MLS Cup 2001 was contested between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy , both from the Western Division . It was the first MLS Cup with finalists from the same division and the same state . San Jose had never appeared in an MLS Cup final , while Los Angeles lost the 1996 and 1999 finals to D.C. United . The finalists played each other twice during the regular season , both won by the Earthquakes , but two additional matches in the series to be played at the end of the regular season were canceled after the September 11 attacks , which shortened the league 's season . Due to several teams having already played an extra match , playoff seeding was determined by points per game and matches began a week later . The Earthquakes and Galaxy also met each other in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup in July , which Los Angeles won 10 – 9 in a penalty shootout following a 1 – 1 draw after extra time
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
MLS Cup 2001