View source for MLS Cup 2002

{{short description|2002 edition of the MLS Cup}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox football match
|title = MLS Cup 2002
|event = [[MLS Cup]]
|image = MLS Cup 2002 logo.gif
|team1 = [[Los Angeles Galaxy]]
|team1score = 1
|team2 = [[New England Revolution]]
|team2score = 0
|details = After [[golden goal]] [[Overtime (Association football)|extra time]]
|date = October 20, 2002
|stadium = [[Gillette Stadium]]
|city = [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], US
|man_of_the_match1a = [[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]]<br />(Los Angeles Galaxy)
|weather = Sunny, {{convert|56|°F|°C}}
|attendance = 61,316
|referee = [[Kevin Terry]]
|previous = [[MLS Cup 2001|2001]]
|next = [[MLS Cup 2003|2003]]
}}
'''MLS Cup 2002''' was the seventh edition of the [[MLS Cup]], the championship match of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS), which took place on October 20, 2002. It was hosted at [[Gillette Stadium]] in [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], and contested by the [[New England Revolution]] and the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] to decide the champion of the [[2002 Major League Soccer season|2002 season]]. The Revolution, who were named hosts before the season, were playing in their first MLS Cup; Los Angeles had lost in all three of their previous cup appearances.
Los Angeles won their first championship 1–0 in the second overtime on a [[golden goal|sudden-death goal]] scored by [[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]]. The match was attended by 61,316 spectators, the largest figure for any MLS Cup until [[MLS Cup 2018|2018]]. It was also the last MLS final to end with a [[golden goal]].
==Venue==
[[File:Gillette Stadium (Top View).jpg|thumb|left|[[Gillette Stadium]], host of MLS Cup 2002]]
[[Gillette Stadium|CMGI Field]] in [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], home of the New England Revolution and the [[New England Patriots]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL), was announced as the [[Home advantage#Neutral venues|neutral-site venue]] of the MLS Cup on February 13, 2002.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 13, 2002 |title=A nice Brazilian blend |page=C14 |work=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref><ref name="CMGI">{{cite press release |date=February 13, 2002 |title=CMGI Field to Host MLS Cup 2002 |url=http://www.mlsnet.com/content/02/mls0212cup02.html |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020601192802/http://www.mlsnet.com/content/02/mls0212cup02.html |archive-date=June 1, 2002 |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> The new stadium was built to replace the former [[Foxboro Stadium]], which had hosted the [[MLS Cup 1996|inaugural MLS Cup in 1996]] and the [[MLS Cup 1999|1999 edition]].<ref>{{cite news |date=February 11, 2002 |title=Mass. Stadium Tapped for MLS Cup |url=https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/Mass-Stadium-Tapped-for-MLS-Cup-7335328.php |work=[[Huron Daily Tribune]] |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Golen |first=Jimmy |date=October 22, 2002 |title=Galaxy title took seven years |page=C4 |work=[[Asheville Citizen-Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25379855/galaxy_title_took_seven_years_ap/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> CMGI Field was later renamed Gillette Stadium in August after the [[naming rights]] were sold to [[Gillette]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=May 10, 2002 |title=New facility has a multipurpose |page=E8 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25152745/new_facility_has_a_multipurpose/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Reidy |first1=Chris |last2=Cafardo |first2=Nick|author-link2=Nick Cafardo |date=August 6, 2002 |title=Gillette scores at Patriots' field; CMGI heads to sidelines |page=C1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25152732/gillette_scores_at_patriots_field/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> Approximately 20,000 tickets were sold by October 10, but sales reached 55,000 after the Revolution advanced from the Conference Finals, and were on pace to match or surpass the MLS Cup attendance record of 57,431 set in [[MLS Cup '97|1997]].<ref name="LAT-Preview">{{cite news |last=Dillman |first=Lisa |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Another Shot for Galaxy |page=D1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-20-sp-galaxy20-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Freedman |first=Jonah |date=October 21, 2011 |title=Top 50 MLS Cup Moments: #30 Occupy Gillette |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2011/10/21/top-50-mls-cup-moments-30-occupy-gillette |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=November 14, 2018}}</ref> The stadium's capacity was restricted to 60,000 seats, excluding the [[luxury box|box]] and club seats, and the field itself measured {{convert|75 x 106|yd|m}}, wider than the configuration used in 1999 at Foxboro Stadium.<ref name="Globe-Tickets">{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 19, 2002 |title=Demand for tickets exceeding officials' expectations |page=E8 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349774/demand_for_tickets_exceeding_officials/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
