A look ahead to the MLS Cup Final: LAFC’s chance to start a soccer dynasty
This was the most exciting way for Los Angeles FC to win their first MLS Cup. In the end, penalties won the game against the Philadelphia Union, yet everyone will remember Gareth Bale’s famous goal in stoppage time during extra time, especially fans of the dark blue and white. That was pretty much the moment LAFC won.
Steve Cherundolo’s team will have to work hard to make this year’s MLS Cup as exciting as last year’s. However, if they beat the Columbus Crew in Saturday, they can keep their title.
In MLS history, only three teams have ever won back-to-back championships. LAFC can move up to fourth place.
For MLS, there hasn’t been a real dynasty since David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane played for the LA Galaxy.
Between 2016 and 2019, both the Seattle Sounders as well as the Toronto FC made it to three MLS Cup games in four years.
However, the Galaxy’s three wins between 2011 and 2014 set a level of dominance that hasn’t been seen in MLS this century.
Today, LAFC can only win their second MLS Cup within two years, but a win over Columbus could be the start of a new era, especially when the two Supporters Shield wins between 2019 and 2022 are taken into account.
This team knows the way to win. The team also cares more about winning than any other team in MLS. It was known that the Black and Gold played fast and with a lot of ball when Bob Bradley was in charge.
In their first season as an MLS team, LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield, which set a new bar for expansion teams.
However, they struggled in the playoffs and only made it to the Western Conference semifinals.
The win over Columbus could be the start for a new dynasty for LAFC, even though it will only be their second MLS Cup within two years.
This is especially true when you consider the two Supporters Shield wins between 2019 and 2022.
This team knows how to win. Compared to any other MLS team, this one wants to win more than anyone else.
It was known that the Black as well as Gold played fast and with a lot of ball when Bob Bradley was in charge.
In their first season as an MLS team, LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield, which set a new bar for expansion teams.
However, they didn’t do as well in the playoffs and only made it to the Western Conference semifinals. Why did what worked during the regular season not work in the playoffs?
Under Cherundolo, they have tried something new this season. Even though LAFC isn’t as exciting as they were last season, when they won both the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup, their more practical style has helped them get to the playoffs and maybe even win another title.
This group of players is used to doing their very best when it means most, which makes knockout football a great place for them to do it.
The MLS Cup on Saturday is going to be the ultimate test of how much the LAFC wants to win. Right now, the Columbus Crew have the most morally pure team in Major League Soccer.
Ohio is the most fun team within the league to watch because Wilfried Nancy plays with a lot of energy and takes risks.
They are dangerous at every stage because they can handle chaos. Their thrilling comeback victory over FC Cincinnati last weekend is proof of this.
LAFC needs to do a lot more than win a football game to get rid of Columbus. They also need to win the philosophical fight.
Due to the league’s strict rules on rosters, dynasties almost never happen in the MLS. On the other hand, LAFC is the best at getting players from other teams.
Their hiring plan takes into consideration the fact that every season there will be players leaving the team.
You can see that they’ve made progress even though guys like José Cifuentes as well as Diego Rossi have left. After Carlos Vela’s exit, they will deal with it.
The LAFC team is probably the best one that has ever been put together in MLS history. Quality-wise, they are the best from in front to back. They can always count on Vela to come up with new ways to attack.
He has set the tone over the club since the start of the season in Denis Bouanga, who is the best scorer in the league.
They also have a lot of options in center and defense. For example, US international Aaron Long is not even a sure thing to start.