The Major League Soccer 2009 Eastern Conference Final was on Saturday with Real Salt Lake traveling to face the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. The winner would move onto the MLS Cup Final next Sunday against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Here’s a recap of the match along with video highlights.
Real Salt Lake beats Chicago Fire 0-0 (5-4 on penalty kicks) – Video Highlights
It was a close match on Saturday but Real Salt Lake found a way to advance and continue their improbable run to the MLS Cup Final. Like the New York Red Bulls of last season, RSL was not one of the favorites heading into the playoffs but has found their form at the right.
After 90 minutes it remained scoreless and two more 15 minute extra time periods didn’t change the scoreline. The match went to penalty kicks where Chicago took the early lead, converting their first three. RSL’s Javier Morales missed one high as RSL was down 2-3 after three rounds. John Thorrington’s shot was saved in the fourth round while RSL’s Kyle Beckerman converted his chance to tie it up at 3-3.
Both teams would convert their next round but miss the fifth as it was 4-4 after five rounds. Brandon Prideaux of the Chicago Fire had his penalty kick saved and RSL had a chance to win it. Ned Grabavoy stepped up and scored for RSL as they upset the Fire 5-4 on penalties and advanced to the MLS Cup Final.
They will now face the LA Galaxy next Sunday at Qwest Field in Seattle.
Real Salt Lake (3-0-0) vs. Chicago Fire (1-2-0)
November 14, 2009 — Toyota Park
Scoring Summary:
Penalty-kick shootout:
CHI — Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Goal)
RSL — Clint Mathis (Goal)
CHI — Brian McBride (Goal)
RSL — Javier Morales (High)
CHI — Wilman Conde (Goal)
RSL — Robbie Findley (Goal)
CHI — John Thorrington (Saved)
RSL — Kyle Beckerman (Goal)
CHI — C.J. Brown (Goal)
RSL — Will Johnson (Goal)
CHI — Logan Pause (Saved)
RSL — Fabian Espindola (High)
CHI — Brandon Prideaux (Saved)
RSL — Ned Grabavoy (Goal)
Real Salt Lake — Nick Rimando, Robbie Russell (Ned Grabavoy 13), Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, Chris Wingert, Andy Williams (Clint Mathis 69), Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Will Johnson, Yura Movsisyan (Fabian Espindola 72), Robbie Findley.
Substitutes Not Used: Jean Alexandre, Tony Beltran, Pablo Campos, Chris Seitz
Chicago Fire — Jon Busch, Brandon Prideaux, C.J. Brown, Dasan Robinson, Daniel Woolard (Wilman Conde 95), Chris Rolfe (Justin Mapp 11), Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Logan Pause, John Thorrington, Marco Pappa (Patrick Nyarko 78), Brian McBride,
Substitutes Not Used: Mike Banner, Calen Carr, Andrew Dykstra, Austin Washington
| Chicago Fire | Real Salt Lake | |||
| total shots: | 15 | (Brian McBride 4, Chris Rolfe 4) | 17 | (Yura Movsisyan 4) |
| shots on goal: | 6 | (Cuauhtemoc Blanco 2, Marco Pappa 2) | 8 | (Kyle Beckerman 2, Robbie Findley 2) |
| fouls: | 8 | (John Thorrington 3) | 23 | (Chris Wingert 6) |
| offsides: | 1 | (Brian McBride 1) | 2 | (Kyle Beckerman 1, Robbie Findley 1) |
| corner kicks: | 8 | (Cuauhtemoc Blanco 6) | 3 | (3 tied with 1) |
| saves: | 8 | (Jon Busch  | 6 | (Nick Rimando 6) |
Misconduct Summary:
RSL — Javier Morales (caution; Handball) 39
RSL — Chris Wingert (caution; Reckless Foul) 75
CHI — John Thorrington (caution; Reckless Tackle) 92+
RSL — Kyle Beckerman (caution; Dissent) 99
CHI — Brandon Prideaux (caution; Dissent) 101
RSL — Will Johnson (caution; Tactical Foul) 110
CHI — Cuauhtemoc Blanco (caution; Dissent) 117
referee: Ricardo Salazar
Referee’s Assistants: Adam Wienckowski; George Gansner
4th official: Mark Geiger
time of game: 2:48
attendance: 21,723
weather: Partly Cloudy -and- 61 degrees