==Road to the final==
{{main|2002 Major League Soccer season}}
The [[MLS Cup]] is the post-season championship of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS), a professional club soccer league based in the United States. The [[2002 Major League Soccer season|2002 season]] was the seventh in the league's history and was contested by ten teams in two conferences following the folding of two teams in [[Florida]] and the reorganization of the [[Central Division (MLS)|Central Division]].<ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Joseph |date=March 24, 2002 |title=Two teams lighter, MLS starts 7th season |page=D6 |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349735/two_teams_lighter_mls_starts_7th_season/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Foltman |first=Bob |date=January 9, 2002 |title=MLS drops 2 Florida teams |page=2 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-01-09-0201090224-story.html |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> Each team played a total of 28 matches in the regular season, which ran from March to September, facing teams within their conference four times and outside of their conference two times.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Major League Soccer: General Overview |url=http://www.mlsnet.com/about/league/overview.html |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021003220954/http://www.mlsnet.com/about/league/overview.html |archive-date=October 3, 2002 |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> The playoffs ran from late September to October and was contested by the top eight teams overall, with the top two teams in each conference given a higher seed regardless of overall standing.<ref name="MLS-2015">{{cite news |last=Rodriguez |first=Alicia |date=October 21, 2015 |title=Audi MLS Cup Playoffs: Tracing the evolution of the postseason format since 1996 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/10/21/audi-mls-cup-playoffs-tracing-evolution-postseason-format |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The playoffs were organized into three rounds, the first two being a [[two-legged tie|home-and-away]] series organized into a best-of-three format with the first team to earn five points advancing, and the single-match MLS Cup final.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 2002 |title=2002 MLS Cup Playoffs Media Guide |url=http://mlsnet.com/special/mlscup/02/2002pog_pub.pdf |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030714174425/http://mlsnet.com/special/mlscup/02/2002pog_pub.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2003 |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
MLS Cup 2002 was contested by the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]], who also won the regular season's [[Supporters' Shield]], and the [[New England Revolution]], the highest-ranked team from the [[Eastern Conference (MLS)|Eastern Conference]].<ref name="LAT-Revs">{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=October 18, 2002 |title=A Beaten Path? |page=D15 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-18-sp-revolution18-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref><ref name="LAT-No1">{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=September 22, 2002 |title=Galaxy Clinches No. 1 Playoff Seed |page=D5 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-22-sp-galaxy22-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The Galaxy and Revolution played each other twice in the regular season: a 3–2 victory for New England on May 25 and a 2–1 win for Los Angeles on August 10.<ref name="AP-Galaxy">{{cite news |last=Ulman |first=Howard |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Ageless Jones leads Galaxy to final |page=C11 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25177027/ageless_jones_leads_galaxy_to_final_ap/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The two teams also played each other in the [[2001 U.S. Open Cup Final]], where Los Angeles won 2–1 in overtime.<ref name="Globe-Buildup">{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 14, 2002 |title=Speedy path to success |page=C2 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349398/speedy_path_to_success/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
===Los Angeles Galaxy===
The Los Angeles Galaxy had qualified for the playoffs in each of the league's previous six seasons and were runners-up at the MLS Cup on three previous occasions: losing to [[D.C. United]] in [[MLS Cup '96|1996]] and [[MLS Cup '99|1999]], and to in-state rivals [[San Jose Earthquakes]] in [[MLS Cup 2001|2001]].<ref name="LAT-Revs"/> While they had won other competitions, including the [[U.S. Open Cup]] and the [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]], the team were compared to the NFL's [[Buffalo Bills]], who were runners-up at the [[Super Bowl]] several times in the 1990s.<ref name="LAT-Revs"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Casey |first=Tim |date=October 21, 2002 |title=After three failures, Galaxy finally vindicated |page=D10 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25379873/after_three_failures_galaxy_finally/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> Guatemalan forward [[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]], who was acquired in the offseason, scored 24 goals in his first season with the Galaxy and was named the league's [[Landon Donovan MVP Award|most valuable player]] (MVP).