LAFC won its first-ever MLS Cup on Saturday night, coming from behind to draw 3-3 with Philadelphia Union before winning 3-0 on penalties.
Kellyn Acosta opened the scoring for LAFC in the 28th minute, handing the Los Angeles-based side the half-time lead. In the 59th minute, Dániel Gazdag leveled for Union before Jesús Murillo restored LAFC’s lead with seven minutes left on the clock. Just two minutes later, Jack Elliott brought Philadelphia to level yet again to send the game into extra time.
With the game looking set to go to penalties, Elliot scored in the 124th minute to hand Union what they believed to be the match-winner.
That was before former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale emerged as a game-changer for LAFC, coming off the bench in extra time to score four minutes later at the death of the match to send it to penalties.
Backup goalkeeper John McCarthy proved to be a star for LAFC in his own right, saving two penalties after only getting brought into the game during extra time. Denis Athanase Bouanga, Ryan Hollingshead, and Ilie Sánchez Farrés all converted their penalties to hand LAFC MLS Cup glory.
“This place deserves this,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo exclaimed following his team’s win. “These fans are amazing. They deserve a Cup, and they got it.”
