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MLS New England Revolution

Revolution fall 1-0 in overtime to Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS Cup

November 13, 2005 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Frisco, Texas - The New England Revolution lost 1-0 in overtime to the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS Cup 2005 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. Galaxy substitute midfielder Guillermo Ramirez of the Galaxy scored in the 107th minute of the game on powerful volleyed blast from the top of the area off of a punched clearance by goalkeeper Matt Reis. Sunday night's game was the second time the Revolution has lost to the Galaxy in the MLS Cup final.

The run of play favored the Galaxy for a majority of the match. Both teams, however, had chances to win the game in the 90 minutes of regulation time.

Los Angeles looked to take the advantage in the sixth minute when Galaxy forward Hercules Gomez looked to have scored. LA forward Landon Donovan sent a ball into the area and Gomez took one touch to lob a shot over Reis and into the back, right corner of the net. Linesman Greg Barkey, however, called Gomez offside and play was reset.

Thirty seconds later, the Revolution went close when midfielder Steve Ralston crossed the ball into the area from the right flank. Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey got above the crowd and tried to head the ball in, but was not able to connect with the cross.

In the 19th minute, the Galaxy went close again when LA midfielder Chris Albright carried the ball up the right flank and was able to get around Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst. Albright entered the area with a one-on-one with Reis and Parkhurst trailing him. Entering on an angled run from the left flank were Gomez and Revolution defender Jay Heaps. Albright tried to pass the ball parallel to the endline to Gomez, however, the cross got past Gomez and ran through to the far side of the area.

New England had an opportunity in the 24th minute, when Revolution captain and defender Joe Franchino sent a free kick in from the left flank of the midfield. The free kick went to the penalty arc where Revolution forward and 2005 MLS Honda MVP Taylor Twellman connected on a header. Twellman's attempt was saved, however, by Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and the game remained scoreless.

The Revs had another opportunity in the 26th minute when Revolution forward Pat Noonan sent a ball into the area and Dempsey took a shot toward the left post. The shot got past Hartman, however, was wide by inches. Twellman tried to slide to the ball to push it into the goal, but didn't connect with the ball in time. The attempt, however, would not have resulted in goal, because linesman Chris Strickland called offside and play was reset.

New England continued the attack and had a close opportunity in the 29th minute on their second consecutive corner. Ralston sent a corner kick in from the right corner, and Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph headed the ball toward the goalmouth. The attempt, however, went over the crossbar and sheet stayed clean.

In the 41st minute, Gomez broke away down the left flank for a one-on-one with Reis. Reis took away the angle and forced Gomez's shot to the side of the net.

After a Ralston corner kick was cleared out of the box, Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan took off down the left sideline in the last minute of the half. With only Parkhurst left to beat, Donovan moved out to the far left and fired a shot that went high over the net.

At halftime of the game, the New England Revolution and Los Angeles were tied 0-0. The Galaxy went into halftime with the momentum having been on the attack for a majority of the opening period. The only previous MLS Cup during which the two teams had been tied 0-0 at halftime was in 2002 in the final between the Revolution and Galaxy at Gillette Stadium.

New England had the first real chance of the second half when Revs defender Jay Heaps made a move toward goal in the 60th minute. Dempsey won the ball in the midfield before dribbling up the center channel. As he neared the area, Dempsey sent a ball into the area with Twellman streaking in. A Galaxy defender, however, blocked the cross and the deflection fell to the feet of Heaps. Heaps dribbled into toward the goalmouth, but Hartman was able to save the shot and the game remained scoreless.

Los Angeles had the best chance of the afternoon to that point in the game in the 79th minute. The deflection went to the feet of Galaxy forward Landon Donovan. Donovan took a shot, however, Parkhurst, the 2005 Gatorade Rookie of the Year, made a goal line save and the game remained scoreless.

One minute later, the Galaxy got another chance when Gomez shot from the penalty arc. With Reis off his line, Gomez attempted to lob the ball over the goalkeeper, however, it went over the crossbar.

In the 83rd minute, on a Galaxy corner kick, Los Angeles went close again. The original cross went out of the area and to the feet of Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones. The shot attempt went past Reis, however, Revolution rookie midfielder James Riley made a goal line save and the game remained scoreless.

At the end of stoppage time, the Revolution and Galaxy remained tied 0-0 meaning the teams would play a full 30 minutes of extra time.

In the 99th minute Riley sent a floater to the middle of the box. The pass, intended for Twellman, was deflected out of the box to José Cancela. Cancela sizzled a shot on net but Hartman was positioned to make the save.

In the 101st minute, Joseph sent another floater intended for Twellman. This time, Twellman got his head on the ball, but effort sailed over the net.

In the final second of the first overtime period, a Donavan corner kick was punched out by Reis. The loose ball fell to Ramirez who rifled a volley into the back of the net from 18 yards and scored on Reis who was still recovering from the corner kick. At the end of the first overtime period, Galaxy led 1-0.

In the 108th minute of overtime, Ralston dropped a pass back to Dempsey. Dempsey made a cutback move at the top of the area and shot but fired wide right of the net.

In the 115th minute of overtime, the Galaxy nearly added to their lead. Donavan broke away from the defense and shot past Franchino. Reis, who had been out of his net looking join the attack, sprinted back into position to block the shot, but the deflection landed at the feet of Gomez. His shot was point blank on Reis who made another important save.

In the 118th minute of overtime, Heaps lobbed a ball into the middle of the box that found an open Dempsey. Dempsey dribbled twice and shot, but the ball was blocked by a line of Galaxy defenders. Cancela picked up the loose ball on the left side of the box with Hartman out of position but his shot deflected off of a Galaxy defender and sailed wide right of the net.

The Revolution completed the best season having gone 17-7-8 with 59 points in the regular season. The Revs advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship phase of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season under head coach Steve Nicol and won the conference title for the second time in team history.

Revolution 2006 Center Circle Membership season tickets are available for huge savings on the Revs normally low prices. Through Tuesday, November 15, fans may buy 20-game packages for $360, $270 or $180 - now with free parking. Call 1-877-GET-REVS for season tickets and information.

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