2011 MLS Cup Final: 6 Lessons Learned from LA Galaxy’s Win over Houston Dynamo

The 2011 MLS Cup Final was billed as a battle of David vs. Goliath. Houston, missing their best offensive threat, Brad Davis, would be taking on the LA Galaxy, who could arguably be said to have better players than Houston in every single position.In the background, everyone, especially the commentators, seemed obsessed with the David Beckham story line.With David Beckham's five year contract with the LA Galaxy running out at the end of this MLS season, many almost seemed more interested in discussing Beckham's impact on the MLS' growth and his future rather than the actual MLS Cup Final.In the end, the LA Galaxy managed a tough 1-0 win over a gritty Houston Dynamo team, who's defense stood strong for much of the game. On the offense however, Houston were held firmly in check by a resolute Galaxy defense, and were unable to truly threaten the LA Galaxy.Let's take a look at some of the lessons we learned from the game.Begin Slideshow

MLS Cup Final: 10 Players to Watch in the Houston Dynamo V LA Galaxy Matchup

After a long MLS season, the MLS Cup Final is finally upon us. The Houston Dynamo, making their third appearance in the last six years, will be taking on the Los Angeles Galaxy, who are also no strangers to the MLS Cup Final, having made it to the game a record seven times.Both teams have taken very different paths to reach the MLS Cup Final.Los Angeles dominated league play, winning the Supporters' Shield by finishing four points ahead of the Seattle Sounders and 14 points ahead of Real Salt Lake, before brushing aside the New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake in the playoffs.Houston on the other hand finished seventh in the overall league table and second in the Eastern Conference, finishing the season with a fairly mediocre record. However, they too managed to comfortably put away the Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City to make the final.Since Los Angeles performed so better than Houston in the regular season, Los Angeles will probably go into the MLS Cup match as favorites.However, it must be remembered that Houston won the last match between the two sides in October, and have won all the MLS Cup Finals they've played in.Let's look at the ...

MLS Debate: Should MLS Continue to Embarrass Itself in the All-Star Game?

As the 2011 MLS All-Star Game came to a close, Manchester United walked off the field triumphant and satisfied, having walloped the MLS All-Stars for the second consecutive season, to the tune of four goals to nil.The game proved to be excellent practice and a significant morale booster for Manchester United, who continue to have an excellent preseason, and was no doubt exciting for neutral fans looking for a high scoring, fast action game.But for fans of the MLS, the game was undoubtedly rather disappointing.The 2011 MLS All-Star Game was the second MLS All-Star Game in a row that the MLS All-Stars were not only beaten, but beaten by a significant margin. Last year's MLS All-Star Game ended 5-2 in favor of the Red Devils.Prior to that, the MLS All Stars were actually rather successful in their MLS All-Star Games.Since 2003, when the MLS first started playing against foreign club teams, up to 2008, the MLS All-Stars had won all of their MLS All-Star Games against mostly solid but not world-class opposition, in the form of teams like Fulham, Celtic, Club Deportivo Guadalajara and West Ham.However, even Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, was beaten 1-0 by the MLS All-Stars ...