After several months of play, the Major League Soccer season is wrapping up with its most important game of the year: MLS Cup. The LA Galaxy will host the New York Red Bulls in a game that pits two MLS originals against one another in the Cup final for the first time in a decade.
The game already will lack its best player in Riqui Puig, but it should still end up being an entertaining game between two teams that found their groove late in the year at the right time.
Here are a few thoughts, notes and predictions for Saturday’s game.
How they got there
LA Galaxy - Greg Vanney’s club had a chance to be the West’s top seed, but a loss on Decision Day put them at second place instead. They used that motivation and disappointment to their advantage with a big Round One series win over the Colorado Rapids, where they outscored them 9-1. In the conference semifinals against Minnesota, the goals continued to flow as they downed the Loons 6-2. The defense finally showed up in a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference finals.
New York Red Bulls - The Red Bulls stumbled into the playoffs as the East’s 7th seed, jut narrowly avoiding the Wild Card play-in game. The Red Bulls pulled off a big surprise in Round One with a series win over the defending MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew. They then downed their Hudson River rivals NYCFC in the conference semifinals 2-0 before sneaking past Orlando City 1-0 in the Eastern Conference finals.
One player to watch out for
Gabriel Pec, LA Galaxy - Without Puig, both Pec and Joseph Paintsil have to find ways to be more involved in the match for the Galaxy attack. But also, don’t sleep on the LA center backs Maya Yoshida and Emiro Garces. They’ll be under a bit more pressure in this one with Puig’s possession game missing.
Lewis Morgan, NY - The league’s Comeback Player of the Year winner knows that the Red Bulls have to find their moments in this one, like they’ve done in every other series in these playoffs.
Random prediction for the game
Had Puig not gotten hurt, I could have seen this one go wild for the Galaxy in terms of goals. Now, I think it may be a bit more of a cage match type of game where it comes down to something late, potentially a penalty shootout.
Final prediction
LA 1, NY 0
It just has that feel to it right now after how the Conference finals went last week.
How to watch
📅 Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024
⚽️ Kickoff: 3 PM CT
🏟 Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park
📺 Streaming: MLS Season Pass, Fox
💬 Game day Social: #MLSCup
☀️ Weather: 74
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