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Tag: MLS Cup

  • Union advance to MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal after completing first-round sweep of Chicago Fire

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    The flame is out for the Chicago Fire’s MLS Cup dreams, as the Philadelphia Union won away from home, defeating a battered Fire side 3-0, with all three goals scored in the first 35 minutes, including a brace by Tai Baribo, to advance to the Conference Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fifth time in club history.

    After winning Game 1 in penalties, the top-seeded Union finished off the Fire in Game 2 to sweep the best-of-three series. 

    No Chris Brady? Big problem for Chicago

    It was not playmaker Philip Zinckernagel who missed the match despite being unable to finish training during the week. Instead, U.S. youth international Chris Brady was the one sidelined due to injury, leaving 32-year-old Jeff Gal to guard the net in the do-or-die match. 

    The Chicago native was quickly exposed as the Union’s relentless pressure led to two goals – one from Baribo in the 8th minute, his first of the night, and the second from Bruno Damiani in the 35th minute. Damiani capitalized on another moment of indecision by Gal, punishing a poor clearance from the Chicago keeper, all but putting the match to bed to eliminate the Fire from the playoffs.

    Baribo heating up at the right moment

    A brace is exactly what the Israeli striker needed to break his goal drought, even more important considering that ahead of the match, Philadelphia’s super-sub, Mikael Uhre, was not available to feature for the Union. Baribo’s double on the night was not only his first goal for the Union since Aug. 23rd, which coincidentally came against Chicago in the regular season, but also his first brace since May.

    “I thought he was excellent with his national team and the way he came back, felt like a weight off his shoulders,” Union manager Bradley Carnell said of his striker. “The way he has been playing? It has been very productive. We’ve seen a lot of things about Tai’s (Baribo) game that are getting back to usual. So I am really happy he’s struck at the right time.”

    After the match, Carnell explained the absence of Uhre, the Danish striker: “Just unfortunate. We did a little activation this morning, and it didn’t feel right in his knee. He got through the week OK and we were touch and go. We took an extra man, just in case, and we decided to not risk anything.”

    Heroics help seal the win

    In a match where Chicago arguably had all the momentum going in – after forcing the Supporters’ Shield winners and top-seeded team in the league to a penalty shootout during Game 1 – the Union needed more than just goals. Even while up 2-0, a penalty save by Andre Blake, who made his 15th postseason appearance for the club, was a key moment, helping avoid the dreaded and ever-dangerous 2-1 scoreline.

    “There is momentum and swings and sways of a game that determine the outcome, and if you concede a goal there, we are under pressure even at two to one,” Carnell said about the importance of Blake’s penalty save in the 33rd minute. “In the last game, we scored a goal and five minutes later we are two up. When they scored a goal, five minutes later it was two to two. These five-minute increments of the sway of the game are vitally important.”

    What’s next for the Union?

    Unfortunately, a lengthy break awaits as the league pauses for the November international window. Players such as Blake, Jean-Jacques, Baribo, and others will depart Chester to represent their nations on the global stage, with the window ending on Nov. 18.

    Once the playoffs resume after three weeks off, the Union will face the winner of the Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC series on either Nov. 22 or 23 with the rest of the playoffs now becoming single-elimination matches. 

    The decisive Match 3 of that series will be played at Bank of America Stadium on November 7, with the kickoff time still to be determined.

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    José Nuñez

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  • The Union’s Path to MLS Cup – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia Union accomplished its first goal, winning the Supporters’ Shield. Now, the club’s path to its first-ever MLS Cup is established. Fortunately, the path has fallen in the Union’s favor.

    The Cup Runs Through Philadelphia

    One of the biggest perks of winning the Supporters Shield is that as long as the Union is alive, they will be playing at home in Subaru Park. With the wildcard round in the book, we know the Union will start their run against the Chicago Fire.

    The Union dominated the fire in the regular season. With a 4-0 win at home and a 1-0 win on the road. Should the Union see out 2 wins in the best of 3 series, they will be off to the Eastern Semifinals, where they would face the winner of Charlotte and NYCFC.

    Charlotte has been hot and defeated the Union in the regular finale in Charlotte. On the other hand, everyone knows of the playoff rivalry the Union and NYCFC have built. However, the bracket fell in the Union’s favor.