<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=October 19, 2002 |title=Fitting the Bill |page=D5 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-19-sp-galaxy19-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> The Galaxy finished as Supporters' Shield champions with 51 points, while the remaining Western Conference teams all qualified for the playoffs.<ref name="MLS-2015"/><ref name="LAT-No1"/> Veteran forward [[Cobi Jones]] ranked second in goals scored for the Galaxy, behind Ruiz, and enjoyed a comeback season alongside defender and U.S. compatriot [[Alexi Lalas]].<ref name="AP-Galaxy"/>
In the Conference Semifinals, Los Angeles faced the bottom-seeded [[Kansas City Wizards]] in a first-to-five point series. The first leg at the [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]] in [[Pasadena, California]], was won by the Galaxy 3–2 after a golden goal was scored by Ruiz in the 99th minute.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=September 26, 2002 |title=For Ruiz, Overtime Is His Prime Time |page=D1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-26-sp-galaxy26-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The Wizards won 4–1 in the second leg at [[Arrowhead Stadium]], setting up a series-deciding third match at the Rose Bowl.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=September 29, 2002 |title=Galaxy Can't Close It Out |page=D5 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-29-sp-galaxy29-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> Los Angeles won the third leg 5–2, with two goals each for Jones and Ruiz, and advanced to the Conference Finals with six points.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=October 3, 2002 |title=Galaxy Kicks It Up a Notch |page=D3 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-03-sp-galaxy3-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The Galaxy played against the [[Colorado Rapids]] in the Western Conference Finals, held over the following week under the same format as the Semifinals. The team won 4–0 at the Rose Bowl and 1–0 at [[INVESCO Field]] in [[Denver]], bringing the Galaxy to their fourth MLS Cup final.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=October 6, 2002 |title=Galaxy Makes Rapid Advance |page=D5 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-06-sp-galaxy6-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=October 10, 2002 |title=Ruiz Heads Galaxy Attack |page=D3 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-10-sp-galaxy10-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref>
===New England Revolution===
[[File:TaylorTwellman 2006 MLS Cup.jpg|thumb|right|x260px|New England Revolution forward [[Taylor Twellman]], who led the team in scoring]]
The Revolution failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2001,<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=September 2, 2001 |title=As in history, Revolution suppressed |page=C4 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349136/as_in_history_revolution_suppressed/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> following several years of poor on-field performances that resulted in the worst winning record of the league's ten teams.<ref>{{cite press release |date=January 24, 2002 |title=MLS Announces 2002 Regular Season Schedule |url=http://www.mlsnet.com/content/02/mls0124schedule.html |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020127141936/http://www.mlsnet.com/content/02/mls0124schedule.html |archive-date=January 27, 2002 |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lemieux |first=Jeff |date=October 18, 2016 |title=History Lesson: Recapping every team MVP through the Revs' first 20 seasons |url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/post/2016/10/18/history-lesson-recapping-every-team-mvp-through-revs-first-20-seasons |publisher=New England Revolution |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> Despite their league performance, New England finished as runners-up to the Galaxy in the 2001 U.S. Open Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 28, 2001 |title=Revolution crumple in OT |page=C7 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349114/revolution_crumple_in_ot_open_cup/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> During the 2002 preseason, the club acquired several players from the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] and [[Miami Fusion]] in trades and the [[2002 MLS Allocation Draft|Allocation Draft]] following the contraction of the two clubs, including league MVP [[Alex Pineda Chacón]], forward [[Mamadou Diallo (footballer, born 1971)|Mamadou Diallo]], midfielder [[Steve Ralston]], and defender [[Carlos Llamosa]].<ref name="Globe-Clavijo">{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=May 24, 2002 |title=Revolutionary change: Clavijo shown gate |page=E10 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25202818/revolutionary_change_clavijo_shown_gate/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref> New England also drafted forward [[Taylor Twellman]] in the [[2002 MLS SuperDraft]] following a successful college career and a return from [[TSV 1860 Munich]].<ref>{{cite news |date=March 21, 2002 |title=New England Revolution: 2002 Outlook |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/s/2002/0319/1354391.html |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref>
