CARSON, Calif. – The New England Revolution suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy after extra time of MLS Cup 2014 on Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Chris Tierney scored the lone Revolution goal in the 79th minute to tie the score at 1-1 and send the game to extra time, only for MLS MVP Robbie Keane to score the game-winning goal in the 111thminute of the contest.
This was the third time that the Revolution and Galaxy had met in MLS Cup and the third time that the Galaxy have won thanks to an extra time goal.
The first half was scoreless but not devoid of action as Scott Caldwell was forced to clear a Robbie Rogers effort off the line after only two minutes while Charlie Davies broke in behind the Galaxy defense, only to see his shot blocked by A.J. DeLaGarza.
Seven minutes into the second half, LA took the lead when Stefan Ishizaki swung in a cross from the right wing. The ball deflected into the path of Gyasi Zardes who fired past Bobby Shuttleworth in the New England goal from close range, putting LA in front.
The Revs equalized in the 79th minute when Jose Goncalves played a ball into the left channel for substitute Patrick Mullins, who latched onto the pass and pulled the ball back for a streaking Tierney. Tierney skipped past an attempted tackle from Leonardo and slid a finish past Jaime Penedo at the far post, tying the score at 1-1.
New England almost went ahead with five minutes remaining in regular time, only Teal Bunbury’s shot from the left side of the area to clip the crossbar with Penedo beaten, keeping the score level. Both sides had opportunities in extra time with Jermaine Jones and Mullins going close for the Revs while Landon Donovan curled a free kick narrowly wide for the Galaxy.
The home side scored the game-winner in the 111th minute as Keane ran onto a pass over the Revs’ defense from Marcelo Sarvas and slotted into the lower right corner, giving the Galaxy a 2-1 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining. The Revs would throw numbers forward in search of an equalizer, but it was not to be and the club suffered a fifth MLS Cup defeat.
Santander Man of the Match
CHRIS TIERNEY– The longest-tenured Revolution player, Tierney equalized for New England in the 79th minute, tying the score at 1-1 and helping the Revs force extra time.
New England Revolution at LA Galaxy
December 7, 2014 – StubHub Center (Carson, Calif.)
MLS Cup Final
LA Galaxy 2, New England Revolution 1 – After Extra Time
Scoring Summary:
LA – Gyasi Zardes 1 (Stefan Ishizaki 1) 52’
NE – Chris Tierney 2 (Patrick Mullins 1, Jose Goncalves 1) 79’
LA – Robbie Keane 2 (Marcelo Sarvas 2) 111’
Misconduct Summary:
LA – Landon Donovan (Yellow Card) 46+
NE – Andrew Farrell (Yellow Card) 62’
LA – Robbie Rogers (Yellow Card) 82’
LA – Robbie Keane (Yellow Card) 92’
NE – Jermaine Jones (Yellow Card) 113’
LA – Marcelo Sarvas (Yellow Card) 113’
LA – Alan Gordon (Yellow Card) 113’
New England Revolution: Bobby Shuttleworth; Chris Tierney, Jose Goncalves ©, A.J. Soares, Andrew Farrell; Kelyn Rowe, Scott Caldwell (Daigo Kobayashi 58’), Jermaine Jones, Lee Nguyen (Andy Dorman 91+), Teal Bunbury; Charlie Davies (Patrick Mullins 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Diego Fagundez
STATS: Shots 16, Shots on target 6, Saves 4, Corner kicks 3, Offsides 1, Fouls 14, Possession 56.3%, Passes 651 (75.0%)
LA Galaxy: Jaime Penedo; Robbie Rogers (Dan Gargan 90’), Leonardo, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza; Landon Donovan, Juninho (Baggio Husidic 96’), Marcelo Sarvas, Stefan Ishizaki (Alan Gordon 90’); Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Keane ©
Substitutes Not Used: Brian Rowe, Tommy Meyer, Todd Dunivant, Kenney Walker
STATS: Shots 16, Shots on target 6, Saves 5, Corner kicks 3, Offsides 4, Fouls 20, Possession 43.7%, Passes 502 (72.9%)
Referee: Mark Geiger
Assistant Referees: Peter Manikowski (AR1) and Joe Fletcher (AR2)
Fourth Official: Armando Villareal
Weather: Cloudy and 72 degrees
Attendance: 27,000