    Columbus, Nashville, Charlotte, and Miami all have to face off to get to the Conference Finals. The Union will avoid them until the Conference Finals. Those 4 teams house ridiculous firepower and can get hot and beat any team at any time. 

    Of course, all eyes are on Inter Miami. Lionel Messi is looking to get his hands on his first MLS Cup. It is very possible will have to go through the GOAT to reach their dreams.

    A Chance to Right the Past

    The Union is searching for what would be their second-ever appearance in the MLS Cup final. Unfortunately, we all know how the first in 2022 ended. Now, the league has gotten stronger and more competitive. The biggest difference is that the Union does not have to leave home.

    Not many expected the Union to make the playoffs. Now, they are coming in with a Supporters Shield-sized chip on their shoulder. Who’s to say Bradley Carnell’s revamped Union can’t make the full run to glory?

     

    Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation

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  • Union begin quest for 1st MLS title with 3-game series vs. Fire

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    (Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)

    Bradley Carnell’s first year as coach of the Philadelphia Union has been a revelation, as he has transformed a team that finished 12th in the MLS Eastern Conference last year into a winner of the Supporters’ Shield.

    Now it is on to the postseason for the Union, who open a three-game series at home against the Chicago Fire on Sunday night in Chester, Pa.

    Philadelphia is attempting to capture the MLS Cup for the first time and become the eighth team in league history to win the title after finishing with the best regular-season record.

    The last club to accomplish the feat was Los Angeles FC in 2022, when they topped the visiting Union on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 3-3 draw.

    ‘The last time that we were in this position, where we finished first in the East, we had to go away for MLS Cup,’ Nathan Harriel said. ‘It makes a big difference being home versus away in these games. It’s great to know that the rest of this year can run through Philadelphia, and it will run through Philadelphia.’

    Harriel is part of Carnell’s signature pressing, structured defense, which surrendered the fewest goals (35) in MLS.

    Led by Kai Wagner (two goals, 11 assists) and Jakob Glesnes, who are two of the three nominees for MLS Defender of the Year, Philadelphia has posted 14 clean sheets, including a pair against Chicago.

    In the most recent matchup, a 4-0 domination at home Aug. 23, four different players scored, including Tai Baribo, who leads the Union with 16 goals.

    Since then, however, Chicago has gone 5-1-2, including a 3-1 win Wednesday over Orlando City in the Eastern Conference wild-card game as Hugo Cuypers scored a brace in the second half.

    ‘They’ve changed formations. They’ve changed a lot of different things that have matched up to the opponent,’ Carnell said. ‘But what they don’t change is the quality of their group, and their front three are excellent soccer players.’

    In addition to Cuypers (19 goals), the trio includes Philip Zinckernagel (15 goals, 17 assists) and Jonathan Bamba (five goals, 11 assists).

    They pace an offense that produced 68 goals, which was the second most in the league and helped boost the Fire to their first playoff berth since 2017.

    Chicago has not won at Philadelphia since 2013.

    ‘They’re Supporters’ Shield champs for a reason,’ Fire coach Gregg Berhalter said. ‘They have a deep squad, so we’ll have our hands full.’

    –Field Level Media

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  • Is Something Magical Brewing for the Union? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia Union came into 2025 a mess. The club was selling fan favorites, not listening to fans’ needs, and trying to find its identity in the post-Jim Curtin era. Surprisingly, they found that identity quickly.

    Now, the Union are 5 games away from glory.

    Leading the Shield Race

    The Union has a slight grasp of the 2025 MLS Supporters Shield. The reward is given to the team with the most points in MLS at the end of the season. Last week, the club achieved perhaps its greatest victory in 2025, a 1-0 win in Cincinnati. 

    The win gives the Union a firm hold of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Union holds a 5-point advantage over second-place Cincinnati. Realistically, the Union should have their eyes on Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. Miami has 4 games in hand on the Union. If they turn those 4 games into 12 points, Miami can snatch the shield away.

    However, Miami has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. In their loss to Seattle in the Leagues Cup final, a post-match altercation will leave Miami without Luis Suarez for 3 MLS games. Simultaneously, Miami’s busy summer schedule has them shoving 9 games in their final 6 weeks of play. There is a high chance that an older Miami team just runs out of gas.

