Soccer Tejas
CARSON, Calif. – The Los Angeles Galaxy reclaimed the MLS Cup, winning a record-extending sixth league championship, in a 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday with 26,812 spectators at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Joseph Paintsil scored in the 9th minute, followed by Dejan Joveljić in the 13th to place the home side up by two in the opening stretch. Gastón Brugman delivered the assist for the opening goal on his way to being named MLS Cup MVP.
Sean Nealis struck for the New York Red Bulls in the 28th minute to cut the deficit.
Goalkeeper John McCarthy made four saves in the Galaxy victory, earning his second MLS Cup trophy in the last three seasons (2022, LAFC), becoming the seventh goalkeeper in league history to win multiple MLS Cups and the only to do so with both Los Angeles teams.
LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney became the seventh coach in MLS history to win multiple MLS Cups and the fourth with two different clubs. Vanney was a player with the Galaxy (1996–2001, 2008) but never won a league title during his playing career.
The championship also featured a first league title in the careers of Marco Reus, Maya Yoshida, Gabriel Pec, and Diego Fagúndez.
The match featured two of MLS’ founding clubs from the inaugural 1996 season. It also marked the first occasion two teams from the two largest U.S. media markets, New York City and Los Angeles, faced off in the championship game.
