Two of Major League Soccer’s original clubs will compete in the MLS Cup final on Saturday when the Los Angeles Galaxy host the New York Red Bulls at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) at Dignity Sports Health Park in Carson, Calif.
The Galaxy have been dominant during its postseason run, and hope to hoist a sixth MLS title, 10 years to the day after winning its last.
The Red Bulls, who knocked out the defending champion Columbus Crew in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, hope to win their first MLS title.
“To see two clubs that have been at it as long as this league has been around to be here, I think it’s a special moment,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said this week.
Maybe, even Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi – the 2024 MLS MVP – will be tuned in. He promoted the match on Instagram Saturday, saying “The MLS Cup final is today, and next season we will come back stronger to try and fight for the title.”
Here’s everything you need to know for today’s MLS Cup final, and you can follow along here with USA TODAY Sports for live updates from the match:
Where to watch MLS Cup final: LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls
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.
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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