It's really difficult to analyze a title match, especially when it involves a team you've been covering all year; in this case for me that's the LA Galaxy. Usually, when I sit down with my quotes and my stat sheet, I'm looking for the clues that reveal what really happened out there mostly to be able to gauge where the team is going. Tonight's not about where LA is going, it's about all the places they went. 

I'll put off til the week ahead the season in review stuff. Yet, diving into the details of the match doesn't seem to mater. The Galaxy won. The Galaxy are MLS champs and no amount of analysis of the match changes the fact that this was the caper to one fo the greatest seasons ever. I keep saying that. It's because it's true. 

The Galaxy had no offside calls in the first half, Houston had five. That shows me a Galaxy back four that held their line beautiful, Houston players losing their heads a bit, and a Galaxy team that was able to take eight shots on goal while keeping their form. 

The Galaxy had five corner kicks in the first half, Houston had none. That shows me a Galaxy team that was able to take eight shots on goal and force Houston into clearances defenses don't want to make. The Galaxy were pushing, they lacked a final touch. They lacked a final touch because Adam Cristman was terrible. They took Cristman off and they scored two goals. 

Remember "Robbie Keane scored two goals and I'll believe that til I die"? Well say hello to its cousin "Robbie Keane scored in MLS Cup and I'll believe that til I die". I've not seen one person say that was the right call disallowing that Robbie Keane goal. Anyhow, there were two great stretches like that in the second half. Beckham to Robbie to Donovan stretches where you really saw what three DPs having their way with a defense looked like. After Cristman went out, Landon Donovan moved up top with Robbie Keane. It really was a lynchpin moment.

Why is lynchpin the only word we have for definitive plus immediate? That's terribly gruesome.

Here's another point, it's really difficult to trust soccer statistics. The official ones we're given by MLS say the Galaxy took 14 shots with four shots on goal. Opta sports gives the Galaxy 14 shots with three shots on goal. ESPN say 14 shots and eight shots on goal. What? 

Here's what I make on the shot chart. If you're gonna credit the Galaxy with three SOG, that's Landon Donovan's goal, the 79' save on Donovan's shot and the 93+' diving tip save of David Beckham's free kick. You wanna go four, there's a blocked shot in the 35' again taken by Landon Donovan. If you wanna go eight, you have to add in four shots that were cleared by defenders. What constitutes a defender blocking a shot and a defender clearing a shot? I still haven't read an honest explanation.

Point of all that? Landon Donovan was a derving MVP, with three legit chances on goal, one that went in. Adam Cristman had three legit chances on goal and went wide right, wide right, and had a defender clear it. That's something the shots on goal statistic covers up.

Great win. Is it enough just to say that? The LA Galaxy win their third title as a franchise, playing in their seventh MLS Cup, the first one they've won in Los Angeles in front of their home fans. It was a great night that those in attendance will never forget. All 30, 281 of them, who came out in the rain. I'll leave you with this. Goodnight everbody:

Just celebrate. Just gee golly diddly eee celebrate. 

The LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan may not have done much outside the penalty, but the emotional leader of the team carried the Galaxy across the finish line, winning three games in eight days to advance to MLS Cup as the Western Conference Champion. David Beckham and Robbie Keane were the heroes in this game, as was Mike Magee. It was a night to remember, as the Galaxy defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1. 

David Beckham certainly deserves all the praise that can be heaped upon him. When books about soccer are written, a picture of his cross to Mike Magee should be on every page of the crossing section. Young US midfielders should be made to watch a replay of that cross everyday before going to bed. As he's done before, Robbie Keane made the near post run that cleared up Mike Magee to dive onto that header - showing he's a team player. 

That Magee goal turned out to be the game winner. His third goal in as many games, he wasn't at his best in the run of play, but he's made himself into a prime target for David Beckham. Oh course, at this point he's more legend than player anyhow. 

Robbie Keane had extended a less positive streak by the end of the first half; he'd managed to hit the woodwork in three straight games. All of the clanks happend after great plays in the box, this time hitting the inside of the left post after getting himself space in the box. It seemed like one had to go in eventually, and luckily for Keane, one finally did in the 68'. He went one on one with Jaminson Olave, and just out maneuvered the ailing defender then smashed it past Nick Rimando. 

Keane's attitude has been a wonderful change from the Galaxy's previous option at striker. Keane was calling for the ball all game, and his effort trying to get to goal was fun to watch. I really want David Beckham to come back for another year, just because those two are so good at what they do, that it's a real treat to get to watch them play. 

Landon Donovan and Juninho both had a shot on goal, but in the case of Landon, it was a junk goal late in the game where he was all alone against Nick Rimando that was the better chance. Donovan's still the best penalty taker possibly in America right now, and he was up and yelling all through the game. 

