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Galaxy grabs MLS Cup after beating Revolution

The Los Angeles Galaxy team celebrates winning the MLS Cup 1-0 in overtime against the New England Revolution at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP

Guillermo Ramirez spectacularly scored off a leaping volley in the first period of extra time for the Los Angeles Galaxy to beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in the MLS Cup final on Sunday.

Landon Donovan's corner kick was met by New England goalkeeper Matt Reis, who punched it directly to Ramirez, who'd come in for Ned Grabavoy in the 66th minute.

"You can't really describe what you're feeling when you score a goal like that," Ramirez said through a translator. "It was a beautiful moment."

Nicknamed "Pando," the Guatemalan term for someone who is bowlegged, Ramirez had scored only one previous goal this season, in September, after he lost his spot in the starting lineup. It was a penalty kick which hit the post and went in off the goalkeeper's back.

"I'm very proud of Pando Ramirez, a guy who suffered all year and didn't score one goal in the flow of play all season," Los Angeles coach Steve Sampson said. "If he had scored more goals during the course of the season, we would've won more ballgames. But he found the right time to get it done."

As if to prove his lumpy touch, Ramirez missed a close-range chance for a second goal in the final minutes of the second period of extra time. Regardless, he was named the game's MVP.

The Galaxy claimed their second championship in five finals appearances before a sellout crowd of 21,193. Both have been 1-0 victories over New England in extra time. The other was in 2002, and this game played out much like that one.

There were no goals in regulation, the Revolution went a tremendous stretch without a shot on goal, and there were 10 yellow cards, double the previous high in league championship history.
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