Head coach [[Fernando Clavijo]] was fired after the seventh match of the season, with the Revolution only winning two.<ref name="Globe-Clavijo"/> Assistant coach [[Steve Nicol]] was promoted to interim head coach on May 23 and completed a turnaround from last to first in the Eastern Conference, leading the team into the playoffs and earning the [[MLS Coach of the Year Award|coach of the year]] award.<ref name="LAT-Revs"/><ref name="NYT-Preview">{{cite news |last=Yannis |first=Alex |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Revolution and Galaxy Are Pursuing First Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/20/sports/soccer-revolution-and-galaxy-are-pursuing-first-title.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> New England finished the season with a six-match unbeaten streak and a total record of 12 wins, 14 losses, and two draws, scoring a league-high 49 goals.<ref name="NYT-Preview"/><ref>{{cite web |title=MLS History: New England Revolution, 2002 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/history/club/newengland/2002 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The team narrowly qualified for the playoffs on the final day of the season, with all three qualifiers from the Eastern Conference within one point of each other.<ref name="LAT-Preview"/><ref name="LAT-Revs"/>
New England played the seventh-seeded [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] in the Conference Semifinals, winning the first leg 2–0 at Gillette Stadium on goals by Twellman and [[Daniel Hernández (soccer, born 1976)|Daniel Hernández]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=September 27, 2002 |title=Revolution on fire |page=E1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349083/revolution_on_fire/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The Fire won the second leg 2–1, setting up a deciding match at Gillette Stadium on October 2.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=September 30, 2002 |title=Harris not discouraged by loss |page=D8 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349101/harris_not_discouraged_by_loss/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The Revolution won 2–0 in the third match, clinching their first playoff series win and advancing to face the [[Columbus Crew SC|Columbus Crew]] in the Conference Semifinals.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 3, 2002 |title=Extinguished |page=C1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349160/extinguished/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> The first leg at Gillette Stadium was a scoreless tie and the Revolution won the second leg in Columbus 1–0 on an early goal scored by defender [[Jay Heaps]], who was later ejected for an altercation with [[Freddy García (footballer)|Freddy García]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 7, 2002 |title=They'll proceed—with cautions |page=D1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349521/theyll_proceedwith_cautions/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 10, 2002 |title=Revolution take command |page=D1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349525/revolution_take_command/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> After earning a 2–0 lead in the third leg, New England conceded two late goals to draw 2–2 and force overtime. Neither team could score the [[golden goal]] needed to clinch a series win outright, leaving the Revolution with 5–2 in points and qualifying them for the MLS Cup final.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 13, 2002 |title=A final foothold |page=C1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25177086/a_final_foothold/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> The Revolution became the second team to play an MLS Cup final at their home stadium, following [[D.C. United]] in [[MLS Cup '97|1997]], which also held the attendance record.<ref name="AP-Galaxy"/> Despite a sprain in his right knee after the last match of the Conference Final, Twellman recovered in time for the cup final.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 18, 2002 |title=Sunday RSVP for MVP favorite |page=E6 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25380261/sunday_rsvp_for_mvp_favorite/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
===Summary of results===
:''Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away). Playoffs were in [[best of three|best-of-three]] format requiring five points to advance and [[sudden death (sport)|sudden death]] extra time as a tiebreaker.''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!colspan=4|[[Los Angeles Galaxy]]
!Round
!colspan=4|[[New England Revolution]]
|-
|colspan=4 valign=top align=center|1st place in [[2002 Major League Soccer season#Western Conference|Western Conference]]<br />&nbsp;
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:0; font-size: 95%"
!{{tooltip|Pos.|Position}}
!width=195| Club
!{{tooltip|Pld.|Games played}}
