For the first time since 2003, the top seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference will compete in the MLS Cup Final as Los Angeles FC host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Banc of California Stadium.
It will be the fourth time that the decisive fixture in this competition will feature two teams appearing in the Final for the first time, as the Black and Gold shut out Austin FC 3-0 in their match last Sunday, while the Union came back to beat New York City FC 3-1.
Match preview
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Throughout the 2022 campaign, it has been MLS Cup or bust for Steve Cherundolo and his LAFC side, who are the first Supporters' Shield winners to qualify for the Final since Toronto won it all in 2017.
They are only the ninth team to finish the regular season with the best record in the league and make it to this stage, with seven of the previous eight going on to win the cup.
The 2022 version of LAFC consists of players with star-powered reputations on various levels, some of whom are famous names that European football fans know well, others are mainstays in MLS and some who might be vital figures for their national teams in the CONCACAF region.
All of those components have proven to be a successful recipe for the Black and Gold this year as there is a good mix of glitz and glamour, as you might expect in a city like Los Angeles, along with some grit and quality experienced defensive players.
LA have scored six goals in their two playoff fixtures and are unbeaten in their four home matches this year against Eastern Conference sides.
They outscored their opponents 10-2 in those matches, with their only two goals conceded coming in a 2-2 draw versus the Union in May.
During the regular season, the Black and Gold won a league-high 13 encounters at home, one more than Philly, while they scored three goals or more on 10 occasions at Banc of California Stadium, including the playoffs.
In four previous meetings versus Philadelphia, LAFC have never lost, though the last three encounters between them in the regular season ended as a draw, while they both managed to find the back of the net in each game.
Their attack-minded setup has often overwhelmed opposing defences, scoring 66 goals during the regular season, many coming from some excellent build-up play and a lot of possession.
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An early second-half setback for the Union seemed to wake them up in the conference final, with the home side answering the opening goal by Maxi Moralez within eight minutes as they avenged their defeat versus NYCFC from 2021.
Some splendid goalkeeping after going behind 1-0 gave this team a burst of energy, as Jim Curtin and his side in the end for full marks for their victory.
For some teams, scoring a goal changes your setup and you become more complacent and hang back, but when the Union strike, they look determined to pour it on, scoring two goals within five minutes of one another on 13 occasions this year, including in the Eastern Conference Final.
Their victory last week was the 11th straight one for them at home, including the playoffs, equalling the MLS record set by the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011.
That being said, Philly were still a pretty good road team throughout the regular season, winning seven times, which was tied for fourth in the league in 2022.
Only one team had more goals this season than LAFC, the Union, who found the back of the net 72 times, though they failed to score in their final two away fixtures.
Throughout the campaign, the Boys in Blue were well-organised along the back end and easily the most challenging side to break down defensively, conceding a league-low 26 goals this year, while posting seven clean sheets away from home.
While LA were successful by adding the right newcomers to this team and bringing in veteran experience, the Union's success comes down to patience and learning through failures.
The core of this group have been here for years, steadily developing into elite individuals who can put that talent in a system designed for the betterment of the team.
Team News
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Cristian Arango has scored the winning goal for LAFC in each of their playoff triumphs, while Kwadwo Opoku notched his first of the postseason last weekend, with Maxi Urruti aiding them with an own goal and Maxime Crepeau collecting his first clean sheet since the start of September.
Former Italian captain Giorgio Chiellini made his first career MLS playoff start in the West Final as he was paired with Jesus Murillo in central defence.
Chiellini would later be replaced by Sebastien Ibeagha in the second half, while Carlos Vela has been involved in a goal in each of their playoff fixtures.
Gareth Bale was on the bench for the entire 90 minutes against Austin, Sebas Mendez has come on as a substitute in each of their playoff encounters, while Latif Blessing has been a healthy scratch in each of their last two games.
A massive stop by the 2022 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Andre Blake, dramatically changed the fortunes of Philadelphia in the Conference Final when they trailed 1-0.
Julian Carranza and Daniel Gazdag scored two minutes apart to reverse that scoreline, while Cory Burke put the icing on the cake with his first of the year since finding the back of the net in a 6-0 triumph over the Colorado Rapids.
Last weekend, Alejandro Bedoya made his first start of the 2022 postseason, while Jack McGlynn came on as a substitute after starting in their 1-0 victory over FC Cincinnati and Mikael Uhre is searching for his first goal of the playoffs after scoring 12 in the regular season.
McGlynn was the only change made by Curtin to his starting 11 against NYCFC, while Matthew Real sat out after coming on as a substitute versus Cincy.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Hollingshead, Murillo, Chiellini, Escobar; Cifuentes, Sanchez, Acosta; Vela, Arango, Bouanga
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; McGlynn, Martinez, Flach; Gazdag; Carranza, Uhre
We say: Los Angeles FC 1-1 Philadelphia Union (LAFC wins on penalties)
These are two elite-level teams who excel in similar categories. Both are capable of scoring in bunches, while the Union have a slight edge defensively, but LA have a solid defensive midfield setup.
While this will be the first MLS Cup Final for either side, LA have veterans who have played on the most prominent football stages, and the experience of Bale and Chiellini, among others, could be that little extra needed to give the Black and Gold a narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
