From 2001 through 2004, the MLS Cup finals saw a rising of the California Clásico when cross-state rivals L.A. Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes clashed together in the 2001 final. The match also saw the rise of U.S. national Landon Donovan who won a Newcomer of the Year award and tallied the equalizer in the Earthquakes 2–1 championship victory over the Galaxy.