David Villafranca
Los Angeles (USA), Nov 5 (EFE).- In an exciting and emotional final, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) won this Saturday in a penalty shootout 3-0 over Philadelphia Union and thus conquered his first MLS Cup.
Both teams tied 2-2 in regulation time and 3-3 in extra time.
Jack Elliott scored in the 123rd minute for Union a goal that seemed definitive, but Gareth Bale, who had played almost nothing in LAFC, scored a goal in the 128th minute to send the final to penalties.
The unexpected hero in the shootout was LAFC reserve goalkeeper John McCarthy, who had only played one competitive game all year.
McCarthy entered the field for a straight red to Maxime Crépeau, and guaranteed the title by stopping two pitches.
Led since its foundation in 2018 by the Mexican Carlos Vela, the Los Angeles team thus closed a spectacular double since this year they also won the MLS Supporters’ Shield, which rewards the team with the most points in the regular season.
This MLS Cup also culminates the fascinating rise of LAFC, which in five years has become one of the most powerful teams in the league and has created a great rivalry with the LA Galaxy.
Along with Vela, the heart and soul of this team, LAFC has based its success this year on players like Colombian striker Cristian Arango (18 points) and Spanish midfielder Ilie Sánchez.
This summer, luxury reinforcements also arrived, such as the Italian Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale, but above all the solidity and confidence of the team led by Steve Cherundolo, MLS Cup champion in his first season as coach in the league, has shone.
LAFC STRIKES FIRST
Buoyed by their fans at the Banc of California in Los Angeles, LAFC came out to bite with high pressure and got their first chance in the 11th minute when Vela’s shot bounced off a defender.
Union settled down little by little and began to dominate possession without creating danger in a very close start.
LAFC had taken oil from set pieces throughout the year and thus also opened the scoring for the final.
On a foul up front, Acosta took responsibility and his shot ended up in the net after hitting McGlynn and throwing Blake off.
That goal by the Angelenos did not discourage Philadelphia, who continued to attack but without luck in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Vela swayed more and more freely and, again after a foul, Palacios caressed LAFC’s second after an assist from the Mexican.
The game broke up before the break
Uhre missed a one-on-one after a serious error by LAFC and, on the subsequent play, Arango sent the ball high from outside the box.
PENALTIES DECIDE
The dynamics of the resumption did not change too much: the Union carried the weight of the game without mischief up front and LAFC was looking for its moment on the counterattack.
Again, the stopped ball was in charge of shaking the match.
After a corner, the ball was left to Martínez, who tried with amazing faith a shot from far away that, however, became the perfect pass for Gazdag, who shot Crepéau to tie the score.
The goal heated up the final even more, with both teams entangled in friction and constant discussions.
As the minutes ticked by, the tension began to grip LAFC as the Union became more and more sure of their chances.
But when it seemed that inertia was benefiting Philadelphia, Murillo appeared in the 83rd minute with a superb header from a corner served by Vela.
The joy of the Angelenos lasted only two minutes, which took Elliott, also with a great header after a foul, to tie again a game that went straight to overtime.
The key moment of extra time came in minute 110, when goalkeeper Crépeau was injured after a hard clash against a Burke who was leaving just to score.
Crépeau, who was taken off on a stretcher, saw the red card and substitute goalkeeper McCarthy entered the field.
The madness was installed in the outcome of the duel. Elliott scored his second goal in minute 123 but the Union lost the title in minute 128 when Bale scored an epic headed goal to take the final to penalties.
And then McCarthy appeared, MVP of the final with two crucial saves for LAFC to finally lift their first MLS Cup.
– Data sheet:
3. LAFC: Crepeau; Hollingshead, Murillo, Ibeagha, Palacios; Sánchez, Acosta (Tello, m.91), Cifuentes; Vela (Bale, d. 97), Arango (Opoku, d. 74; McCarthy, d. 117), Bouanga.
Coach: Steve Cherundolo.
3.Philadelphia Union—Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; McGlynn (Aaronson, d. 84), Martinez, Flach; Gazdag, Carranza, Uhre (Burke, d.71; Donovan, d.121).
Coach: Jim Curtin.
Goals: 1-0, m. 28: Acosta; 1-1, m. 59: Gazdag; 2-1, m. 83: Murillo; 2-2, m. 85: Elliott; 2-3, m. 123: Elliott. 3-3, m. 128: Bale.
Penalties: Tello: fails (0-0). Gazdag: fails (0-0). Bouanga: goal (1-0). Martinez: fails (1-0). Hollingshead: goal (2-0). Wagner: fails (2-0). Sanchez: goal (3-0).
Referee: Ismail Elfath. He expelled Crépeau at LAFC. He booked Cifuentes and Ibeagha of LAFC and Elliott and Carranza of the Philadelphia Union.
Incidents: Final of the MLS Cup played at the Banc of California in Los Angeles (USA). EFE
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