MLS Cup 2022

Last updated

MLS Cup 2022
LAFC vs Philadelphia Union (2018) by Subashwilfred (20180630233148).jpg
Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, the host venue for MLS Cup 2022
Event MLS Cup
Los Angeles FC Philadelphia Union
33
After extra time
Los Angeles FC won 3–0 on penalties
DateNovember 5, 2022 (2022-11-05)
Venue Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
MLS Cup MVP John McCarthy (Los Angeles FC)
Referee Ismail Elfath
Attendance22,384
WeatherSunny, 66 °F (19 °C) [1]
← 2021
2023 →

MLS Cup 2022 was the 27th edition of the MLS Cup, the championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS) at the conclusion of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. The soccer match took place on November 5, 2022, at Banc of California Stadium (now known as BMO Stadium) in Los Angeles, California, United States. It was contested by hosts Los Angeles FC from the Western Conference and the Philadelphia Union of the Eastern Conference to determine the champion of the 2022 season. Both clubs finished the regular season atop the Supporters' Shield standings, but LAFC earned the title with the wins tiebreaker.

Contents

Los Angeles FC won their first MLS Cup title in a penalty shoot-out following a 3–3 draw in extra time. The match's score equaled the record for the highest-scoring final in MLS Cup history and included the two latest goals to be scored in an MLS Cup Playoffs match, which Jack Elliott and Gareth Bale scored in stoppage time. The shootout ended in a 3–0 shutout for LAFC and their substitute goalkeeper John McCarthy, who made two saves in the shootout and was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the match.

Road to the final

The MLS Cup is the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), a professional club soccer league in the United States and Canada. The 2022 season was the 27th in MLS history, and was contested by 28 teams that are organized into the eastern and western conferences. [2] Each team played 34 matches during the regular season, which runs from late February to early October, twice against each intra-conference opponent and eight times for inter-conference opposition in an unbalanced schedule. [3] The schedule was adjusted due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which began in late November 2022. [4] The playoffs were contested between the top-seven clubs in each conference in four rounds from October to early November. Each round had a single-elimination match that was hosted by the higher-seeded team; the top team in each conference was also given a bye to the conference semifinals. [5]

Both of the finalists, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) and the Philadelphia Union (the Union), were appearing in their first MLS Cup final and finished atop the regular season table. The teams were tied on points and the Supporters' Shield was decided by the number of match each side had won that season; LAFC had two more wins than Philadelphia. [6] The two teams played each other once during the regular season, ending in a 2–2 draw in early May at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles; it was the third-consecutive draw between the two teams since 2019. [7] LAFC was characterized as having a "star-studded" lineup relying on international talent while the Union was a "blue-collar alternative" side that relied on data-based, cost-effective signings and homegrown products.[ clarification needed ] [8]

MLS Cup 2022 was the fourth final to be contested between two regular-season winners and the first since the 2003 final, which was also played in the Los Angeles area; [9] it was also the fourth between two first-time finalists. [10] [11] The final was the first since 2014 to not feature either Seattle Sounders FC or Portland Timbers representing the Western Conference. [12]

Los Angeles FC

Los Angeles FC hired head coach Steve Cherundolo (pictured in 2018) prior to the 2022 season. Steven cherundolo.jpg
Los Angeles FC hired head coach Steve Cherundolo (pictured in 2018) prior to the 2022 season.

Los Angeles FC (LAFC) entered MLS in 2018 as an expansion team, becoming the third club based in the Los Angeles area following the folding of Chivas USA a few years prior. [13] Under head coach Bob Bradley, LAFC won the Supporters' Shield in 2019 and broke the regular-season points record. They advanced in the playoffs to the Conference Final but were eliminated by eventual MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders FC. [14] LAFC finished seventh in the West during the following year's season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic but still qualified for the playoffs. In the first round, Seattle again eliminated LAFC. [15] LAFC finished as runners-up in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League but missed the playoffs in 2021. [16]

In January 2022, Steve Cherundolo, former assistant coach and manager of LAFC's affiliate club Las Vegas Lights FC, was hired to replace Bradley as head coach. Fans criticized the move, citing Cherundolo's inexperience in MLS and his coaching record at Las Vegas, where he won six of thirty-two matches. [17] [18] During the off-season, LAFC traded with other MLS clubs to acquire new players, including defender Ryan Hollingshead from FC Dallas for Marco Farfan; [17] defender Franco Escobar from Atlanta United FC and midfielder Kellyn Acosta from Colorado Rapids, both for general allocation money; [19] and forward Ilie Sánchez from free agency. [20] [21] LAFC also traded with Vancouver Whitecaps FC for goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who joined his former manager-turned-assistant-coach Marc Dos Santos and free-agent signing John McCarthy as his backup to replace three young goalkeepers who had played in 2021. [22] [23]

LAFC were undefeated in their opening five matches but lost to local rival LA Galaxy in the year's first El Tráfico derby. [24] LAFC were placed first in Western Conference during the streak and kept a narrow lead over Austin FC and LA Galaxy, including a run of eight matches in twenty-eight days, through April and May. [25] [26] By late June, the mid-point in the season, LAFC had amassed a 11–3–3 record and were five points ahead of Austin in the Western standings, and had a five-match-unbeaten streak that ended with a loss to Vancouver. [27] [28] LAFC made several major signings from European leagues during the summer transfer window, beginning with winger Gareth Bale from Real Madrid and Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, both of whom joined LAFC in July, having been acquired without transfer fees, and were signed to contracts that fell below the threshold for Designated Players. [21] [29]

With their new signings, LAFC went on a seven-match winning streak that lasted into August and outscored opponents 19–5; Bale scored two goals as a substitute. [30] During the streak, the club widened their leads over the Union and Austin atop the league standings and were on course to match the 2021 points record of New England Revolution. [31] [32] In August, LAFC transferred former Designated Players Brian Rodríguez and Diego Rossi to foreign clubs to free up cap space to sign Spanish midfielder Cristian Tello and Gabonese striker Dénis Bouanga. [33] [34] These moves completed a summer transfer window in which the club spent $10 million and brought its payroll above $19 million. [35] The team earned a playoffs place on August 20, setting a record for earliest playoffs clinch at 25 matches [36] but LAFC won only one of their six following matches while playing several teams on the road. [37] LAFC briefly slid to second in the Supporters' Shield contest behind the Union in mid-September [38] but retook the lead and won the Shield on the penultimate matchday of the season in Portland. [17] [39] Through the regular season, Cherundolo used 32 starting lineups and had difficulty integrating Bale, who did not play a full match and appeared 12 times. [40] [41]

