Who is Guido Gonzales, the referee for the 2024 MLS Cup final? Galaxy vs Red Bulls

Guido Gonzales Jr will be the referee for today’s MLS Cup final, as the Los Angeles Galaxy seek a record-extending title against the New York Red Bulls, a team chasing their first ever league championship.

Follow live the action between LA Galaxy & New York Red Bulls, MLS Cup Final

The Galaxy, who have home advantage by virtue of their superior regular-season record, have won an unparalleled five MLS Cups in their history, albeit they haven’t lifted the championship since 2014. The Californians will be making their 10th appearance in the league final - also a record.

The Red Bulls, meanwhile, only have one MLS Cup final on their resumé - a 2008 defeat to Columbus Crew.

What is Gonzales’ MLS record?

Gonzales will be taking charge of his first MLS Cup final, at the end of his seventh season as an MLS referee. Since making his league debut in October 2018, he has gone on to oversee exactly 100 regular-season games, bringing up his century of appearances in the Red Bulls’ 3-2 Decision Day defeat to the Crew in October.

While Gonzales has never previously been appointed to the MLS Cup final, he was the referee for the trophy decider in the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League, as North Carolina Courage beat Portland Thorns 3-0. He was also the fourth official for Houston Dynamo’s win over Inter Miami in the 2023 US Open Cup final, and was chosen as the referee for July’s MLS All-Star Game.

“Passionate about those intense moments”

According to Gonzales, his refereeing career grew out of his enjoyment of the high-energy environment of soccer games. Looking back on his early days as an official in grassroots-level matches at home in Atlanta, Georgia, he told the REFNEXT podcast in 2022: “[Getting into refereeing] kind of just continued my love for the game. I was a part of the game, I was a part of the intensity of the match. Even though it wasn’t as a player, I grew passionate about being in those intense moments that we witness on the soccer field.”

Who is the VAR for the 2024 MLS Cup final?

Younes Marrakchi will be the video assistant referee (VAR) for the Galaxy vs Red Bull, with TJ Zablocki appointed as assistant VAR. Gonzales’s on-field team will be completed by assistant referees Kyle Atkins and Logan Brown, and fourth official Ismir Pekmic.

Galaxy vs Red Bulls: when, where, how to watch?

Held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, the 2024 MLS Cup final will be played at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the showpiece event on MLS Season Pass, a subscription service on the streaming platform Apple TV.

You’ll also have the option of following AS USA’s live-text coverage. Will Gittins will be building up to Los Angeles vs New York from about an hour ahead of kick-off, before talking you through the action has it happens.

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