A look back at the Galaxy's first taste of gold

Every team hopes they finish as the champion. Hoisting that title up when the last second of the game expires is the goal. The Los Angeles Galaxy were able to do that in 2002.

After falling short in a few seasons' prior, the Galaxy captured their first of five MLS Cup titles in the tenth year of the league. In the first six years, the Los Angeles Galaxy went to three MLS Cup Finals. All three times, they fell short and were the runner ups.

But in 2002, the LA Galaxy defeated the New England Revolution, 1-0. This is the third time the Galaxy played in the Finals at Foxboro Stadium. It would also be the largest attended MLS Cup until 2018 with 31,613 people.

We always fall in love with our first

Sigi Schmid was the head coach of the LA Galaxy. He took over for Octavio Zambrano early on during the 1999 season. Schmid is the third coach in team history.

Forward Cobi Jones was the team's second leading scorer. Fellow US Men's National Team member, Alexi Lalas, was a standout for the Galaxy's defensive front.

This would be the second time the Los Angeles Galaxy earned the Supporters' Shield. The team's top scorer, Carlos Ruiz, found the back of the net 24 times in 2002. Then, the season was only 28 games long.

Ruiz would be the difference maker in the Finals as it was his goal that provided the game's only score. It occurred during the second overtime period in the sudden death format.

The LA Galaxy and New England Revolution each won a game against the other during the regular season. They both did so with a one goal advantage. The 2002 MLS Cup feature the best of the two conferences.

This would be the first MLS Cup where there was no score after regulation. This set the stage for the LA Galaxy finally becoming a force to be reckoned with in MLS. Four appearances on the league's grandest stage, and finally a title to show for their mastery.