The Galaxy’s 2005 season was a journey.
Landon Donovan joined the club after returning to Major League Soccer, instantly adding fire to a Galaxy-San Jose rivalry.
On the field, the Galaxy struggled through the regular season, but managed to come away with two trophies, winning the U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup.
“It was a group that during the regular season didn’t have a ton of success,” Galaxy goalkeeper coach Kevin Hartman said. “I remember having a meeting upstairs, myself, Landon and a couple of other leaders of the group, just wanting to take some type of ownership and accountability within the group.”
Hartman was the starting keeper on the 2005 team.
The Galaxy will honor the 20th year anniversary of the 2005 MLS Cup championship team before and during Sunday’s game against the Seattle Sounders.
The Galaxy finished fourth in the Western Conference (13-13-6, 45 points), securing the final playoff berth. They found their momentum in the playoffs, defeating rival San Jose 4-2 in the two-legged conference semifinal series, followed by a road win over Colorado (2-0) in the conference final to advance to MLS Cup in Frisco, Texas.
“I felt like then we had a group of guys that were playing confidently and believed in one another together at the right time and we were able to build upon some wins and create that momentum going into the playoffs,” Hartman said. “Some of those conversations we had leading into the playoffs really helped to kind of cement the group and then we were really able to find some success.
“And with that success came some confidence and our perception of the game and our belief in one another, kept ramping up and it (MLS Cup final) was one of those games where you need somebody to step up in an important moment.”
The final piece to the playoff puzzle came in MLS Cup against the New England Revolution. The Galaxy had lost their first three trips (1996, 1999 and 2001). In 2002, they defeated the Revolution and three seasons later, they would meet again.
The “important moment” came in extra time. The hero ended up being Guillermo “El Pando” Ramirez. Ramirez, who joined the Galaxy on loan that season from Municipal in Guatemala, struggled during the regular season, scoring only one goal, but he made up for it with his 107th-minute winner in the MLS Cup.
“For Ramirez, he maybe had as many opportunities as somebody could get and he gets the right opportunity at the right time, at the right place to step in and do something that was, you know, really defining for our team and club,” Hartman said.
After the 2005 championship, the Galaxy would hit a downward trend, until returning to the final in 2009 and winning again in 2011, which would be the first of three in four years.
Gameday activities
Members of the 2005 team will be in attendance. Todd Dunivant, the starting left back, will participate in a pregame autograph session. Also, prices for hot dogs ($4.50), soda ($3.75), popcorn ($3) and churros ($4) will be at the 2005 prices, but only until kickoff.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS AT GALAXY
When: Sunday, 7 p.m.
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: FS1, Apple TV+ (season pass)
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