The MLS Cup went to the Los Angeles Galaxy for the fifth time in the club’s history as they edged the New England Revolution 2-1 after extra time at home at StubHub Center in Carson, California on December 7. The league’s most valuable player Robbie Keane scored the winner with just nine minutes remaining in extra time. The goal was enough to give the Irish international striker the MVP award for the game as well.

The Galaxy has won the title three times in the past four seasons and hold the league record with five Cup triumphs. The Revolution must be wondering what they have to do to win the crown as this was their fifth loss in an MLS Cup Final. It was also their third Final defeat by the Galaxy with all three of them coming in extra time. They lost the other two Finals in penalty shootouts. For Landon Donovan, it was his league-record sixth career MLS title and also his last one as he announced his retirement earlier in the season.

The first goal didn’t come until the 52nd minute mark when Gyasi Zardes put the Galaxy ahead. The Revolution kept fighting though and eventually leveled the contest 1-1 with 11 minutes to go in regulation time. The goal came courtesy of Chris Tierney. The Cup Final then headed into extra time for the ninth time in the league’s 19 seasons. For Galaxy manager Bruce Arena it was his fifth championship. He won a pair with D.C. United and two more with LA in 2011 and 2012.

The Revolution came close to winning their first Cup as Alex Bunbury hit the post with five minutes to go in regulation, but fate wasn’t on their side. Keane’s game winner came in the 111th minute and the Galaxy hung on for the last nine minutes to sew up the win. It was Keane’s 23rd goal in all competitions for LA this year and obviously his biggest of the season. The 34-year-old is used to scoring goals though as he’s the Republic of Ireland’s most prolific scorer ever with 65 goals in 138 international appearances for his homeland.

The Galaxy finished as runners up in the Western Conference this year with 61 points from 17 victories, 10 draws and seven defeats while New England were runners up in the East with 55 points from 17 wins, four draws and 13 losses. It was an excellent season for the retiring Donovan and he leaves Major League Soccer with 144 goals, which is the league record. His 25 postseason goals and 41 game winners are also high marks in the MLS.