For a few minutes yesterday at the StubHub Center, it looked like the Revolution might transform their MLS Cup legacy.

Chris Tierney poked home an equalizer in the final 15 minutes to turn the game in the Revs’ favor. Teal Bunbury hit the post just moments from the end. It felt like they were on the cusp of history as they reached extra time.

Fate cruelly intervened with more heartache instead. Robbie Keane struck nine minutes from the end to give LA Galaxy its record fifth title with a 2-1 victory after extra time and send Landon Donovan into retirement as a champion. The painful defeat marked yet another opportunity lost for the Revs, as they fell at the final MLS Cup hurdle for a fifth time after losses in 2002, ’05, ’06 and ’07.

“It’s like someone just took a baseball bat to my gut,” Revs forward Charlie Davies said. “It’s really tough to take. I really thought we deserved to cap the season with a MLS Cup. It’s also sad to end the season like this. I thought we deserved more.”

It even looked like they might procure it by preventing the Galaxy from doing what they do best: keeping the ball. Revolution coach Jay Heaps installed a game plan to disrupt the Galaxy in possession and watched his players implement it to stymie the heavily favored home side for long stretches.

Neither team really found its footing in the ragged first half, but the dynamic suited the Revs well enough. They scrambled a few times before the break — Scott Caldwell clearing a Robbie Rogers bid off the line inside the first two minutes the most notable — but they tempered the Galaxy threats with their organized shape.

Gyasi Zardes altered the dynamic seven minutes after halftime when he sent the improved Galaxy in front just moments after Lee Nguyen had a reasonable penalty shout turned down. He collected a deflected Stefan Ishizaki cross and maneuvered himself into enough space to shoot at the far post. His resulting low drive set the Galaxy on course for the expected Hollywood ending, but the resilient Revs produced a stirring response.

Heaps threw Daigo Kobayashi and Patrick Mullins into the fray as the Revs chased the game. Mullins proved himself a menace with his fresh legs, a noticeable contrast to the fading colleagues around him on both sides. His industry played a large part in producing the goal that gave the Revs life once more.

The rookie forward drifted into the left corner and reached the end line. He picked up his head and pulled an intelligent ball back toward the top of the penalty area. Tierney arrived at the perfect time to corral the pass and poke home the equalizer to the delight of the vibrant traveling supporters in the nearest corner.

“It was just a great ball into the channel,” Tierney said. “Mullins — who was really a handful when he came on — chased it down and made a great lay back. I just tried to take a touch.”

That touch injected some nerves into the fading home side and stoked the possibility of a Revolution winner. Bunbury nearly provided it in the final 10 minutes as he cut inside and floated an effort that hit square off the post — mere inches from determining the game before it hurtled into extra time.

“I wish it would have gone in,” Bunbury said. “It was that close.”

Mullins forced Galaxy keeper Jaime Penedo into a low save as the Revs searched for a winner in the additional half-hour, while Donovan curled a free kick over the bar as he sought his own perfect conclusion.

Keane eventually provided it when he raced onto Marcelo Sarvas’ ball over the top and surged behind the Revs defense. He made no mistake with his finish, a predatory and timely reminder of why he won the league’s MVP award this year — and why the Galaxy claimed a third title in four years.

The sight of Keane lifting the trophy high into the southern California air evoked reminders of the past, and hardened the Revs’ resolve to triumph at some point in the future.

“I’m going to do it again sometime,” Heaps said. “I’m going to try to get the guys back here. This is what it is all about.”