As the top seed in the Western Conference, LAFC earned a bye directly to the Conference semifinals, where they hosted crosstown rival LA Galaxy. A goal by Bouanga, who received a through ball in the penalty area from captain Carlos Vela, opened the scoring for LAFC in the 23rd minute. Galaxy equalized just before halftime through a misplayed header by Eddie Segura that Samuel Grandsir converted. Bouanga's second goal of the match, a tap-in from a ground cross sent by Ryan Hollingshead in the 80th minute, restored LAFC's lead for five minutes until a strike by Galaxy substitute Dejan Joveljić from outside the penalty area. LAFC won the match 3–2 with a goal in stoppage time by Cristian Arango, who converted a rebounded shot by Bouanga Jonathan Bond had saved. [42] [43]

LAFC advanced to play second-seeded Austin FC, who had twice defeated LAFC in the regular season, in the Western Conference Final at Banc of California Stadium. [44] The match's first goal was scored in the 29th minute by Arango, who headed in a corner kick taken by Vela, but Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver's seven saves kept the score at 1–0 into the second half. [45] A Vela corner kick in the 62nd minute was headed in by Maximiliano Urruti, who had just entered the match as a substitute. and scored an own goal. A few minutes later, Sebastien Ibeagha stepped on the foot of Austin FC's Diego Fagúndez in the penalty area but a penalty kick was not awarded following a video assistant referee review. [46] Kwadwo Opoku scored a third goal for LAFC in the 81st minute by collecting an Austin clearance that bounced to him at the top of the penalty area. Bouanga struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time but his goal was ruled out after Opoku was deemed to be in an offside position during the play, leaving LAFC with a 3–0 victory. [46] [47] LAFC were the first Supporters' Shield winner since Toronto FC in 2017 to earn a place n the MLS Cup. [48]

Philadelphia Union

Andre Blake earned his third Goalkeeper of the Year Award with Philadelphia in 2022. Andre Blake - Philadelphia Union (cropped).jpg
Andre Blake earned his third Goalkeeper of the Year Award with Philadelphia in 2022.

Philadelphia Union (the Union) entered MLS as an expansion team in 2010 and earned their first playoffs berth in their second season but were eliminated in the conference semifinals. [49] [50] The club failed to qualify for the playoffs in the following four seasons but returned in 2016 under head coach Jim Curtin, their third manager in three years. [51] [52] The side also finished as runners-up in the U.S. Open Cup three times, most recently in 2018. [53] The Union won their first playoff match in 2019—it was their fourth post-season appearance—and advanced to the conference semifinals, where they lost to Atlanta United FC four days later. [54] The club earned the Supporters' Shield, their first trophy, during the shortened 2020 season and opened the playoffs against the eighth seed New England Revolution, who defeated the Union in an upset. [55] [56]

In 2021, the Union finished second in the Eastern Conference and advanced to the conference finals, where they were eliminated by eventual champions New York City FC after 11 players were ruled ineligible to play due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions. [57] The Union retained most of their players and steadily added more attacking players through the 2021 season and the subsequent off-season, signing midfielder Dániel Gazdag from Budapest Honvéd in Hungary, forward Julián Carranza on loan from Inter Miami CF, and Mikael Uhre from Brøndby IF in Denmark; Uhre's transfer set a club record with its $2.8 million fee. [20] The Union also traded leading goalscorer Kacper Przybylko and midfielder Jamiro Monteiro to other MLS clubs, and sought lower-priced players from overseas to supplement American players as replacements. [58] [59]

The Union opened the 2022 season with a draw against Minnesota United FC and five consecutive wins, mostly against Eastern Conference opponents, to take the lead in league standings. The Union's success was attributed to a strong defense and performances from goalkeeper Andre Blake to compensate for a lack of goals scored. [24] [60] Following a loss to Toronto FC that ended the winning streak, [61] the club drew seven of eight matches as they found difficulty retaining leads. [62] The Union remained first in the East and ended the streak with a 2–1 home win against New York City FC that was decided with a Cory Burke goal in stoppage time. [63]

On July 8, the Union won 7–0 in a match against D.C. United, setting a new club record for margin of victory and equaling the league record. [64] The club won their following four matches, including a 6–0 victory against Houston Dynamo FC, which brought them to second in the league standings and three points behind LAFC. [65] The Union sent Blake, and defenders Kai Wagner and Jakob Glesnes to the MLS All-Star Game and finished August with four wins and two losses, including back-to-back 6–0 wins over D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids. [66] [67] The club won a playoff berth with their final win in August and remained in contention of the Supporters' Shield until losing 4–0 to expansion team Charlotte FC in the penultimate week of the season. [68] The Union won 4–0 in their regular-season finale against Toronto FC at home and tied LAFC on points in the Supporters' Shield contest but lost on the wins tiebreaker. [58] [69]

The Union finished the regular season with the league's best goal difference (+46), the fewest goals conceded in a 34-match season in MLS history (26), and an unbeaten record at home with the most goals scored (49), equaling the league record. [70] [71] For the club's regular-season performances, Jim Curtin won the Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award for the second time, Blake won his third MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award, and Glesnes was named the Defender of the Year. [72] [73] Blake, Glesnes, Wagner, and Gazdag, all of whom tied for second-most from a single team in league history, were named to the MLS Best XI. [74] The Union entered the playoffs in the conference semifinals, where they hosted fifth-place FC Cincinnati, who were in the playoffs for the first time. [75] Leon Flach scored the match's only goal in the 59th minute during a scramble in the penalty area as the Union advanced with a 1–0 win; Blake made six saves to earn his 16th shutout of the year. [76]

The Eastern Conference Final at Subaru Park was a repeat of the previous year's final with New York City FC, who were without forward Talles Magno and defender Maxime Chanot. [77] [78] New York City FC took the lead in the 57th minute with a strike from Maximiliano Moralez following a six-player passing sequence that began with goalkeeper Sean Johnson. A free kick from Glesnes in the 65th minute reached Julián Carranza, who scored the equalizer for the Union; Carranza then provided an assist on a goal two minutes later that was finished from close range by Gazdag. [77] Substitute Cory Burke scored the match's final goal in the 76th minute, having won the ball in midfield and dribbled it into the penalty area to provide an assist but was able to finish a mis-timed clearance from the NYCFC defense. [79] The 3–1 result gave the Union their 11th consecutive home victory, equaling the longest streak in MLS history, and an undefeated record at home in 2022. [80] [81]

Summary of results

Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).
Los Angeles FC Round Philadelphia Union
1st place in Western Conference
PosTeam
PldPts
1 Los Angeles FC 3467
2 Austin FC 3456
3 FC Dallas 3453
4 LA Galaxy 3450
5 Nashville SC 3450
6 Minnesota United FC 3448
7 Real Salt Lake 3447
Source: MLS

     Qualified for playoffs
     Qualified for CONCACAF Champions League

Regular season 1st place in Eastern Conference
PosTeam
PldPts
1 Philadelphia Union 3467
2 CF Montréal 3465
3 New York City FC 3455
4 New York Red Bulls 3453
5 FC Cincinnati 3449
6 Inter Miami CF 3448
7 Orlando City SC 3448
Source: MLS

