December 2 – Just over a month ago, the dream match-up of New York and LA squared off for a world title as the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in Major League Baseball World Series. On Saturday the two cities will meet again in Carson for the right to be called MLS Cup Champion.
At the Inter&Co stadium in Orlando, an Andrés Reyes strike, courtesy of a John Tolkin free-kick to power the Red Bulls to their first MLS Cup since 2008. A visibly emotional Reyes said: “I was overcome with emotions at the end, and I think everybody was as well. And just pure exhaustion,” he added. “I’m just so happy for everybody and all the work that we put in, and just the feeling and all the smiles. It’s what you do this for.”
After finishing in the lowly position of 7th in the Eastern Conference, nothing was expected from the club that has never won a major trophy in its history. Led by the charismatic German, Sandro Schwarz, the team has gone on a Cinderella run stunning the heavily favoured, Columbus Crew on penalties, before beating crosstown rival, NYCFC.
On the other side of the bracket, the five times champion, LA Galaxy are looking to reverse a decade-long decline. In 2014, led by USMNT stalwart, Landon Donovan and former Spurs man, Robbie Keane, they won their third title in four years however since then the club has suffered on and off the field.
After a stellar season where they tied neighbours LAFC at the top of the Western Conference, the Galaxy, led by Greg Vanney, have been on a heater scoring 15 goals in four post-season matches prior to grinding out a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders thanks to Dejan Joveljić.
A happy and confident Joveljić said: “I mean, we prepared for this. I’m happy, but not surprised. From the first day when I saw Pec, Joseph, Miki [Yamane] and other guys, of course I knew that we have something special and that we are going to be good this season.”
Much of the success for the Los Angeles outfit has been put down to establishing an actual scouting department, and through elite year-one performances from Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil.
With home-field advantage at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy come into their league leading 10th final as the heavy favourites. The game will be broadcast on Apple+, free-to-air on Fox, and Fox Deportes.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1733126722labto1733126722ofdlr1733126722owedi1733126722sni@o1733126722fni1733126722