The
2002 MLS CupThe MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
was the championship game of the
2002 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2002 Major League Soccer season was the league's 7th of competition. On January 8, 2002, after only four years in existence, the Miami Fusion F.C. ceased operations due to low attendance and a unfavorable stadium deal, and the Tampa Bay Mutiny also ceased operations due to the lack of local...
. The game was played on October 20, 2002, at
Gillette StadiumGillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
in
Foxborough, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
. The
Los Angeles GalaxyThe Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
beat the host
New England RevolutionThe New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
1-0 in the second overtime on a sudden-death goal from regular season scoring champion Carlos Ruíz. To date it has the largest attendance (61,316) of any MLS Cup.
Lineups:New England RevolutionThe New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
:Adin BrownAdin Brown is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-College:A highly-touted prospect and a starting goalkeeper for the United States in the run-up prior to the 2000 Summer Olympics, Brown played college soccer at the College of William and Mary...
,
Carlos LlamosaCarlos Llamosa is a Colombian American soccer defender who last played for Chivas USA of Major League Soccer....
(
Rusty PierceRusty Pierce is a former American soccer player.-College:Pierce played college soccer at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro from 1997 to 1999, appearing in 51 games during his time there...
as substitute),
Joe FranchinoJoe Franchino is a retired American soccer player.-College:Franchino played youth club ball in Alta Loma, CA for such competitive teams as the Aztecs and Arsenal. His first club team, the Aztecs, won the State Cup Championships the first year the Under-10 age bracket started...
,
Daouda KanteDaouda Kante is a Malian football defender. He spent three seasons in Major League Soccer, and two in the Major Indoor Soccer League.-Youth:...
,
Jay HeapsJay Heaps ) is a former American soccer player. He is the current head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
,
Leo CullenLeo Cullen is a former American soccer defender.Cullen played college soccer at the University of Maryland, where he was ACC player of the year first-team All-American in 1997, his senior year. The Miami Fusion made him the first draft pick in team history, taking Leo first overall in the 1998 MLS...
,
Daniel Hernandez,
Steve RalstonSteve Ralston is a retired American soccer player and a current assistant coach for the Houston Dynamo.-Professional:...
,
Brian KamlerBrian Kamler is a retired American soccer midfielder, who played two seasons in the USISL, winning the 1995 U.S. Open Cup and league titles with the Richmond Kickers, and ten seasons in Major League Soccer....
(
Winston GriffithsWinston Griffiths was a Jamaican soccer player who last played for Sporting Central in the Jamaican National Premier League.-College:...
as sustitute),
Taylor TwellmanTaylor Twellman is a retired American soccer player who currently works as a television analyst for the Philadelphia Union and ESPN soccer.-Youth and College:Taylor was raised in St...
,
Wolde HarrisWolde Sealassie Harris is a Jamaican football striker who played professionally in Major League Soccer and was the 1996 A-League Rookie of the Year...
(
Alex Pineda ChaconAlex Pineda Chacón is a former footballer who is currently the head coach of Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Club career:...
as substitute)
Los Angeles GalaxyThe Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
:Kevin HartmanKevin Hartman is an American soccer player who currently plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer-Youth and College:...
,
Alexi LalasPanayotis Alexander Lalas is a retired American soccer player who played mostly as a defender for the United States national team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup...
,
Danny CaliffDaniel Benjamin "Danny" Califf is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
,
Tyrone MarshallTyrone Marshall is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:Marshall moved to the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area when he was twelve years old...
,
Ezra HendricksonEzra Hendrickson is a retired Vincentian footballer. He played professionally in the United States' Major League Soccer with New York MetroStars, Los Angeles Galaxy, Dallas Burn, and Chivas USA, and was also a member of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national team...
,
Sasha VictorineSasha Victorine is a retired American soccer player.He spent his entire professional career in Major League Soccer in the United States, making over 100 appearances for both Los Angeles Galaxy and Kansas City Wizards, before finishing his career with Chivas USA...
,
Mauricio CienfuegosMauricio Cienfuegos is a retired Salvadoran soccer player.-Club career:Cienfuegos began his professional career in 1985 with Racing Junior...
(
Peter VagenasPanayiotis Alexiou "Peter" Vagenas born February 6, 1978 in Pasadena, California is an American soccer player who currently plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer.-High School and College:...
as sustitute),
Simon ElliottSimon John Elliott is a New Zealand International footballer who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Semi-Professional & College career:...
,
Cobi JonesCobi N'Gai Jones is a retired American soccer player who formerly served as assistant coach with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer , with whom he had been involved as a player and coach since the team's inaugural season in 1996...
,
Alejandro MorenoAlejandro Moreno is a Venezuelan footballer. He played for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club before attending UNC Greensboro. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-College:...
(
Chris AlbrightChristopher John Albright is an American soccer player who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:Albright attended William Penn Charter School...
as substitute), Carlos Ruíz
Most Valuable Player:Carlos Ruíz (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Additional sources