     Qualified for playoffs
     Qualified for CONCACAF Champions League

OpponentScore MLS Cup Playoffs OpponentScore
ByeFirst roundBye
LA Galaxy 3–2 (H)Conference Semifinals FC Cincinnati 1–0 (H)
Austin FC 3–0 (H)Conference Finals New York City FC 3–1 (H)

Venue

MLS Cup 2022 was hosted on November 5, 2022, by LAFC at their home stadium Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The soccer-specific stadium seats 22,000 people and opened in April 2018. [82] Tickets were released days before the match and immediately sold out; [83] ticket prices ranged from $450 to $10,000 on secondary markets. [84] To promote the match, several Los Angeles landmarks, including City Hall and Union Station, were lit with gold lights, and the club's flag was raised at Venice Beach and aboard USS Iowa. Local restaurant chain Pink's Hot Dogs offered an "LAFC Dog" during the week leading up to the final. [85]

Due to a home USC Trojans football game later in the day at the neighboring Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which was also the homecoming game, LAFC announced no parking spaces would be reserved for MLS Cup attendees at the stadium. The club encouraged the use of Metro light rail and bus options, offering free TAP cards for attendees, [86] as well as a shuttle bus from Dodger Stadium with free parking. [87] [88] LAFC opened the stadium at 10:30 a.m. to encourage early arrivals and sold half-price concessions during the first hour. [89]

The Union organized hotel-and-ticket packages for 460 fans to travel to the MLS Cup final in Los Angeles. [90] [91] The Union partnered with supporters group Sons of Ben to organize four free watch parties at venues in the Philadelphia area, including their home stadium Subaru Park. [92] [93]

Broadcasting

The MLS Cup 2022 match was broadcast in the United States on Fox in English, and by Univision and TUDN in Spanish, with pre-game and post-game coverage. [83] The Canadian broadcast was carried on The Sports Network in English and on TVA Sports in French. [94] The Fox English commentary team included their crew for the FIFA World Cup, including play-by-play announcer John Strong, analyst Stuart Holden, and studio host Rodolfo Landeros. For Univision, Luis Omar Tapia  [ es ] and Ramses Sandoval provided play-by-play commentary for alternating halves with analysts Diego Balado  [ es ] and Marcelo Balboa. [83] Fox used 24 conventional cameras, including four for slow motion replays, a skycam, and a helicopter, along with 14 field microphones. [95] The match was also carried by ESPN International in Latin America and Africa, DAZN in Europe and Brazil, Abu Dhabi Sports in the Middle East and North Africa, and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland. [96] [97]

SiriusXM FC provided satellite radio coverage with commentators Joe Tolleson, Tony Meola, and Keith Costigan. [83] For the Los Angeles radio market, the match was carried in English by ESPN 710 and in Spanish by KFWB 980. [96] In Philadelphia, Fox Sports Radio broadcast the match in English; [98] the Union also had a radio stream on their website with local television commentators JP Dellacamera and Danny Higginbotham. [83] [99]

The U.S. broadcast drew 2.16 million viewers, with 1.49 million on Fox and 668,000 on Univision, and had a national Nielsen rating of 0.69. [100] [101] It was the second-largest domestic television audience for an MLS Cup final after the 1997 edition and increased by 38 percent from the 2021 edition. [102] The match was also the second-most-watched club soccer broadcast of 2022 in the United States behind the UEFA Champions League Final. [102] The MLS Cup final's penalty shootout was watched by approximately 26 percent of all households in the Philadelphia market; the market was also the largest for the Fox broadcast with a rating that averaged 4.78 (347,000 viewers) and peaked at 7.6 (552,000 viewers). [100] The second-highest rating in the Houston market was one-third of Philadelphia's and is thought to have been affected by the World Series, which Fox broadcast immediately after the match. [100] The largest market for the Univision broadcast was Los Angeles with a 1.06 rating, which made it the second-most-watched LAFC match in their home market after the 2019 Conference Semifinal against LA Galaxy. [103]

Match

Summary

Union defender Jack Elliott (pictured in 2017) scored two goals in the MLS Cup final Jack Elliott (cropped).jpg
Union defender Jack Elliott (pictured in 2017) scored two goals in the MLS Cup final

The MLS Cup final kicked off at 1:05 p.m. under clear skies and in front of 22,384 spectators, including 500 fans from Philadelphia in the southeast corner. [83] [86] The teams fielded most of their normal starting lineups with the exception of the Union's midfielder and captain Alejandro Bedoya, who was recovering from a hip injury but remained available as a substitute. [104] Cherundolo used a 4–3–3 formation and declined to start Chiellini and Bale, while Curtin kept his standard 4–3–1–2 with Jack McGlynn replacing Bedoya in midfield. [105] [106] LAFC wore their home black kit while the Union chose their blue-and-yellow secondary jersey. [107] Two-time MLS Referee of the Year Ismail Elfath was selected to officiate the MLS Cup; it was his first time for the tournament. [108] Prior to kickoff, the LAFC supporters group 3252 unveiled a tifo depicting Dragon Ball manga character Gogeta, which shares the club's black-and-gold color scheme, and set off smoke flares. [109]

The Union had the majority of possession and chances to start the first half but were unable to convert them into shots on goal. [110] LAFC won a free kick near the penalty area that was awarded for a foul by José Andrés Martínez on Cristian Arango and used it to take the lead in the 28th minute; Jack McGlynn, who had jumped as part of the wall, deflected Kellyn Acosta's shot into the goal. [111] LAFC won a free kick from a similar spot in the 39th minute they almost used to score but Andre Blake saved Diego Palacios's shot from close range. [107] [112] The Union responded with their own chance in the 43rd minute as Carranza started a counter-attack and fed the ball to Mikael Uhre, who dribbled it into the penalty area but lost it to Crépeau's block. [111] The teams entered half-time with eight shots but LAFC held a 1–0 lead and the Union had the majority of possession. [105] [113]

The Union had their next chance to score early in the second half but several LAFC defenders stopped Uhre's run into the penalty area. The match was stopped twice within two minutes to check LAFC's Arango and the Union's Olivier Mbaizo for concussion symptoms after two separate head collisions. [105] After a corner kick for the Union was cleared out, Martínez took a shot from outside the penalty area that hit Dániel Gazdag, who collected the ball and scored in the 59th minute to tie the match at 1–1. Despite protests from LAFC's defenders, the goal was given because Gazdag was determined to be onside. [114] Five minuites later, LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes was shown a yellow card for a collision with Blake during a corner kick, for which the goalkeeper had jumped to save. [105] In the 83rd minute, centerback Jesús David Murillo headed in a Carlos Vela corner kick to give LAFC a 2–1 lead. The Union equalized two minutes later with a header from centerback Jack Elliott off a Kai Wagner free kick that was sent into the penalty area. [111] [112] During the celebrations, cups of beer thrown from the stands struck several Union players. [113] During stoppage time, LAFC attempted to retake the lead with a set piece but shortly before the end of regulation time, Blake saved a header by defender Sebastien Ibeagha. [1] [105]