!{{tooltip|W|Wins}}
!{{tooltip|L|Losses}}
!{{tooltip|D|Draws}}
!{{tooltip|Pts.|Points}}
|- style="background:#BBF1BD;"
|'''1'''||align=left|'''[[Los Angeles Galaxy]]''' ([[Supporters' Shield|SS]])||'''28'''||'''16'''||'''9'''||'''3'''||'''51'''
|- style="background:#FFFEBB;"
|2||align=left|[[San Jose Earthquakes]]||28||14||11||3||'''45'''
|- style="background:#FFFFCD;"
|3||align=left|[[Dallas Burn]]||28||12||9||7||'''43'''
|- style="background:#FFFFCD;"
|4||align=left|[[Colorado Rapids]]||28||13||11||4||'''43'''
|- style="background:#FFFFCD;"
|5||align=left|[[Kansas City Wizards]]||28||9||10||9||'''36'''
|}
{{small|1=Source: [https://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/conference/#season=2002&live=true MLS]}}
{{legend0|#FFFEBB|Qualified for playoffs|border=1px solid black}}<br />{{legend0|#BBF1BD|[[Supporters' Shield]] winner|border=1px solid black}}
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|[[2002 Major League Soccer season|Regular season]]
|colspan=4 valign=top|1st place in [[2002 Major League Soccer season#Eastern Conference|Eastern Conference]]<br />&nbsp;
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:0; font-size: 95%"
!{{tooltip|Pos.|Position}}
!width=195| Club
!{{tooltip|Pld.|Games played}}
!{{tooltip|W|Wins}}
!{{tooltip|L|Losses}}
!{{tooltip|D|Draws}}
!{{tooltip|Pts.|Points}}
|- style="background:#FFFEBB;"
|'''1'''||align=left|'''[[New England Revolution]]'''||'''28'''||'''12'''||'''14'''||'''2'''||'''38'''
|- style="background:#FFFEBB;"
|2||align=left|[[Columbus Crew SC|Columbus Crew]]||28||11||12||5||'''38'''
|- style="background:#FFFFCD;"
|3||align=left|[[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]]||28||11||13||4||'''37'''
|-
|4||align=left|[[New York/New Jersey MetroStars|MetroStars]]||28||11||15||2||35
|-
|5||align=left|[[D.C. United]]||28||9||14||5||32
|}
{{small|1=Source: [https://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/conference/#season=2002&live=true MLS]}}
{{legend0|#FFFEBB|Qualified for playoffs|border=1px solid black}}
|- style="background:#c1e0ff"
|Opponent<br />({{tooltip|Pts.|Points}})
|1st leg
|2nd leg
|3rd leg
|[[2002 MLS Cup Playoffs|MLS Cup Playoffs]]
|Opponent<br />({{tooltip|Pts.|Points}})
|1st leg
|2nd leg
|3rd leg
|-
|align=left|[[Kansas City Wizards]] (6–3)
|3–2 {{aet}} (H)
|1–4 (A)
|5–2 (H)
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Conference Semifinals
|align=left|[[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] (6–3)
|2–0 (H)
|1–2 (A)
|2–0 (H)
|-
|align=left|[[Colorado Rapids]] (6–0)
|4–0 (H)
|1–0 (A)
|—
|style="background:#c1e0ff"|Conference Finals
|align=left|[[Columbus Crew SC|Columbus Crew]] (5–2)
|0–0 (H)
|1–0 (A)
|2–2 (H)
|}
{{clear}}
==Broadcasting==
The MLS Cup final was televised in the United States on [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]] in English and Spanish using [[Second audio program|secondary audio programming]]. English play-by-play commentary was provided by [[JP Dellacamera]] with color analysis by [[Ty Keough]]; the pregame and half-time shows were hosted by [[Terry Gannon]] and [[Eric Wynalda]], reprising their roles from ABC's coverage of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Griffith |first=Bill |date=October 19, 2002 |title=He'll have angles covered |page=E8 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25349656/hell_have_angles_covered/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 18, 2002 |title=Best bets |page=D2 |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref> The Spanish broadcast was handled by play-by-play commentator [[Ernesto Motta]] and color analyst Andres Rodriguez.<ref>{{cite press release |date=October 16, 2002 |title=ABC Sports Presents MLS Cup 2002 |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/abc-sports-presents-mls-cup-2002/n-1976535 |publisher=Major League Soccer |via=Our Sports Central |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> The ABC broadcast was watched by an estimated audience of 1.2 million views, the lowest for an MLS Cup at the time.<ref>{{cite news |author=Paulsen |date=November 24, 2010 |title=Record Low Rating For 2010 MLS Cup |url=http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2010/11/record-low-rating-for-2010-mls-cup/ |work=[[Sports Media Watch]] |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
==Match==
===Summary===
[[File:CarlosRuiz.jpg|thumb|left|Forward [[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]], whose [[golden goal]] won the MLS Cup for the Los Angeles Galaxy|x260px]]
The 2002 final was referred by [[Kevin Terry]], who previously officiated the [[MLS Cup 1998|1998 final]]. In the event of a draw after regulation time, the match would be decided by two 15-minute [[overtime (sports)|overtime]] periods with the [[golden goal]]s followed by a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] if necessary.<ref name="Globe-Tickets"/><ref name="MediaGuide">{{cite web |date=October 2002 |title=2002 MLS Cup Media Guide |page=9 |url=http://mlsnet.com/special/mlscup/02/2002cup_pub.pdf |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030714055453/http://mlsnet.com/special/mlscup/02/2002cup_pub.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2003 |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> At kickoff, set for 1:30&nbsp;p.m. Eastern Time, the weather in Foxborough was sunny with a temperature of {{convert|56|F|C}}.<ref name="MLS-Summary">{{cite news |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Galaxy Exorcises Their Demons |url=http://www.mlsnet.com/games/02/2002mlscup.html |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021031142336/http://www.mlsnet.com/games/02/2002mlscup.html |archive-date=October 31, 2002 |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
