How much do LAFC win for becoming the 2022 MLS Cup champions?

Los Angeles FC have become MLS Cup champions for the first time in their short history after an incredibly dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Philadelphia Union.

Steve Cherundolo’s side went ahead twice in normal time but were pegged back on both occasions by Philly. Jack Elliott’s 85th-minute strike for the Union forced extra time just moments after Jesús Murillo had put the Western Conference winners 2-1 in front with only seven minutes left on the clock.

After LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau had been sent off and suffered a serious leg injury in the process, Elliott again struck in the fourth minute of injury time in extra time, which seemed certain to secure the victory for Jim Curtin’s outfit.

But former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, who hasn’t made much of an impact since signing up at Banc of California Stadium, showed that class is very much permanent with a leveller in the eighth minute of stoppage time, sending the game to a shootout, which was eventually won 3-0 by the hosts.

Prize money for winning the MLS Cup

As well as picking up the MLS Cup trophy itself and being assured of a place in the Concacaf Champions League in 2023, LAFC will also take home a financial reward, believed to be in the region of $300,000.

Although Major League Soccer has not revealed any official figures for the 2022 competition, it is thought that the overall prize pool for the playoffs has not changed from last year, when it totalled approximately $1.1m and was divided up as follows: