WASHINGTON DC - The more things change, the more things stay the same.

The 2007 MLS season brought an unprecedented amount of improvements to the league, both on the field and off of it.

However, the 2007 season finale still looked awfully similar to last year's, as it featured the same two teams with largely the same line-ups, and the result was almost exactly the same, with the Houston Dynamo capturing their second straight title with a 2-1 victory in Washington DC on Sunday.

The cup loss is New England's third in a row, and fourth in the last six years.

"How cruel can it be? We're all devastated right now," said Revs captain Steve Ralston. "There's not much to say. We're all feeling the same thing."

"It doesn't get easier," added defender Jay Heaps, who has played in all four MLS Cup defeats. "It's so disappointing. It was ours to win and we didn't take it."

And yet, it all looked so good for the Revolution in the beginning, as Taylor Twellman drew first blood for the Revolution in the 20th minute.

The Revolution forward broke the deadlock of what had been a game dominated by midfield play, with both sides looking to maintain possession and feel out their opponents.

The opening goal was the result of a good break by New England, with Ralston firing a perfect cross into the Dynamo box for Twellman. The US National Team striker made no mistake in rising to meet the header to bury it past Pat Onstad.

The rest of the half was played with more back-and-forth action, as both teams' wingers pushed forward in an effort to create more scoring chances. Ngwenya missed an open header for the Dynamo, while Pat Noonan missed a chance of his own off of a Ralston cross.

The halftime set from pop-punkers Jimmy Eat World must have been audible in the Dynamo locker room, as Houston came out with considerably more energy and vigor in the search for goals in the second half.

It took a while for the Dynamo forays to pay off, but when they did, it was in probably the least skillful way possible.

It started on a cross from Brian Mullan on the right to the Houston box that somehow found its way through the Revs defense to Dwayne De Rosario on the left of the New England goal.

The Canadian threaded through a clever pass for Ngwenya, but the Zimbabwean badly whiffed on his first attempt. Luckily for him, Ngwenya was able to recover, and he tapped the ball over the line to knot the game at ones.

Things nearly got even worse for the Revolution not long after, when Khano Smith avoided what was surely a red card offense after headbutting Craig Waibel after a tangle on the sideline.

Then, things did get worse for the Revolution, as Houston struck what would be the winning goal in the 74th minute.

It came as no surprise to anyone that it was De Rosario that scored it, as the dynamic Houston playmaker rose to powerfully head Brad Davis' cross past Matt Reis and into the back of the net.

From then on, Houston were content to sit in a defensive shell and absorb the Revs attacks, of which there were plenty.

However, the only one that really tested Onstad came in the last five minutes of the game, as the Canadian goalkeeper needed to unnaturally contort himself to get to Jeff Larentowicz's effort in a crowded penalty box.

It would be the last real chance for the Revolution, before referee Alex Prus blew the final whistle and Houston collected their second consecutive MLS Cup Championship.

"We proved how strong of a will our team has," said MLS Cup MVP De Rosario. "We never give up."

"I can't speak any more highly of my teammates. I mean, just the dedication, determination, and just the will to never give up is unbelievable. I feel blessed to be with a great group of guys and a great coaching staff that instills that attitude in us every day at training, and every time we step on the field. And it shows."

ASD's Three Stars:
#1 Dwayne De Rosario
#2 Brad Davis
#3 Craig Waibel

Scoring
NE - Taylor Twellman 3 (Steve Ralston, Shalrie Joseph) 20'
HOU - Joseph Ngwenya 1 (Dwayne De Rosario) 61'
HOU - Dwayne De Rosario 2 (Brad Davis, Craig Waibel) 74'

Lineups
HOU - Pat Onstad; Craig Waibel, Ryan Cochrane, Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett, Brian Mullan, Dwayne De Rosario, Richard Mulrooney, Brad Davis, Nate Jaqua, Joseph Ngwenya (Stuart Holden 80')

NE - Matt Reis; Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, Avery John, Wells Thompson, Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, Steve Ralston (Andy Dorman 78'), Khano Smith, Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman