Fifteen years ago today, Dwayne De Rosario, Landon Donovan and the rest of the San Jose Earthquakes defeated rival LA Galaxy 2-1 in the 2001 MLS Cup at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, securing the city of San Jose their first-ever professional sports championship.
The Galaxy opened the scoring in the 21st minute thanks to Luis Hernandez’s one-time finish in the 18-yard box. In the 43rd minute, the Quakes answered back with a goal of their own courtesy of 19-year-old phenom Landon Donovan. Donovan, who separated himself from Galaxy defender Ezra Hendrickson at the penalty spot, connected on a service from the right flank, sending his one-time volley past LA goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
After 90 minutes, the match remained deadlocked at one goal apiece heading into a golden goal overtime. In the 96th minute, Dwayne De Rosario, who found himself one on one with Galaxy defender Danny Califf at the edge of the box, cut the ball to his right foot before bending his shot off the far post and into the far side netting. The golden goal ultimately secured De Rosario the MLS Cup MVP and the Bay Area’s first professional championship since the San Francisco 49ers 1994 Super Bowl win.
