LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake to fight for MLS Cup 2009 Sunday

MLS got some of their wish.  The star studded LA Galaxy with David Beckham and Landon Donovan will be playing in the 2009 MLS Cup.  The opponent is quite the surprise though.  Real Salt Lake slugged their way through the Eastern Conference playoffs knocking off the likes of Columbus and Chicago.  There definitely could have been bigger name finalists to take on the Galaxy but maybe not a more intriguing matchup than Real Salt Lake offers.

Sure Los Angeles has David Beckham and MLS MVP Landon Donovan along with MLS Rookie of the Year Omar Gonzalez on the backline.  Sure they will be heavy favorites in the match, but can anyone really put Real Salt Lake out of the realm of possible upsets?  No way.  not after they took out the best team in the MLS over the regular season in the Columbus Crew in the opening round.  Not after they went to Chicago and shutout the Fire winning a tight match in penalty kicks.  Real Salt Lake definitely has a chance here.  There is precedent for the #8 seed to win the MLS Cup.  It has been done before in 2005. In fact it was the Galaxy that did it. 

The Galaxy has to be the overwhelming favorite though when all is said and done.  8-3-3 since the all star break.  Unbeaten since September and the defense has six shutouts in their last eight matches.  Expect stars Donovan and Beckham to shine on the big stage and expect Seattle to supply a wonderful and energetic crowd on Sunday.