Will David Beckham and Landon Donovan be celebrating on Sunday? (Getty Images)

This is a game I've gone back and forth with all week. Two western conference squads meeting in the league final is going to be interesting. Not many had picked both the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake to make it this far back at the start of the season.

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The U.S. men's national team had plenty of bright spots and highlights in 2009, but the final game of the year had few moments worth remembering.

With most of the team's top stars unavailable, Bob Bradley handed opportunities to several players to show that they deserve more playing time.

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As seems to be common, the week following an international break sort of works as a slow start back into the stream of futbol. The great matches don't start until the Champions League picks up on Tuesday. Most clubs are back in action this weekend, but there aren't any marquee matchups to talk about.

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A long and exhausting season comes down to one game. On one side, you have the upstart Real Salt Lake, the club that "shouldn't be here." On the other, the star-studded Galaxy, complete with the world's most recognized footballer in David Beckham.

While MLS may have missed out on a marketing maven's dream match-up of Beckham vs.

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There's only one game left in the 2009 MLS Schedule and it's the big one; the MLS Cup Final. This year's final, which will be played at Seattle's Qwest Field, pits Western Conference regular season champs the L.A. Galaxy against the streaking Real Salt Lake.

The matchup offers some good star power with the obvious L.

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I asked for a Beckham vs Blanco, LA Galaxy vs Chicago Fire MLS Cup 2009. But my request was denied when Real Salt Lake beat Fire on spot kicks in the Eastern Conference Final. Still, as MLS-based attention grabbing events go, an LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake MLS Cup 2009 is up there. I'll definitely [. Click to continue reading...

Thierry Henry has backed calls for a replay of the Ireland-Italy World Cup playoff he helped decide with his now infamous handball, even though FIFA has already rejected a request for a replay.

"Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa," said Henry.

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Thierry Henry has backed calls for a replay of the Ireland-Italy World Cup playoff he helped decide with his now infamous handball, even though FIFA has already rejected a request for a replay.

"Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa," said Henry.

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Two things to talk about this morning that affect my entire sports weekend. First, let me say that I am very glad that my wife (who is going on a mission trip to a far-off land for about a week) is not flying through France or Ireland to get there because right now someone is probably screaming their head off in the streets of Ireland.

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George McFly believed in destiny. And "density." I'm just not sure I do ... not as it relates to MLS titles, anyway.

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Personally, I don't believe in witches, warlocks, hoodoo, voodoo or mythical beings from MagicMountain.

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Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
Sunday, November 22nd at 7:30 CT on ESPN

How many high pressure wins does it take to erase the title of underdog? After entering the tournament as the lowest seed, Real Salt Lake might need one more as they try to complete their Cinderella Story toward Sunday's David vs.

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After Warzycha benched the teams biggest threat for the teams biggest match (what a dope!), it should have sent warning shots in the minds of everyone associated with MLS.

Former All Star, MLS Cup Winner, Boca Jrs. Legend and league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto has just been asked to take a sizable pay cut by the Columbus Crew, to the tune of $400k.

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MLS announced this afternoon that L.A. Galaxy forward Landon Donovan has been named league MVP. The honor, which is the first MVP trophy in the 29-year-old's 9-year career, comes as a precursor to Sunday night's MLS Cup Final -- when Donovan and L.A. will take on Real Salt Lake.

Donovan, who had 12 goals and 6 assists in 25 games this year, beat out finalists Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution) and Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas) for the award.

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FYI
I will be off Friday and Monday enjoying all that Seattle has to offer. So our good friend Graham Fox will be filling in. I have no doubt you will like it. His work here in the past has been fantastic. Have fun everyone, and don't miss MLS Cup.
- Bruce
STARTERS
If last Saturday's USA game at Slovakia was disappointing, then yesterday's game at Denmark was down right pathetic. Click to continue reading...

RSL made it to MLS Cup this year, but who will they protect for another run in 2010? (Getty Images)

Our second club for the day as we get closer to finishing out our look at each 15 MLS clubs before next week's expansion draft. Earlier in the day we took a look at the lowly New York Red Bulls, now we turn our attention to one of this year's MLS Cup participants, Real Salt Lake.

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Two teams left, one cup to play for. The long and difficult MLS season has been successfully navigated by Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles Galaxy. On Sunday, the season comes to an end and MLS will crown a champion.

In the city where MLS has been a runaway success this season, a one club will emerge victorious.

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Two teams left, one cup to play for. The long and difficult MLS season has been successfully navigated by Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles Galaxy. On Sunday, the season comes to an end and MLS will crown a champion.

In the city where MLS has been a runaway success this season, a one club will emerge victorious.

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By L.E. Eisenmenger - BOSTON, MA (Nov 18, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- The Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake didn't kick into high gear until the end of the season, but it's no real surprise they meet in the MLS Cup final. The combinations of players, coaches, stadiums, and marketing show these clubs built ships to survive bad weather and win races. Click to continue reading...

Briefly:

*In praise of Galaxy GM and Coach Bruce Arena.

