May 27, 2012
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Salt Lake defies odds to soar over Galaxy for title
Real Salt Lake players celebrate after winning the MLS Cup 2009 on Sunday.
24 November 2009 / REUTERS, SEATTLE
Major League Soccer’s unlikely new champions Real Salt Lake defied the odds by lifting the title without a highly paid star player, glamorous stadium and after losing more games than they won in the regular season.
In only their fifth season in the US professional soccer league, Salt Lake surprised everybody but themselves by fighting their way through two playoffs and edging Los Angeles Galaxy on penalties to take the MLS crown on Sunday.
“In certain games we saw what we were capable of, when we played our best soccer we were one of the best teams in the league,” Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis told reporters. “So now it’s nice to say we are the best team in the league.”
His boast would have been difficult to make before Sunday’s game after the side that takes its name from Spanish partner club Real Madrid finished fifth in the eight-team MLS Western Conference, winning 11 games, losing 12 and drawing seven.
Undaunted by reputations, they battled their way past 2008 champions Columbus Crew and the much-fancied Chicago Fire, also on penalties, to book their place in the league’s Seattle showpiece.
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