Following is a sampling of news and notes following the Los Angeles Galaxy's 1-0 overtime against the New England Revolution in Sunday's MLS Cup VII championship game. Click the newspaper name link to read full story.
"Somewhere on the Mediterranean island of Corsica this morning, Greg Vanney will be smiling. Perhaps he will even put in a call to Paul Caligiuri," writes Jones.
" Somewhere near Acapulco, Mexico, this afternoon, Jorge Campos will grin for no apparent reason. Perhaps he will even send Cobi Jones an e-mail."
Revolution attack the issue: They have goals in mind for next year
"At this time of year, the Revolution usually have many more questions than answers. But after an impressive finish to the Major League Soccer season, the team's future appears to be set," writes Dell'Apa.
"At the least, the Revolution have established a credible identity and a solid platform for launching next year's team."
Twellman gets advice: stay; Revolution star is in a good spot, according to agent
"When a player agent travels from Bavaria to Boston, it indicates that (a) his client is important enough to justify a trans-oceanic trip, and (b) his advice will likely be followed," Dell'Apa writes
"Brian Eylert's trip from Germany is a promising indication for the Revolution, then, since Eylert has advised Taylor Twellman to remain for at least one more season in Major League Soccer."
"The ending was painfully abrupt," MacMullan writes.
"For two months now, the New England Revolution, the new darlings of our normally provincial sports world, have put their heads down and plowed through the meat of the Major League Soccer order. A team that was once in danger of missing the playoffs blossomed under interim coach Steve Nicol."
Galaxy No Longer a Footnote: Ruiz's overtime goal defeats New England, 1-0, as L.A. ends string of near misses to win first MLS title
"What's a mere 113 minutes after seven seasons of waiting, anyway?" Dillman writes.
"Membership in the MLS champions club wasn't going to come easily for the long-suffering Galaxy, which previously fell short three times at the final hurdle."
Nicol to rev up Revs: Coach plans to upgrade offense
"Coach Steve Nicol has grand aspirations for the Revolution, and with the 'interim' label expected to be removed from his title any day now, he hopes to transform the team into a perennial MLS Cup contender," Martins writes.
" One day after his team dropped a 1-0 double overtime loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the league's title game before 61,316 fans at Gillette Stadium, Nicol said he was confident that his contract situation would be resolved, possibly this week, allowing him to begin the task of refining his team."
