LAFC and Philadelphia Union played in the MLS Cup. The first part of the story is over.
The top teams in each of Major League Soccer's conferences have made it to the MLS Cup final for the first time in 19 years. The paths the organizations took couldn't have been more different as they try to win their first league title.
Philadelphia Union has been climbing for a long time. In their first eight years, the Union did not make the playoffs. The club hit upon a formula of heavy reliance on its academy and astute mining of the transfer market in order to become one in the last year. The Union has finished third in the Eastern Conference in three of the last four seasons.
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Philadelphia won the Eastern Conference regular-season title with a twist. The Union set an MLS record for the most goals conceded in a single season. The attack scored a league-best 72 goals, with Daniel Gazdag bagging 22 of them.
LAFC's march to the final has been more active than the other way around. The Supporters Shield was won by the Black-and-gold a year later. LAFC had a second-half lead against Tigres but lost in the semifinals of the playoffs. LAFC missed out on the playoffs due to the bumps in the road, but they retooled with some shrewd signings like Ryan Hollingshead and Ilienchez.
LAFC's ability to break down Philly's defense will definitely be a factor in the game. LAFC had the 10th best possession percentage in the league at 51.1%, while Philadelphia had the third lowest at 43.6%. LAFC has shown it can wear opponents down in the playoffs.
The fact that Philadelphia still had the third- highest xG mark of 63.72 points shows how the Union are able to create transition moments. LAFC's defense put up some impressive numbers, but that will be a big challenge. LAFC had the lowest number of shots on goal in the league.
The more important factor will be if LAFC can beat Philadelphia. He won his third MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award last month and ranked second in goals prevented. Against FC Cincinnati and NYCFC he was brilliant.
There is a home field advantage. Despite the Union's superior goal differential, the Shield was claimed by LAFC since they had two more wins.
The home team has won seven of the 10 MLS Cup finals since MLS went away from neutral venues. Even though the game is at 1 p.m., the Banc of California Stadium will still be a cauldron. The start of the Pacific time.
LAFC is likely to embrace the tension that comes with playing at home on such an occasion. They're a narrow favorite to win.
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LAFC has more quality in attack than Philly, and that should carry the day.
This should be seen as the best MLS Cup final ever. The last time the two top seeds met in the final was in 2003 and the quality of MLS was not what it is today. LAFC is the choice of anyone who feels strongly about who will win. The Black-and-Gold have an incredible home field advantage and their attacking talent is better than any other team.
There seems to be something good happening for Philadelphia's sports teams, and I'm not betting against that. LAFC's Carlos Vela and Cristian Arango are the best offensive players in MLS, but they won't be good enough against the second-best defensive squad in league history. Jim Curtin has been a two-time MLS coach of the year.
This will be one of the most memorable MLS Cups in a long time. The two teams that have been the best in the league all season will square off in a must win game. LAFC may have the edge in talent and star power, but I like the fact that Philadelphia's defense and goalkeeping threatens to undermine the Black-and-Gold's home field advantage.
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