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United stands D.C. downs Galaxy for first-ever MLS title
Posted: Saturday November 13, 1999 04:23 PM
FOXBORO, Mass. (CNN/SI) -- Playing in a heavy downpour and ahead by two goals at Foxboro Stadium, the Los Angeles Galaxy seemed assured being the first Major League Soccer team to lift the Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy. But with just 17 minutes left to play in MLS Cup on October 20, 1996, midfielder Tony Sanneh started the comeback, leaping high to head home Marco Etcheverry's cross and cut L.A.'s lead to one. Shawn Medved, who came off the bench in the 70th minute, powered in the dramatic equalizer, pouncing on a bad punch by Galaxy goalkeeper Jorge Campos, and staying with the shot after Campos had saved his first effort. Medved poked home the rebound from close range in the 82nd minute. With the momentum shifted firmly to United, Etcheverry launched a corner kick towards the Galaxy penalty box just four minutes into sudden death overtime. The ball found the head of 22-year-old Eddie Pope. The rising U.S. national team defender rose to meet the ball while a wet and tired Galaxy defense stood still. In an instant, the ball was in the back of the net. The usually reserved Pope took off running toward the United bench and went into a full belly-slide, only to disappear under a deluge of water, mud and rain-drenched teammates. A crowd of 34,643 turned out for the league's first-ever championship match. United made the final after defeating the MetroStars and then Tampa Bay in three-game series; L.A. advanced after downing San Jose and then Kansas City.
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