Print edition: 
SEATTLE — Robbie Russell scored in the seventh round of penalty kicks and underdog, overlooked Real Salt Lake beat the star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy 5-4 on penalties Sunday night for its first Major League Soccer title.
Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando made two saves during penalties, and league MVP Landon Donovan missed badly over the crossbar giving RSL a chance in the extra rounds. After Rimando smothered Edson Buddle's shot, Russell beat backup Los Angeles keeper Josh Saunders into the lower left corner to set off a wild celebration.
Robbie Findley scored in the 64th minute to pull RSL even at 1 after Mike Magee gave Los Angeles the lead in the 41st minute off a perfect cross by Donovan.
It was the second straight shootout victory for Salt Lake, which beat Chicago 5-4 on penalties last week in the Eastern Conference championship.
Rimando made three saves in the penalty shootout against Chicago and the game MVP came up big again Sunday in front of 46,011 fans — the fourth-largest crowd for a MLS Cup final.
David Beckham scored for Los Angeles to start the penalty kicks and the first four shots went to form. In the third round, Jovan Kirovski's shot was saved by Rimando, but Saunders followed by stopping RSL captain Kyle Beckerman.
Donovan, the usually sure-footed penalty taker for both the Galaxy and the U.S. national team, then missed well over the crossbar, ripping off his captain's armband as he walked disgusted back to midfield.
Andy Williams had a chance for RSL with the final penalty, but Saunders smothered the shot. Two rounds later, Williams was able to celebrate with Russell as RSL became the second expansion team in MLS history to win the title, joining Chicago in 1998.
It was a stunning and disappointed conclusion for Los Angeles, which entered as a heavy favorite thanks to the star power of Donovan and Beckham.
The setup was perfect for the league with its marquee team and arguably two biggest stars playing for the title. And it looked promising early, especially after Beckham, Donovan and Magee teamed up for a beautiful goal just before halftime.