    This does not mean the Union is in the clear for the Shield. Their biggest contenders are going to be expansion side San Diego, in the Western Conference. San Diego is just 1 point behind the Union. Both San Diego and the Union likely face their biggest remaining challenge this weekend. San Diego hosts Minnesota, who are 2nd in the West. While the Union travels up north to face Vancouver, who are 3rd in the west.

    All Trophies Still in Play

    The Supporters Shield is not the only trophy the Union is fighting for. Philly is still in the US Open Cup tournament, and any team can make a run through the MLS Cup playoffs. The Union travels to Nashville in the Open Cup semifinals next Tuesday. 

    As far as the MLS Cup goes, should the Union at least hold on to the top spot in the East, the Eastern Conference playoffs would come through Philadelphia. In 2022, Union fans learned how valuable home-field advantage is in the playoffs.

    Who would have thought that an American treble would be on the table for the Union in 2025? The Supporters Shield, US Open Cup, and MLS Cup are calling the Union’s name. Can the Union shock the world and dominate American club soccer in 2025? Or is more heartbreak in store for the Union faithful?

    Nonetheless, the 2025 campaign has been a pleasant surprise for Union fans. Let’s hope the club leaves with some trophies to show for it.

     

    Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation

    The post Is Something Magical Brewing for the Union? appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.

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    Ryan Hall

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  • L.A. Galaxy takes third place in Leagues Cup with late winner over Orlando

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    (Photo credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images)

    Joseph Paintsill scored his fourth goal of the Leagues Cup in the 67th minute to lift the LA Galaxy to a 2-1 victory over visiting Orlando City in Sunday’s third-place match.Marco Reus added his third goal of the tournament earlier for the Galaxy, who qualified for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup with the victory.It will be the Galaxy’s second consecutive appearance in the event following a nine-year drought. They secured a bye to the round of 16 in 2025 via their 2024 MLS Cup title and reached the quarterfinals, but are all but mathematically eliminated from 2025 playoff contention.Martin Ojeda leveled with his fourth goal of the tournament in the 60th minute for Orlando. The Lions, who currently sit eighth in the Supporters’ Shield and fifth in the Eastern Conference, can still earn a third consecutive Concacaf berth via their regular season finish or by winning MLS Cup.Paintsil put LA in front for the second time after helping pressure Orlando into a turnover.John Nelson was first to reach the loose ball and quickly played it square to Paintsil, who let it run across his body before sending a low shot from beyond the 18-yard box that beat Pedro Gallese to the bottom right corner.Paintsil nearly added a second the 82nd minute with an effort that struck the crossbar, and Miki Yamane’s rebound attempt was denied by Gallese’s fabulous reaction save.Orlando’s best looks at a late second leveler came through the air, with Ojeda flashing one effort wide of the right post and Alex Freeman sending another directly at goalkeeper Novak Micovic.Reus put the Galaxy in front in the ninth minute.Yamane began the attack when he used his pace to elude an Orlando defender near midfield before spraying a ball to Gabriel Pec down the right.Pec beat another defender off the dribble, then sent in a low cross into the run of Reus, who powered a one-touch effort past Gallese.Ojeda pulled Orlando level after a period of sustained possession in LA’s end.Eventually Ivan Angulo played a cross from the byline on the left toward Luis Muriel, who redirected it with an outstretched leg to Ojeda near the six-yard box. Ojeda reacted superbly, hammering an instinctive half volley past Micovic from close range.–Field Level Media

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  • Union Falter as the Shield is Slipping Out of Their Hands – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia Union were in control of their destiny. However, after a disappointing loss against the New York Red Bulls, the Union’s grasp on the Supporters’ Shield is slipping.

    What Went Wrong in New York

    Entering the match Saturday, the Union had just defeated the Red Bulls 3-2 in the US Open Cup on Wednesday. Despite that, the Union could not get anything going against their rival. Both teams featured different starting 11s from their meeting earlier in the week. Unfortunately, it seems it was another week where Bradley Carnell chose squad rotation over chasing trophies.

    The Union did not put their best team on the field, and it cost them. To make matters worse, the Union lost Andre Blake to a hamstring injury mid-game as well.

    The bigger issue is that if Tai Baribo isn’t scoring goals, the offense has been a snoozefest. New addition Milan Iloski is still getting his feet wet with the Union. But if Chris Donovan is the best guy you have off the bench when you need a goal, then your team will not sniff a trophy.

