LA Galaxy 2–1 New York Red Bulls: summary, score, goals, highlights MLS Cup
MLS Cup: LA Galaxy - New York Red Bulls
LA Galaxy win their sixth MLS Cup.
Ten years to the day since their fifth MLS Cup triumph, the LA Galaxy have a sixth star to add to the jersey.
MLS' most successful team had fallen on tough times in recent years but head coach Greg Vanney has moulded this talented group of players into a championship-winning team. He returned to the club with whom he spent much of his playing career and finally makes amends for the three MLS Cups lost as a player.
The Galaxy blitzed through the early rounds of the postseason this year but were made to work in the latter stages. When they needed to grind out a performance they did exactly that, picking up hard-fought one-goal victories in both the Western Conference Final and MLS Cup.
In the 2024 MLS Cup final in front of home support two early goals from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic proved to be enough to see off a spirited New York Red Bulls side. After a decade in the wilderness, LA Galaxy are back on the throne.
Full time scenes in Los Angeles.
They were made to wait for it, but the LA Galaxy have finally retaken their crown as MLS's top team. The scenes at the full time whistle were of jubilation and the capacity crowd will be celebrating this one for some time to come.
Greg Vanney leads LA Galaxy back to the pinnacle.
During a stellar career with LA Galaxy as a player Greg Vanney played in three MLS Cups but lost all three. Today, he finally wins one.
"It feels good, because I fell on my face three times as a player," Vanney says, speaking on-field after the fulltime whistle.
FULLTIME: LA Galaxy 2-1 New York Red Bulls.
Exactly ten years on from their fifth MLS Cup, LA Galaxy have their sixth star. It's been a brilliant postseason performance from the Galaxy and they saw out the game bravely today, keeping a battling NYRB team at bay.
Incredible from Greg Vanney, who finally has a championship with his beloved LA Galaxy.
LA GALAXY WIN MLS CUP!
And now it is! The LA Galaxy see out a 2-1 victory to win a record-setting sixth MLS Cup.
Astonishing! The flag is up for offside and the home crowd think they've won it, the squad floods onto the field but it's not over yet!
Long ball lands at the feet for Forsberg in the penalty box but he can't get a clear sight of goal and the Galaxy clear.
Another long ball forward is claimed by McCarthy. The Red Bulls are really running out of time now.
Is there one last chance?
The Red Balls try to float one into the box from long range but it's gratefully claimed by McCarthy in the middle. A huge roar erupts around the stadium.
Huge chance for the Red Bulls as the ball drops in the middle. It first falls to Forsberg and then to Burke but neither can finish from close range.
There's still life in this one yet!
Lewis Morgan tracks Gabriel Pec all the way back to his own corner flag and recovers the ball. The Red Bulls win it back and look to play forward.
We're going to have six minutes of added time. Is there one last chance for the Red Bulls?
Carlos Garces
The young defender is down on the edge of his own box. It looked like he got a whack to the head in an aerial challenge.
He's getting a lot of treatment, may not be fit to continue.
As the clock ticks towards 90 minutes the atmosphere in Dignity Health Sports Park rises once again. Both sets of fans are bouncing now, willing their team over the line in the final few minutes.
We've seen precious little from the NYRB stars - Emil Forsberg, Lewis Morgan - in the first 86 minutes of this MLS Cup. Can either of them find a moment of magic to level the scores?
NYRB win a corner kick and Forsberg picks out Harper at the back post. He gets his volley on target but it's comfortably saved by McCarthy.
Dylan Nealis and Daniel Edelman are coming off for NYRB. Willy Carmona and Cory Burke come on for the visitors.
Brilliant pass from Delgado through to Gabriel Pec. The Brazilian tries to chop it inside of the recovering defender but only succeeds in slowing himself down.
The Galaxy retain possession but the opening is gone.
Into the final ten minutes. The game is getting stretched now as the Red Bulls push more men forward in search of a leveller.
