2002 MLS Cup

Lore & Background

The Los Angeles Galaxy had qualified for the playoffs in each of the league's previous six seasons and were runners-up at the MLS Cup on three previous occasions: losing to D.C. United in 1996 and 1999, and to in-state rivals San Jose Earthquakes in 2001. The Galaxy finished as Supporters' Shield champions with 51 points. Guatemalan forward Carlos Ruiz, who was acquired in the offseason, scored 24 goals in his first season with the Galaxy and was named the league's most valuable player (MVP). Veteran forward Cobi Jones ranked second in goals scored for the Galaxy, behind Ruiz, and enjoyed a comeback season alongside defender and U.S. compatriot Alexi Lalas. The Revolution, who were named hosts before the season, were playing in their first MLS Cup. New England finished the season with a total record of 12 wins, 14 losses, and two draws, scoring 49 goals, while the Galaxy scored a league-high 51 goals in the regular season. The match was attended by 61,316 spectators, the largest figure for any MLS Cup until 2018. It was also the last MLS final to end with a golden goal.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over the wet grass, casting long shadows on the pitch as the clock neared the end of extra time. Landon Donovan wiped sweat from his brow, feeling the heavy boots and the weight of thousands of eyes fixed upon him. He spotted a fleeting gap in the New England defense, a sliver of opportunity that opened up near the penalty arc. With a deep breath, he drove forward, the roar of the crowd swelling into a single deafening chant. One touch to control, one strike to silence the doubt—the ball sailed past the keeper's outstretched glove and nestled in the net. The stadium erupted, a sea of blue and gold rising as the Galaxy finally claimed their crown.

Reader's Guide

The MLS Cup is the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS). The 2002 season was the seventh in the league's history and was contested by ten teams in two conferences. Each team played a total of 28 matches in the regular season. The playoffs were organized into three rounds, the first two being a home-and-away series organized into a best-of-three format with the first team to earn five points advancing, and the single-match MLS Cup final. MLS Cup 2002 was contested by the Los Angeles Galaxy, who also won the regular season's Supporters' Shield, and the New England Revolution, the highest-ranked team from the Eastern Conference. The Galaxy and Revolution played each other twice in the regular season: a 3–2 victory for New England on May 25 and a 2–1 win for Los Angeles on August 10. The two teams also played each other in the 2001 U.S. Open Cup Final, where Los Angeles won 2–1 in overtime.

Did You Know?

• The match was the last MLS final to end with a golden goal.
• The attendance of 61,316 was the largest for any MLS Cup until 2018.
• Carlos Ruiz scored the winning goal in the second overtime.
• The Revolution were playing in their first MLS Cup final.
• The venue, Gillette Stadium, was originally named CMGI Field and was renamed in August 2002.