LA Galaxy beat NY Red Bulls 2-1 to lift MLS Cup for the sixth time
Al Jazeera
Galaxy end their 10-year trophy drought with a record-extending sixth title, thanks to goals from Paintsil and Joveljic.
LA Galaxy have beaten New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win a record-extending sixth MLS Cup and snap a 10-year championship drought in North American football’s premier competition.
The final on Saturday looked like it would be a one-sided affair when favourites Galaxy scored twice within 13 minutes through Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic in front of a jubilant, sun-soaked crowd.
The vaunted Red Bulls defence, who lost Andres Reyes just before the start of the game due to illness, initially had no answer to the Galaxy’s attacks despite the hosts missing key midfielder Riqui Puig.
But the Red Bulls clawed a goal back in the 28th when the ball pinged around in front of goal from a corner before Sean Nealis fired past diving Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy.
The goal immediately changed the tone of the contest with the home side playing more tentatively and the Red Bulls going on the attack.