OptaJack:, external It had been eight games since Zardes last scored in MLS.

And that decision could prove pivotal! The MLS Cup final may have turned on Revolution being denied a penalty, because seconds later it is Galaxy who take the lead.

Gyasi Zardes keeps his cool to fire in from a tight angle. Advantage Galaxy.

Revolution chance! Revolution penalty?

Star man Lee Nguyen, who has banged in 18 goals this season, is crowded out in the Galaxy box, before he claims he is taken out in the box by a Galaxy leg. He demands a penalty, but the referee shakes his head.

Image source, Reuters

How did Jermaine Jones not see yellow for this? The Galaxy fans don't know either. The Revolution midfielder launches into a scissor-style tackle on former US team-mate Landon Donovan, who crashes to the StubHub turf clutching his leg.

Early chance for Galaxy. No dice.

Image source, @MLS

Forty-five minutes for someone to win this trophy. Or 45 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra-time. Or 45 minutes, plus 30 minutes of extra-time, plus a penalty shoot-out.

LA Galaxy restart proceedings.

Image source, MLS

MLS:, external Revolution that's our name. Nineteen years we're still the same #STAND #MLSCup

Image source, Don Garber/Twitter

MLS commissioner Don Garber:, external Impressive turnout from Revolution supporters. More than 1,000 Revs fans made the trip to Los Angeles.

MLS commissioner Don Garber talking to ESPN: "When you think about where soccer is today, it was driven by Landon Donovan coming into our league in 2001. It has helped raise the consciousness of our sport. But there are always players who leave and are replaced by great players. Our league will continue to grow and increase in elite development.

"I don't think we are fully grown out. We are still going through a growth phase. We went through a vigorous process with our expansion committee. There is still a lot of interest from cities. By 2020 we will be 24 teams if not before that."

Revolution head coach Jay Heaps on his side's first-half performance: "We are close, we're finding some space in midfield which was our game plan. But we have got to be more aggressive."

Image source, Reuters

The game's clearest opportunity came in the opening seconds as Galaxy left-back Robbie Rogers saw his scuffed effort hacked off the Revolution line.

Robbie Keane also wasted a couple of chances for the home side, while Revolution went closest through Kelyn Rowe's corner which was headed off the line.

And Donovan's booking is the last action of a tepid first half. In fact, that foul will probably make it on to the half-time highlights package. No, really.

This wasn't in the script. Landon Donovan is the first name in the referee's notepad for a clumsy tackle. He blames the sun. The crowd blame to referee. No-one's happy.

Landon Donovan is back in the thick of the action, popping up on the left flank before whipping a teasing cross which is headed clear by a dark blue Revolution shirt.

One minute of stoppage time for someone to take a lead into the break.

Richard Padula
BBC World Service Sport at the StubHub Center

"The best dressed man award must go to the former Ipswich and Arsenal player Paul Mariner. Now working as a commentator in the USA, and decked out in a gorgeous pin striped suit. As he told me: 'It's the Cup final!'"

Revolution bounce back on the attack, forcing their first corner of the match. Kelyn Rowe's set-piece is fizzed in from the left, with the Galaxy defender clutching on to the near post needed to head clear.

We've not seen much of Landon Donovan in his supposed-to-be-glorious swansong. But then USA's record goalscorer picks up the ball just inside the Revolution half, beats a would-be tackler and sprays a ball into the right channel for Gyasi Zardes.

The Galaxy forward lashes a shot at goal with an angled drive, but it flashes past Bobby Shuttleworth's left-hand post.

Aidan Mifsud:, external Re 20:12, delayed kick off. I watch MLS in Toronto and it drives me crazy how kick off is not at advertised kick off time.

Two more decent sightings at goal for Galaxy skipper Robbie Keane in the space of a few seconds.

First, Gyasi Zardes picks out his team-mate on the edge of the box, only for Keane to blast over. And then the Irishman takes too long to cross from the right which allows the Revolution defence to block.