This, however, is giving the pacey Galaxy forwards even more space to run into. You sense that this game will not finish 2-1.
Another Galaxy change. Dejan Joveljic's race is run, Diego Fagundez replaces him.
LA Galaxy repel the first ball but NYRB hurl in another cross. This time it's Noah Elie who gets a touch on it but he can't find the target.
Maya Yoshida gets across well to block a promising delivery into the box by the Red Bulls. It'll be a corner kick for the visitors...
First change for the Galaxy.
Gaston Brugman comes off. Marco Reus is on.
Spell-binding burst of one-touch passes from LA Galaxy and the ball is slid through to Gabriel Pec. The Brazilian is one-on-one with Coronel but he puts his shot wide of the target.
The assistant's flag is up, it wouldn't have counted.
Now Paintsil sprints forward with the ball but is tackled by Nealis just as he's about to dart into the NYRB box. Brave defending.
It's end-to-end!
Gabriel Pec forces a brilliant reaciton save from Coronel and the Red Bulls and back on the attack. Morgan drives the team forwards and finds Manoel in the middle. He squares it to Forsberg who can't quite find the bottom corner with his effort.
So close at both ends!
We're into the final 20 minutes now. It looks like we may soon see Marco Reus make an appearance...
Cameron Harper
The Red Bulls right back is booked for scything down Joveljic on the halfway line. It's a cynical tackle and one that lands him in the book.
The Galaxy starting to build a head of stream now, taking advantage of the space on either side of the Red Bulls' back three.
Good ball forward from Yamane from Pec in space on the right again. He cuts inside and tries to find Joveljic but the pass is cut out.
The Galaxy win a corner kick.
Red Bulls win a free kick on the right. This time it's played short to Edelman and he clips a ball forward from a central area.
His delivery is overhit and and it bounces through for a Galaxy goal kick.
First substitutions of the game are made by Sandro Schwarz.
It's Ronald Donkor and Elias Manoel coming on. Dante Vanzeir and Peter Stroud are replaced.
Long ball forward from LA Galaxy breaks to Delgado, who slids it out wide to Yamane. The right back drives onto it and strikes a fierce shot against the post.
So close to a third!
Loose ball falls to Gaston Brugman on the edge of the NYRB box and he lets fly. He catches it beautifully but it's wide of the target.
The Galaxy go right back up the other end and play the ball through to Gabriel Pec. He tries to cut back onto his right foot but he's tackled by Noah Eile.
Good defending from Eile, again.
Dante Vanzeir races through on goal to latch onto a pass forward, baring down on McCarthy. He's about to pull the trigger but he's crowded out by recovering defenders.
Big appeals for a penalty from the NYRB contingent as Lewis Morgan takes a tumble in the box.
It looked like Yoshida got there first with the tackle, but the visiting fans are chanting for VAR.
The atmosphere is ratcheted up again with that Paintsil chance. The stand behind Carlos Coronel's goal is in great voice, basking in the sun on this glorious LA afternoon.
Slick play from the Galaxy now, working it well down the right flank. Joveljic plays a clever dummy and the ball rolls towards Paintsil, who curls the ball just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
A rare piece of attacking quality from the Red Bulls finds Vanzeir ghosting in behind the Galaxy backline. He spins and shoot with his left boot but Yoshida gets across well to block the effort.
Galaxy start to show a bit of composure on the ball and work the ball to Delgado on the edge of the NYRB box. He fakes to shoot and slips the ball to Yamane on the overlap. He tries to cross but gets it all wrong.
Red Bulls goal kick.
It's a bit of a scrappy start to the second half with nether team managing to string together more than a few passes.
The Red Bulls are still playing long - looking primarily for Lewis Morgan - and struggling to keep the ball.
The home support is still in good voice but there's a greater sense of tension than there was during the wild early scenes of celebration.
Cup finals are never easy and this one is no different.
No substitutions from either coach and no obvious tactical changes at the break. Let's see if the Red Bulls can continue to grow into the game.
