The Los Angeles Galaxy won their sixth MLS Cup as they defeated New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Saturday in front of their home crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. If you didn’t tune into the game, you missed out.
We personally know several people who didn’t watch for ridiculous reasons like, “Oh Lionel Messi isn’t playing I’m not interested!” or “Dude I can’t watch, Texas vs. Georgia is going to be on!”
All horrible excuses to miss a wildly exciting championship game that had drama all the way until the end. It’s also worth mentioning that the SEC Championship game had a boring score of 6-3 at halftime by the time MLS Cup had concluded. There were just as many scoring plays in MLS Cup as the first half of that silly game.
If you watched MLS Cup 2024 and know someone who didn’t, be sure to give them crap from us.
The Galaxy lifted their first league title 10 years to the day as they played in their first final since that Dec. 7, 2014, victory against New England Revolution. The LA side were without one of their biggest stars as Riqui Puig was out with an ACL injury he suffered in the Western Conference final.
Their opponent was one of the most unlikely underdogs in MLS Cup history as the No. 7 seed New York Red Bulls showed a tremendous amount of fight. The lowest seed to ever win it all was a four seed.
LA Galaxy vs New York Red Bulls highlights
MLS Cup got off to a dream start for the Galaxy as they dominated the opening stages of the final. Nine minutes into the game Joseph Paintsil send the home crowd into a frenzy as he opened the scoring.
LA GALAXY STRIKES FIRST
Joseph Paintsil puts @LAGalaxy on top just 10 minutes into the match pic.twitter.com/VCp95Nnfr6— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 7, 2024
Painstil held up the jersey of Puig who applauded from the sidelines.
The LA Galaxy were on cloud nine and things only got better four minutes later when Dejan Joveljic doubled the lead.
TWO GOALS IN 13 MINUTES FOR GALAXY
AN UNREAL START FOR @LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/S481YZxNJs— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 7, 2024
Joveljic completed one of the greatest individual playoff runs we’ve ever seen as he scored in four of the Galaxy’s five playoff games. The 25-year-old Serbian finished the playoffs with six goals and two assists.
Initially it looked like the Galaxy were going to run away with the title, but this was a Red Bulls side that had overcome incredible odds all playoffs. NYRB were out possessed in every playoff game this season, but when they get a chance, they take full advantage.
In the 28th minute the Red Bulls made it a game as center back Sean Nealis halved the deficit with a great finish off a corner kick.
RED BULLS TAKE ONE BACK @NewYorkRedBulls are right back in this pic.twitter.com/m9k9BNm2UC
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 7, 2024
The second half saw an intense back-and-forth play as the Red Bulls pushed for an equalizer. The closest moment came when Emil Forsberg rattled the outside of the post.
In a wild moment the Galaxy bench rushed the field early when they thought a whistle for offside was the final whistle.
LA Galaxy heard the offside and thought the game was over
The bench ran out on the field a little too early pic.twitter.com/9SQxGlY8m5— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 7, 2024
The Galaxy got to hear that sought after sound about a minute later and lift the trophy for a record sixth time. No team has won the title more than the Galaxy.
The moment @LAGalaxy became 2024 @MLS Cup Champions pic.twitter.com/GlOAl1TARX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 7, 2024
LA GALAXY LIFTS THE 2024 MLS CUP @MLS | @LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/RISIwncJAS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 7, 2024
LA Galaxy vs New York Red Bulls full highlights
