LA Galaxy 1-0 Seattle (November 30, 2024) Match Analysis

CARSON, Calif. – Dejan Joveljic scored his fifth goal of the playoffs in the 86th minute and the LA Galaxy reached the MLS Cup final for the first time since 2014 with a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference final on Saturday evening.

The Galaxy host the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup final next Saturday. With a 1-0 victory over Orlando City in the Eastern Conference final, the Red Bulls became the lowest seed playing for the title.

The Red Bulls were number 7 in the Eastern Conference.

It will be a record 10th MLS Cup appearance for the Galaxy, who have won five titles. The Red Bulls are making their second trip since losing to the Columbus Crew in 2008.

“I’m really happy to see these boys win a trophy, but the goal is still a week away. When a game ends, the anxiety of the next game increases,” said Galaxy coach Greg Vanney.

Joveljic’s goal was set up when Galaxy intercepted the pass near the sideline. Mark Delgado received the ball and passed it to Riqui Puig, who passed it to Joveljic at the top of the penalty area. Joveljic then beat Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei with a shot that hit the left post.

It was Puig’s seventh goal contribution this postseason (four goals, three assists).

“I am very happy and proud. This is the most important goal in my professional career,” said Joveljic, who has scored 20 goals in all competitions. “I knew the goalkeeper would take a step to the left. He almost stopped. I was a bit lucky.”

Across all competitions, John McCarthy made four saves for his eighth shutout of the season. Frei also stopped four shots. The Galaxy had a 13-8 advantage in shots.

“We did enough not to lose the game, but we didn’t do enough to win the game,” Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “What we saw tonight is what has happened all year. We struggled to create chances.”

The Galaxy were the second seed in the Western Conference after failing to make the playoffs last year. They defeated Colorado in two games in the first round and beat Minnesota 6-2 last Sunday.

The Galaxy and Red Bulls did not face each other during the regular season.

This will be Vanney’s sixth appearance in an MLS Cup final. He made it three times with the Galaxy as a player and led Toronto FC to two goals as a coach, including a win over Seattle in the 2017 final.