MLS Cup Final Takeaways

Photo from Major League Soccer

What. A. Game.

LAFC and Philadelphia faced off on Saturday for MLS Cup Final, and the top two teams in the league put on quite a show.

Let’s get right into it.

It Began As Typical Philly.

The Union had to play MLS Cup on the road because they barely missed out on the Supporters Shield, but that didn’t matter.

They came out to start on Saturday and played their style.

They weren’t worried about the opponent or the crowd. They were playing exactly how Jim Curtin wanted them to play.

And yet, it was a deflected free kick which put LAFC up 1-0 before the half hour mark.

Considering how many times the Union fell short in their history, it unfortunately looked like it was heading that way again.

Especially because the goal got LAFC back in the game and playing their game a lot more relaxed as they took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

But Philly Would Not Die.

Philly never dies under Jim Curtin.

Sure, they have fallen short. But they never die.

And that was never clearer in the 2nd half, when a Gazdag goal tied it up before the 60th minute, and a 85th minute Jack Elliott header tied the game up again after LAFC scored on another set piece just a few minutes prior.

The Union do not have anywhere near the talent this LAFC roster has on paper, but they play such a style that it means they are always in it.

And in extra time, tied 2-2, it was one again Jack Elliott scoring the winning goal in the 125th minute with so much added time due to a terrible injury to LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau which forced backup goalkeeper John McCarthy into the game.

It finally happened. The Union reached the mountain top. There was no way it could fall apart so late.

Enter, Garth Bale.

Gareth Bale was a marquee signing for LAFC.

Why wouldn’t he be? He’s a multiple Champions League winning superstar for Real Madrid who unfortunately just had too many injuries.

But still, when he joined LAFC, many outside fans assumed he would dominate the league.

And that never happened.

He hardly played for LAFC, and when he did the team was truthfully worse. LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo wouldn’t play Bale knowing it doesn’t help his team.

Still, it’s nice to have a guy like Bale for the last 30 minutes of a game when he’s got fresh legs.

And sure enough, it was Bale who headed home the tying goal (over Jack Elliott of all people, because of course) and sent Banc of California Stadium into a frenzy before penalty kicks.

And Then It Ended As Typical Philly.

Seconds away from their first MLS Cup. Snatched away at the last seconds.

An opportunity to win it on penalty kicks, and they don’t score a single one.

And if it couldn’t be a more Union way to fall short, LAFC backup goalkeeper John McCarthy who shut them out is a former Union player and Philadelphia native.

LAFC are the champions for the first time ever.

Where Do Both Clubs Go From Here?

They go the exact same places they came from.

LAFC is going to continue to be a household name which attracts superstars to the City of Angels and competes for championships.

The Union are going to continue to build youth and make smart business decisions to fit their organizational style and compete for championships.

The question for both before Saturday was could they get over that hump.

LAFC has. The Union still need to.

And they might not get a better chance than this one…

MLS is not the best league in the world. It’s not the most talented.

But I’ll be damned if it isn’t the most fun.

I already can’t wait for it to return next year.