LA Galaxy Wins MLS Cup, but at Big Cost

Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Galaxy beat the stubborn Seattle Sounders 1-0 in the MLS Western Conference Finals on Saturday, November 30, and advanced to their tenth MLS Cup Final to be played a decade after their last appearance.

Although LA made it through the opening round by scoring 15 goals, this game was more like a typical postseason.

As expected from a playoff final, the game was a physical and intense battle until the Galaxy were able to capitalize on the Sounders’ only defensive error well into the second half.

“I think it’s great that we had three games like we did last time, but this is usually more like the playoffs in general,” LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney said in the post-match press conference. “So the question is, can you win a game 1-0 if necessary in the playoffs? And we certainly did.”

They will host the league event after Dejan Joveljić’s 85th-minute goal was enough for LA to become MLS Western Conference Champions. The Galaxy now have a chance to play for their sixth star next weekend at home against the New York Red Bulls.

It was a statement moment for LA and Vanney, completing a remarkable turnaround in the Galaxy’s fortunes in just one season.

Post LA Galaxy Match

Riqui Puig Paid the Fees

However, LA had to pay dearly for this victory.

Star midfielder Riqui Puig, who provided Joveljić with the game-winning assist, suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) during the match, Galaxy confirmed less than 24 hours after the win.

It’s hard to pinpoint when that moment occurred, but when the game was full, Puig already knew something was wrong. The Catalan collapsed into the arms of his parents and Vanney during Galaxy’s trophy celebrations, with a towel covering his tears of frustration.

It was a bucket of cold water that was a celebration of the Galaxy’s return to the top of the MLS mountain. Instead, they had to play the next match, the final, without their talisman. There will be many other impacts due to Puig’s injury, but the immediate impact will be his absence from the MLS Cup.

To get the Galaxy over the line, it was revealed that Puig continued to play more than thirty minutes despite his injury. His selfless play will surely cement him in Galaxy lore as it showcases what football fans call “defending the badge” or “playing for the shirt.” The Catalan’s brave performance to seal the win evoked memories of Kobe Bryant staying on the court to make two free throws to send the Lakers into the playoffs when he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

Football is cruel.

Puig and Galaxy fans will now understand this well. If not, Puig at least has a chance to compete for the cup on Saturday.

But as the team itself admits, “the work is not done.” The Los Angeles Galaxy still have work to do on December 7th.

What used to be a race for six it is now a rallying cry to “win it for Riqui.” The Galaxy will need to capitalize on the heart they have shown throughout the season to go on their first three-game winning streak during the Greg Vanney era, which was also achieved without Puig.

They will also have to show the determination and resilience that won them the game against the Sounders.

Read more: Why LA Galaxy Fans Should Be Thankful

Defenders Who Don’t Like Defending

Seattle Sounders Coach Brian Schmetzer and Sounders Midfielder Albert Rusnak may not want to hear this, but for a team that supposedly “doesn’t like to defend,” as Rusnak claimed before Seattle faced the Galaxy earlier this year in the League Cup, the Sounders were held scoreless by the Galaxy in three matches in all MLS competitions.

Not bad for a team with defense since it is a “weakness”.

LA held the Sounders to just four shots on goal on Saturday night and prevented them from creating big chances. The Galaxy also prevented Seattle from getting anything from set pieces, which is certainly a source of pride for a team that has struggled in that area all season.

When the Galaxy start to falter, defender Maya Yoshida or Emiro Garcés will make the final tackle. On the most dangerous set-pieces, John McCarthy made more than one big save.

“[Maya is a] great professional, great person and great leader, and it’s great to have him as my captain,” McCarthy told Extra Time Talk. “He’s come up big in big moments this year, and certainly, tonight, he made some big plays.”

With McCarthy a decade older than Garcés and the more experienced Yoshida at least 15 years older, both have placed the young Colombian defender under their tutelage. The trio’s partnership has seen the Galaxy lose just once in nine games since Garcés stepped into the starting lineup.

In his first conference final, Garcés had a 96% passing accuracy rate, three clearances and two interceptions. Most importantly, the 23-year-old won all but one of his five duels.

McCarthy doesn’t seem surprised by Garcés’ success.

“Emi was great too… really enjoyed playing. Work hard. Giving 100 percent on every play. And he’s fully invested in learning and getting better,” McCarthy shared with Extra Time Talk. “He showed something different and something better at a young age and a centre-back who comes with experience, and as time goes on, I think he can become something special too.”

Time will tell if Garcés becomes special. But on Saturday night against the Sounders, he produced some special moments to help the Galaxy win.

Will Delgado Make His Mark?

With the defense in its best form of the season, attention turns to a place that usually doesn’t raise concerns; the violation.

Typically, Vanney hands Puig the keys and says, “Drive.”

Puig’s injury means someone has to replace him. The most obvious person to play Puig’s creator/number 10 is the Bundesliga legend and recent Champions League finalist, Marco Reus.

Although a very different type of number 10, Reus’ vision should be most similar to Puig’s passing range. He doesn’t have the mobility and speed of Puig, but that might slow the game down to a Galaxy-like pace. There are questions about the former Germany international’s fitness post-Seattle, and that could open the door for Diego Fagundez to come into the squad.

No matter who Vanney goes with, and most likely it will only be one of Fagundez or Reus, a place in midfield is up for grabs.

Reus got the nod early against the Sounders, and the Galaxy struggled to break down a stubborn Seattle backline. In fact, for long periods of the first half, Seattle appeared to be ahead.

The introduction of Mark Delgado to start the second half changed the match.

More of a box-to-box midfielder than Reus, Delgado helped control a second-placed midfield after losing the ball more than once. His pressure was crucial to turning around a seemingly harmless throw-in for the Galaxy goal.

Not only did his pressing help him recover the ball, but his understanding with Puig, helped him know that Puig would be right in front of him, where a soft pass would find him and he would serve to Joveljić for the winner.

Vanney called Mark Delgado, the team’s “great equalizer” early this season, and if he starts on Saturday, he will be instrumental in ensuring this Galaxy team stays true to its game plan by being patient and picking their moments.

In what is sure to be a highly emotional match, Delgado’s experience and ability to bring balance to the Galaxy may be the difference between LA lifting their sixth title and them falling short.

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