TBT: MLS Cup 2013

With MLS Cup 2015 being played last weekend and the second anniversary of Sporting Kansas City's MLS Cup just a couple days ago, it seemed like MLS Cup 2013 would make a perfect Throw Back Thursday post. This is the game as I saw it through my lens. (All photos by me and copyrighted by me).

In case anyone forgot, it was cold. The coldest MLS Cup up until then and since. It did not deter the crowds or the enthusiasm even if some of the fans did look like Ralphie's little brother from A Christmas Story and couldn't put their arms down.

It reminded me of when I lived in a tent in Korea during the winter and our canteens (the ones with water in them) would freeze over while we tried to sleep.

After surviving the semi-final, I knew I needed to try and stay warmer in order to be able to shoot. This was the first time I used foot warmers, multiple sets of hand warmers, they only lasted a half, switching hands (trying to shoot left handed) and lots of layers.

The Clash of Fans

Real Salt Lake fans were ready to represent and so was the South Stand.

Louder

Louder was not only one of the catch phrases, it was a theme, a belief, a hashtag...

The prize

The pretty cup, the goal, the prize, the end of result of lifetimes of work. Just sitting there ready to be won.

Cold kids...

Did I mention it was cold. I felt sorry for those little girls but I am sure they have a memory of a lifetime.

Uri helps out

At least Uri tried to help out a little...

Preparing to sing...

As the players turned to face the flag, I noticed Aurelien Collin was directly behind the Cup.

Collin and the Cup

As I zoomed in, Collin seemed to rise from the Cup like a genie from a magic lamp.

Like a genie from a magic lamp

Ok, like a French fashionista genie...

Ready?

One last moment before the start.

Captain Jimmy Nielsen

Louder

There is that louder theme again...

Jimmy applauds the Cauldron after the first half

Notice the Cauldron logo on Jimmy's gloves?

RSL scores

Rimando celebrates RSL taking the lead...

Frozen turf

Pretty sure some of those dirt chunks are really shards of ice...

Collin again rises into the air

Collin again rises in my view finder...

The equalizer

This time it was for the goal that tied the game.

Stay warm

Jimmy staying warm, or at least trying to...

Rimando wants to know why Jimmy gets a study guide

John Pascarella, Sporting KC's goalkeeper coach was well prepared in case it went to penalties and had the cheat sheet ready.

So he likes to shoot where?

Naga taking his shot

These are the days you know you can count on Nagamura

Naga comes through again

A great celebration.

Save!

Jimmy makes a save to give Sporting KC a 2-0 advantage early.

Nielsen could not get to them all

This may not have been Jimmy's best game in his life but he did come up big when needed in penalties. He also did it with injured ribs...

Collin For The Win

The last field player to shoot, Collin places just inside the post and Rimando could not get to it.

MLS Cup Champions

RSL sent their shot over the bar and nobody in the stadium was cold anymore. Except maybe the RSL fans...

What shall we fill this up with at the after party?

The moment before the jubilation...

The slow lift

.....

Champions!

And confetti!

Silver looks really good

Dom being Dom

Emotions

Interesting to see the faces....

A range of emotions

Is Besler crying, yelling or something else?

#PaintTheWall

Lots of fans stayed to watch the wall be painted again.

History making gloves

A great souvenir...

Collin was here

And a few others...

Happy friends

A smile

Love him or hate him, and there are plenty who fit into both categories, Collin delivered when it was needed and definitely deserves a lot of credit for helping bring another MLS Cup to Kansas City.