LA Galaxy win third MLS Cup in their 16th season

In 2011, Major League Soccer celebrated its 16th season. Among the celebrations, the Los Angeles Galaxy raised their third MLS Cup title. This was their seventh appearance in the championship game.

They were the first team since 2008 to lock up both the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup. The Columbus Crew did it three seasons prior.

This time, the LA Galaxy were able to capture a championship in front of their home crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

What exactly happened for the Galaxy in the 2011 MLS season?

Taking after D.C. United and the Crew, the Los Angeles Galaxy became the third team in a row to earn the Supporters' Shield in back-to-back seasons.

In 34 games played, the Los Angeles Galaxy won 19 games with ten draws and just five losses. They scored 48 times that year and also allowed a league-low 28 goals.

Starting keeper Josh Saunders played in 1,189 minutes and only gave up half of the Galaxy's 28 goals allowed. Backup Donovan Ricketts played in 1014 minutes allowing six goals. Magee even saw some limited time in goal.

Donovan, Beckham and company were only shutout in two games but had 14 shutouts themselves. Mike Magee and Robbie Keane also became familiar faces on the season. Donovan had 11 goals that season.

"We’ve been through a lot this season. We’ve had a lot of games. Bruce and his staff are the ones that got us to this game tonight. Our families have put up with a lot this season with us being away. This makes it up them."

David Beckham, LA Galaxy midfielder

During this postseason, the Galaxy sent home the third-seeded Real Salt Lake team. The Galaxy lost to them in the MLS Finals two seasons ago.

The captain, Donovan, scored the lone goal for the LA Galaxy against the Houston Dynamo. This time, the team did not need extra time for the win as this was their first championship in the regulation. The goal game in the second half and was assisted by both Beckham and Keane.

The LA Galaxy became tied with DC United for the most MLS Cup titles with three and held the record of most appearances with seven. As we know it today, both of those marks have been broken and reset by the Galaxy in the next years to come.