And we're back!
The New York Red Bulls get the second half of the 2024 MLS Cup underway...
Any changes at the break?
There didn't seem to be any fitness issues for either coach to worry about in the first half but there is a developing problem for the New York Red Bulls that Sandro Schwarz may decide to address.
Stand-in central defender Noah Eile has now been booked and is coming up against three very lively attackers. A red card for Eile would almost certainly spell the end of the Red Bulls' chances so he'll have to be on his best behaviour.
Without Andres Reyes available - he dropped out due to illness in the warm-up - it would be a brave decision from Schwarz to sub out Eilie at this stage.
WATCH: Sean Nealis gets one back for the Red Bulls.
However they are playing, the New York Red Bulls will always offer a threat from set pieces and that proved to be the turning point from the first half again today. The delivery of Emil Forsberg and John Tolkin is among the best in the league and they know how to take advantage.
LA Galaxy hold deserved lead at the break.
Across the course of the first 45 minutes the LA Galaxy were the better team but they will regret not taking better advantage of their early dominance. It felt like they could have the game wrapped up by halftime but they failed to capitalise and let the Red Bulls back in.
Nevertheless, the attacking trio of Joveljic, Pec and Paintsil have certainly delivered and they still look capable of taking the game away from NYRB.
LA Galaxy sat off, says head coach Vanney
After a red-hot start to the game with two early goals the Galaxy allowed themselves to be pegged back by a resilient Red Bulls team. Speaking at the halftime break, Greg Vanney wasn't happy with how the first half progressed.
"I felt like we fell off a cliff, got a bit passive and conceded too much territory," Greg Vanney tells the Apple TV coverage. "They've made mistakes so we've got to keep our foot on the gas. We can't sit back.
Halftime: LA Galaxy 2-1 New York Red Bulls
That's all, halftime at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The Red Bulls look to force a late chance but the Galaxy defend bravely from a series of crosses.
In the dying seconds of the half NYRB win a free kick on the right. John Tolkin trots across to take it...
The Galaxy swing in a cross from the right and Joveljic does brilliantly to bring the ball down and fire a volley on goal. Luckily for Coronel the shot is right at him and he holds the ball well.
There's no let-up as we head into stoppage time. The Galaxy come forward again with intent and find Paintsil on the right. He cuts back and Delgado looks for a way through the NYRB backline.
We're going to have three minutes of added time.
The Galaxy free kick is swung in from the right by Gaston Brugman. It's overhit but John Tolkin nods it out for a corner kick.
Daniel Edelman clips Gabriel Pec with a clumsy challenge near the touchline. Pec is really worrying the Red Bulls defence and he's racking up the fouls.
The New York Red Bulls are definitely the team in the ascendancy at the end of the first half. They haven't made too many chances but they've done so well to battle back from the brink in front of a raucous home crowd.
Mark Delgado
First Galaxy player goes into the book. Delgado is booked for clipping Emil Forsberg as he broke away through the middle.
Brilliant pass forward from Cerrillo finds Paintsil sprinting forward on the left wing. He tries to find Joveljic in the middle but the pass is cut out.
Heading into the final ten minutes of the first half, it's really difficult to know which way this game will swing next.
The Galaxy still look like the better team but they are really struggling to deal with crosses into the box, something that the Red Bulls do in large quantities.
Noah Eile
First yellow card of the game goes to the NYRB defender for blocking off Gabriel Pec after some brilliant skill on the right flank. He's walking a tightrope now.
The corner kick is cleared but the Red Bulls win in back and Harper curls in a delicious cross from the right. He finds Noah Eile in the middle but the young defender can't beat McCarthy.
That could've been a leveller for the Red Bulls!
Tensions get heating in the middle of the box and Nealis and Yoshida come together, with the latter taking a tumble. The referee steps in, attempting to calm things down.
First corner kick is overhit but the Red Bulls win another corner. The second is cleared, but only out for another corner kick. A third in succession.