Los Angeles kicked off the match and had most of the chances in the scoreless first half while preventing the Revolution from making a single shot on goal.<ref name="MLS-Summary"/> The Galaxy had the game's first two shots, in the 12th and 17th minutes, but they failed to be shot on target by [[Tyrone Marshall]] and Carlos Ruiz. New England responded with a cross by [[Joe Franchino]] in the 26th minute for [[Taylor Twellman]] and [[Steve Ralston]], but neither could reach the ball in time.<ref name="AP-SI">{{cite news |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Fourth time's the charm: Ruiz's golden goal beats Revs, gives L.A. first MLS title |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/2002/mls_cup/news/2002/10/20/mlscup_gamer/ |work=[[Sports Illustrated]] |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021106201215/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/2002/mls_cup/news/2002/10/20/mlscup_gamer/ |archive-date=November 6, 2002 |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> Franchino was shown a [[yellow card (sport)|yellow card]] in the 24th minute for a challenge on [[Cobi Jones]], one of several that the two captains traded.<ref name="USA-Dure">{{cite news |last=Dure |first=Beau |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Golden goal rescues MLS Cup |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/columnist/dure/2002-10-20-dure_x.htm |work=[[USA Today]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021021154231/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/columnist/dure/2002-10-20-dure_x.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2002 |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
The second half began with a series of hard challenges by players on both teams to win possession of the ball, which was sent down the flanks by the Galaxy's Cobi Jones and the Revolution's [[Leo Cullen (soccer)|Leo Cullen]]. Both wingers sent in crosses that were hit towards the goal and deflected away.<ref name="USA-Summary">{{cite news |last=Gardiner |first=Andy |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Finally — Los Angeles claims MLS title |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2002-10-20-mls-cup_x.htm |work=USA Today |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021024222035/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2002-10-20-mls-cup_x.htm |archive-date=October 24, 2002 |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="MLS-Minute">{{cite news |date=October 20, 2002 |title=Galaxy Take the Cup |url=http://www.mlsnet.com/ |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021022134939/http://www.mlsnet.com/ |archive-date=October 22, 2002 |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> During the last ten minutes of regulation time, both teams produced several chances that were deflected away by defenders, with the Revolution relying on substitute [[Alex Pineda Chacón]], who entered in the 75th minute.<ref name="MLS-Summary"/><ref name="USA-Summary"/> Ruiz was given a clear shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball was deflected away by defender [[Daouda Kanté]] for a goal kick.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 3, 2011 |title=Top 50 MLS Cup Moments: #48 Risky Business |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2011/10/03/top-50-mls-cup-moments-48-risky-business |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> A final shot by Chacón in [[stoppage time]] was saved by Galaxy goalkeeper [[Kevin Hartman]], his first of the match, and the MLS Cup final was sent into overtime.<ref name="USA-Dure"/>
The Galaxy took control of the match during overtime, with an early chance in the 93rd minute missed by Jones. A [[bicycle kick]] by Ruiz in the 102nd minute was saved by Revolution goalkeeper [[Adin Brown]], who followed minutes later with a second save on Ruiz at the beginning of the second overtime period.<ref name="USA-Summary"/><ref name="MLS-Minute"/> A wayward shot by New England substitute [[Winston Griffiths (soccer)|Winston Griffiths]] in the 111th minute was deflected and hit the crossbar, preventing the game-winning goal.<ref name="USA-Dure"/> The Galaxy cleared the deflected ball and followed two minutes later with a diagonal cross by defender Tyrone Marshall that found Ruiz, who hit a left-footed that shot past Brown and went into the net.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=October 21, 2002 |title=Out of this world |page=D1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25379759/out_of_this_world/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> The MLS Cup final, the longest match in MLS Cup history, ended after 113 minutes with Ruiz's golden goal.<ref name="AP-SI"/><ref name="USA-Summary"/> Ruiz was named the MLS Cup [[most valuable player]] for his winning goal.<ref name="MLS-Summary"/>
===Details===
{{Football box
