MLS Cup | A sixth title for the Los Angeles Galaxy

(Carson, Callfornia) Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljić scored in the first half and the Los Angeles Galaxy won the MLS Cup for a record sixth time with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls, SATURDAY.

After scoring twice in the first 13 minutes, the Galaxy maintained their lead through a scoreless second half to lift the Garber Tour’s most prestigious trophy for the first time since 2014.

MLS’ most successful organization struggled for most of the ensuing decade, even finishing 26^e out of 29 teams last year.

But the Galaxy turned it all around this season with a very prolific new team, which finished second in the West, then cruised through the playoffs with an impressive total of 18 goals in five games.

“Since my first day, we and the players have not stopped working for this title. Even during our difficult last season, we stuck to this work,” commented Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney after the match played in front of 26,812 noisy fans in Carson, south of Los Angeles.

Sean Nealis scored for the Red Bulls, whose improbable playoff breakthrough ended just one win short of their first MLS title. With the youngest roster in the league, New York nearly became the lowest-ranked team to win the MLS Cup.

Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy made four saves to win his second MLS title in three seasons. He was voted the 2022 MLS Cup Final Most Valuable Player for the Galaxy’s arch-rival Los Angeles FC.

The Galaxy won this title without perhaps their most important player. Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig, who has led the attack impressively throughout the season, tore a knee ligament last week in the Western final.

Puig watched the game in full, but his teammates hadn’t forgotten him: after his replacement, Gastón Brugman, set up the Galaxy’s first goal with a superb pass, Paintsil handed Puig’s jersey to their fans during the celebration.

Paintsil gave the Galaxy the lead in the 9th^e minute by taking advantage of a sublime pass from Brugman and scoring his 14^e goal in MLS – including four in the playoffs – during the Ghanaian striker’s exceptional first season.

Four minutes later, Joveljić sprinted past four New York defenders and scored the 21^e goal of his exceptional season as a Galaxy forward.

Nealis opened the Red Bulls’ counter in the 28th^e minute by volleying a ball that had escaped into the Los Angeles penalty area after a corner kick.

The Galaxy’s usually shaky defense conceded another handful of good chances before reaching halftime with a shaky lead.

The second half was lively, but scoreless. Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg hits the outside of the post in the 72nd^e minute, while Gabriel Pec and Galaxy substitute Marco Reus nearly converted chances a few minutes later.

The ball escaped again in the Galaxy penalty area in the 3^e minute of time added, but two Red Bulls players were unable to put the finishing touches.

Another triumph

The Galaxy finished the season with a 17-0-3 record at their oft-renowned suburban stadium, where the crowd of 26,812 for the sold-out finale included several sections of traveling Red Bulls fans, who hoped to see their club on the biggest stage in MLS.

The Galaxy’s Greg Vanney became the fourth head coach to win an MLS title with two clubs. The former Galaxy player also won it all with Toronto FC in 2017.

The club famous for employing global stars, such as David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Robbie Keane and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, has rebuilt this season with lesser-known young talents.

The Galaxy signed Pec, from Brazil, and Ghanaian Paintsil, from Belgium. And the duo teamed up with Serbian striker Joveljić to form a powerful attack, capable of outplaying almost any MLS opponent.

The Galaxy have also relied heavily on Puig, their Catalan catalyst and one of the best players in MLS. Puig remained on the field last week after injuring his knee, and he even provided the assist to Joveljić for the only goal of the match.