    The Union has dropped points on multiple weeks now since Bradley Carnell has chosen squad rotation. With just 7 matches left in the MLS season, the Union cannot afford any more slip-ups if they want to grab their second Supporters’ Shield in club history.

    Where the Standings Sit Now

    Unfortunately, the Union now sits 3rd in the Supporters Shield race. They sit 1 point behind Cincinnati and San Diego for the top spot. The Union’s Shield hopes ultimately lie in the next 3 MLS games. They face Chicago at home in a must-win game. Then, they got on the road back-to-back against Cincinnati and Vancouver.

    If the Union can manage at the very least 7 points from that stretch, then they may have a chance at the Shield. However, a loss to Cincinnati would all but close the door on the Union’s hopes.

    However, as always, a GOAT is lurking in the shadows. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami still have their 3 games in hand. If Miami wins out, they run away with the shield, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Taking a look at Miami’s schedule, while it is very crowded, it is far from the hardest we have ever seen.

    What Can the Union Do?

    The Union can still run the “American Treble”. Meaning they grab the Supporters Shield, MLS Cup, and US Open Cup, in one season. However, that reality gets bleaker by the day. Besides, the fact that we are nearing September and the Union is vying for all the trophies is a shock considering the state of the team heading into the season.

    The ball ultimately falls in Bradley Carnell’s lap. This is not Carnell’s first rodeo with an overperforming team. We all saw him take St Louis to the top of the Western Conference in their first-ever MLS season just a few years ago. Now, he finds himself in a similar situation.

    While grabbing all 3 trophies is unlikely, the most interesting aspect is which ones the Union chase the most. If the last few weeks tell us anything, the Supporters Shield is likely at the bottom of the list. Next, being the US Open Cup and the MLS Cup is the number one goal.

    When it comes to a team that has a fairly bare trophy case, beggars can’t be choosers. Any trophy that comes out of what was supposed to be a rebuild year will be a welcome sight and achievement. It is up to Bradley Carnell to ensure they stay on track and not leave 2025 empty-handed.

     

    Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation

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  • Gareth Bale And LAFC Win MLS Cup, Put New Premium On Role Players

    Gareth Bale And LAFC Win MLS Cup, Put New Premium On Role Players

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    Not every MLS club has the kind of quality-of-life perks that can convince a star of Gareth Bale’s caliber to play for less than $2.4 million in guaranteed annual compensation. And not every player of Bale’s stature would be content as a late-game weapon off the bench, even if — as we’re told here — that owed mostly to injury.

    But when Bale hammered an astounding 128th-minute leveler past Andre Blake to send Satuday’s MLS Cup final to penalties — where LAFC triumphed following a 3-3 draw — he may have also ushered in a new era: The age of MLS role players.

    Bale’s role as a sort of late-game, not-so-secret weapon made him just one of several LAFC players who had highly focused parts to play at times during their domestic double-winning season.

    Heck, he wasn’t even the only key roleplayer Saturday. Back-up goalkeeper John McCarthy had to be called into action because of an injury to Maxime Crepeau, but his acumen at saving penalties is so exceptional he might have come on as a late-game sub anyway. He was used this way in previous U.S. Open Cup matches at his previous team — the Union.

    Elsewhere on the pitch, former LAFC center back Mamadou Fall was a set piece aerial menace before leaving on a loan move to Villareal B. Ryan Hollingshead was originally intended to be LAFC’s offensive-minded right fullback, though injuries conspired to see him start 22 games at right back.

    This approach isn’t exactly novel in team sports or even in soccer — although it is far easier in soccer recently in the wake of pandemic-era rules changes allowing up to five subs per team, per match. It is however, very rarely taken to the extent in MLS that LAFC were able to by bringing in stars like Bale and Giorgio Chielini on team-friendly deals. (LAFC’s 15 goals scored by substitute’s were the third-most in MLS history.)

    The roster rules in MLS have for most of the league’s life made it difficult for teams to invest money with a focus on depth rather than top-end talent. But those restrictions have loosened slowly over the last decade, with the introduction of general and targeted allocation money to be used on roster spending, and more recently the creation of the league’s U22 initiative. And with the influx of some new money from the league’s new $2.5-billion, 10-year streaming deal with Apple, there’s reason to believe they may loosen even more in the near future.