|date = October 20, 2002
|time = 13:30 [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = [[Los Angeles Galaxy]]
|score = 1–0 ([[Overtime (sports)|2OT]])
|report = [https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-cup-2002-los-angeles-galaxy-1-new-england-revolution-0 Report]
|team2 = [[New England Revolution]]
|goals1 = [[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Ruiz]] {{golden goal|113}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = [[Gillette Stadium]]<br>[[Foxborough, Massachusetts]]
|attendance = 61,316
|referee = [[Kevin Terry]]
}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{Football kit
| pattern_la        = _GALAXY_00
| pattern_b         = _GALAXY_00h
| pattern_ra        = _GALAXY_00
| pattern_sh        = _GALAXY_00h
| pattern_so        = _gold midband
| leftarm           = 007576
| body             =
| rightarm           = 007576
| shorts             = 007576
| socks              = 007576
|title            = {{nowrap|Los Angeles Galaxy}}
}}
{{col-2}}
{{Football kit
| pattern_la        = _navylower
| pattern_b         = _thinnavysides
| pattern_ra        = _navylower
| pattern_sh        = _navysides
| pattern_so        =
| leftarm           = ffffff
| body             = ffffff
| rightarm           = ffffff
| shorts             = ffffff
| socks              = ffffff
|title            = {{nowrap|New England Revolution}}
}}
{{col-end}}
{| style="width:100%;"
|-
|  style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|
{| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
|colspan="4"|
|-
!width=25| !!width=25|
|-
|GK ||'''22'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kevin Hartman]]
|-
|DF ||'''23'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Danny Califf]]
|-
|DF ||'''30'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Alexi Lalas]]
|-
|DF ||'''14'''||{{flagicon|JAM}} [[Tyrone Marshall]]
|-
|MF ||'''17'''||{{flagicon|VIN}} [[Ezra Hendrickson]]
|-
|MF ||'''13'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Cobi Jones]] ([[Captain (association football)|c]])
|-
|MF ||'''12'''||{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Simon Elliott]] || {{yel|95}}
|-
|MF ||'''10'''||{{flagicon|SLV}} [[Mauricio Cienfuegos]] || || {{suboff|62}}
|-
|MF ||'''11'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sasha Victorine]]
|-
|FW ||'''20'''||{{flagicon|GUA}} [[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]]
|-
|FW ||'''10'''||{{flagicon|VEN}} [[Alejandro Moreno]] || || {{suboff|67}}
|-
|colspan=3|'''Substitutes:'''
|-
|MF ||'''8'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Peter Vagenas]] || || {{subon|62}}
|-
|FW ||'''5'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Albright]] || || {{subon|67}}
|-
|colspan=3|'''Manager:'''
|-
|colspan=4|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sigi Schmid]]
|}
|valign="top"|
|  style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size:90%; margin:auto;"
|-
|colspan="4"|
|-
!width=25| !!width=25|
|-
|GK ||'''24'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Adin Brown]]
|-
|DF ||'''6'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jay Heaps]]
|-
|DF ||'''18'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Carlos Llamosa]] || {{yel|60}} || {{suboff|90+2}}
|-
|DF ||'''12'''||{{flagicon|MLI}} [[Daouda Kanté]]
|-
|DF ||'''8'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Joe Franchino]] ([[Captain (association football)|c]]) || {{yel|24}}
|-
|MF ||'''14'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Ralston]]
|-
|MF ||'''2'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Leo Cullen (soccer)|Leo Cullen]]
|-
|MF ||'''7'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Daniel Hernández (soccer, born 1976)|Daniel Hernández]]
|-
|MF ||'''5'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brian Kamler]] || || {{suboff|90}}
|-
|FW ||'''13'''||{{flagicon|JAM}} [[Wolde Harris]] || || {{suboff|75}}
|-
|FW ||'''20'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Taylor Twellman]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Substitutes:'''
|-
|DF ||'''19'''||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Rusty Pierce]] || || {{subon|90+2}}
|-
|MF ||'''10'''||{{flagicon|HON}} [[Alex Pineda Chacón]] || || {{subon|75}}
|-
|MF ||'''25'''||{{flagicon|JAM}} [[Winston Griffiths (soccer)|Winston Griffiths]] || || {{subon|90}}
|-
|colspan=3|'''Manager:'''
|-
|colspan=4|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Steve Nicol]]
|}
|}
{| style="width:100%;font-size:90%"
|
'''MLS Cup Most Valuable Player:'''
<br />{{flagicon|GUA}} [[Carlos Ruiz (Guatemalan footballer)|Carlos Ruiz]] (Los Angeles Galaxy)
'''Assistant referees:'''<ref name="MLS-Report">{{cite web |title=MLS Cup 2002: Los Angeles Galaxy 1, New England Revolution 0 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-cup-2002-los-angeles-galaxy-1-new-england-revolution-0 |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Greg Barkey
<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Richard Eddy
<br />'''Fourth official:'''
<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Michael Kennedy
|style="width:60%; vertical-align:top"|
'''Match rules'''<ref name="MediaGuide"/>
*90 minutes of regulation time
*Two 15-minute periods of [[Extra time (association football)|extra time]] with [[golden goal]]s to decide a winner.
