MLS Cup final full of twists, records, late goals and feel-good stories
Substitute Gareth Bale scored a tying goal in stoppage time and reserve keeper John McCarthy shut out Philadelphia in a penalty shootout to lead LAFC to their first MLS Cup.
The 2022 MLS Cup final staged at the Banc of California stadium in downtown Los Angeles will live long in the memory with the game having all the drama and a Hollywood ending that delighted the bulk of the 22,000 fans packed into the compact stadium.
Gareth Bale was the first hero for the LAFC faithful as the Welshman scored a fine header in stoppage time of extra time and reserve keeper John McCarthy shut out Philadelphia in a penalty shootout to lead LAFC to their first MLS Cup championship on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Slow builder
Things took a while to come to the boil in the contest and it was the home side who looked good value for their 1-0 lead at the break after Acosta’s deflected free-kick left Andre Blake with no chance.
The game came to life in the second half as Philly started to find a rhythm that had eluded Jim Curtin’s men in the first 45′ and they drew level as Gazdag was alert in steering home a wayward shot from Martinez.
Just when it seemed that nerves had the better of both teams as the clock ticked down, a fine driving header from Murillo appeared to seal the win for LAFC only for Elliot to nod level just 90 seconds later.
Extra time explosion
Elliott struck again in the 124th minute of extra time to give the visitors their first lead of the game before Bale’s heroics four minutes later sent the rollercoaster match to penalties.
Bale, who came in as a late substitute after sitting out the playoffs with a wrist injury, headed home a cross from Diego Palacios over Union’s Jack Elliott to level at 3-3.
The game was to be decided by penalty kicks with McCarthy, who came on after Maxime Crepeau was carted off the field following a hard collision with Cory Burke, rising to the occasion, making terrific saves to secure the 3-0 victory in penalties.
There were contrasting scenes as the Union players fell distraught to the field as LAFC players and back room staff began to celebrate the first ever MLS Cup triumph in the Black and Gold’s short existence.
Bale worries
Gareth Bale left Real Madrid to join LAFC on a free transfer midway through the 2022 MLS season in July, though has managed just two starts for the team, accumulating only 370 minutes on the pitch.
Speaking post-game the striker admitted: “I felt good enough to come on and help the team, and happy to see us lift the trophy.”
Asked if he was fully fit, Bale said: “I’m not 100 per cent at the moment, still coming back, have a few little issues like most players do, but we spoke about, that if I was needed for the last 20, 30 minutes, then I’m available.
“I was able to come on and give as much as I can, glad I came up with the goal. That’s what I’m here to do, I guess.”
Bale’s goal against Philadelphia – a brilliant header in the eighth minute of stoppage time at the end of extra-time – was his third for LAFC, though his first since August.