John McCarthy is the 2022 MLS Cup final MVP
The LAFC goalkeeper came on the field with ten minutes remaining in extra time and shutout the Philadelphia Union stopping two Union penalty kick attempts.
McCarthy came into the game with only ten minutes left in extra time in substitution of Maxime Crepeau who was shown a red card for a collision with Cory Burke. Crepeau, who is expected to play for Canada in the World Cup, was injured in the play. Although there were many heroes in the match McCarthy came up big for Philadelphia in the end.
After regulation and 30 minutes of extra time the MLS Cup final was decided in a penalty shootout
After 120 minutes and a 3-3 tied game, the final was going to be decided by penalty kicks. Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdag missed high on the first opportunity. Next up was Denis Bouanga for LAFC who banged home his kick in the top left corner. Jose Martinez was up next for Philadelphia and was under pressure to equalize, but McCarthy came up big for Philadelphia and saved the shot in the bottom left corner.
LAFC continued to put on the pressure and went up 2-0 after Ryan Hollingshead scored his penalty kick with a shot to the center of the goal. It was the third opportunity for Philadelphia and Kai Wagner’s shot to the bottom right corner was stopped by the MLS final MVP John McCarthy. The Spaniard Ilie Sanchez ended the game with a shot in the bottom right corner to give LAFC the MLS Final victory.
McCarthy had been on the bench 37 times for LAFC this season prior to the MLS Cup Final and had only made 3 appearances. The 29-year-old keeper, originally from Philadelphia, was signed as a free agent by LAFC in January with an option for the 2023 season. the MLS Cup MVP had started his professional career for Philadephia Union in 2015. He played for Inter Miami FC in 2020 and 2021.