RSL defeat Chicago Fire on penalties to advance to first MLS Cup
By ASN Staff • Nov 15th, 2009 • Category: Features
Nick Rimando saved three Chicago Fire penalty kicks to help Real Salt Lake win the Eastern Conference on a shootout after 120 minutes of soccer yielded no goals for either team. The victory puts RSL in its first-ever MLS Cup game where they will face the LA Galaxy, victors of a dramatic conference final of their own Friday, and completes a stunning late-season turnaround for the Salt Lake City side.
Jason Kreis’ squad needed the final regular season matchday to sneak into the postseason, then upset the defending champion Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
The loss is a bitter pill to swallow for Chicago, which has now lost three consecutive Eastern Conference finals. Reporting from Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., ASN’s Jeff Tobin has more on the disappointing end to the Fire season, including player ratings.
Check out the RSL Conference champions photo montage courtesy of ASN’s Julie Harper.
ASN Staff is somebody, or a collection of persons, who really love the beautiful game and want to see it grow in this country. We are an all volunteer force of soccer writers scattered throughout North America. You will find us in the press box at MLS stadia and everywhere the U.S. men's and women's national teams play their games. Want to join us? Here's how and where you can do so.
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Go RSL!