*[[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|Penalty shoot-out]] if scores still tied.
*Maximum of three substitutions for outfield players and an additional substitution for the goalkeeper.
|}
==Post-match==
The match was the first in MLS Cup history to have a scoreless half and remain scoreless at the end of regulation time.<ref name="AP-SI"/><ref name="MLS-Report"/> It was also the third and final MLS Cup to be decided by a [[golden goal]] in overtime,<ref name="MLS-Summary"/> a short-lived rule that would be replaced with a conventional [[extra time (association football)|extra time]] period in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reineking |first=Jim |date=December 7, 2017 |title=MLS Cup: Ranking every championship game |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/12/06/mls-cup-ranking-every-game/926051001/ |work=USA Today |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Turner |first=Elliott |date=November 29, 2013 |title=The final letdown: five US soccer showpieces that failed to achieve lift-off |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/29/mls-cup-sporting-kc-real-salt-lake |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> The match was attended by 61,316 spectators,  a figure that remains among the highest in MLS playoff history and set a record for an MLS Cup final that was later surpassed in [[MLS Cup 2018|2018]] by [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Roberson |first=Doug |date=December 8, 2018 |title=Atlanta United sets MLS Cup attendance record |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-sets-mls-cup-attendance-record/lJVEXg0pSHjtlNJ7TM06hK/ |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=December 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="ESPN-2014">{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Graham |date=December 3, 2014 |title=The Galaxy and Revolution set to pen another chapter in MLS history |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/name/93/post/2177571/headline |publisher=ESPN |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 26, 2017 |title=Steffen leads Crew past Atlanta United on penalties |url=http://www.latimes.com/ct-hoy-steffen-leads-crew-past-atlanta-united-on-penalties-20171026-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113165732/http://www.latimes.com/ct-hoy-steffen-leads-crew-past-atlanta-united-on-penalties-20171026-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref>
The Galaxy finished their 2002 season with a loss to the Columbus Crew in the [[2002 U.S. Open Cup]] four days later in [[Columbus, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Dillman |first=Lisa |date=October 25, 2002 |title=Galaxy Is Cut Down by Crew |page=D1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-25-sp-galaxy25-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> Both teams qualified for the [[2003 CONCACAF Champions' Cup]], where the Revolution would be eliminated in the first round and the Galaxy would lose in the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=March 21, 2003 |title=Revolution's road trip not environmentally friendly
|page=E5 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25177320/revolutions_road_trip_concacaf/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gutierrez |first1=Paul |last2=Jones |first2=Grahame L. |date=April 17, 2003 |title=Galaxy Eliminated in Champions Cup |page=D3 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-17-sp-soccer17-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref>
The Galaxy and Revolution met again in the [[MLS Cup 2005|2005 final]], where Los Angeles repeated their championship with a 1–0 win after [[Overtime (Association football)|extra time]].<ref name="ESPN-2014"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=November 14, 2005 |title=A case of deja blue |page=D1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25177239/a_case_of_deja_blue/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> The Revolution would go on to lose the MLS Cup in [[MLS Cup 2006|2006]] and [[MLS Cup 2007|2007]] to the [[Houston Dynamo]] and in [[MLS Cup 2014|2014]] to the Galaxy, who would claim their fifth title.<ref>{{cite news |last=Powers |first=John |date=December 8, 2014 |title=Galaxy defeat Revolution for record fifth MLS title |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/12/07/galaxy-defeat-revolution-for-record-fifth-mls-title/QXMrUO8NT5sTEKPW5Un1UL/story.html |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> Due to their finishes as MLS Cup runners-up, the Revolution are known as the "[[Buffalo Bills]] of MLS", mirroring the football team's second-place finishes at the [[Super Bowl]] in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Felt |first=Hunter |date=December 9, 2014 |title=Can the Revolution ever thrive in the Boston sports market? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/09/can-the-revolution-ever-thrive-in-the-boston-sports-market |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{MLS Cup}}
{{Los Angeles Galaxy matches}}
{{New England Revolution matches}}
[[Category:MLS Cup|2002]]
[[Category:2002 Major League Soccer season|*]]
[[Category:LA Galaxy matches]]
[[Category:New England Revolution matches]]
[[Category:October 2002 sports events in the United States]]
[[Category:2002 in sports in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Soccer competitions in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Foxborough, Massachusetts]]