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MLS Cup 2011
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| Event | MLS Cup | ||||||
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| Date | November 20, 2011 | ||||||
| Venue | The Home Depot Center, Carson, California, US | ||||||
| Man of the Match | Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) | ||||||
| Referee | Ricardo Salazar | ||||||
| Attendance | 30,281 | ||||||
| Weather | Rain, 53 °F (12 °C)[1] | ||||||
MLS Cup 2011, the 16th edition of Major League Soccer's championship match, was played between the Houston Dynamo and the Los Angeles Galaxy to decide the champion of the 2011 season. The soccer match was played at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on November 20, 2011.[2][3] Los Angeles won their third championship, defeating Houston 1–0 off a 72nd-minute goal from Galaxy captain Landon Donovan.[4] David Beckham and Robbie Keane assisted the game's lone goal. With the win, the Galaxy became the first team since the Columbus Crew in 2008 to win both the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup in the same year.[5][6]
For Los Angeles, it was a league-record seventh appearance in the MLS Cup final, while it was Houston's third appearance in the league final.[7][8] Both the Galaxy and the Dynamo qualified for the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League. The Galaxy earned their third successive berth, while the Dynamo earned their third ever berth in the Champions League and their first since the 2009–10 edition.
Road to the final
[edit]| Los Angeles Galaxy | Round | Houston Dynamo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Regular season |
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| Opponent | Result | Legs | Playoffs | Opponent | Result | Legs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York Red Bulls | 3–1 | 2–1 home; 1–0 away | Conf. Semifinals | Philadelphia Union | 3–1 | 1–0 home; 2–1 away | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real Salt Lake | 3–1 | 3–1 home | Conference Finals | Sporting Kansas City | 2–0 | 2–0 away | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Los Angeles Galaxy
[edit]
Ahead of the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Los Angeles Galaxy successfully defended the Supporters' Shield, winning it for the second consecutive year, and for the fourth time overall, tying D.C. United for the most regular season championships earned. The Galaxy became the third straight team to win back-to-back regular season titles.[9] The Galaxy earned the Shield on October 8, two weeks prior to the end of the regular season, and finished the season with a 19–5–10, posting the second total number of points (67) ever by a league premier.
As Shield winners, the Galaxy earned the benefit of playing the lowest seeded team to advance from the newly created wildcard round. In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Galaxy played the New York Red Bulls, who had the tenth best regular season record, which was the lowest seeded team in the playoffs. The first leg of the two-match, aggregate series began on October 30, 2011 with the opening leg being played at New York's Red Bull Arena. The opening leg ended with a critical away victory for Los Angeles, as the Galaxy earned a 1–0 victory off of a goal from Mike Magee. Following the match, controversy erupted after New York's Rafael Márquez threw the match ball at Los Angeles' Landon Donovan's ankles. Immediately, Márquez was confronted by Los Angeles' Adam Cristman and Juninho which caused some pushing and shoving, before several players on both sides attempted to break up the skirmish. Both Marquez and Juninho were subsequently red-carded, Márquez for throwing a ball at an opposing player, and Juninho for striking an opponent, who was New York's Stephen Keel.
On November 3, the second leg was played at the Galaxy's home ground, The Home Depot Center. With a capped seating capacity due to the match being played on a school night, only 20,000 seats were available. In the fourth minute, New York's Luke Rodgers tied the aggregate series at 1–1 and gave New York a 1–0 lead in the second leg. Magee once again scored against his former club in the 42nd minute, tying the match, and giving the Galaxy a 2–1 aggregate lead over the Red Bulls. In the 75th minute, Donovan scored off a penalty kick to give the Galaxy a 3–1 aggregate lead and 2–1 lead in the match, which ended in the final score of the match.
Upon victory, the Galaxy hosted the third-seeded Western Conference team, Real Salt Lake, in the 2011 MLS Western Conference Championship. The game, a rematch of the 2009 MLS Cup final, resulted in a 3–1 victory for the Galaxy.