    While not every club can lure a Bale-like player on a below-market-value contract, those developments should lead to salaries being spread more evenly across 30-man rosters. And that in turn will lead to more sporting directors and managers to think not only about spending purposefully on 90-minute players, but only those who can fill a crucial role in shorter shifts.

    There are already some signs of this occurring beyond LAFC. The crosstown rival LA Galaxy are a great example. Veteran midfielders Victor Vazquez and Sacha Kljestan inhabited the role of calming influences in the center of the park, though their 90-minute days are mostly behind them. Dejan Joveljic was arguably the best bench scorer in the league, and all the while Greg Vanney mostly resisted the temptation to start him alongside Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.

    Elsewhere, Felipe was chief agitator in reserve at Austin FC. Dom Dwyer had a bit of a career resurrection as a super sub striker for Atlanta United. Philadelphia’s Jack McGlynn and Cory Burke were starting-level attacking options off the bench.

    Furthermore, at the most-recent IFAB meeting in June, the governing body of the laws of the game made using five substitutes during a match a permanent option for competitions around the world. Should MLS opt to keep five subs in its league games, it only stands to reason that teams will have more incentive to assemble a wider range of skillsets for managers to be able to deploy at the most opportune times.

    Sure, the Black & Gold may be a special case. Everything in Los Angeles generally is when it comes to MLS. But they may also be a test case, one that passed its examination in stunning fashion when Bale scored in the dying moments on Saturday afternoon.

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    Ian Nicholas Quillen, Contributor

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  • Best vs best: MLS Cup final pits LAFC, Philadelphia Union

    Best vs best: MLS Cup final pits LAFC, Philadelphia Union

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    LOS ANGELES — Major League Soccer’s playoff system rarely rewards the league’s best regular-season teams with the championship celebration they would get in most other top domestic leagues.

    This season, the identity of the league’s best team will be crystal-clear when the MLS Cup is raised Saturday.

    Los Angeles FC and the Philadelphia Union were the top teams in their respective conferences all year long, and they finished the regular season with identical point totals. They’ve survived the playoff gauntlet to play for both franchises’ first MLS Cup title in a rare instance of the best truly facing the best.

    “I think it’s two teams that deserve to be here, the best two teams in the regular season,” Philadelphia captain Alejandro Bedoya said.

    For the first time in 19 years, MLS’ two conference leaders are playing for the title. They’ll meet at Banc of California Stadium amid the roiling, raucous fan atmosphere created for LAFC, which is seeking the crowning achievement to its half-decade of success since joining MLS in 2018.

    “I said from the first day, this club is special,” LAFC captain Carlos Vela said. “This is a really good chance for us, for myself to do something good for them and get something back for fans, for the club, for families, for everybody that’s involved in this club. We have to enjoy it and bring everything, because it’s the most important game of this club.”

    LAFC will attempt to become only the second team in the past 11 years to win both the Supporters’ Shield as the regular season’s top team — the championship standard in nearly all other top soccer leagues — and the postseason playoff trophy. Just seven of the league’s first 26 regular season champions also won the MLS Cup final.

    Philadelphia and LAFC were the two highest-scoring teams in the league this season while topping their respective conferences and finishing with 67 points apiece. LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield because it had two more victories, but Philadelphia had a far superior goal differential.

    These two teams have reached their league’s pinnacle together by taking dissimilar paths. They’ve been two of MLS’ most consistently successful teams over the past half-decade, winning three of the past four Supporters’ Shield trophies.

    Philadelphia’s foundation is built on the products of its innovative player academy, and the Union bolster their lineup with under-the-radar transfer acquisitions. The Union’s starting lineup costs a fraction of LAFC’s group, but under the innovative strategic mind of longtime coach Jim Curtin, they have built a durable core that fits perfectly into an aggressive style of play.

    While the Philadelphia Phillies play in the World Series and the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles reign atop the overall NFL standings, the city’s scrappy soccer team is trying to grab its own trophy.

    “Growing with the club since I (arrived) there in 2014, the club has really come a long way,” said Andre Blake, the Union’s star Jamaican goalkeeper. “I think the biggest thing is the culture has changed, and we are really more of a club that’s never satisfied. We always want to win. We’re not just OK with being in the league. We want to be one of those clubs that every time you talk about the MLS, our name pops up.”

