 23 Nov 2009 from web
   
   
2. 
   TheCoster MLS MVP a no show from halftime on. RT @GrantWahl: Wow–Donovan misses. LA down one heading into last round. 23 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck
   
   
3. 
   gibi_gibi Wow. Salt lake beat beckham and Donovan in the #mlscup. 23 Nov 2009 from txt
   
   
   
   
4. 
   MichaelATerry Can’t belive Donovan was the one to choke! T’was a great game none the less. #mls #fb 23 Nov 2009 from Tweetie
   
   
5. 
   austin_f_talley How in the world does Donovan miss a wide open PK in the MLS Finals?! 23 Nov 2009 from txt

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Here are some TwitPics from Twitterers at the game:

“MLS cup!!!!!! #fb” per @ThisIsTheDuke:

“MLS cup 25 mins in-we’ve had 1 shot on target…” per @andylane16:

“Oh man, down to shootout at MLS cup” per @nahun:

“Ohhhh crap that was awesome. Best game ever RSL wins!” per @nahun:

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