LAFC won its first Major League Soccer title Saturday, defeating the Philadelphia Union in penalty kicks at Banc of California Stadium
Backup goalkeeper John McCarthy, who played only one game this season, came off the LAFC bench to make two saves in a penalty-kick shootout, giving the team its first league title in a dramatic MLS Cup final at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday.During the shootout, McCarthy guessed correctly twice, diving to his right to stop a shot by José Martínez and to his left to save a try by Kai Wagner.
That forced LAFC to play the rest of the overtime shorthanded, but more importantly, the collision forced Crepeau to leave the field on a cart, with McCarthy coming on in his place. And the first shot McCarthy saw got past him, with Jack Elliott knocking a loose ball in at the far post in stoppage time. It was his second goal of the game and it appeared to give the Union the title.
LAFC took the early advantage when Kellyn Acosta’s right-footed free kick from about 10 yards outside the box struck Philadelphia’s Jack McGlynn in the head and ricocheted past Blake. The 28th-minute goal, Acosta’s first in a postseason game, was only the second Blake has given up since Oct. 1. That allowed the Union to even the game in the 59th minute on a goal by Gazdag. The play, which was strange in its build-up, started with a corner kick that Murillo cleared well out of the box. The ball eventually found its way to Martínez, whose mishit shot from distance caromed to Gazdag in the box for an easy right-footed finish over Crepeau and just under the crossbarCommissioner Don Garber spoke about Lionel Messi’s potential move to the MLS, which may elevate the league.
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