MLS Cup live updates: Lineups, highlights, how to watch LA Galaxy vs New York Red Bulls

Live6 updates

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  Sat, Dec 7, 2024 at 3:45 pm EST

  Red Bulls bring hometown flair

  You may remember the New York Red Bulls as a glamorous club with players like Rafa Marquez and Thierry Henry at the helm.

  You might see Emil Forsberg, who had a long career with RB Leipzig in Germany, and think they are still the same team.

  But no. In fact, they haven’t been that team in a while. Their engine is now their academy. Of today’s starting lineup, six are Americans, three are from New Jersey and two others – the Nealis brothers, both defensemen – are from Long Island.

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  Sat Dec 7, 2024 3:36 pm EST

  How will the Galaxy cope without Puig and Reus?

  Riqui Puig – who tore his cruciate ligament with about 30 minutes left in the Western Conference final, Then played the remainder of the game and provided a game-winning assist in the Galaxy’s 1-0 win over Seattle – was arguably the most influential player in MLS throughout the 2024 season, including the playoffs.

  He’s a huge loss no matter how the Galaxy replaced him.

  Nevertheless, the choice is remarkable. Many expected Vanney to take on attacking midfielder/winger Diego Fagundez in a central role. Instead, he chose Gaston Brugman, a defensive midfielder. That gives the Galaxy two true destroyers – Brugman and Edwin Cerrillo – and a very different look than the team that tore MLS apart with a possession-based style. (And Marky Delgado, the other Puig/Reus replacement, is more scrappy than elegant.)

  So instead of trying to replace Puig’s playmaking and dominate the ball, LA’s plan seems to be to consolidate in midfield and partner with the Red Bulls.

  The impact of this choice is that the attacking burden shifts more to the two designated players on the wing, both new additions this season: Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil.

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  Sat Dec 7, 2024 at 3:27 pm EST

  The lineups in formation

  Here’s how the Galaxy and Red Bulls will line up according to the official team report.

  No surprises given the Galaxy injuries.

  

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  Sat Dec 7, 2024 at 3:18 pm EST

  Marco Reus on the bench

  The big news in the starting lineup is that Marco Reus – the former Borussia Dortmund star who moved to the Galaxy mid-season – is just fit enough for the LA bench.

  At the start of last Saturday’s Western Conference finals, he felt something in his groin. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said yesterday that Reus had “fully trained” on Friday and “should be ready to go tomorrow”… but apparently he isn’t, at least not completely.

  And that is a great loss. Reus hasn’t made it in the MLS yet, but he would have taken on a more senior role without Riqui Puig, who tore his ACL last weekend.

  Without both, the Galaxy’s midfield is significantly weakened. Marky Delgado and Gaston Brugman are the substitutes.

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  Sat Dec 7, 2024 at 3:14 pm EST

  Lineups

  The lineups are there. Here are the starting eleven:

  

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  Sat Dec 7, 2024 at 3:12 pm EST

  Welcome to the MLS Cup

  There is just under an hour until kickoff at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

  Until then, we’ll be setting the stage for a fascinating duel – one that could lead to all sorts of drama or even a relative dud.