MLS Cup final 2022: LAFC’s possible starting lineup vs Philadelphia Union
Los Angeles FC will be seeking their first league championship when they meet Philadelphia Union in the MLS Cup final on Saturday.
Los Angeles FC will again be without Eddie Segura when they take on Philadelphia Union in Saturday’s MLS Cup final, as the Californians seek their first championship since joining the league in 2018.
The Colombian centre-back missed last weekend’s Western Conference final win over Austin FC with a right leg injury, and has not recovered in time for the title decider at Banc of California Stadium.
LAFC have near-full complement for Union clash
Speaking to reporters on Friday, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo confirmed that Segura is the only Black and Gold player unavailable to face the Union.
In Segura’s absence, Giorgio Chiellini started alongside Jesús Murillo against Austin, but was substituted at half time due to a calf issue, with Sebastien Ibeagha replacing the Italian. Cherundolo later confirmed that Chiellini was withdrawn only as a precaution, and the veteran’s experience of the big occasion - he has played in a Champions League final with Juventus and two European Championship finals with Italy - suggests he’ll keep his place on Saturday.
Unchanged LAFC side for MLS Cup final?
Aside from the centre of defence, where Cherundolo hasn’t named the same pairing in consecutive games since early September, LAFC appear to have an extremely settled team.
Elsewhere in the backline, goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, right-back Ryan Hollingshead and left-back Diego Palacios have started both 2022 playoff games so far, and it would be a surprise to see any of them drop to the bench against Philadelphia. The same goes for the front six of José Cifuentes, Ilie Sánchez, Kellyn Acosta, Cristian Arango, Denis Bouanga and captain Carlos Vela.
Gareth Bale, who has played five minutes for LAFC since the international break in late September, was an unused substitute against Austin and seems highly unlikely to start against the Union.
Possible LAFC lineup against Philadelphia Union:
Crépeau; Hollingshead, Murillo, Chiellini, Palacios; Cifuentes, Sánchez, Acosta; Vela, Arango, Bouanga.
See also:
LAFC vs Philadelphia Union: key game info
The 2022 MLS Cup final between LAFC and Philadelphia Union will kick off at Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, at 1:05pm PT (4:05pm ET). Viewers in the US will be able to tune in to the game on FOX, TUDN USA and Univisión. If you’re looking to watch LAFC vs Philadelphia online, one option available to you is the streaming platform fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
AS USA will have live-text coverage of the clash in California.
Video: Vela discusses his LAFC journey