The 2011 MLS Cup was the Galaxy's first MLS Cup Victory in regulation. The 2002 and the 2005 MLS Cup wins were won in overtime.
Houston Dynamo
[edit]
The Houston Dynamo spent the first half of the regular season in inconsistent form, finding themselves in a slew of playoff bubble teams. In mid-September, the club hit solid form and finished their final six matches with four wins, no losses and two draws. After finishing second in the Eastern Conference, Houston received a direct bye to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. As the second-seeded club, Houston was paired up against the Philadelphia Union, who qualified for the playoffs for the first time in their history.
Against the Union, the Dynamo posted victories in each leg of the two-match, aggregate series, winning the round by a score of 3–1. The first match, played on October 29 at Philadelphia's PPL Park, marked Houston's first road playoff win. Houston defender and Canadian international André Hainault scored the opening goal in the fifth minute of play, only for Philadelphia's Sébastien Le Toux to tie the match two minutes later. In the 30th minute, Houston's Calen Carr scored the go-ahead goal, which ended up being the game-winning goal. Goalkeeper Tally Hall made 10 saves, six in the second half, to preserve the win.
The second leg of the conference semifinals was played at Robertson Stadium, Houston's final match at the stadium due to the opening of BBVA Compass Stadium in 2012. The game's lone goal came from longtime Houston striker Brian Ching, who scored three minutes into stoppage time in the first half of play on an assist by longtime teammate Brad Davis.[10] It was Ching's sixth MLS Cup Playoffs goal, and his first playoff goal for the club since the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs.[11]
Since Sporting Kansas City, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, defeated the Colorado Rapids in their conference semifinal, the Dynamo traveled to Kansas City, Kansas to take on Sporting for the 2011 MLS Eastern Conference Championship.[12] The two sides finished two points apart from one another during the regular season, as Sporting claimed the Eastern Conference regular season title after a 1–0 victory at D.C. United.[13] The match was played at Sporting's Livestrong Sporting Park, the same location where Sporting defeated the Dynamo 3–0 in regular season play on September 10.[14] The championship, however, played in Houston's favor, as the Dynamo posted a 2–0 victory at Kansas City.[15] Despite an injury to Davis, one of the finalists for the MLS MVP award, Hainault scored his second playoff goal in the 53rd minute, while Houston loanee and Honduran international Carlo Costly scored a buffer goal in the 87th minute to seal the club's third trip to the MLS Cup championship.[15]
Pre-match
[edit]
Venue selection
[edit]On the afternoon of May 10, 2011, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced that the Home Depot Center in Carson, California would host the MLS Cup championship.[16] The final, which became the fourth league championship held at the stadium, gave it the record for the most MLS Cup finals held. The last time the Home Depot Center hosted the MLS Cup final was in 2008, when the Columbus Crew defeated Red Bull New York.[17]
The Home Depot Center was the home ground of two Los Angeles–based clubs at the time, the Los Angeles Galaxy and C.D. Chivas USA.[16]
Television
[edit]The match kicked off at 9:00 pm EST and was broadcast on ESPN for the third consecutive year, as well as Galavisión in the U.S. and on TSN2 in Canada. Additionally, it was aired during prime time for the third consecutive year.[18]
Match details
[edit]
          Los Angeles Galaxy
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     Houston Dynamo
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Man of the Match:
Assistant referees:
Fourth official:
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Match rules
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Statistics
[edit]| Statistic | Los Angeles Galaxy | Houston Dynamo |
|---|---|---|
| Goals scored | 1 | 0 |
| Total shots | 14 | 8 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 1 |
| Saves | 5 | 2 |
| Corner kicks | 7 | 1 |
| Fouls committed | 10 | 13 |
| Offsides | 2 | 5 |
| Yellow cards | 3 | 2 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
References
[edit]- ^ MLS Communications Department; Elias Sports Bureau (February 23, 2024). "2024 Fact and Record Book". Major League Soccer. p. 158. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Home Depot Center selected as MLS Cup 2011 host". MLS Soccer. May 9, 2011. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ^ mlssoccer. "Pressure ramps up as Galaxy prepare to host final | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
