MLS Cup is today! LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls for glory

CARSON, Calif. – In a league often defined by newness, the final chapter of the 2024 season revolves around two original clubs.

LA Galaxy host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday afternoon for the 2024 MLS Cup presented by Audi, a meeting that has never taken place at this point (4:00 p.m. ET | Apple TV – Free; FOX, FOX Deportes; TSN, RDS) .

But 29 years after the inaugural 1996 campaign, LA and New York meet for the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, capping a months-long sprint that began when the teams reported for preseason camp in January.

“It’s great that two original clubs can put themselves in this situation,” said Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney.

“Now you have 29 and next year 30 teams, all with their own strategy and vision of how they want to build their squad, how they want to define their style of play and figuring out how to get to that moment. I think it’s a special moment to see two clubs that have been there for as long as this league has existed.

It’s no surprise for LA that they’ve reached the biggest stage the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs has to offer.

Vanney’s years of vision have paid off by combining his possession-based system with high-end talent. The most successful team in the league is now taking part in a record 10th. MLS Cup and is aiming for a record sixth title.

For this game, however, they face an extremely momentous defeat. Star playmaker Riqui Puig tore a cruciate ligament during the win in the Western Conference final in Los Angeles last weekend, robbing the attack of its heart.

So does Vanney place Diego Fagúndez or Mark Delgado next to Edwin Cerrillo in midfield? Will LA change its approach and rely more on speedy wingers Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec? What about the influence of striker Dejan Joveljić?

The impact of losing their metronome-like No. 10 cannot be underestimated.

“Riqui is a fantastic player and we wish he was still with us now,” Paintsil said of his Best XI team-mate. “But unfortunately that’s football. Injuries always happen. He sacrificed the most for us, especially when he was injured, played and gave great assists. It’s such a great moment.

“I’m really sad for him because this really means a lot to him. For us as players, we don’t just do this for ourselves. We do this for him too.”

Even without Puig, they are largely considered favorites.

The Galaxy are the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and have outscored teams 16-3 in the playoffs. They are just one goal away from tying Toronto FC’s 2016 team – ironically coached by Vanney – for the league’s highest-scoring postseason. And they are undefeated at Dignity Health Sports Park this season (16W-0L-4D).

But it’s been a decade since LA went the distance and hasn’t won the league’s biggest game since 2014, when Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane were among their stars.

“We’ve waited 10 years to get this opportunity,” center back Maya Yoshida said of the Galaxy’s trophy drought.

“Let’s make our fans proud. It’s too long. It’s time to make history. We have done very well so far, especially at home. But there’s still one more to win.”

Conversely, New York slips into the role of outsider.

They are the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and, against all odds, reached the MLS Cup for the second time, beating three higher-seeded teams along the way. It’s the club’s first MLS Cup trip since 2008, when they lost the title game to the Columbus Crew. And they are the lowest-seeded players to ever reach an MLS Cup in the league’s nearly three-decade existence.

Just don’t tell Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz how this run is perceived.

“I never said that we played like underdogs or went into the first round against Columbus like underdogs,” Schwarz wanted to address the topic. “I think it starts more with Bradley Wright-Phillips, my friend, when he wrote the first story about the first game when we played Columbus. He said Columbus was the favorite and we were the underdogs. I love that he says that. We joked about that.

“But I never said that and I don’t know how you can be seen as an outsider at kick-off. You have to play, you have to find your solutions in the build-up, you have to find your solutions in the transition. I can’t go to a pre-game meeting and talk to my boys and our players because now we’re playing as underdogs. It is not possible. We go to our pre-game meeting and then talk about what we need to do and how we need to defend against LA Galaxy in some moments and how we need to attack.”

Black’s sentiment aside, the Red Bulls have found a crucial postseason catchphrase in captain Emil Forsberg’s “Why can’t we?” message. The number 10 and key winter signing has proven transformative since returning from injury at the end of September.

“I’ve seen this quote everywhere: Why can’t we do this?” said Red Bulls defender John Tolkin. “And he’s right. Why can’t we?

“We are the lowest seeded to make it to the final and everyone is constantly doubting us and we have now had three away wins in the playoffs. This isn’t easy. We’re on the road again now. Why can’t we?”

Lewis Morgan, RBNY’s leading scorer in the regular season, has also drawn inspiration from the underdog approach.

“It’s nice to feel like Red Bull is competing against the world,” said Morgan. “So it’s something we really believe in as players and we enjoy being the underdog because there’s nothing better than when no one expects anything from you. “You can surprise everyone in some way.”

As for the messenger itself, Forsberg returns to that phrase again and again throughout New York’s 15th straight postseason trip.

“I think it was important to send a message that anything is possible,” said the Swedish star and Bundesliga veteran.

But in games of this size, narratives and talking points often fall by the wayside. Emotions win, as does the chance to make history.

“It will be great to have 2,500 or 3,000 fans here tomorrow wearing red,” Schwarz said. “It’s amazing for us to feel that. …That’s why we’re here. That’s why we want to win this game, to give back to all the guys out there supporting us.”

It depends on who makes the heroic play, who brings glory.

“This team, this club, won the last championship ten years ago,” said Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus, who signed with Borussia Dortmund this summer after a successful career.

“Now we have the chance to win it again. I am really very confident that we are strong enough for this. To be ready in our minds too. But in the end we have to show it on the pitch.”