    LAFC has made a splash from its start with Mexican star Vela, but the club has made smart acquisitions from unusual spots across the globe to build a powerhouse roster. After missing the playoffs last season, LAFC roared back to dominance under first-year coach Steve Cherundolo, the German-trained native Californian who instilled a flexible, detail-oriented tactical mindset.

    Vela has been solid as usual, but LAFC’s best player has been Cristian Arango, who has scored a whopping 30 goals in 51 matches since signing out of Colombia’s domestic league last year.

    “We are in a position to do something good, to really say we made something special,” Vela said.

    The Hollywood team with co-owners including Will Ferrell and Magic Johnson also landed two more major stars this year, signing Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini and Welsh forward Gareth Bale at midseason.

    While the 38-year-old Chiellini has been a solid contributor in central defense and a strong leader, LAFC has reached the final with a minimal contribution from Bale. The Welsh superstar scored two quick goals after joining the club, but he has played only five minutes since Sept. 18 and none since Oct. 2 while dealing with an unspecified injury, possibly prioritizing his fitness for Wales’ first World Cup appearance in 64 years later this month.

    Just as he often was at Real Madrid, Bale is largely a hobbled spectator while his club chases trophies. Yet Bale also has a knack for delivering on big stages, making him a compelling factor in the MLS Cup final.

    “One of them barely plays, but he’s a big guy, right?” Bedoya said with a grin when asked to evaluate LAFC’s big-name additions. “That’s a headline. But no, it’s a team that has incredible talent. We all know that. That’s no disrespect to him. He’s a fantastic player.”

    ———

    AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • History Says Visiting Philadelphia Union Can Win MLS Cup — If They Work Overtime

    History Says Visiting Philadelphia Union Can Win MLS Cup — If They Work Overtime

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    If you follow MLS regularly, you know the league has one of the strongest home field advantages in North American pro sports and in global club soccer. And if past history is to be believed, that advantage grows even larger in the MLS Cup final.

    Well, sort of.

    Home teams have won at least 48% of MLS regular season and playoff matches (after 90 minutes plus stoppage time) in every 34-game season played since 2012, with the percentage rising above 50% in several of those years.

    Entering Saturday’s MLS Cup final between hosts LAFC and the visiting Philadelphia Union, 2022 home teams have a 49% win rate, with another 25% of matches finishing level after 90 minutes.

    Yet since the league switched to an MLS Cup format where the higher remaining seed hosts the final, the away team in the final has pulled off only one regulation victory in 13 tries. This includes the last 11 MLS Cup finals, as well as the 1997 and 2002 games, in which D.C. United and the New England Revolution, respectively, reached finals they were already selected to host as the “neutral” site.

    However, when you add games decided in overtime or penalties, the road team has lifted the cup on four of those 13 occasions, a trend that could be of particular use to bettors or producers of the 6 o’clock news in Philadelphia. The 2002 LA Galaxy won their MLS Cup in New England on a golden goal; The Seattle Sounders in 2016 and New York City FC last year both required penalties.

    Home teams have also required extra time on two occasions, making home teams’ 90-minute record 7-1-5 (W-L-D) in those 13 games. Those seven wins in 13 games is statistically similar to the winning rate of home teams in MLS overall. And you might expect it to be a little higher, since the better regular season performer is nearly always the home team in MLS Cup (the lone exception being New England in 2002).

    So maybe it’s not home field advantage overall that is greater in the MLS Cup so much as home field momentum. Away teams appear to have just as much of a chance as they always do so long as they’re tied or in the lead. But if they go behind, they can lose their grip on the game more quickly.

    There’s two points of evidence for this. The first is there have been more 90-minute home wins by two goals in MLS Cup (five) than by one goal (two). The second is that only one away MLS Cup final team has ever leveled after falling behind — when New England’s Chris Tierney scored in the 79th minute of the 2014 final against the LA Galaxy. (The Galaxy won in extra time on Robbie Keane’s 111th-minute winner.)

    The good news for the Union is they might be better equipped than most to lift a trophy in those road conditions, for a couple reasons.