The Red Bulls are starting to build some momentum now.
Real chance of momentum with that goal and the Galaxy sit back, allowing the Red Bulls to dominate the ball. There's space for Harper to cross from the right and he nearly catches McCarthy out oat the near post.
Another corner for NYRB...
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL! Sean Nealis
Out of nowhere! The corner kick wasn't cleared and Sean Nealis pounces on a loose ball and volleys it home.
Game on!
Still, the home crowd is in absolutely jubilant mood after a lightening-fast start from the LA Galaxy.
The Red Bulls win a corner kick on the left. Forsberg to take it...
Good touch from Lewis Morgan to bring down a ball forward and recycle possession for his team. Now the Red Bulls manage to find Forsberg, who gets a couple of touches on the ball.
It's small steps, but the Red bulls are at least starting to get back into the game.
Darting run from Gabriel Pec down the right, cutting back inside and firing a shot on goal.
Coronel saves the first shot but the Red Bulls can't clear and Gaston Brugman hits a shot just wide from close range.
NYRB living very dangerously now
The Red Bulls are really struggling to progress the ball up-field now.
They are always one of the more direct teams in the league but they are being forced to go pretty long-ball today, unable to play through the thirds.
WATCH: Galaxy double lead with Joveljic goal.
Here's the second, another example of the Red Bulls being too willing to drop off. Poor defending but brilliant from Dejan Joveljic, who looks like a man in real form.
It's Gaston Brugman who swings in the cross and Daniel Edelman flicks the ball onto his own crossbar. Nearly a third for the Galaxy
Brilliant work from Paintsil as he charges down the left wing again. He wins the ball off Dylan Nealis and eventually wins a foul, giving the Galaxy a good chance to deliver from the left.
WATCH: Painstil goal fires Galaxy ahead.
Here's the opening goal, a brilliant pass and confident finish to beat Carlos Coronel from close range.
Forsberg is robbed of the ball on the halfway line and the Galaxy charge forward with Cerillo.
I'm not sure if Forsberg has had a meaningful touch in the first 17 minutes.
The Red Bulls look shell-shocked, perhaps struggling to come to terms with the late withdrawal of Andres Reyes from the starting XI.
Sandro Schwarz needs to get this game back under control or they could be blown away from halftime.
Dignity Health Sports Park is alive!
A sensational start for the LA Galaxy, who surge to a 2-0 lead within the first quarter of an hour.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Dejan Joveljic
The Galaxy have a second and it's all too easy!
Joveljic drives through the midfield and into the box, simply slipping the ball past Carlos Coronel from 15 yards out.
LA are rampant!
Brilliant opener from Joseph Paintsil!
It was neat interplay from the Galaxy midfielder and Gaston Brugman slid an inch-perfect ball through the NYRB backline and into the path of a rampant Joseph Paintsil. The Red Bulls got caught too easily, there.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAL! Joseph Paintsil
LA Galaxy are ahead and it's Joseph Paintsil who has the goal! A clinical finish from a clever through ball!
More good work from Paintsil to make some space on the left and find Brugman in the middle. The midfielder's touch is a little sloppy and the ball skips away from him.
From the off it looks like the Galaxy are trying to feed Pec and Paintsil on the wings, driving at the Red Bulls' wide defenders and make things happen.
Quick footwork from Joseph Paintsil to skip past Dylan Nealis on the left flank. Nealis clips him and brings the winger down, conceding a freekick.
Nealis very lucky to avoid a booking there.
Positive start from the Red Bulls, who find Lewis Morgan with a long ball over the top of the Galaxy defence.
The hosts clear but that's an early look at what Morgan will offer.
Gaston Brugman shows a little of his experience from the off, winning a cheap free kick in his own half to break a NYRB attack. He might prove crucial if this game turns into a battle.
It's a beautiful, sunny day in Los Angeles for this MLS Cup. Perfect conditions for playing soccer and a really interesting clash of styles set to unfold at Dignity Health Sports Park.