The match entered extra time and LAFC had a chance to score after a loose ball that was misplayed by Blake but out of range for Dénis Bouanga. Julián Carranza had a chance to score for the Union shortly before extra time's half-time, but was unable to head the cross from Kai Wagner into the goal. [1] [110] In the 110th minute, a long overhead ball from Mbaizo was misplayed by Murillo, whose backpass to his own goal was collected by Union substitute Cory Burke, who collided with Crépeau as he ran from the penalty area. Crépeau broke his right leg during the challenge and left the stadium in an ambulance, [115] and Burke was substituted a few minutes later. [111] [116] Elfath initially showed Crépeau a yellow card but after consulting with the video assistant referee, sent him off in the 116th minute while leaving the pitch for his injury. [111] [117] LAFC played the rest of the match with 10 players and substituted Kwadwo Opoku for back-up goalkeeper John McCarthy, a former Union player and Philadelphia-area native who had only played once in the 2022 regular season. [112] [116]

Elfath awarded nine minutes of stoppage time due to the pauses in play to evaluate and treat Crépeau and Burke, as well as other interruptions. [110] The Union pressed for a third goal and scored one in the 124th minute through a corner kick by Wagner that was cleared and returned to the penalty area several times. Carranze directed Wagner's cross toward the goal by and McCarthy saved from close range but Elliot tapped in the rebound from 3 yards (2.7 m), scoring his second goal of the final. [86] [110] Elliott and several celebrating players were again showered with beer cans and cups thrown by the stands. [118] In the 128th minute, LAFC equalized through a Diego Palacios cross Gareth Bale headed in; Bale had entered as a substitute during extra time and out-jumped Elliott for the ball. [114] It was the latest goal scored in MLS Cup Playoffs history, replacing Elliott's goal scored four minutes earlier, and tied the match at 3–3 through the end of extra time. [119]

The 2022 final was the sixth MLS Cup to be decided by a penalty shootout, which had also been used the previous year. [112] Cristian Tello took LAFC's first penalty, which Blake saved, but Gazdag slipped while running, resulting in a miss that kept the shootout scoreless. [110] Bouanga scored his second-round penalty while McCarthy saved Martínez's attempt after reading his stutter step. [111] A successful conversion by Ryan Hollingshead, who sent Blake the wrong way, was followed by a McCarthy save on Kai Wagner to set up a decider in the fourth round. Ilie Sánchez's shot toward the bottom-right corner went under Blake during his attempt at a diving save, ending the shootout at 3–0 for LAFC. [110]

Details

Los Angeles FC 3–3 (a.e.t.) Philadelphia Union
Report
Penalties
3–0
Banc of California Stadium , Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Attendance: 22,384
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Kit left arm lafc22h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body lafc22h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm lafc22h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts adidasonblack2011.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks 3 stripes on black.png
Kit socks long.svg
Los Angeles FC
Kit left arm philadelphia21A.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body philadelphia21A.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm philadelphia21A.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts lightblue stripes.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks 3 stripes gold.png
Kit socks long.svg
Philadelphia Union
GK16 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Maxime Crépeau Red card.svg 116'
RB24 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Hollingshead
CB3 Flag of Colombia.svg Jesús David Murillo
CB25 Flag of the United States.svg Sebastien Ibeagha Yellow card.svg 87'
LB12 Flag of Ecuador.svg Diego Palacios
CM20 Flag of Ecuador.svg José Cifuentes Yellow card.svg 65'
CM6 Flag of Spain.svg Ilie Sánchez
CM23 Flag of the United States.svg Kellyn Acosta Sub off.svg 91'
RF10 Flag of Mexico.svg Carlos Vela (c)Sub off.svg 97'
CF9 Flag of Colombia.svg Cristian Arango Sub off.svg 74'
LF99 Flag of Gabon.svg Dénis Bouanga
Substitutes:
GK77 Flag of the United States.svg John McCarthy Sub on.svg 117'
DF2 Flag of Argentina.svg Franco Escobar
DF4 Flag of Colombia.svg Eddie Segura
DF14 Flag of Italy.svg Giorgio Chiellini
MF7 Flag of Ghana.svg Latif Blessing
MF32 Flag of Ecuador.svg Sebas Méndez
FW11 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gareth Bale Sub on.svg 97'
FW22 Flag of Ghana.svg Kwadwo Opoku Sub on.svg 74'Sub off.svg 117'
FW37 Flag of Spain.svg Cristian Tello Sub on.svg 91'
Manager:
Flag of the United States.svg Steve Cherundolo
Los Angeles FC vs Philadelphia Union 2022-11-05.svg
GK18 Flag of Jamaica.svg Andre Blake (c)
RB15 Flag of Cameroon.svg Olivier Mbaizo
CB5 Flag of Norway.svg Jakob Glesnes
CB3 Flag of England.svg Jack Elliott Yellow card.svg 14'
LB27 Flag of Germany.svg Kai Wagner
DM8 Flag of Venezuela (state).svg José Martínez
CM16 Flag of the United States.svg Jack McGlynn Sub off.svg 84'
CM31 Flag of the United States.svg Leon Flach
AM6 Flag of Hungary.svg Dániel Gazdag
CF9 Flag of Argentina.svg Julián Carranza Yellow card.svg 90+1'
CF7 Flag of Denmark.svg Mikael Uhre Sub off.svg 71'
Substitutes:
GK1 Flag of the United States.svg Matt Freese
DF2 Flag of the United States.svg Matthew Real
DF26 Flag of the United States.svg Nathan Harriel
MF11 Flag of the United States.svg Alejandro Bedoya
MF20 Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Jesús Bueno
MF30 Flag of the United States.svg Paxten Aaronson Sub on.svg 84'
MF33 Flag of the United States.svg Quinn Sullivan
FW19 Flag of Jamaica.svg Cory Burke Sub on.svg 71'Sub off.svg 120+1'
FW25 Flag of the United States.svg Chris Donovan Sub on.svg 120+1'
Manager:
Flag of the United States.svg Jim Curtin

MLS Cup MVP: John McCarthy (Los Angeles FC) [120]

Assistant referees: [121]
Corey Rockwell
Ian Anderson
Fourth official:
Fotis Bazakos
Reserve assistant referee:
Joe Dickerson
Video assistant referee:
Drew Fischer
Assistant video assistant referee:
Jeff Muschik
Reserve video assistant referee:
Jeffrey Greeson

Match rules [5]

  • 90 minutes
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary
  • Penalty shootout if scores still level
  • Maximum of nine named substitutes
  • Maximum of five substitutions, with a sixth allowed in extra time. Each team is only given three opportunities to make substitutions, with a fourth opportunity in extra time, excluding substitutions made at half-time, before the start of extra time, and at half-time in extra time. Two additional substitutions are available for concussed players.