- ^ "David Beckham wins MLS title with LA Galaxy but stays quiet on future". BBC Sport. November 21, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
- ^ "Dynamo 0, Galaxy 1". ESPN. November 20, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Landon Donovan's strike gives L.A. Galaxy MLS Cup crown". Washington Times. November 20, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
- ^ "2011-11-20: LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo, MLS Cup". MLSsoccer.com. November 20, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ "2011-11-20: LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo, MLS Cup". MLSsoccer.com. November 20, 2011. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ "LA Galaxy Win 2011 Supporters' Shield". Los Angeles Galaxy Communications. LAGalaxy.com. October 8, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ "Houston Eliminates Philadelphia Union" (Print). The New York Times. November 5, 2011. pp. B12. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ "Houston Dynamo 1–0 (3–1 agg.) Philadelphia Union: Brian Ching goal helps Dynamo to Eastern Conference final". Goal.com USA. Sports.Yahoo.com. November 3, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ Lovell, Darrell (November 4, 2011). "Houston gear up for quick turnaround against Sporting". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ Lee Rig, Zac (October 22, 2011). "D.C. United 0–1 Sporting Kansas City: KC finishes top of the Eastern Conference". Goal.com USA. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ Whisenhunt, Josh (September 10, 2011). "Recap: Sporting down Houston Dynamo 3–0". SportingKC.com. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ a b Wiebe, Andrew (November 6, 2011). "Recap: Dynamo stun Sporting KC 2–0, return to MLS Cup". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ a b Borg, Simon. "Home Depot Center selected as MLS Cup 2011 host". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ^ Becker, Josie (May 10, 2011). "Los Angeles To Host 2011 MLS Cup Final". SB Nation Los Angeles. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ^ Carrick, Buzz (August 9, 2011). "2011 MLS Cup Playoff dates and schedule". 3rd Degree: An FC Dallas Blog. ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ^ "2011-11-20: LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo, MLS Cup | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on November 23, 2011.
MLS Cup 2011
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Background
Season overview
The 2011 Major League Soccer regular season marked the league's 16th campaign, featuring an expanded roster of 18 teams with the addition of the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC as expansion franchises, bringing new markets from the Pacific Northwest into the fold.[5] The season ran from March 15 to October 23, comprising 306 total matches as each team played a 34-game schedule—17 home and 17 away—against all other clubs.[5] This structure allowed for balanced competition across the Eastern and Western Conferences, with the top three teams from each plus four wild-card qualifiers (the next four highest-point teams league-wide) advancing to the playoffs.[6] A notable off-field development was the rebranding of the Kansas City Wizards to Sporting Kansas City ahead of the season, accompanied by the opening of their new home stadium, Livestrong Sporting Park (now Children's Mercy Park), which hosted its first MLS match on March 19.[7] On the field, the Los Angeles Galaxy dominated the Western Conference and clinched the Supporters' Shield as the league's top regular-season team with a 19–5–10 record and 67 points, their second consecutive honor and highest points total in club history at the time.[8] Key to their success were contributions from captain Landon Donovan, who recorded 12 goals and 12 assists, alongside a league-best defensive record of 28 goals conceded.[8] In the Eastern Conference, the Houston Dynamo secured second place and a playoff spot with a 12–9–13 record for 49 points, relying on a balanced attack and solid home form at Robertson Stadium.[9] Individual accolades highlighted the season's talent, with D.C. United's Dwayne De Rosario earning Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player honors after leading the league with 16 goals and 12 assists across stints with Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls, and D.C. United.[10] He shared the Golden Boot as top scorer with San Jose Earthquakes' Chris Wondolowski, both tallying 16 goals, while Houston Dynamo's Brad Davis topped the assist charts with 16.[11] These performances underscored a competitive year that set the stage for an intense postseason.[12]Playoff format