We're off!
LA Galaxy get the 2024 MLS Cup underway...
The teams are out!
The players of LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls take to the field on a gloriously sunny December day in Los Angeles. What a game we are in for today.
LA Galaxy dominate in 2024.
In recent years the LA Galaxy have controlled the ball but have struggled to turn that possession into chances. This year, the additions of Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil has added fresh impetus to the attack and they have looked practically unplayable at times.
Will the Killa P's prove decisive again today?
LA Galaxy ready to return to winning ways.
“I really knew it before, that the club is really special, a little bit different than maybe the others, because so many big players played here before, and they always try to win this trophy."
“This identity of the club is to win trophies, and it's 10 years. So it's time for us to get it back and to win this f**king trophy for the city and for the club.”
Travelling supporters paint the town red.
Word has it that more than 2,000 New York Red Bulls supporters have made the 3,000-mile cross-country journey to see their team compete for MLS Cup for only the second time in history. Will it be a day to remember for the long-suffering NYRB fans?
Red Bulls add a touch of composure.
The New York Red Bulls have made a remarkable postseason, helped by a slight tweak to the way that they play. The addition of Emil Forsberg has added more composure to the team and the Red Bulls are now playing a more considered style of play. It appears to be working.
"Maybe for a lot of people, it's the biggest surprise now that we are in the MLS Cup final," head coach Sandro Schwarz told reporters. "To be honest, for me, it's a very good feeling. But it's not the biggest surprise... It's clear when you win against the champions from last season, Columbus, that you have more confidence in your quality, your performance, and you believe.”
Joseph Paintsil on the sound system in Los Angeles.
How many players warm up for a championship game while listening to their own music? LA Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil isn't like most players, that much is clear.
New York Red Bulls will look to Emil Forsberg. / JULIO AGUILAR / Getty Images via AFP
Can Emil Forsberg prove decisive for NYRB?
If the New York Red Bulls are to pull off a surprise win today, you can be sure that captain Emil Forsberg will have something to do with it. His composure in the final third has made a real difference to the Red Bulls this year, evidenced in their struggles when he picked up an injury in the summer.
“I came to win,” Forsberg said earlier this week. “Nothing else. That’s the ultimate goal, to win. I came here to win. I can’t speak about what was before. But when I came, I had one clear goal and that was to win.”
Red Bulls looking focused ahead of kickoff.
It's been a long road to MLS Cup and the New York Red Bulls will be desperate to take advantage of this opportunity. They have been the away team in every leg of the postseason journey to date and they'll have to do it on the road again today if they're to lift the cup.
For the first time in MLS history, a No. 7 seed has made it to MLS Cup. The New York Red Bulls have already enjoyed a remarkable run to the championship game but could they emulate some other unlikely winners?
The teams are out!
There's a huge roar around Dignity Health Sports Park as the LA Galaxy emerge from the tunnel to begin their warm-up. The stadium is already filling up nicely.
Can Gabriel Pec be the match-winner for LA Galaxy?
Without Riqui Puig in the team today the Galaxy may have to look elsewhere for a moment of inspiration. Luckily enough, they have plenty of options. Key among those attacking talents is Gabriel Pec, who was recently named MLS Newcomer of the Year for 2024.
“He's good, man,” Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy said of Gabriel Pec. “He's smooth, he's crafty, he trains hard, he works hard – I'm happy he's on my side of the ball, you know?"
"But when you train against him, he has a killer mentality. He plays to win and there's moments where he gets super pissed off, which is a good thing at a young age.”
Greg Vanney explains decision to bench Marco Reus.
The big shock ahead of kickoff is LA Galaxy's decision to start Mark Delgado and Gaston Brugman in the midfield, leaving legendary German international Marco Reus on the bench.
Here's what Greg Vanney had to say about that decision...
Over the summer, off the back of a red-hot start to the season, we spoke to New York Red Bulls striker Lewis Morgan. He insisted that he wanted more.
