MLS Cup live: LAFC wins thriller over Philadelphia Union in shootout

LAFC is opting to hold a more focused celebration tomorrow instead of holding a traditional parade across the city.

When Gareth Bale first joined LAFC, Jack Pitt-Brook highlighted his amazing ability to rise to the occasion at the moment that mattered most.

“Wherever Bale went, he left indelible memories, and there was always something thrilling in the comic books about what he did and how he did it. About speed, the ability to get up in the moment, when it matters most.”

Well he still has it.

Carlos Vela has the honor of holding that trophy high.

LAFC starting goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was able to celebrate with his teammates after the win thanks to FaceTime after being carted off the pitch due to a nasty injury and a red card in extra time.

The shootout got off to a bad start for LAFC. Christian His Tello’s weak effort was easily saved by Andre Blake. But Daniel Gazdag’s own mistakes, plus John McCarthy’s two saves and Illy Sanchez’s sealing attempt, helped LAFC win their first ever trophy since joining MLS in 2018. .

Wherever you are, be prepared.

Sorry I’m trying to stay professional but what’s going on?!?!

Just minutes after the Philadelphia Union scored the first goal, who but Gareth Bale stepped up with a pinpoint header to equalize at 3-3 in the 129th minute?!

Is this the greatest MLS Cup of all time?

The Philadelphia Union take the lead! It’s 3-2!

In the 124th minute (!), centre-back Jack Elliott found himself in the right place at the right time, scrambled for a loose ball at the goal line and scored his second goal of the game. Can it be a cup winner?

After spending most of his tenure at LAFC on the bench, Gareth Bale came on in place of Carlos Vela in extra time.

Can the Welshman create another magical moment in the final?

Jeff Luther wrote about Bale’s road to World Cup fitness at LAFC earlier this year:

One of LAFC’s summer deals will come on the field in overtime. Kellin his Acosta at the start of extra time was replaced by former Barcelona star Cristian his Tello.

After 90 minutes plus 7, the MLS Cup is 2-2. We will go into overtime.

For the uninitiated, there are two 15-minute halves, with penalty kicks if no winner is determined after 30 minutes.

hold your butt

what. game.

Just minutes after conceding the first goal from a corner kick, the Philadelphia Union tied the score at 2-2 with an original set-piece goal.

scene.

After the equalizer, the match was pretty jerky, with both coaches making changes to their strikers to turn things around. Union brought on Corey Burke for Mikael Ule in the 71st minute, and LAFC’s Steve Cerundro brought on Mahala Opoku for Chicho Arango. A few minutes later.

Daniel Gazdag strikes again! The Hungarian was in the right place at the right time to block a long-range shot attempt by Jose Martínez, kept on the side by Diego his Palacios, made no mistakes with a cool finish and won the Union he level he drew 1-1.

What a game!

There are no changes for either side as play resumes in Los Angeles.

A deflected Kellyn Acosta free-kick is the difference between the sides as the MLS Cup heads into halftime.

Special shout out to Andre Blake for this key save that kept the 1-0.