The Los Angeles Galaxy are Major League Soccer champions once again.
Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic scored early goals, and the Galaxy outlasted the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the MLS Cup final in front of an announced crowd of 26,812 people at Dignity Sports Health Complex in Carson, California on Saturday.
The Galaxy were already the winningest club in league history. But their sixth MLS title comes 10 years to the day of their last championship.
The Galaxy scored their goals in the first 14 minutes of the match.
Paintsil scored in the ninth minute to take a 1-0 lead, following a through ball from Gastón Brugman, who was named MLS Cup MVP for the assist. Joveljic scored in the 14th minute to make it 2-0, scoring his sixth goal this postseason.
The Galaxy goal scorers raised the No. 10 jersey of Riqui Puig, the former FC Barcelona standout whose game-winning assist after tearing his ACL in the Western Conference final helped Los Angeles contend for the title.
“I’m really happy for the fans, for Riqui, for the club and for us,” Brugman said.
The Red Bulls, although shocked by the early deficit, rebounded quickly with Sean Nealis scoring inside the box after a corner kick in the 28th minute to make it 2-1.
Both clubs, however, were unable to score again despite a frantic finish in the second half.
In the final minute of stoppage time, the Red Bulls were penalized for an offside. But Galaxy players and team members prematurely stormed the field upon hearing the whistle.
One minute later, the Galaxy’s celebration began.
Check out these highlights from today’s MLS Cup final from USA TODAY Sports:
The New York Red Bulls are back in it. Sean Nealis converted in the box after a corner kick in the 28th minute, and it’s 2-1.
Two goals in four minutes for the Galaxy with Dejan Joveljic finding the back of the net in the 13th minute. The Galaxy have a 2-0 lead in the MLS Cup final.
What a run by Galaxy standout Joseph Paintsil, right behind substitute Noah Eile, to score in the ninth minute of the MLS Cup. Paintsil raised the jersey of teammate Riqui Puig, who is not playing due to a torn ACL, to dedicate the goal.
The game will be available to live stream for free via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The game will be also available on TV on FOX and FOX Deportes in the U.S., and on TSN and RDS in Canada.
Andres Reyes, who scored the game-winner in the Eastern Conference finals for the Red Bulls, was scratched from the starting lineup due to an illness. It’s unclear if he will play at all. Noah Eile replaced him in the lineup.
According to BetMGM, here are the odds after regulation: LA Galaxy (-130), New York Red Bulls (+280), tie (+310). The over/under is set at 2.5 goals.
Ten years after the club’s last title, the Galaxy hopes to win the MLS Cup final again.
The team will be playing without star playmaker Riqui Puig, who suffered a torn ACL during the Western Conference final – before he delivered the game-winning assist to Dejan Jovelić last week.
Still, Los Angeles is loaded behind Gabriel Pec, Jovelić and Joseph Paintsil. The Galaxy has scored 16 goals in four postseason games, needing one more to tie to MLS record for goals by a club in the playoffs.
“We have been waiting for 10 years to have this opportunity,” center back Maya Yoshida said.
The Red Bulls have assumed the underdog role, and a “why not us?” mentality as the lowest playoff seed (No. 7) to reach the MLS Cup final.
The Red Bulls beat the Crew, New York City FC and Orlando City to reach the final, avoiding Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati – the last two Supporters’ Shield winners – in the playoffs.
Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel has been instrumental, accounting for 19 saves and the club’s three clean sheets this postseason.
“We’re the lowest seed to make the final, and everybody keeps doubting us, and we’ve won three on the road now in the playoffs. It’s not an easy thing to do. We are on the road again now. Why can’t we?” Red Bulls defender John Tolkin said.
The LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls (then the New York/New Jersey MetroStars) faced each other in the inaugural game for both teams during the first full weekend of Major League Soccer play on April 13, 1996.
In the historic clash in front of 69,255 fans at the historic Rose Bowl, U.S. national team icon Cobi Jones scored a goal in the Galaxy’s 2-1 win.
The Galaxy would go on to reach MLS Cup, where they were defeated in an epic game by D.C. United in extra time at rainy Foxboro Stadium.
No.
The recently crowned MLS MVP Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were knocked out in the first round of the MLS playoffs by Atlanta United. It was one of the most stunning playoff upsets in MLS history.
MLS CUP: Ranking every Major League Soccer championship game
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