In the end, RSL exposed the Galaxy on set pieces, but the Galaxy were able to expose Jamison Olave who wasn't 100% ready to go. Olave's fitness cost RSL on Robbie Keane's goal, and on Magee's goal both Olave and Schuler marked Keane leaving Magee free to dive onto Beckham's ball. Even on the penalty, it was a midfielder marking Omar Gonzalez and ultimately pushed him in the back. 

Problems on the back line are uncharacteristic for Real Salt Lake, and it's fair to say that compacted schedule and resulting injuries had a great deal of impact on the MLS playoffs this year. The Galaxy were lucky their injuries happend over the last month of the season rather than during this stretch run. The Houston Dynamo will meet the Galaxy in the MLS Cup, without Brad Davis. How much of an effect will that have on Houston? 

Games like this are easy to stomach as a fan. There was brief drama, but then elation and ultimately satisfaction. This one felt special, like the culmination of five years of drama. Hopefully the Galaxy can wrap a neat bow around this whole period. 

The LA Galaxy get to move to in the MLS Cup playoffs, after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1; 3-1 on aggregate. The New York Vs. LA rivalry has been simplified down to David Beckham versus Thierry Henry, and it was the Englishman who won the field tonight. Beckham played through a real hard knock, and factored in on both the Galaxy goals. At halftime, he led the LA Galaxy with 42 touches. 

The game leader in touches at halftime was Roy Miller, and Miller would factor into the final tally as well, though in a less favorable light. It was Miller who fouled David Beckham in the box, kicking him in the head no less; giving the LA Galaxy the penalty to make the series finally comfortable for LA. Landon Donovan was cool as a cucumber, and continued this years streak of not missing a penalty. 

The first goal was all David as well. Taking a corner kick, he put the ball on the near post for Mike Magee, who headed it past Frank Rost. The sellout crowd at Home Depot Center was relieved, but Beckham had to back out of the celebration. He still had some cobwebs at that point. 

After the game I asked Bruce Arena what separated the Galaxy from the other teams in MLS playoffs that also participated in Champions League. LA were the only team that played internationally and made it through the MLS Cup Quarterfinals. Bruce said it was a testament to the Galaxy's depth, and also a lot of luck. He stressed the same thing he did earlier in the week, MLS has not made the proper concessions to teams to allow them to play in Champions League. Certainly, as the weeks have wound down, the Galaxy senior roster has been worn thin. 

Even being down two goals on aggregate, New York only managed one shot on goal the entire second half (Luke Rodgers in the 48'). The Galaxy back 4+1 were able to shut down the Red Bull attack in the second half, after they looked deadly in the first. Most of that was figuring out how to clog the middle without Juninho, which involved Landon playing further in, and Mike Magee just going into crazy good mode. 

The Galaxy will take on RSL at the Home Depot Center at 6pm on Sunday. Game will be on ESPN. However, if you're not here, you're a bit of a square. Just sayin. 

The LA Galaxy are going through to the Championship (knockout) stage of the CONCACAF Champions League next year. Forget about the match, just remember the result. I mean, don't forget about that beautiful Juninho goal, that was a beautiful dipping long ball. Then there was a bus parked, and heart attacks were had all across the country. 

The Galaxy win 0-1 on the road against Motagua. This means that the top three teams in the group are to the naked eye, identical. And I get to try and show the sausage making process that puts the Galaxy top of the group. 

Los Angeles Galaxy	6	4	0	2	8	4	+4	12
Morelia	6	4	0	2	11	5	+6	12
Alajuelense	6	4	0	2	8	6	+2	12

Thanks Wiki!

Now. That's how the top three finished, and I'm gonna do my best to explain why. The first tiebreaker in the Group Stage is points earned in matches between the tree teams. That's a three way tie, 6-6-6. Next tiebreaker, goal difference between the three teams. Galaxy are +1, Morelia are even, and Alajuelense are -1. That second goal against Alajuelense at the Home Depot Center won the Galaxy the group. 

Now, with that squared away, what's next for the Galaxy in CONCACAF Champions League play. The only restriction is the Galaxy cannot face a team they face in the Group stage, so their possible opponents are the other three runners up: 

Isidro Metapan; Seattle Sounders; Toronto FC

There will be a guaranteed FMF on FMF match in the quarters, with Morelia against either Pumas, Monterrey, or Laguna. Were the Galaxy to avoid an MLS team, that'd mean FMF matches for the remaining MLS teams. 

Seattle is honestly the last team I'd like to see, as an American, I want Seattle and LA to go as far as they can before meeting. But we'll see what happens, rest easy everyone, the Galaxy made it through. 

