On MLS Cup & LA's International Experience

I'm just getting back into the swing of things after almost a week of R&R out west, so bear with me while I get the USSD machine back up and running. A new post will be coming this afternoon, but in the meantime, here are the highlights from last night's MLS Cup final between LA and Houston:



Seeing as how this is an international footy-centric site, it should come as no surprise that I can't help but shift the focus to the next level.

As fate would have it, the triumphant Galaxy have a distinct USMNT flavor. There are 8 players on the Galaxy roster who have been capped by a senior team, combining for a sizable total of 335 appearances. But almost all of those appearances are accounted for by a vintage quartet: Frankie Hejduk (85 caps), Gregg Berhalter (44 caps), Jovan Korovski (62 caps, the first of which came way back in 1994), and of course Landon Donovan (138 caps and counting). Throw in Bruce Arena, who coached the Yanks for eight years from '98 to the summer of '06, and the Galaxy are even more of a snapshot of USMNTs past.

The group, in a way, also represents the present and future of the USMNT. While three of the aforementioned quartet are in the twilight of their respective careers (Berhalter, in fact, is retiring, going out on top) after having helped the US in World Cups, qualification, and other tournaments, Landon Donovan continues to be a focal point of the side at present. Looking forward, Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin, AJ DeLaGarza and some other young prospects like Jack McBean have the potential to work their way into the national team picture in the future (while Donovan will undoubtedly maintain a role in years to come as well).

The American presence is just part of an even greater level of international football experience present in the Galaxy squad, with five other players earning caps with their respective national teams. Obviously, David Beckham is one of them, having earned 115 caps with England (the record for a field player) and played in World Cups '98, '02, and '06 and Euro 2000 and 2004. Robbie Keane, meanwhile, has 114 caps and 53 international goals to his name. Keane helped Ireland to qualify for the 2002 World Cup and achieve some success once there, while also playing a part in their successful qualification for Euro 2012. He also has served as captain of the national team.

The Galaxy also have some significant Caribbean international experience. Donovan Ricketts was one of Jamaica's goalkeepers at the 1998 World Cup and has helped backstop the island nation in numerous qualifiers and tournaments since, compiling 85 caps to date. Chris Birchall, meanwhile, has appeared 38 times for Trinidad and Tobago, three of which came during the 2006 World Cup. And we'd be remiss if we failed to acknowledge Josh Saunders, who kept a clean sheet last night and has been strong in goal throughout the postseason for the Galaxy. The Oregon native has made two appearances for the Puerto Rico national team after having spent a year of his club career on the island.

That copious amount of international experience surely didn't hurt the Galaxy as they drove deep into the postseason, managing to overcome the pressure and come out on top when all was said and done.