LAFC and Union Both Search for First MLS Cup
European media and fans are very critical of Major League Soccer’s playoff format.
The European system where the club with the most points in the season being crowned champion makes sure the best team in the league wins that season. A single elimination tournament gives weaker teams a chance to advance in the tournament and have a better shot of winning the league.
But that is not the case this season as the Philadelphia Union will play the Los Angeles Football Club on Saturday for the MLS Cup.
Both clubs finished the regular season at the top of their conferences and are both loaded with talent across the pitch.
The Union have been the most dominant team in the MLS this season. They led the league in goals with 72 and allowed the fewest number of goals in 26.
The attack was led by Hungarian midfielder Dániel Gazdag who was tied for second in the MLS in goals with 22 and had 10 assists to go with it.
But it takes more than one player to lead the league in goals and the Union’s forwards are just as important to this team’s success. Julián Carranza and Mikael Uhre had 14 and 13 goals on the season.
Having a midfielder that can score goals like Gazdag is not very common in soccer and it takes pressure off the strikers. The Union’s trio has been unstoppable all season and LAFC has a tough task in trying to cool them off.
Not only do the Union have one of the best attacks in the league, but they also have the best goalkeeper in Andre Blake. He led the MLS in clean sheets with 15 and in save percentage with 79.4%.
Blake’s reaction time and acrobatics in the net have made him a great keeper for most of his career but he is playing at his best right now.
Despite Blake’s amazing season, credit must be given to Philadelphia’s defenders as Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner were both in the top 10 in the MLS in interceptions and both made the MLS Best XI with Gazdag and Blake.
But LAFC is right behind the Union statistically as they have scored the second most goals in the league and have allowed the third least.
Los Angeles debatably has more talent on their roster than the Union and they certainly will have the best player on the pitch in Carlos Vela. Vela faced injury problems in the 2020 and 2021 seasons but when he is healthy, he is one of the best players in the MLS if not the best.
Also, Giorgio Chiellini, Gareth Bale and Cristian Tello have all gotten a lot of experience in European soccer and can prove to be pivotal for LAFC.
Despite all the experience from across the Atlantic, LAFC’s biggest offensive weapon is Cristian Arango. The Colombian forward has been a great addition for the club and leads Los Angeles in goals with 16.
One of the most unique aspects of this LAFC attack is they are dangerous with the ball outside of the penalty box. The club has combined for 10 goals outside of 18 yards and the Union backline will have to close out quickly to avoid any screamers from LAFC.
With both clubs dominating the regular season, they were on a crash course to meet in the final. The Union have been the more dominant team, but LAFC has better pure talent on their roster.
The two clubs will kickoff from Banc of California Stadium at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov 5 in one of the most anticipated MLS Cup finals in the league’s history as they both look to secure the first championship in franchise history.
Jayson O’Connell is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jbo5216@psu.edu.