    Firstly, there is usually at least a small gap in regular season performance between the higher seeded MLS Cup host and lower seeded visitor. But in this case, the Union are literally having to travel across the continent for the game because MLS uses total wins as its first tiebreaker in the standings. In other leagues that use goal-differential as the first tiebreak, the Union would be hosting after both teams finished with 67 points.

    Secondly, it’s the Union who have been the more likely to play from the early lead this season. They’ve entered halftime with a lead in 18 of 36 regular season and playoff games. By contrast, LAFC have held a first-half lead on only nine of 36 occasions, and even at home the Black & Gold have led only six out of 19 times at half.

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    Ian Nicholas Quillen, Contributor

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  • What If Gareth Bale Is A Bust And LAFC Wins MLS Cup Anyway?

    What If Gareth Bale Is A Bust And LAFC Wins MLS Cup Anyway?

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    When news first circulated this June that Los Angeles Football Club would be adding Gareth Bale to an already talented, first-place squad, conventional wisdom suggested the rest of their season would go one of two ways:

    1. Bale would add an extra gear to the Black & Gold as they steamrolled to their first MLS Cup title, or …
    2. He would ruin team chemistry as a square peg inside a round hole and sabotage an excellent season.

    Perhaps we should’ve seen envisioned a third scenario that already transpired once in his last season at his former club, Real Madrid: That Bale plays a largely ornamental role, and the most talented team in the league — Bale’s team — wins the title anyway.

    There’s still two games to go, of course, but that third possibility now appears entirely credible after LAFC vanquished intracity rival the LA Galaxy 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday night.

    That’s not to say LAFC haven’t benefited from their ability to splash cash during the summer transfer window where other teams might not have as many resources.

    Cristian Arango, added during the 2021 summer window, scored Thursday night’s match-winning goal, his 31st in 52 MLS regular season and playoff appearances. Denis Bouanga, signed this summer from St. Etienne in France, was man of the match with two goals and a key contribution on Arango’s winner. He also scored the goal that sealed LAFC’s Supporters’ Shield triumph in Portland.

    But Bale was not even on the team sheet, officially recovered from a minor injury but not yet fit enough to play, according to the FS1 broadcast. And given how LAFC acquitted itself, it’s hard to imagine a scenario at this point where he is anything more than a bit-part player this postseason.

    While Bale started life at LAFC well, scoring twice in his first four matches, it’s been downhill since. He’s played 355 minutes in 12 appearances. His new side failed to score while he was on the field in either of his two starts, and overall LAFC have posted a -5 goal differential when he’s on the pitch. In those same games, they’ve outscored opponents by 11 goals when he’s not on the field.

    So while there remains some chance he could be scapegoated as the one piece of the LAFC puzzle that failed to come through if they fall short of MLS Cup, it’s near-equally likely he could leave a somewhat confusing legacy as an MLS Cup winner.

    There’s many examples of European stars who come to MLS and immediately lift their new teams to a next level. Among them: Robbie Keane at the LA Galaxy, David Villa at New York City FC and Wayne Rooney at D.C. United. Equally, there are stars whose arrivals seemed to do as much harm as good, at least at first. Exhibit A would be the early years of David Beckham’s tenure at the LA Galaxy, and the most recent example might be Gonzalo Higuain’s first season-and-a-half at Inter Miami.

    But what do you make of a star of Bale’s brightness having almost no tangible impact?

    One interpretation could be that LAFC have built one of the first MLS brands bigger than a single global icon. But Bale has been — from outward appearances at least — a model citizen since his arrival in Southern California. And this might all have gone differently if he had expressed displeasure publicly with how he had been used so far.

    A second potential argument is that his mere presence had a benefit even if it didn’t come with on-field production. The idea that a guy who played at Real Madrid could replace you if you don’t perform could have been a motivator to players like Arango and Bouanga, in particular. Conversely, all the attention given to Bale since his arrival may have actually taken pressure off the rest of the roster.

    In the long term, it seems like Bale’s MLS chapter is unlikely to change many minds in front offices about their approach toward signing big stars. Clubs inclined to stay away from big names are likely to look at Bale’s underwhelming impact as evidence that such star power is unnecessary. Clubs who want glitz and glamour might see Bale’s travails as evidence you can swing and miss on one big signing and still succeed on the field if you do other things right.

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    Ian Nicholas Quillen, Contributor

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