LAFC vs Philadelphia Union Highlights
Oh boy, there sure are a ton of LAFC vs Philadelphia Union highlights to cover. After Saturday’s exhilarating MLS Cup final showdown that drew and ended on penalty kicks, the Los Angeles Football Club are officially the 2022 MLS Cup Champions!
There wasn’t a Hollywood screenwriter out there that could’ve written a better game script than this. With 6 total lead changes and three ties throughout the game, LAFC somehow got it all together in a last minute effort for the 3–3 draw in extra time stoppage. The legendary Gareth Bale surely saved the incredible 2022 season for the Black and Gold with his game tying header from the center box off an assist by Diego Palacios.
LAFC’s Kellyn Acosta started things off on a free kick goal that was deflected into the back of the net. Philadelphia Union’s Daniel Gazdag answered back with a score of his own, equalizing the match 1–1. We’ve grown accustomed to Carlos Vela’s corner kick assists, and there was no difference in the LAFC vs Philadelphia Union highlights as his corner to teammate Jesús Murillo was signed, sealed, and delivered for the 2–1 lead.
Of course, The Union had to keep things interesting by following up with another equalizer in the 85th minute of the match. Senior center back Jack Elliott had an enormous performance as his first strike went straight past LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, which eventually brought the game to extra time. Elliott then scored again during ET, securing a brace in what felt like the dagger into the hearts of LAFC fans at Banc of California Stadium.
Yet the show wasn’t over, this game wouldn’t have been known as the greatest MLS Cup finals ever if it were to end that early. Coming off the bench, Gareth Bale caught a perfectly elevated cross from Palacios and scored in the game tying goal at 3–3.
“I seem to have a knack for doing that,” Bale boasted as he celebrated his 128th minute equalizing goal that sent the game to PK. What a great summer signage by the Los Angeles Football Club. That said, he wasn’t the only hero on the field for LAFC. Following Crépeau’s brutal leg injury during extra time, backup goalkeeper John McCarthy stepped in what would be a career defining moment for him in hindsight.
Both LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Ryan Hollingshead scored their PKs, while McCarthy blocked Union’s shots by Jose Martinez and Kai Wagner. LAFC midfielder Ilie Sánchez then sealed the game-winning goal with the Black and Gold taking a 3-0 advantage and becoming 2022 MLS Cup champions.
“This place deserves this,” said coach Steve Cherundolo. “These fans are amazing. They deserve a Cup, and they got it.”