Post-match

LAFC backup goalkeeper John McCarthy (pictured in 2017) was named MLS Cup MVP for his saves in the penalty shootout John McCarthy leaps (cropped).jpg
LAFC backup goalkeeper John McCarthy (pictured in 2017) was named MLS Cup MVP for his saves in the penalty shootout

LAFC became the fifteenth team to win the MLS Cup and the ninth new champion since 2013; [122] they were also the seventh host to win the MLS Cup in the decade since the neutral-site format was abolished. [8] The club was the eighth to win a domestic double—composed of the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup—and the first since Toronto FC in 2017. [119] [120] Several of the club's celebrity owners, including Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm, and Will Ferrell, as well as other entertainment-industry figures, attended the match. [123] LAFC celebrated their MLS Cup title with 5,000 fans at Banc of California Stadium's Christmas Tree Lane the following day in lieu of a traditional parade. [124] [125]

Steve Cherundolo became the second head coach to win the MLS Cup in his first year in the league, following Piotr Nowak with D.C. United in 2004. [122] McCarthy, the first substitute goalkeeper to win the league championship, was named the MLS Cup most valuable player for his penalty saves and maintaining the first shutout in a MLS Cup shootout. [120] [126] He said he was "absolutely devastated" for Crépeau and called the tackle on Burke the "play of the game"; [116] Crépeau celebrated in the ambulance and later at the hospital through video calls to his teammates on the field and coach during the post-match press conference. [86] [124] The following day, LAFC announced Crépeau would be unable to join the Canadian national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to his injury. [116] Gareth Bale became the first player to score in the finals of the MLS Cup and UEFA Champions League, stating after the match he "seem[ed] to have a knack of doing that". [127] Bale retired from professional soccer in January 2023. [128]

The match was hailed as an "instant classic" and "the most thrilling" in the history of the MLS Cup; [110] [129] other commentators also ranked it as among the best in the league's history. [130] [131] The 2022 final equaled the highest-scoring MLS Cup final alongside the 2003 final, which was also the last time two top-seeded teams were finalists; it was also the first time both finalists had scored three goals. [122] Commissioner Don Garber said it "was Major League Soccer at its very best", [132] while Carlos Vela labeled the finish "a Hollywood movie". [133] Union coach Jim Curtin described the match as "chaotic" and "what a final should be", but also as "a heartbreaking loss, no question". He also stated he "lived through the 130 minutes and aged probably five, six years", and complimented his players on their accomplishment in getting to the final. [134] [135] The Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball lost the World Series later in the day, making Philadelphia the first U.S. city to lose two major league sports championships on the same day. [136]

Both finalists had already qualified for the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League with their regular season performances. [137] The leftover slot was awarded to Austin FC, the next-best eligible team from the United States in the 2022 regular-season standings. [138] The MLS Cup finalists faced each other again in the Champions League semifinals, which LAFC won 4–1 on aggregate to advance to their second continental final, which they lost. [139] [140] As MLS Cup champions, LAFC also directly qualified for the knockout stage of the 2023 Leagues Cup and hosted the 2023 Campeones Cup against Tigres UANL of Mexico, losing in a penalty shootout. [141] [142]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Union</span> Soccer club based in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Union is an American professional soccer club based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The Union compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Founded on February 28, 2008, the club began playing in 2010 as an expansion team. The club's home stadium is Subaru Park, a soccer-specific stadium located in Chester, Pennsylvania on the banks of the Delaware River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John McCarthy (soccer)</span> American soccer player (b. 1992)

John Joseph McCarthy III is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dániel Gazdag</span> Hungarian footballer

Dániel Gazdag is a Hungarian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the Hungary national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles FC</span> American professional soccer franchise

Los Angeles Football Club, commonly referred to as Los Angeles FC or LAFC, is an American professional men's soccer team based in Los Angeles, California. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league's Western Conference. The club was established on October 30, 1973 and began play during the 2018 season as an expansion team. The club plays their home matches at BMO Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium located in Exposition Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sérgio Santos (footballer, born 1994)</span> Brazilian footballer

Sérgio Henrique Santos Gomes is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as forward for FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Elliott (footballer)</span> English footballer (born 1995)

Jack Stuart Elliott is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brenden Aaronson</span> American soccer player (born 2000)

Brenden Russell Aaronson is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Bundesliga club Union Berlin, on loan from EFL Championship side Leeds United, and the United States national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivier Mbaizo</span> Cameroonian footballer

Olivier Mbaissidara Mbaizo is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the Cameroon national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Tráfico</span> Soccer rivalry between the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC

El Tráfico, also known as the Los Angeles Derby, is a soccer rivalry between the two Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs based in the Greater Los Angeles area, LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC. The rivalry is one of two crosstown derbies in MLS, alongside the Hudson River Derby in the New York City area, and replaced the SuperClasico between the LA Galaxy and now defunct Chivas USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 MLS Cup Playoffs</span> 2019 edition of the MLS playoffs

The 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs was the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top soccer league in the United States and Canada. It was the 24th edition of the MLS Cup Playoffs, the tournament culminating at the end of the 2019 regular season. The playoffs began on October 19, 2019, and concluded with MLS Cup 2019 on November 10.

The 2019 Philadelphia Union season was the club's tenth season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team was managed by Jim Curtin, his sixth season with the club. Building on the previous 2018 season, the Union won their first MLS Cup Playoff match in club history, in a comeback 4–3 win against New York Red Bulls. Additionally, the team set new records for points earned within a single season (55), wins (16), and goals scored (58).

The 2020 Philadelphia Union season was the club's eleventh season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team was managed by Jim Curtin, his seventh season with the club. The Union's season began on February 29, 2020, and was scheduled on end in October or November 2020, depending on their regular season performance. On March 12, 2020, MLS suspended the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned to be a 30-day suspension, the league remained suspended until July 9, 2020, when competition resumed with the MLS is Back Tournament. The tournament ran through August 11, 2020, with the remainder of the season, under a truncated format, continued through November 8, 2020.

José Andrés Martínez Torres is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the Venezuela national team. Martínez has been referred to by the nickname "el Brujo".

Leon Maximilian Flach is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder or left-back for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MLS Cup 2021</span> 2021 edition of the MLS Cup

MLS Cup 2021 was the 26th edition of the MLS Cup, the championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS) at the conclusion of the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. The soccer match was played on December 11, 2021, at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was contested by hosts Portland Timbers and New York City FC to determine the champion of the 2021 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Los Angeles FC season</span> LAFC 2022 soccer season

The 2022 Los Angeles FC season was the club's fifth season in Major League Soccer, the top tier of the American soccer pyramid. LAFC played its home matches at the Banc of California Stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Steve Cherundolo is the club's second head coach, joining on January 3, 2022.

