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:
Sean Nealis goal: LA Galaxy 2, New York Red Bulls 1
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.
Dejan Joveljic goal: LA Galaxy 2, New York Red Bulls 0
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.
Joseph Paintsil goal: LA Galaxy 1, New York Red Bulls 0
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.
How to watch LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls in MLS Cup final
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 out with illness for New York Red Bulls
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.
LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls starting lineups
LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls betting odds
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.
Galaxy hopes to win sixth MLS Cup final
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.
Red Bulls vying for first MLS Cup title
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.
LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls history: 1996 MLS opening weekend
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.
Is Lionel Messi playing in MLS Cup 2024?
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.
Which teams have won the most MLS Cups?
Los Angeles Galaxy: 5
D.C. United: 4
Columbus Crew: 3
Houston Dynamo: 2
Seattle Sounders FC: 2
Sporting Kansas City: 2
San Jose Earthquakes: 2
MLS CUP: Ranking every Major League Soccer championship game
MLS Cup winners (1996-2023)
2023: Columbus Crew over Los Angeles FC (Lower.com Field), 2-1
2022: Los Angeles FC over Philadelphia Union (Banc of California Stadium), 3-3 (LAFC won penalty shootout, 3-0)
2021: New York City FC over Portland Timbers (Providence Park), 1-1 (NYCFC won penalty shootout, 4-2)
2020: Columbus Crew over Seattle Sounders FC (Mapfre Stadium), 3-0
2019: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (CenturyLink Field), 3-1
2018: Atlanta United over Portland Timbers (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 2-0
2017: Toronto FC over Seattle Sounders FC (BMO Field), 2-0
2016: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (BMO Field), 0-0 (Sounders won penalty shootout, 5-4)
2015: Portland Timbers over Columbus Crew (Mapfre Stadium), 2-1
2014: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (StubHub Center), 2-1 (extra time)
2013: Sporting Kansas City over Real Salt Lake (Sporting Park), 1-1 (SKC won penalty shootout, 7-6)
2012: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 3-1
2011: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 1-0
2010: Colorado Rapids over FC Dallas (BMO Field), 2-1 (extra time)
2009: Real Salt Lake over Los Angeles Galaxy (Qwest Field), 1-1 (RSL won penalty shootout, 5-4)
2008: Columbus Crew over New York Red Bulls (Home Depot Center), 3-1
2007: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (RFK Stadium), 2-1
2006: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-1 (Dynamo won penalty shootout, 4-3)
2005: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-0 (extra time)
2004: D.C. United over Kansas City Wizards (Home Depot Center), 3-2
2003: San Jose Earthquakes over Chicago Fire (Home Depot Center), 4-2
2002: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Gillette Stadium), 1-0 (extra time)
2001: San Jose Earthquakes over Los Angeles Galaxy (Crew Stadium), 2-1 (extra time)
2000: Kansas City Wizards over Chicago Fire (RFK Stadium), 1-0
1999: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 2-0
1998: Chicago Fire over D.C. United (Rose Bowl), 2-0
1997: D.C. United over Colorado Rapids (RFK Stadium), 2-1
1996: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 3-2 (extra time)
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