MLS Cup Final. Tonight 9pm GMT (Match Thread)

[BlackHillsPaul]

For anyone interested, or at least curious, the MLS Cup Final is being played today. LA Galaxy vs Red Bull New York. Match coverage begins at 9 pm in England. Galaxy would be favored, but their Spanish talisman Riqui Puig is out. The former Barcelona youngster suffered a torn ACL in the semi final. Still, Galaxy have loads of talent including former German international Marco Reus. RBNY feature former Leipzig star Emil Forsberg. Just to name of couple players you have likely heard of. But there is a lot of international talent on both sides. Particularly young North and South Americans.

[JoeDenver]

Paul, you’re going to have to further explain why FC Miami, despite possessing such an overwhelming talent advantage didn’t make it.

[andrewjohnsmith]

For anyone interested, or at least curious, the MLS Cup Final is being played today. LA Galaxy vs Red Bull New York. Match coverage begins at 9 pm in England. Galaxy would be favored, but their Spanish talisman Riqui Puig is out. The former Barcelona youngster suffered a torn ACL in the semi final. Still, Galaxy have loads of talent including former German international Marco Reus. RBNY feature former Leipzig star Emil Forsberg. Just to name of couple players you have likely heard of. But there is a lot of international talent on both sides. Particularly young North and South Americans.

Thanks for the heads up

I don't pay much attention to MLS. But this one certainly of interest when I get home later. Especially interested in the Galaxy. Good to see them competing again. Galaxy have been my team due to their proximity and one of the earliest marquee teams in MLS. But, I s'pose I should be Red Bull fan now?

[andrewjohnsmith]

Paul, you’re going to have to further explain why FC Miami, despite possessing such an overwhelming talent advantage didn’t make it.

is it a messy subject?

[JoeDenver]

is it a messy subject?

Just remarkable more than anything. Watched the highlights in disbelief that an Inter Miami team could lose to Atlanta United given the apparent personnel advantage that Miami possessed: Messi, Suarez, Busquets, and Alba.

Compounding things are that they lost two of the three legs (MLS is weird in that it has a best of three format). MLS broke the bank and circumvented their own rules to assemble that all-star team and they still lost (and early) in the playoffs.

Atlanta went on to lose to Orlando, who went on to lose to Red Bull New York (now in the final).

Figure Paul might have more drama/perspective to add as I was left scratching my head when I heard about Inter Miami’s exit.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Just remarkable more than anything. Watched the highlights in disbelief that an Inter Miami team could lose to Atlanta United given the apparent personnel advantage that Miami possessed: Messi, Suarez, Busquets, and Alba.

Compounding things are that they lost two of the three legs (MLS is weird in that it has a best of three format). MLS broke the bank and circumvented their own rules to assemble that all-star team and they still lost (and early) in the playoffs.

Atlanta went on to lose to Orlando, who went on to lose to Red Bull New York (now in the final).

Figure Paul might have more drama/perspective to add as I was left scratching my head when I heard about Inter Miami’s exit.

I think everyone is in shock with that result. Miami won the Supporter's Shield easily this season. Which is the regular season Championship. It is considered a major trophy. And with it comes qualification to CONCACAF competition. And the Club World Cup.

But MLS Cup is the big league prize. Which might seem strange to our English and European friends. But MLS fans consider the winner the "League Champion". It's really no different than other American professional sports leagues. We use playoffs to determine all of our league champions. It's part of the American sports tradition.

[BlackHillsPaul]

is it a messy subject?

Yes, it's a bit messy. See my answer to joe's post above.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Anyone else watching?

[andrewjohnsmith]

Anyone else watching?

Just tuned in. Two early goals.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Just tuned in. Two early goals.

And now RBNY draw one back. Sean Nealis with the goal. 2-1

[BlackHillsPaul]

LA Galaxy goals scored by 26 yo Ghana International Joseph Paintsil and 25 yo Serbian International Dejan Jovelic.

I highlight the age of these players to show that MLS does have young international players that are in their prime. The league is mostly young players in their prime. With a few "big name" older players from European clubs sprinkled in.

[andrewjohnsmith]

LA Galaxy goals scored by 26 yo Ghana International Joseph Paintsil and 25 yo Serbian International Dejan Jovelic.

I highlight the age of these players to show that MLS does have young international players that are in their prime. The league is mostly young players in their prime. With a few "big name" older players from European clubs sprinkled in.

Do they get a lot of Central/South American players? I imagine it would be a good stepping stone, and a shop window, for anyone wanting to play in Europe.

[andrewjohnsmith]

This commentator gets on my tits btw. I know him from the international tournaments on network TV. he gets way to excited and LOUD

[BlackHillsPaul]

This commentator gets on my tits btw. I know him from the international tournaments on network TV. he gets way to excited and LOUD

Try the Fox Deportes feed. If you can't stand the announcers you might enjoy the game in Spanish.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Do they get a lot of Central/South American players? I imagine it would be a good stepping stone, and a shop window, for anyone wanting to play in Europe.

Yes, there are a lot of latin American players in MLS. Some will use the league as a stepping stone to Europe. But many others see MLS as a step up from Central and South American leagues. The money is better, the playing conditions are better, and the way of life is appealing. America is a multi cultural society.

[Cjay]

Not watching because I'm watching Prison Break for the 75th time.

But I saw Mateusz Bogusz ended the season with 20 goals and 11 assists.

Come home!!!

[BlackHillsPaul]

Not watching because I'm watching Prison Break for the 75th time.

But I saw Mateusz Bogusz ended the season with 20 goals and 11 assists.

Come home!!!

I agree Cjay. He had a great season for LAFC after kinda settling in last season. He would be in the starting eleven for LUFC. At least that's my opinion. He also had one or two caps for Poland this year. Playing alongside Lewendowski.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Nice to have a player like Marco Reus off he bench to settle the midfield and help Galaxy keep possession.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Final score LA Galaxy win 2-1. Thank you for lurking....

[andrewjohnsmith]

Final score LA Galaxy win 2-1. Thank you for lurking....

I fell asleep. No slight on the game. The damn 4:30 kick off this morning.