MLS Cup 2024: LA Galaxy ends 10-year drought to win record sixth title

Early two goals helped LA take control of the game and win its first championship since 2014.

Los Angeles Galaxy have ended the wait of one decade as they beat New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the MLS Cup final, thanks to goals by Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic. Galaxy won their sixth MLS Cup title in front of 27,000 fans at a sold-out Dignity Health Sport Park in Carson, California.

Crown them. 👑@LAGalaxy are back on top of MLS. #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/J4qmcZ5t0k
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 7, 2024

A quick recap of the MLS Cup final

The Galaxy made a solid start with two early goals in the first 13 minutes. The early advantage helped LA take control of the game and win its first championship since 2014.

Nealis scored the opening goal for the Red Bulls in the 28th minute, volleying home a loose ball from a corner kick. The Galaxy saw few errors later in the game and New York missed the opportunity several times but couldn’t reach the equaliser till the end of first-half.

The second half started with an intense game, but the NY Red Bulls looked in a hurry to equal the score. Bulls had a chance in the 72nd minute through their captain, Emil Forsberg but Gabriel Pec and Galaxy substitute Marco Reus managed to hold the nerves. In the final minutes, New York missed a valuable equaliser during a goalmouth scramble in extra time.

🍾🍾🍾@LAGalaxy // #MLSCup pres. by Audi pic.twitter.com/UemBwtjRh8
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 8, 2024

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Riqui Puig-less Galaxy reclaimed their place at the summit of US soccer

LA Galaxy achieved the milestone without their star player, Riqui Puig. The Spaniard was a key player for the club during the playoffs, scoring four goals and three assists in four games. Puig also provided the game-winning assist in the MLS Cup Western Conference final against the Seattle Sounders.

Meanwhile, it was a valiant effort from the lowest-seeded team under the guidance of first-year head coach Sandro Schwarz. New York missed out winning their first MLS Cup championship. The young squad finished second in the Western Conference and delivered success in the playoffs.

Galaxy ended their incredible home run with 17 wins and three draws. Their head coach, Greg Vanney, also created history by becoming the fourth manager to win the MLS title with two different clubs, having won with Toronto FC in 2017.

LA Galaxy

MLS 2024

MLS Cup

New York Red Bulls

Riqui Puig

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.