The 2022 Philadelphia Union season was the club's thirteenth season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team is managed by Jim Curtin, his ninth season with the club. The club's regular season began on February 26, 2022, and concluded on October 9. Outside of MLS, the Union also competed in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, entering in the Round of 32.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MLS Cup 2023</span> 2023 edition of the MLS Cup

MLS Cup 2023 was the 28th edition of the MLS Cup, the championship match of Major League Soccer (MLS), played on December 9, 2023, at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The soccer match between hosts Columbus Crew of the Eastern Conference and defending champions Los Angeles FC of the Western Conference determined the champions of the 2023 season. It also marked the conclusion of the MLS Cup Playoffs, which was contested by the top eighteen teams based on their regular season records.

The 2023 Philadelphia Union season was the club's fourteenth season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team was managed by Jim Curtin, his tenth season with the club. The club's regular season began on February 25, 2023, and concluded on October 9. Outside of MLS, Philadelphia will participate in the U.S. Open Cup, the CONCACAF Champions League, and the Leagues Cup.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Reidy, Paul (November 5, 2022). "LAFC 3-3 Philadelphia Union summary: score, goals, highlights, 2022 MLS Cup Final". Diario AS. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Major League Soccer embarks on 27th season as Qatar looms". USA Today . Associated Press. February 24, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (May 7, 2022). "Unbalanced schedule in MLS raises debate before LAFC, Philadelphia battle to 2-2 tie". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  4. ↑ Straus, Brian (December 15, 2021). "The Key Aspects of MLS's 2022 Schedule". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "2022 MLS Competition Guidelines". Major League Soccer. February 25, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  6. ↑ Bogert, Tom (October 30, 2022). "Philadelphia rise to the occasion to reach first MLS Cup: "What a team"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  7. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 4, 2022). "The Union and LAFC bring out the best in each other. Now they're playing for a championship". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Das, Andrew (November 5, 2022). "Los Angeles F.C. Wins First Title on Dramatic Day's Final Twist". The New York Times . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  9. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 1, 2022). "Union manager Jim Curtin played in the last MLS Cup final between No. 1 seeds, 19 years ago". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  10. ↑ Vertelney, Seth (October 30, 2022). "Philadelphia Union hit NYCFC with stunning second-half blitz to reach MLS Cup". USA Today. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  11. ↑ Lewis, Michael (October 31, 2022). "A Quick Look Ahead: To MLS Cup match-up between LAFC and Philadelphia". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  12. ↑ Evans, Jayda (October 13, 2022). "After disappointing season, where do the Sounders go from here?". The Seattle Times . Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  13. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (April 27, 2018). "How LAFC rose from the ashes of Chivas USA and aims to be the team of Los Angeles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  14. ↑ Creditor, Avi (October 30, 2019). "Seattle Sounders Contain Vela, LAFC to Return to MLS Cup Final". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  15. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (November 24, 2020). "LAFC's season once again ends in playoff loss to Seattle Sounders". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  16. ↑ Alexander, Jim (November 4, 2022). "LAFC's 5-year journey reaches a crescendo". Los Angeles Daily News . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  17. 1 2 3 Baxter, Kevin (November 4, 2022). "How LAFC went from missing the playoffs to playing for the MLS Cup in one season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  18. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (November 6, 2022). "Steve Cherundolo: LAFC's MLS Cup-winning coach flaunts "two titles"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  19. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (August 23, 2022). "Soccer newsletter: LAFC continues to have a charmed season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Doyle, Matthew; Bogert, Tom (March 2, 2022). "2022 offseason transfer grades for all 28 MLS clubs". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  21. 1 2 Sigal, Jonathan (November 4, 2022). "Bale, Chiellini, Bouanga moves took LAFC to "next level": GM John Thorrington". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (February 25, 2022). "Maxime Crépeau hoping to surpass expectations for new-look LAFC squad". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  23. ↑ Davidson, Neil (January 25, 2022). "Traded to LAFC, former 'Caps goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau still on the move with Canada". The Globe and Mail . The Canadian Press . Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  24. 1 2 Sigal, Jonathan (April 9, 2022). "Philadelphia Union have "another level" to reach as MLS's last undefeated team". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Mark Delgado scores to lead second-place Galaxy to victory over Austin FC". Los Angeles Times. May 8, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  26. ↑ He, Eric (May 28, 2022). "LAFC responds to fans' frustrations with victory over San Jose". Los Angeles Daily News . Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  27. ↑ Tamplin, Harley (July 2, 2022). "Pushing for the playoffs: Austin FC's second season by the numbers". KXAN . Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  28. ↑ "MLS-best LAFC loses at Vancouver on goal in the 89th minute". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 2, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  29. ↑ "LAFC defeats Nashville, moves back to top of MLS standings in Gareth Bale's debut". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 17, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  30. ↑ Bonagura, Kyle (October 26, 2022). "After signing Gareth Bale & Co., LAFC suffered growing pains. Have they cured them in time to win MLS Cup?". ESPN. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  31. ↑ Gross, Josh (July 29, 2022). "LAFC defense stifles Sounders for 4th straight win". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  32. ↑ Swanson, Mirjam (August 15, 2022). "Swanson: LAFC is rolling, but that's not enough". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  33. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (August 24, 2022). "LAFC sending Brian Rodríguez to Mexico's Club América, Galaxy adding Martín Cáceres". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  34. ↑ Bogert, Tom (August 26, 2022). "Cristian Tello in, Brian Rodriguez out: Explaining LAFC's recent roster moves". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  35. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (October 17, 2022). "LAFC's transformation into MLS Cup title contenders comes with a $10-million price tag". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  36. ↑ "LAFC become first team to clinch Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs spot". MLSsoccer.com. August 20, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  37. ↑ Doyle, Matthew (November 7, 2022). "What the 2022 MLS season meant for LAFC". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  38. ↑ Gross, Josh (September 17, 2022). "LAFC clinches top seed in Western Conference, prepares for Houston". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  39. ↑ Boehm, Charles (October 2, 2022). "LAFC savor Supporters' Shield, but MLS Cup is "the trophy we really want"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  40. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (November 1, 2022). "LAFC hosts unique MLS Cup final featuring league superpowers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  41. ↑ Ruthven, Graham (October 4, 2022). "Gareth Bale has been little more than a guest star in his MLS career so far". The Guardian . Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  42. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (October 20, 2022). "Cristian Arango's stoppage-time goal lifts LAFC over Galaxy in MLS Cup Playoffs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  43. ↑ Alexander, Jim (October 21, 2022). "Once again, El Tráfico doesn't disappoint". