Galaxy win their fifth championship in ninth appearance

No longer with the team of the league was David Beckham. That didn't stop the Los Angeles Galaxy from reminding the MLS universe they are a championship club with or without him.

Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez still were on the roster. That season, the LA Galaxy earned the second best record in the league and Western Conference. They were three points behind first-place Seattle.

However, their goal differential was heavily unmatched and dominant that season. As a team, the Galaxy scored 69 goals, which was four more than the Sounders. However, the soon-to-be five-time MLS Champions only allowed 37 goals, tied for the league best with DC United and the New England Revolution.

On December 7th, 2014, a 'Revolution' was won by the Galaxy

Perhaps one of the brightest stars the LA Galaxy or MLS has ever seen, Landon Donovan played in his last full season in the league. His former teammate, Beckham, had retired two seasons prior. It was his personal goal to win one last title and go out the same way: with a bang.

Keane, the 2014 MVP, had finished the regular season with a team high 19 goals. That ranked third-best in the league. Gyasi Zardes recorded 16 scores which was sixth best that year.

The captain, Donovan, led the team and league with 19 assists. He was five ahead of the next closest player. Also in the top eight was Keane with 14 and Marcelo Sarvas with 11.

LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo had eight clean sheets in 2014. In addition, A. J. DeLaGarza was named Humanitarian of the Year that season.

The Los Angeles Galaxy steamrolled Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference Semifinals. After a scoreless first game, Arena's team won back-to-back games by a score of 5-0 sending their opponent home.

This set the stage for a showdown between the two best teams in the West. Former manager Sigi Schmid was with Seattle that season. The Sounders were the heavy favorite to win that year.

The two teams split games ahead of the 2-2 draw that took place in Game 3 of the MLS Western Conference Finals. Due to the away goal rule, the LA Galaxy advanced to their ninth championship match.

"The away goals rule is a method of tiebreaking in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. Under the away goals rule, if the total goals scored by each team are equal, the team that has scored more goals 'away from home' win the tiebreaker."

- IFAB Rulebook (July 2007)

In early December, the Los Angeles Galaxy were prepared to face the Eastern Conference's contender, the New England Revolution. On familiar territory, the game took place at the recently renamed Stub Hub Center in Carson, California.

Going into halftime, the score was 0-0. Zardes found the back of the net early on in the second half. Chris Tierney for the Revolution tied it up, 1-1.

Prior to extra time, Robbie Rogers and Stefan Ishizaki were subbed out for Dan Gargan and Alan Gordon. Minutes later, Baggio Hušidić checked into the game for Juninho. With some fresh legs on the field for Arena and his squad, the Galaxy were confident in their chances to win.

The decisive goal in the championship game came in overtime at the 111th minute from Keane. The assist was credited to Sarvas.

Donovan announced his retirement but briefly return in 2016. That would also be the final year as Arena managing the Galaxy.

"As we enter a transformative time for the sport, I will do everything I can to help the continued growth of soccer in the United States. I look forward to making a difference, pursuing my passions and meeting all of you along the way in this next phase of my life."

- Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy forward

Ten years later, the Galaxy are again the second seed in the Western Conference and are hunger for their sixth MLS Cup. Though, New England is not eligible to make the MLS Finals, the Galaxy have stood tall in their own revolution.

They are the premiere club in MLS, large thanks in part to Mr. Landon Donovan himself.