MLS Cup Final Preview: LAFC’s shot at creating a soccer dynasty
Los Angeles FC could not have won their first MLS Cup in more dramatic fashion. Penalties ultimately secured victory over the Philadelphia Union, but everyone – especially those of the black and gold persuasion – remembers that match last year for Gareth Bale's iconic equalizer in stoppage time or extra time. That was actually the moment LAFC got the win.
Steve Cherundolo's team will do well to match the spectacle of last year's MLS Cup, but they can retain their title by beating the Columbus Crew on Saturday. Only three teams (DC United, Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy) in MLS history have ever achieved a championship repeat. LAFC can finish fourth.
The MLS hasn't produced a true dynasty since the days of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane at LA Galaxy. The Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC both reached three MLS Cup finals in four years between 2016 and 2019, but the Galaxy's three MLS Cups won between 2011 and 2014 provided a level of dominance not seen in MLS this century. is visible.
LAFC may only win a second MLS Cup in two years this weekend, but victory over Columbus could mark the start of a new dynasty, especially when you factor in the two additional Supporters Shield victories between 2019 and 2022. This is a club that knows how to win. It's also a club that values winning more than any other club in MLS.
Under Bob Bradley, the Black and Gold were known for their dynamic, possession-based style of play. LAFC climbed to the Supporters' Shield in just their second season as an MLS franchise, setting a new standard for expansion teams, but faltered in the postseason, only reaching the Western Conference semifinals. What worked in the regular season failed in the playoffs.
This season they have taken a different approach under Cherundolo. While LAFC isn't as dynamic, even compared to last season when they won a Supporters' Shield and an MLS Cup double, their more pragmatic style has gotten them through the postseason and possibly to another championship. Knockout football brings out the best in a group of players who are now used to turning it on when it matters most.
Saturday's MLS Cup will be the ultimate test of LAFC's winning will. The Columbus Crew are the most ideologically pure team in MLS right now. Wilfried Nancy's energetic and risk-taking approach has made Columbus the most entertaining team in the league. Their controlled chaos makes them dangerous at every stage, as evidenced by last weekend's thrilling comeback win over FC Cincinnati. To topple Columbus, LAFC must do more than just win a football game; they must also win the philosophical argument.
Dynasties almost never occur in MLS due to the league's restrictive roster rules. However, LAFC is better at navigating the transfer market than anyone else. Their recruitment strategy takes into account the inevitable roster turnover that occurs each season. Look at how they've handled the departures of players like José Cifuentes and Diego Rossi while still making progress. Carlos Vela's departure will be processed next.
LAFC's current squad is perhaps the strongest ever assembled in MLS. They excel in quality from front to back. In Vela they have a reliable source of attacking creativity who has set the tone for the club since their expansion season with Denis Bouanga, the league's best finisher. They also have unparalleled depth in midfield and defence, as evidenced by the fact that US international Aaron Long is not even a guaranteed starter.
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All of this is in stark contrast to the recent fortunes of the LA Galaxy, who finished in second place in the Western Conference this season. After dominating MLS a decade ago, the Carson club has now missed the playoffs in three of the past four seasons and shows no signs of a quick turnaround.
Despite this, the LA Galaxy remains Los Angeles' biggest club globally, thanks in large part to Beckham's enduring legacy. It was once said that the Milky Way seems bigger the further away you are from it, and that still holds true, even as they struggle for results. The LA Galaxy is still seen internationally as LA's great franchise.
The more LAFC wins, the closer they get to a changing of the guard. This may have already happened in a local sense – although the LA Galaxy still attract more fans to their home games on average – and it has certainly happened in a football sense, but the sight of a new trophy with black and gold ribbons would have an impact. .
Bale's big moment last year was the culmination of many for LAFC. It won them their first MLS Cup and gave the club its first truly iconic moment: Bale's goal was viewed millions of times around the world. That's the thing about dynasties, though: they're not defined by just one triumph or iconic moment. They keep producing them. LAFC arrives in Columbus this weekend as defending champions, but they could leave so many more behind.