Red Bulls advance to final
Dave van den Bergh scored in the 28th minute and the New York Red Bulls defeated Real Salt Lake, 1-0, in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference final on Saturday night at Sandy, Utah, to reach the MLS Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
John Wolyniec sent a low cross in front of the goal, which was deflected away by Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando, but the attempted clearance went directly to Van den Bergh, who scored into the empty net.
New York will take on the Columbus Crew next Sunday at the Home Depot Center in Carson.
Real Salt Lake, which was also hoping to reach the MLS Cup for the first time in its short four-year history, nearly tied the score on several occasions in the second half.
Midfielder Javier Morales hit the post in injury time, just seconds before the official blew the final whistle.
Will Johnson’s sliding shot also hit the post in the 81st minute and earlier in the 66th minute, Jamison Olave’s shot sailed over the goal.
New York also benefited from goalkeeper Danny Cepero’s seven saves.
Beckham is dropped for exhibition
David Beckham was dropped from England’s team for next week’s exhibition game in Germany because his coach says he’s not in shape.
Beckham has been a late substitute in all four of England’s World Cup qualifying victories. If England advances to the 2010 championship in South Africa, Beckham is in good position to make the team.
But Coach Fabio Capello said the former captain will not play against the Germans because the Galaxy’s season is over in MLS. Capello said he would have selected Beckham if the Galaxy had made the playoffs.
“He last played three weeks ago. . . . If he had played in the playoffs, it would have been OK for me,” the coach said.
Etc.
Goalkeeper Kristin Olsen made two clutch saves during the deciding penalty-kick shootout to help give the USC women’s team a 2-1 win (3-2 on penalty kicks) over Brigham Young in the second round of the NCAA playoffs at Provo, Utah. . . . Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United maintained their English Premier League title hopes with victories. Arsenal lost at home to Aston Villa for the first time in 15 years.
