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| Event | MLS Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Date | November 23, 2008 | ||||||
| Venue | Home Depot Center, Carson, California, US | ||||||
| Man of the Match | Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew) | ||||||
| Referee | Baldomero Toledo | ||||||
| Attendance | 27,000 | ||||||
| Weather | Clear, 68 °F (20 °C) | ||||||
MLS Cup 2008 was the 13th edition of the MLS Cup, the championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS). The soccer match took place on November 23, 2008, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, near Los Angeles. It was contested between Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls, both from the league's Eastern Conference.
Both finalists were making their first appearance at the MLS Cup, having historically exited the playoffs in earlier rounds. Columbus won the Supporters' Shield with the most regular season points and defeated Kansas City and the Chicago Fire in the playoffs to reach the final. The Red Bulls finished the regular season with a losing record and were seeded into the Western Conference bracket as a wildcard, eliminating defending champions Houston and Real Salt Lake in the process.
Columbus won the game by a score of 3–1 with goals from Alejandro Moreno, Chad Marshall, and Frankie Hejduk — all assisted by Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Schelotto was named man of the match, adding to his MVP award from the regular season. Sigi Schmid became the first manager to win the MLS Cup with two different teams, shortly before leaving the Crew to coach the Seattle Sounders FC.