After the match tonight, the LA Galaxy awarded their end of the season trophies. Sean Franklin was awarded Humanitarian of the Year for his efforts off the pitch. Omar Gonzalez won Defender of the Year. Golden Boot and MVP were awarded to Landon Donovan. Retiring defender Gregg Berhalter was recognized for all he had done for the team. 

That's sort of the night that it was, all about the Galaxy. Sure, one could argue that Chivas were there. Certainly they put numbers in various statistical categories. Yet whether it was in Chad Barrett inventing new ways to miss shots until finally knocking one in, or the half hour of time wasting that happened afterward, the night was all about LA. 

Chad Barrett had all the Galaxy's shots in the first half, with a header going wind, a saved bicycle kick, a shot blocked on the goal line, and a header off the left post. His fifth shot finally went in, and then his teammates finally let a few lose, but that one goal was all it took. 

The Galaxy shut down Juan Pablo Angel, who allegedly got a shot off in the 72', but spent most of the match wrapped up by the LA defense. It's yet another three points in a season where the Galaxy are averaging better than two points a match. I'm gonna go sit in a press conference, but Galaxy fans should be proud. Undefeated at home! 

The story for me begins last week. At the risk of possibly embarrassing her, Eli, an extraordinary Galaxy fan, was in a serious boating accident. When I say extraordinary, I mean she flies in for Galaxy games. And when she was seriously injured, it touched many of us in the Galaxy family. 

Fast forward to tonight. Eli is in the crowd, and Mike Magee walks over and gives her his jersey. Not enough can be said about how cool it was that the Galaxy set that up. That someone in the Galaxy front office went that far to welcome someone home.  

Already a great human interest story, it gets better, when it's Mike Magee that scores the Galaxy open goal. The stands go insane, everything is golden. Chad Barrett cross to Todd Dunivant assist to Mike Magee's brilliant foot. Keeper could only swat at it as the ball flew by. 

That was in the 21' minute, Magee didn't make it to the second half. He had to be taken out with hamstring tightness, Bryan Jordan was warming up before the half whistle. You gotta believe Mike played a little harder, and through some pain, for Eli. 

I know that was sappy, but it's important to remember that these games matter because of the emotional investment the fans put into this team. And that emotional investment bonds fans and players in a way that's just sort of cosmic and awesome. Or as Landon Donovan said after the game, "The World has a funny way of working out when you do things the right way".

Magee wouldn't have the only goal for the Galaxy tonight. The Galaxy gave up an equalizer on a blown defensive play in the 60'. Rafael Lugo had drawn Morelia level. The Galaxy were on their way out of the Group Stages. When Landon Donovan's cross bounced to Chad Barrett in stoppage time, and Barrett found Juninho, everything went to 12. It shot right past 11. Juninho did a capoeira move he was so happy. It was, as Todd Dunivant said "Poetic Justice".

With the win, the Galaxy have reopened the Champions League table. Morelia fails to secure their spot in the knockout round. Alaujuelense cannot clinch a spot in the knockout round. Everything will be decided on the final matchday. It's win and your in, for all the teams involved. 

On a great day for sport, on a great day for life, that's enough. 

So I don't know if the Sheik approves or not, but the LA Galaxy ran roughshod over their soccer brethren from up north, to the tune of 3-0. Robbie Keane scored one, sandwiched between a Mike Magee brace, that would have gotten the muezzin standing up and clappin'. The Galaxy fought hard for this one, but in the end they could do no wrong. Sharia may not like it, but the Galaxy rocked the Casbah. 

So, dropping the meme that can get me killed, it was a fun game. It was the kind of game that inspired the team to play rap music in the locker room (a feat I'm coming to understand is only allowed after a game with three goals, because the last time I remember them doing this was the Portland Timber drubbing). It was the kind of game that made me act silly on twitter afterward; it was, in other words, fun. 

And the Galaxy needed some fun. After Robbie Keane scored that brace in Mexico only to have the ref stick his nose in where it didn't belong, the Galaxy needed to bounce back with a result that goes down easy. And it's not going to get any easier, with the Galaxy flying to Costa Rica and then to Ohio next week. 

Oh the goals! Right. So first goal was what @MLS_Analyst described as a classic "English" goal, getting into the box at pace and then knock it home with a one time finish. Robbie Keane was the one to get into the box with pace, with Mike Magee knocking it in with one touch. 

Then Bryan Jordan just became the master of all things crosses, as he lofted not one but two crosses that were so perfect, their respective strikers didn't even have to move to knock them in. Robbie Keane and Mike Magee both stayed flat footed as they just nudged the ball in past Joe Cannon. 

Here's a neat bit of trivia. Mike Magee has scored a brace twice, both on September 17, the first one taking place six years ago. Six years to the date between braces. That's pretty cool. 

Anyhow, enjoy the aftermath everyone. These Galaxy guys are really good, and they've broken me out of my going into fall soccer slump. The game is fun again!