A few months on, Morgan has been named MLS Comeback Player of the Year and the Red Bulls are competing for MLS Cup. Here's what he had to say...
Confirmed: New York Red Bulls team news.
Here's how the Red Bulls line up today. Still no Felipe Carballo, who misses out due to injury.
Confirmed: LA Galaxy team news.
Here it is, the starting XI selected by Greg Vanney.
No Marco Reus for LA Galaxy!
First big shock of the day, we're hearing that Marco Reus will not start for the Galaxy today. Big call from Greg Vanney.
They say that momentum is crucial in the playoffs, but no one told the New York Red Bulls.
Sandro Schwarz' side won just four of their final 20 games but still managed to sneak into the playoffs. Since then, they haven't looked back.
Greg Vanney's team were impressive in the regular season but they have exploded in the playoffs, scoring 16 goals in just four postseason outings. LA Galaxy go into tonight's game as favourites, a testament to the turnaround that Vanney has overseen this season.
Here's how the LA Galaxy got to this point...
Team news from Dignity Health Sports Park to come shortly...
We're expecting the confirmed starting XIs to be released within the next 15 minutes. With little over an hour to go until kickoff in the 2024 MLS Cup, let's take a closer look at the two teams...
The New York Red Bulls are one of the most established names in MLS, having competing in the competition since the very first weekend back in 1996. NYRB were initally known as the MetroStars before being bought by the energy drink empire.
Looking back, the price was an absolute bargain...
LA Galaxy looking sharp.
The Galaxy have home advantage today and they're bringing a bit of LA glamour to proceedings. They are the favourites heading into the game but they won't be taking anything for granted and have a passionate, success-starved home support roaring them on.
LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney has previous in the championship game. / Kelvin Kuo / USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Greg Vanney out to make amends in MLS Cup.
As a player, Greg Vanney played in three MLS Cups with the LA Galaxy and lost all three. He has since lifted to trophy, as a head coach with Toronto FC, but those losses with LA still hurt.
Speaking ahead of today's game he admitted that he would sorely love to finally lift a championship with LA Galaxy, the team closest to his heart.
“This is the club where I got my start and retired. For me as a player this has been home and as coach I’m back because this is home," Vanney told reporters on Thursday.
“I came back because I felt like I wanted the opportunity to help get this club back to the legacy of competing for championships.” - “I’ve lost three before, so now the goal is to change the narrative and bring this club back to the top,”
New York Red Bulls making themselves heard in LA.
It's not a short trip, from New York to Los Angeles, but the travelling New York Red Bulls fans will be making the most of the team's second-ever MLS Cup appearance. It's been quite the postseason for Sandro Schwarz's side, is the playoff miracle going to continue for one more game?
And here's what we know about the NYRB team ahead of kickoff. Only one real injury concern for the visitors; Felipe Carballo looks unlikely to be fit to start after picking up an injury in the win over NYCFC.
There's one big selection decision facing LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney ahead of today's game: how to replace talisman Riqui Puig in the heart of midfield. He's not short of options, Marco Reus, Marco Delgado and Diego Fagundez could all offer a useful alternative for the Galaxy.
Here's how we think they will line up...
Rams send best wishes to the Galaxy.
Los Angeles has long been one of the most dominant cities when it comes to US sport and the LA Galaxy hold the record for most MLS titles. If they lift MLS Cup again today, the Galaxy will have won the championship six times.
The LA Rams are wishing them the best against the New York Red Bulls.
Team news update: New York Red Bulls.
No major surprises for the Red Bulls, who have been able to name a fairly settled team throughout the postseason. Their only question mark is on the fitness of Felipe Carballo, the Uruguayan midfielder who picked up an injury in the Conference Semi-final win over NYCFC.
He looks unlikely to start, meaning that Peter Stroud and Daniel Edelman will start in the base of midfield.
There will be plenty of stars on show at Dignity Health Sports Park today. And, this being Los Angeles, there will likely be a few famous faces in the crowd.