The 2011 MLS Cup playoffs marked the introduction of an expanded 10-team postseason format, increasing from the previous eight-team structure used in prior years. The top three teams from each conference earned automatic byes to the conference semifinals based on regular-season points, while the next four highest-point teams league-wide qualified as wild cards (seeded 7 through 10 overall). These wild card teams competed in a play-in round consisting of two single-elimination matches: the No. 7 seed hosted the No. 10 seed, and the No. 8 seed hosted the No. 9 seed, with winners advancing as the No. 4 seeds in the conference semifinals of the higher-seeded team's conference.[6] The conference semifinals featured the eight qualified teams in two-legged, aggregate-score series, with each team hosting one leg—the lower seed hosted the first match, and the higher seed hosted the second. The conference finals were single-leg matches hosted by the higher remaining seed in each conference. The MLS Cup final was a single match at a predetermined neutral-site venue. Under this format, the Los Angeles Galaxy (No. 1 seed, Western Conference) and Houston Dynamo (No. 3 seed, Eastern Conference) emerged as conference champions to contest the final.[6][13] Tiebreakers for the two-legged conference semifinals prioritized away goals scored; if aggregates remained tied after that, the series proceeded to two 15-minute extra-time periods, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary. Single-leg matches, including the play-in round, conference finals, and MLS Cup, did not use the away goals rule and advanced directly to extra time and penalties if tied after regulation.[14] The playoffs drew a total attendance of 258,582 across 13 matches, averaging 19,891 spectators per game—the second-highest average in league history at the time.[15]Participating teams
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy, as the top seed in the Western Conference, began their 2011 MLS Cup playoff campaign in the conference semifinals against the New York Red Bulls, the Eastern Conference's first-place team, in a best-of-three series under the league's expanded postseason format.[16] In the first leg on October 30 at Red Bull Arena, the Galaxy secured a narrow 1–0 victory away from home, with Mike Magee scoring the decisive goal in the 15th minute off a precise through ball from David Beckham, showcasing the team's clinical finishing despite intense pressure from the hosts.[16][17] The Galaxy's defense, anchored by goalkeeper Josh Saunders who recorded three saves, held firm to preserve the clean sheet against New York's Thierry Henry and Juan Agudelo.[18] The second leg on November 3 at The Home Depot Center saw the Galaxy advance with a 2–1 win, clinching the aggregate 3–1 triumph. Luke Rodgers gave the Red Bulls an early lead in the 4th minute, but Mike Magee equalized in the 42nd minute from a David Beckham corner kick, highlighting Beckham's set-piece prowess. Landon Donovan then sealed the series with a 75th-minute penalty kick after a foul on Robbie Keane, while Saunders made crucial stops to maintain defensive solidity.[19][20][21] Advancing to the Western Conference Championship—a single-leg match on November 6 at home—the Galaxy faced Real Salt Lake, the conference's third seed, in a high-stakes showdown for a spot in MLS Cup. Donovan opened the scoring with a 23rd-minute penalty kick following a handball, but Alvaro Saborio equalized for RSL two minutes later. The Galaxy regained control in the second half, with Magee netting the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute off a counterattack and Keane adding insurance in the 68th minute via a clinical finish from a Donovan assist, securing a 3–1 victory and an unbeaten path to the final.[22][23] Throughout their playoff run to the final, the Galaxy remained unbeaten, scoring six goals and conceding just two, with strong home performances at The Home Depot Center driving their success and defensive resilience under Saunders proving pivotal in tight moments.[22][16] Beckham's assists in the semifinals and the attacking synergy among Donovan, Keane, and Magee underscored the team's balanced approach en route to the championship match.[20][23]Houston Dynamo