*For Real Salt Lake MLS Cup equals redemption.

* Former Chivas USA Coach Preki was officially unveiled as Toronto's new coach today. Wonder how much longer Amado Guevara will be around?

*Want to party like it's 1989?

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After that cesspool of a result in Paris on Wednesday, it is nice to turn our attention to a league where the sportsmen are pure, the referees are beyond reproach and the game is always played with a spirit of manly honor – the MLS. Or something like that.

Sunday's game will feature the best team in the west this season against the best team in the west right now.

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The 2009 MLS Cup his hitting Seattle this weekend, and SBI will be there to cover it, as well as to cover all the MLS-related activities associated with MLS Cup weekend.

Real Salt Lake takes on the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, but the weekend should be filled with much more as reps from all the league's teams converge on Seattle to talk deals (and in some cases, look for head coaches).

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The 2009 MLS Cup his hitting Seattle this weekend, and SBI will be there to cover it, as well as to cover all the MLS-related activities associated with MLS Cup weekend.

Real Salt Lake takes on the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, but the weekend should be filled with much more as reps from all the league's teams converge on Seattle to talk deals (and in some cases, look for head coaches).

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Great weather expected for Sunday -- if you're a duck

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I learned a new weather term today. "Sun spots"

Now, I used to think those were symptoms of dermatological distress, something that happened to aging skin, particularly for former glamour gals or golfers who had spent too much time under the brilliant rays of summer.

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In the first part of our 2009 MLS Cup Final preview, the Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles Galaxy players were assessed and compared, with a slight advantage being measured for the Galaxy. In this continuation of our analysis, attention is paid to the coaches and intangibles for both clubs.

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I'm typing this post from the rear seat of a town car on my way to the airport for MLS Cup madness 2009*. So while float over the country and plot my assault on Jet City may I suggest you listen to RSL skipper Jason Kreis talk coach stuff. Then later when my feet are back on the ground we can talk punk rock stuff. Click to continue reading...

On Tuesday, the Fire distributed a letter that owner Andrew Hauptman wrote to fans of the club. The letter, which ran a relatively short 293 words, was sort of Hauptman's wrap on the season. It details how he felt after the Real Salt Lake game and reminds fans that the club is already working hard to bring a championship back to Chicago next season. Click to continue reading...

Nine months, 456 matches, and controversy aplenty. And it all comes down to to one game, one high-octane head-to-head for the title.

The fourteenth season of Major League Soccer is nearing its end and, while Seattle Sounders have skewed an otherwise worrying attendance picture, the action on the field has impressed.

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This weekends MLS Cup final in Seattle is David Beckham's biggest game in the U.S. So how is Becks preparing for the game? In a cast of course!

I was shocked when I saw this picture from Splash News of Beckham with a cast on his foot, a la Tom Brady before his last SuperBowl game. And we all know how that turned out for Brady.

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It is not just that Real Salt Lake's captain, Kyle Beckerman, has been working on his dreadlocks longer than the LA Galaxy's David Beckham has been coifed with an under-cut resembling a mullet with a racing-strip, that leads me to predict RSL as the 2009 MLS Cup winner. Rather, it is that RSL is peaking at the right time and relishes the underdog role.

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Or at least the club's logo does 550 feet above the city of Seattle to mark Sunday's MLS Cup, along with those of the league and opponent Real Salt Lake.Photo courtesy Omega Graphics.

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On this busy day of international soccer, check out this interesting piece from Soccer America magazine on Real Salt Lake owner, Dave Checketts. I don't know anything about the man and maybe he is not Mr. Nice Guy but, according to goalkeeper Nick Rimando, at least he seems to care about his team. Can anyone imagine Mr. Click to continue reading...

Real Salt Lake investor/operator Dave Checketts has sold a significant stake in the club to local real estate developer Dell Loy Hansen. The deal also includes part of Rio Tinto Stadium and a local radio station. "We are delighted to have Dell Loy and his family joining ours," Checketts said. "Many other MLS franchises have been fortunate to have added significant partners to their ownership groups in recent years, but what makes this standout from. Click to continue reading...

Before the playoffs began, the consensus was that the teams in the Western Conference were more prepared to the lift the MLS Cup in Seattle on November 22nd. Little did we know then how prophetic that sentiment was, as we now have both entries in the Final representing the West. The Los Angeles Galaxy — the top seed out of the West entering the post-season — and Real Salt Lake — vanquishers of the best the East had to offer — face off at Qwest Field with the Philip F.

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If you'll pardon the double dip, allow me to re-purpose something I knocked out for MLS Insider yesterday. I got to talking to Nick Rimando for a minute and he pointed out something that I didn't think of; he basically closed out his buddy Brandon Prideaux's career with that save in the shootout (they were teammates at D. Click to continue reading...

STARTERS
On Thursday Toronto FC is expected to name Preki as their new head coach.
dN
Incredible quote from Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis on his teams tough regular season: "I was very overconfident. I think I added to what was a little bit of an underlying thing on the team that we were a bit overconfident going into this season. Click to continue reading...