
The Los Angeles Galaxy are MLS champions once again after beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in a thrilling MLS Cup Finals showdown on Saturday.
This marks the Galaxy’s sixth MLS Cup win, extending the league record and the first since 2014. For the Red Bulls, it is a second MLS Cup Finals loss in as many trips, and they remain just one of the three original MLS franchises to never win the league.
Galaxy started the game strong, scoring in the ninth minute via Joseph Paintsil after Gaston Brugman played an impressive through ball. It was 2-0 four minutes later, with Dejan Joveljic picking up the ball near center and making a great run into the penalty area before scoring.
The Red Bulls cut into the deficit in the 28th minute after Sean Nealis used the confusion in the penalty box to pick up a loose ball and place it behind Galaxy’s goalie John McCarthy.
After an eventful first half, the Red Bulls made a push to get the second goal, but Galaxy managed to hold their ground and bring the game to an end without much sweat.
“This is kind of the stamp that we’re back,” said Galaxy’s head coach Greg Vanney after the game. “At the Galaxy, it’s about winning championships and I think that was, going into this week, that was the thing. We’ve proven, I think, that we’re back as an organization and now it’s to prove that we’re back as champions and we’re on top again.”
Galaxy now has two more MLS Cup wins than DC United, which is second on the all-time list with four titles.