As the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Houston Dynamo advanced directly to the conference semifinals of the 2011 MLS Cup playoffs.[24] In the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia Union, Houston secured a 3–1 aggregate victory over two legs, showcasing defensive resilience and opportunistic scoring. The first leg on October 30 at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, ended 2–1 in favor of the Dynamo, with André Hainault opening the scoring in the 5th minute by heading in a free kick from Brad Davis, only for Philadelphia's Sébastien Le Toux to equalize two minutes later from a cross by Michael Farfan. Calen Carr restored Houston's lead in the 30th minute, finishing a through ball from Brian Ching after a quick counter-attack, despite goalkeeper Tally Hall making 10 saves to preserve the narrow advantage.[25] In the second leg on November 3 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, the Dynamo defended their lead effectively, winning 1–0 with Ching heading in a Davis cross in first-half stoppage time (45+), a moment that highlighted the veteran's poise under pressure and sealed the series before a crowd of 11,136.[26] Houston limited Philadelphia to few clear chances, conceding zero shots on target in the second half.[26] Advancing to the Eastern Conference Final, the Dynamo faced Sporting Kansas City in a single-leg match on November 6 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, where they earned a 2–0 road win to reach MLS Cup. The game remained scoreless at halftime despite Houston losing key midfielder Brad Davis to injury in the 35th minute, but the Dynamo struck first in the 53rd minute when Hainault headed in a rebound from a set-piece corner, capitalizing on Kansas City's defensive lapse. Carlo Costly sealed the victory in the 87th minute, firing a left-footed shot off the post and in after a pass from substitute Luiz Camargo during a swift counter, in front of 20,839 spectators.[27] This result underscored Houston's set-piece efficiency, with Davis's earlier deliveries proving influential even after his exit.[28] Throughout their playoff run to the final, the Dynamo scored 5 goals while conceding just 1, emphasizing a counter-attacking style that relied on quick transitions and solid defending to secure two clean sheets in three matches. Ching's leadership was pivotal, contributing a goal and an assist that demonstrated his experience in high-stakes moments, while Davis's expertise in set pieces directly led to two of Houston's strikes, reinforcing the team's tactical discipline under coach Dominic Kinnear.[24][25][26]Road to the final
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy, as the top seed in the Western Conference, began their 2011 MLS Cup playoff campaign in the conference semifinals against the New York Red Bulls, a wild card qualifier from the Eastern Conference, in a best-of-three series under the league's expanded postseason format.[16] In the first leg on October 30 at Red Bull Arena, the Galaxy secured a narrow 1–0 victory away from home, with Mike Magee scoring the decisive goal in the 42nd minute off a precise through ball from David Beckham, showcasing the team's clinical finishing despite intense pressure from the hosts.[16][17] The Galaxy's defense, anchored by goalkeeper Josh Saunders who recorded three saves, held firm to preserve the clean sheet against New York's Thierry Henry and Juan Agudelo.[18] The second leg on November 3 at The Home Depot Center saw the Galaxy advance with a 2–1 win, clinching the aggregate 3–1 triumph. Luke Rodgers gave the Red Bulls an early lead in the 4th minute, but Mike Magee equalized in the 29th minute from a David Beckham corner kick, highlighting Beckham's set-piece prowess. Landon Donovan then sealed the series with a 75th-minute penalty kick after a foul on Robbie Keane, while Saunders made crucial stops to maintain defensive solidity.[19][20][21] Advancing to the Western Conference Championship—a single-leg match on November 6 at home—the Galaxy faced Real Salt Lake, the conference's third seed, in a high-stakes showdown for a spot in MLS Cup. Donovan opened the scoring with a 23rd-minute penalty kick following a handball, but Javier Espíndola equalized for RSL two minutes later. The Galaxy regained control in the second half, with Magee netting the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute off a counterattack and Keane adding insurance in the 68th minute via a clinical finish from a Donovan assist, securing a 3–1 victory and an unbeaten path to the final.[22][23] Throughout their playoff run to the final, the Galaxy remained unbeaten, scoring six goals and conceding just two, with strong home performances at The Home Depot Center driving their success and defensive resilience under Saunders proving pivotal in tight moments.[22][16] Beckham's assists in the semifinals and the attacking synergy among Donovan, Keane, and Magee underscored the team's balanced approach en route to the championship match.[20][23]Houston Dynamo
