CARSON, Calif. — The Los Angeles Galaxy overcame the New York Red Bulls to secure their sixth MLS Cup title here on Saturday, concluding a revitalized 2024 season by reclaiming the trophy they once dominated. The Galaxy surged to a 2-0 lead within the first 13 minutes, then managed to clinch a 2-1 victory. Goals […]
CARSON, Calif. — The Los Angeles Galaxy overcame the New York Red Bulls to secure their sixth MLS Cup title here on Saturday, concluding a revitalized 2024 season by reclaiming the trophy they once dominated.
The Galaxy surged to a 2-0 lead within the first 13 minutes, then managed to clinch a 2-1 victory. Goals came from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic, while steadfast defenders ensured the lead was maintained. Injured star Riqui Puig observed, then celebrated on the shoulders of his standout substitute, Gastón Brugman, as the crowd erupted in deafening jubilation.
And they accomplished this feat at their enduring stronghold, Dignity Health Sports Park, where they secured victories all season. The stadium trembled and fans waved towels as the Galaxy ascended back to prominence in Major League Soccer.
For a significant portion of nearly twenty years, they reigned supreme, from the league’s inception in 1996 to the mid-2010s. They participated in nine of the initial 19 MLS Cup finals, capturing five titles and accumulating a trophy collection no other MLS team has equaled.
However, as other teams advanced, the Galaxy lagged. As the league progressed, they failed to adapt. For almost ten years, they did not move past the MLS quarterfinals, missing the playoffs five times in a seven-year span, and did not lift any trophy.
They also breached roster regulations. Their transfer dealings appeared chaotic and unmethodical. By 2023, their loyal supporters were disillusioned. Major supporter groups began to boycott matches, contributing to the resignation of the club president. Discontent spread through the club’s facilities and, combined with injuries, led to an unprecedented low finish for LA Galaxy — 13th in the conference, 26th in the league.
In 2024, however, their revival was immediate. Head coach Greg Vanney regained stability within the squad, adhering to a long-term strategy. New general manager Will Kuntz recruited Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, and a range of supporting players, which drove the Galaxy to a second-place finish in the Western Conference.
The team then advanced through the playoffs, appearing to score effortlessly. On Saturday, they continued their momentum right from the kickoff, with Paintsil igniting a euphoric response from the full house of 26,812 fans within nine minutes.
In those early moments, the Galaxy’s midfield replacements for Puig and Marco Reus effectively answered doubts about their performance without two key stars. During the build-up to Paintsil’s goal, Brugman and Edwin Cerrillo executed a slick one-two pass, followed by Brugman delivering a perfectly timed through-ball to Paintsil, exploiting a gap that opened just before kickoff due to illness-related changes involving solid Red Bulls center back Andrés Reyes.
Just four minutes after Paintsil took advantage of that opportunity, Joveljic targeted it as well. He increased the lead with a clever shot, and the Southern California celebration that commenced with a Warren G performance prior to kickoff truly kicked into full swing. The Serbian striker reenacted the famous celebration of Galaxy legend Robbie Keane before bowing to the ecstatic crowd. Both he and Paintsil displayed Puig’s jersey — as the sidelined Spanish playmaker, wearing a suit jacket with family behind the Galaxy bench, celebrated enthusiastically.
However, it turned out that the celebration was a bit premature.
For 25 minutes, as Vanney remarked at the break, “we controlled every element of the match. Then, in the 28th minute, unexpectedly, New York defender Sean Nealis narrowed the gap — and “we somewhat fell off a cliff,” Vanney lamented. We became slightly passive,” and “allowed them too much ground.” The Red Bulls began to threaten from set pieces. By halftime, they were down 2-1, but very much back in contention.
After the break, though, the Galaxy regained their composure.
Now, they can finally reclaim their throne in MLS.
The league’s championship trophy, known as the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, is named after their owner, a stalwart of MLS. Now, it is once again the Galaxy’s moment to hoist it.
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6 minutes added for stoppage time
84′ Substitutions
Pec’s attempt at an insurance goal goes astray!
79′ Substitution
Diego Fagundez enters the game for Joveljic.
75′ Substitution
