Bridgeview, Ill. » It took 90 minutes of regulation. Thirty minutes of overtime. Nine penalty kicks.

And it was all worth it. Real Salt Lake is going to the MLS Cup.

Ned Grabavoy's penalty kick into the upper left corner of the net clinched RSL's 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire here Saturday, sending RSL to Seattle for a date next Sunday against David Beckham, Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

RSL, which eked into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season, stunned defending MLS champ Columbus in the opening round of the playoffs, then did the same to the hometown Fire with a typically feisty effort (four RSL yellow cards were issued) that included some very big saves by goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

The opening 90 minutes and ensuing 30-minute overtime were a true standoff; both teams produced a dozen shots and possession was even.

RSL trailed 3-1 in the shootout after a goal by Chicago's Wilman Conde. But RSL battled back to tie it at 3-3 on a Kyle Beckerman shot, and clinched the conference title when the Fire's Brandon Prideaux missed his shot at 4-4 and Grabavoy converted.