As the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Houston Dynamo advanced directly to the conference semifinals of the 2011 MLS Cup playoffs.[24] In the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia Union, Houston secured a 3–1 aggregate victory over two legs, showcasing defensive resilience and opportunistic scoring. The first leg on October 30 at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, ended 2–1 in favor of the Dynamo, with André Hainault opening the scoring in the 5th minute by heading in a free kick from Brad Davis, only for Philadelphia's Sébastien Le Toux to equalize two minutes later from a cross by Michael Farfan. Calen Carr restored Houston's lead in the 30th minute, finishing a through ball from Brian Ching after a quick counter-attack, despite goalkeeper Tally Hall making 10 saves to preserve the narrow advantage.[25] In the second leg on November 3 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, the Dynamo defended their lead effectively, winning 1–0 with Ching heading in a Davis cross in first-half stoppage time (45+), a moment that highlighted the veteran's poise under pressure and sealed the series before a crowd of 11,136.[26] Houston limited Philadelphia to few clear chances, conceding zero shots on target in the second half.[26] Advancing to the Eastern Conference Final, the Dynamo faced Sporting Kansas City in a single-leg match on November 6 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, where they earned a 2–0 road win to reach MLS Cup. The game remained scoreless at halftime despite Houston losing key midfielder Brad Davis to injury in the 35th minute, but the Dynamo struck first in the 53rd minute when Hainault headed in a rebound from a set-piece corner, capitalizing on Kansas City's defensive lapse. Carlo Costly sealed the victory in the 87th minute, firing a left-footed shot off the post and in after a pass from substitute Luiz Camargo during a swift counter, in front of 20,839 spectators.[27] This result underscored Houston's set-piece efficiency, with Davis's earlier deliveries proving influential even after his exit.[28] Throughout their playoff run to the final, the Dynamo scored 5 goals while conceding just 1, emphasizing a counter-attacking style that relied on quick transitions and solid defending to secure two clean sheets in three matches. Ching's leadership was pivotal, contributing a goal and an assist that demonstrated his experience in high-stakes moments, while Davis's expertise in set pieces directly led to two of Houston's strikes, reinforcing the team's tactical discipline under coach Dominic Kinnear.[24][25][26]Pre-match
Venue and ticketing
The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, served as the neutral-site venue for MLS Cup 2011, marking the fourth time the stadium hosted the league's championship match. Major League Soccer announced the selection on May 10, 2011, citing the venue's successful history with previous finals in 2001, 2003, and 2005, as well as its modern facilities and capacity to accommodate a large crowd. This was the first MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center since 2008, when the Columbus Crew defeated the New York Red Bulls 3–1 there. Although MLS traditionally rotated championship sites across the league, the 2011 decision favored the stadium of the Western Conference's top seed, the LA Galaxy, aligning with the league's evolving format to reward higher-seeded teams while maintaining a neutral designation.[29] Tickets for the match went on sale following the conference finals on November 6, 2011, and reached a complete sellout by November 10, with an additional batch of seats released to meet surging demand from fans. The primary ticket pricing ranged from approximately $50 for upper-level seats to $300 for premium lower-bowl options, though secondary market averages climbed to around $281 due to high interest. Allocations were provided to the teams' official supporters' groups, including the LA Galaxy's Angel City Brigade and the Houston Dynamo's Texian Army, with the Dynamo section selling out within minutes of availability on November 8. Preparations for the event emphasized logistical readiness amid challenging weather, as light rain fell throughout the day in Carson, with temperatures hovering at 53°F (12°C) and intermittent showers continuing into the first half. Ground crews monitored field conditions closely to ensure playability on the natural grass surface, which held up without significant disruptions despite the dampness. The atmosphere was enhanced by standard championship setups, including expanded seating configurations that allowed for a total attendance of 30,281—the largest crowd ever recorded for a soccer match at the Home Depot Center.Broadcasting