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  44. ↑ Gross, Josh (October 29, 2022). "LAFC prepares for Austin FC in MLS Western Conference final". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  45. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (October 30, 2022). "LAFC still hungers for more after defeating Austin FC to reach MLS Cup final". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  46. 1 2 Reuter, Jeff (October 30, 2022). "LAFC advances to first MLS Cup final with win over Austin FC" . The Athletic . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  47. ↑ Gross, Josh (October 30, 2022). "LAFC dominates Austin FC, will play for MLS Cup". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  48. ↑ "LAFC advances to MLS Cup final with 3-0 win over Austin FC". The Washington Post . Associated Press. October 30, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Club History". Philadelphia Union . Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  50. ↑ Gabriel, Kerith (November 4, 2011). "Dynamo eliminates Union from MLS playoffs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  51. ↑ McCaffrey, Jack (July 14, 2022). "The dean of Philadelphia pro coaches, Jim Curtin exactly where he wants to be". Delaware County Daily Times . Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  52. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (October 18, 2019). "What will it take for the Union to get their first playoff win? These players know from experience". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  53. ↑ West, Phil (September 26, 2018). "Union blanked by Dynamo, 3-0, in U.S. Open Cup Final". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  54. ↑ Schwin, Payson (October 24, 2019). "Union's playoff run ends in 2-0 loss to Atlanta United". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  55. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (September 2, 2022). "Philadelphia Union at "full speed" in Supporters' Shield battle with LAFC". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  56. ↑ Bird, Hayden (November 25, 2020). "Three takeaways from the Revolution's playoff win over Philadelphia". The Boston Globe . Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  57. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (December 6, 2021). "Jim Curtin knew how stacked the odds were against the Union—and that his team almost beat them". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  58. 1 2 Bogert, Tom (November 2, 2022). "How LAFC & Philadephia Union built MLS Cup-contending rosters". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  59. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (October 19, 2022). "Jim Curtin knew the Union could be good this year. He didn't think they'd be this good". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  60. ↑ Doyle, Matthew (April 3, 2022). "Chicharito in scary top form, Lodeiro looks like his old self, Josef not so much & more from Week 5". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Toronto FC continues hot streak by dumping previously unbeaten Union". ESPN. Reuters. April 16, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  62. ↑ Keppen, Jacob (June 25, 2022). "NYCFC coming to town with first place on the line". Brotherly Game. SB Nation . Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  63. ↑ Swanick, Meg (June 26, 2022). "Union strike back for late win over NYCFC, 2-1". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  64. ↑ Floyd, Thomas (July 8, 2022). "A more perfect Union tears D.C. United apart with a record rout". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  65. ↑ Butler, Dylan (July 31, 2022). "Hector Herrera: Houston Dynamo "embarrassed" by 6-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  66. ↑ Canales, Andrea (August 10, 2022). "Union players do their part in MLS All-Star Game, with MLS defeating Mexico's Liga MX, 2-1". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  67. ↑ Butler, Dylan (August 31, 2022). "Playoffs in hand, Philadelphia Union stress there's "a lot of work ahead"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  68. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (October 2, 2022). "The Union lost a game in Charlotte, the Supporters' Shield to LAFC, and Kai Wagner to a suspension". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  69. ↑ Kariuki, Nick (October 10, 2022). "Philadelphia Union clinch Eastern Conference with 4-0 win over Toronto FC". WHYY . Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  70. ↑ "MLS end-of-season report cards: How all 28 clubs fared in 2022". ESPN. October 10, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  71. ↑ Wright, Ben (October 9, 2022). "Philadelphia Union eye MLS Cup next: "The real season starts now"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  72. ↑ Moore-Bloom, Arlo (October 25, 2022). "MLS Awards: Philadelphia's Jim Curtin wins a second Coach of the Year" . Soccer America . Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  73. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (October 19, 2022). "The Union's Andre Blake and Jakob Glesnes win big MLS awards". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  74. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 2, 2022). "Four Union players make Major League Soccer's team of the season". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  75. ↑ Habersham, Joe (October 20, 2022). "Top-seeded Philadelphia Union battles FC Cincinnati in conference semis". WHYY. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  76. ↑ Brennan, Pat (October 20, 2022). "FC Cincinnati's 2022 season ends with MLS Cup playoff loss to Philadelphia Union". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  77. 1 2 Tannenwald, Jonathan (October 30, 2022). "Union earn first trip to MLS championship game with 3-1 win over NYCFC". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  78. ↑ Gerbosi, Ryan (October 28, 2022). "NYCFC expects highly-motivated Philadelphia Union in conference final rematch". Newsday . Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  79. ↑ "Philadelphia Union ousts champion NYCFC to set up MLS Cup final vs. LAFC". ESPN. October 30, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  80. ↑ "Box Score: Philadelphia Union 3, New York City FC 1" (Press release). Philadelphia Union. October 30, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  81. ↑ "Philadelphia heads to MLS Cup final with 3-1 win over NYCFC". Toronto Star. Associated Press. October 30, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  82. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (May 4, 2019). "Column: Banc of California Stadium was the launching pad for an MLS' construction boom". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  83. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 5, 2022). "Union-LAFC: Game time, channel, how to watch and stream MLS Cup final". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  84. ↑ Magaña, Diego Mauricio (November 2, 2022). "LAFC vs Philadelphia Union: How to buy tickets for the MLS Cup?". Diario AS . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  85. ↑ Los Angeles FC Communications (November 3, 2022). "Los Angeles Shines Bright And Gold In Support of LAFC Ahead Of MLS Cup, On Saturday, Nov. 5". KIRN . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  86. 1 2 3 4 Woitalla, Mike (November 5, 2022). "A blockbuster MLS Cup 2022 goes to LAFC over Philadelphia Union" . Soccer America. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  87. ↑ "LAFC Announces MLS Cup Transportation Plan" (Press release). Los Angeles FC. November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  88. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (November 1, 2022). "Another El Tráfico? USC football blocks parking for LAFC fans attending MLS Cup". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  89. ↑ Alexander, Jim (November 3, 2022). "No parking for LAFC's MLS Cup game...big problem?". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  90. ↑ Gelston, Dan (November 3, 2022). "Philly, Houston rev up for rare World Series-NFL double dip". Star-Tribune . Associated Press. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  91. ↑ "MLS Cup Ticket Information". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  92. ↑ Kariuki, Nick (November 4, 2022). "The Philadelphia Union face LAFC in the MLS Cup final Saturday. Here's where you can watch it in Philly". WHYY. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  93. ↑ Gabriel, Kerith (November 5, 2022). "Here's where to watch the Union take on LAFC in Saturday's MLS Cup final". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  94. ↑ "MLS Announces Match Schedule and Broadcast Details for Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs" (Press release). Major League Soccer. October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  95. ↑ Costa, Brandon (November 4, 2022). "MLS Cup 2022: FOX Sports Adds Chopper, Robos Behind the Net, and Effects Mics on Supporters Sections to Deliver Championship-Caliber Show". Sports Video Group . