It was a typical Seattle night; rain, wind and cold. But that wouldn’t stop LA from finishing the job they started last Sunday. For LA Galaxy, tonight’s game was all about protecting their lead and going back to the MLS Cup. It also made tonight a must win since Houston won earlier today… Thus leaving it all up to LA to host the MLS Cup. Landon Donovan wasn’t in LA’s 18 tonight as he is nursing a hamstring injury, with this LA knew it would be a tough task keeping the 3-0 lead.

And a tough task it was, no less than 13 minutes in Eddie Johnson scored a goal to make it 3-1 on aggregate. It was clear that LA needed a leader to step up and take charge. Seattle had almost all possession in the first half, no matter how LA tried to break it up they couldn’t. It was something of a spectacle seeing LA off their rockers and losing control of every ball. At times I felt like I was watching a U-8 girls soccer team play. Rude I know, but true. It was evident that LA wasn’t as strong without Juni and Donovan, and Edson Buddle just wasn’t cutting it.

The second half was more of the same as the first. Seattle scored in the 57th minute, making the aggregate 3-2. Just as things were getting out of control for LA, Robbie Keane made a play that resulted in LA receiving a PK. In the 67th minute Keane put the ball into the net, letting LA take back their 2 goal aggregate lead. LA fans and players couldn’t let out a sigh of relief just yet. With 22 minutes left to play LA had to keep their guard up and play their hearts out. Juninho was subbed into the game in the earlier minutes of the second half and you could immediately see the faith that LA gained. When the final whistle blew, LA had earned their ticket to the MLS Cup once again. Even though this game wasn’t pretty by anyone’s standards, LA still came away with the win.

LA and Houston will meet once again in the MLS Cup Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.