The MLS Cup 2011 was broadcast in the United States on ESPN for English-language television coverage, featuring Ian Darke on play-by-play and John Harkes as color analyst in the booth. Studio hosting was handled by Max Bretos, with analysis from Alexi Lalas and Taylor Twellman, and sideline reporting by Rob Stone and Monica González. Spanish-language television rights were held by Galavisión, while ESPN Deportes Radio provided Spanish audio commentary with Jorge Ramos on play-by-play and Hernán Pereyra as analyst.[30] In Canada, TSN2 carried the live telecast. The English-language broadcast on ESPN drew 1.44 million U.S. viewers and a 0.8 household rating, representing an 84% increase in viewership from the 2010 MLS Cup.[31] Radio coverage included national English-language distribution via Sirius XM FC, alongside local stations for each team: KSPN (710 ESPN) in Los Angeles for the Galaxy and KBME (SportsTalk 790) in Houston for the Dynamo. Spanish radio was available nationally on ESPN Deportes 1180 AM.[32][30] The match was streamed live on ESPN3 in the U.S., with MLSsoccer.com offering video highlights, extended coverage via MatchDay 360, and live audio options. Internationally, coverage reached various markets, including a broadcast on ESPN in the United Kingdom.[30][33][34]Match
Summary
The 2011 MLS Cup final, held on November 20 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, featured the top-seeded Los Angeles Galaxy of the Western Conference against the Eastern Conference champions Houston Dynamo, with the Galaxy seeking their third league title.[1] The match kicked off under rainy conditions, with the Galaxy quickly asserting control through sustained possession and probing attacks, while the Dynamo relied on quick counters to threaten. The first half remained scoreless and evenly contested, highlighted by Galaxy forward Adam Cristman's headers going wide from David Beckham's corners and a key save by Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders on a shot from Houston's Danny Cruz in stoppage time; at the other end, Dynamo keeper Tally Hall denied several Galaxy efforts, including a curling shot from Robbie Keane.[3][35] In the second half, the Galaxy ramped up the pressure, with Keane seeing a goal disallowed for offside and firing another effort wide, underscoring his near-misses throughout the contest. The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute when Keane flicked on a Beckham cross into the path of captain Landon Donovan, who slotted home from close range to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. The Dynamo mounted late pushes, including a corner in the 85th minute, but could not equalize, allowing the Galaxy to secure the victory without extra time. Donovan was named Man of the Match for his decisive contribution, capping a performance amid the emotional backdrop of what many viewed as Beckham's MLS farewell, though he would return for one more season.[3][4][2]Statistics
The starting lineup for the Los Angeles Galaxy was, in a 4-4-2 formation: goalkeeper Josh Saunders; defenders Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant; midfielders Landon Donovan, Juninho, David Beckham, Mike Magee; forwards Adam Cristman, Robbie Keane.[4][3] The starting lineup for the Houston Dynamo was, in a 4-4-2 formation: goalkeeper Tally Hall; defenders Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Jermaine Taylor; midfielders Adam Moffat, Luiz Camargo, Danny Cruz, Corey Ashe; forwards Brian Ching, Calen Carr.[4][3]| Team | Substitutions |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Galaxy | Chris Birchall for Adam Cristman (57')[4][3] |
| Houston Dynamo | Carlo Costly for Calen Carr (66'), Colin Clark for Danny Cruz (78'), Je-Vaughn Watson for Corey Ashe (84')[3] |
| Statistic | Los Angeles Galaxy | Houston Dynamo |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 57% | 43% |
| Shots | 14 | 8 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 5 |
| Corners | 6 | 4 |
| Fouls | 10 | 12 |
| Yellow cards | 3 | 2 |