The hosts have even enlisted the help of a legendary 90s rapper for the Halftime Show. What more could you want?
The New York Red Bulls have never won a championship. / Morgan Tencza / USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Can the Red Bulls deny LA Galaxy?
There can be little doubt that LA Galaxy have been the real entertainers of the 2024 postseason. With 16 goals in four games the Galaxy have been irresistible in attack, with a devastating attacking quartet of Dejan Joveljic, Riqui Puig, Jospeh Paintsill and Gabreil Pec.
Puig is out of MLS Cup due to injury but the Galaxy can simply add in Marco Reus. It's a tough task for the Red Bulls, who will have to play a perfect game to come away with silverware.
"We just have to read the game very quickly and then have a very good reaction to their ball position from their No. 10, striker, winger and players,” head coach Sandro Schwarz said ahead of kickoff. “This is our job to find the best solution. That's my job with my assistant coaches to find the best solution for Saturday.”
The scene is set at Dignity Health Sports Park.
LA Galaxy fans will be in good voice today as they enjoy their team's return to MLS Cup for the first time in a decade. They have hosting duties today, as the higher seed, but come up against a New York Red Bulls team that have thrived on the road in the postseason, taking advantage of the greater space to launch those lethal counter-attacks.
For the first time in MLS Cup history teams from Los Angeles and New York will compete the showpiece final. We're have full live coverage right here, of course, but you can also watch all the action on Apple TV and the MLS Season Pass.
New York Red Bulls ready for the big occasion.
Heading into the postseason few would have expected the New York Red Bulls to make it past Round One. They have put on a stunning run to make it to MLS Cup for just the second time in 29 years.
Is their long wait for a championship nearly over?
Here's what we know about Riqui Puig's injury so far. It's a major blow for Greg Vanney, who has built this Galaxy team around the creative fulcrum.
The Galaxy captain has been a talisman for the team in 2024. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Riqui Puig misses out for LA Galaxy.
It's been a near-perfect postseason performance from the LA Galaxy, who have scored 16 goals in four games ahead of today's MLS Cup clash. However the mood was dampened by the news that captain Riqui Puig had suffered a torn ACL in the Western COnference Final last weekend.
Speaking this week, Puig's teammate Joseph Paintsill insisted that the captain's spirit would help them through.
Paintsill said: “He even was like, ‘Hey guys, let bygones be bygones. I'm injured, just focus and just do whatever you need to do.’ And the kind of spirit that he gives us, I think on the field of play on Saturday, even though Riqui is not on the field, we will feel his presence. And with his presence, I think everything will be possible.”
LA Galaxy ready to end the wait.
It's been a decade since Dignity Health Sports Park last hosted an MLS Cup, when the Galaxy lifted their fifth title back in 2014. Ten years on we're expected a raucous home support as Greg Vanney's side look to add a record-extending sixth title to their collection.
The man in the middle for today's game is Guido Gonzales, an experienced referee with plenty of history in major CONCACAF fixtures. Let's hope we don't have to mention his name too often this afternoon...
How to watch MLS Cup on Apple TV.
We'll be bringing you full live coverage of LA Galaxy - New York Red Bulls right here on AS USA but you can also choose to stream the action wherever you are in the world. Here's everything you need to know to watch the 2024 MLS Cup.
LA Galaxy will host the New York Red Bulls in MLS Cup this weekend, extending the long sporting rivalry between the two coastal cities.
LA Galaxy take on New York Red Bulls in MLS Cup.
The wait is finally over.
After a spectacular season of MLS action we have finally reached the endpoint, MLS Cup. There have been many twists and turns across an unforgettable 2024 campaign and both teams in the final have overcome real hurdles to make it this far.
The resurgent LA Galaxy have dazzled this season will host this year's game. They take on a New York Red Bulls team that has enjoyed an incredible run to make it this far.
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you all the latest action from Dignity Health Sports Park. Away we go...