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  96. 1 2 "Where To Watch MLS Cup Final – LAFC vs Philadelphia Union 11/5/22". Los Angeles FC. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  97. ↑ Strand, Oliver (November 1, 2022). "How to Watch MLS Cup Final: LAFC vs Philadelphia Union". Hudson River Blue. SB Nation. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  98. ↑ Sullivan, Sean (November 2, 2022). "Union and the Sons of Ben hosting MLS Cup Watch Parties". Brotherly Game. SB Nation. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  99. ↑ "JP and Danny to call MLS Cup contest exclusively on PhiladelphiaUnion.com". Philadelphia Union. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  100. 1 2 3 Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 8, 2022). "Philadelphia helped MLS Cup draw its biggest U.S. TV audience in 25 years". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  101. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 8, 2022). "Skedball: Weekly Sports TV Ratings, 10.31–11.6.2022". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  102. 1 2 Silverman, Alex; Karp, Austin (November 8, 2022). "MLS Cup has second-best English/Spanish audience on record". Sports Business Journal . Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  103. ↑ Magaña, Diego Mauricio (November 8, 2022). "Final entre LAFC y Philadelphia Union es la segunda más vista de la historia en MLS" [Final between LAFC and Philadelphia Union is the second most watched in MLS history]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  104. ↑ "MLS Cup 2022 Lineups: Vela, Arango lead LAFC with Bale, Chiellini on bench, Union missing Bedoya". MLSsoccer.com. November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  105. 1 2 3 4 5 Borg, Simon (November 5, 2022). "LAFC vs Philadelphia Union score, result: Gareth Bale nets dramatic goal, LAFC wins MLS Cup on penalties". Sporting News . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  106. ↑ "Los Angeles Football Club 3–3 Philadelphia Union: Gareth Bale helps LAFC win MLS Cup". BBC Sport. November 6, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  107. 1 2 Gonzalez, Roger (November 5, 2022). "LAFC vs. Philadelphia Union score: Wild MLS Cup goes to penalty kicks as LAFC win their first title". CBS Sports . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  108. ↑ Gross, Josh (November 2, 2022). "LAFC's Latif Blessing says team is 'focused' ahead of MLS Cup against Philadelphia". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  109. ↑ Magaña, Diego Mauricio (November 5, 2022). "El sorprendente tifo de la afición de LAFC en la final de MLS Cup ante Philadelphia Union" [The surprising tifo from LAFC fans in the MLS Cup final against the Philadelphia Union]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  110. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stejskal, Sam (November 5, 2022). "LAFC finds Hollywood ending, beats Philadelphia on penalty kicks for first MLS Cup title" . The Athletic. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  111. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 5, 2022). "Union lose MLS Cup final heartbreaker to LAFC in penalty kick shootout after 3-3 tie". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  112. 1 2 3 4 Creditor, Avi (November 5, 2022). "LAFC's First MLS Cup Title Comes With a Genuine Hollywood Ending". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  113. 1 2 "MLS Cup updates: Highlights, postgame reaction and more from a wild final between the Union and LAFC". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  114. 1 2 Baxter, Kevin (November 5, 2022). "LAFC defeats Philadelphia on penalty kicks to win MLS Cup title in thriller". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  115. ↑ Turnbull, Jay (November 22, 2022). "Candiac, Que., goalkeeper sacrifices World Cup dream, cheers on Team Canada from afar". CBC News . Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  116. 1 2 3 4 Baxter, Kevin (November 6, 2022). "LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to miss World Cup because of broken leg". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  117. ↑ "LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau fractures leg, gets ejected on same play". Marca . November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  118. ↑ Jensen, Mike (November 5, 2022). "Another Philly team, this time the Union, loses to another Philly expatriate". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  119. 1 2 Beacham, Greg (November 5, 2022). "LAFC claims 1st MLS Cup title with shootout win over Union". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  120. 1 2 3 Sigal, Jonathan (November 5, 2022). "Hollywood ending! LAFC win legendary MLS Cup 2022 over Philadelphia Union". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  121. ↑ "2022 MLS Cup crew confirmed". Professional Referee Organization. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  122. 1 2 3 "Los Angeles Football Club Win First MLS Cup in Club History, Defeating the Philadelphia Union in a Penalty-Kick Shootout" (Press release). Major League Soccer. November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  123. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (November 6, 2022). "Justin Bieber Celebrates LAFC Major League Soccer Cup Win With Magic Johnson and Will Ferrell". Variety . Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  124. 1 2 "MLS Cup live: LAFC wins thriller over Philadelphia Union in shootout" . The Athletic. November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  125. ↑ Gross, Josh (November 6, 2022). "LAFC celebrates MLS Cup Championship with fans". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  126. ↑ "LAFC 3-3 Philadelphia Union (aet, 3-0 pens): Sub keeper McCarthy the hero as hosts win the MLS Cup". Yahoo! Sports . November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  127. ↑ "Gareth Bale after helping LAFC win MLS Cup: I seem to have a knack for scoring in finals". ESPN. November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  128. ↑ Vertelney, Seth (January 9, 2023). "Gareth Bale retires at 33 after leading Wales to World Cup appearance". USA Today. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  129. ↑ Lindberg, Austin; Hernandez, Cesar (November 5, 2022). "LAFC outlast Philadelphia to win best MLS Cup of all time on penalties". ESPN. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  130. ↑ Rodriguez, Alicia (November 6, 2022). "This MLS Cup Final already hailed best MLS game in history". Angels on Parade. SB Nation. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  131. ↑ ""Best MLS Cup ever": Social media raves about LAFC vs. Philadelphia Union". MLSsoccer.com. November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  132. ↑ Hernández, Dylan (November 5, 2022). "Column: LAFC's first championship comes in greatest MLS Cup final, full of twists and turns". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  133. ↑ Alexander, Jim (November 5, 2022). "Alexander: John McCarthy, MLS Cup MVP? Believe it". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  134. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (November 5, 2022). "Philadelphia Union seek solace after MLS Cup gut punch: "It hurts"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  135. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 5, 2022). "For Jim Curtin it's 'a heartbreaking loss,' but he appreciates the Union's all-time effort". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  136. ↑ Baer, Jack (November 5, 2022). "World Series: Philadelphia becomes 1st city to ever lose 2 championships in 1 day with Phillies, Union loss". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  137. ↑ "LAFC, Philadelphia Union clinch berths in 2023 SCCL". CONCACAF. September 19, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  138. ↑ "Which teams have qualified for Concacaf Champions League 2023?". MLSsoccer.com. October 30, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  139. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (May 2, 2023). "LAFC makes history by advancing to CONCACAF Champions League final". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  140. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (June 4, 2023). "LAFC's CONCACAF Champions League title dreams shattered in loss to León". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  141. ↑ "Leagues Cup 2023 dates and structure announced". MLSsoccer.com. October 6, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  142. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (September 27, 2023). "LAFC's quest for Campeones Cup trophy falls short in penalty kick shootout loss to Tigres". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.