First takeaways from LAFC's dramatic MLS Cup win vs. Philadelphia Union

LOS ANGELES — The MLS Cup is staying in Los Angeles. In front of a sold-out crowd of 22,000-plus at Banc of California Stadium, LAFC defeated the Philadephia Union in a dramatic penalty-kick shootout after a 3-3 draw in more than 120 minutes of football. Goals from Kellyn Acosta, Jesus Murillo, and a late dramatic effort from Gareth Bale helped the Black & Gold stay in the game.

Union defender Jack Elliott scored a brace for the visitors — including the apparent match-winner — and Daniel Gazdag added a goal of his own.

In a matchup between the top seeds in each conference, this game was about league supremacy as both teams ended the regular season with the same amount of points, but due to the Black & Gold having more wins than the Union, LAFC claimed the Supporters' Shield. 

The game lived up to the expectations, a high-intensity, back-and-forth match between two sides that kept fans on their feet for the duration of the contest. There were celebrities in the field seats, a Gareth Bale sighting, and a fitting Hollywood ending to a final in LA.

Here are the first takeaways from perhaps the greatest MLS Cup final to ever be played.

Set piece success

For the fourth time during the playoffs, LAFC scored off a set piece. Against the Galaxy, Cristian Arango scored off a corner kick; against Austin, Arango scored again from a deadball situation. The Black & Gold was fortunate to get another one off an own goal from Austin's Maxi Urruti after a Carlos Vela corner kick.

On Saturday, LAFC's success off set pieces continued when in the 27th minute, Acosta's free kick snuck into the back of the net after a deflection from the Union's five-man wall.

After the Western Conference final, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo mentioned how the team had invested more time in set pieces. Emphasizing that high-stake games are tighter, set pieces become the determining factor, and Cherundolo was aware of the importance of those opportunities.

Having set-piece specialists like Vela and Acosta helps LAFC's chances tremendously, and we saw proof of that against Philadelphia in the MLS Cup.

In the 83rd minute, the Black & Gold scored its fifth goal in the '22 playoffs off a set piece when Murillo's header found the back of the net after a Vela corner kick to give LAFC the temporary 2-1 lead. Vela registered his third assist of the playoffs and Murillo scored for the third time this season.

Center back depth

Against the Union, LAFC started its third different center back pairing with Jesus Murillo and Sebastien Ibeagha.

In the Western Conference semifinal, it was Murillo and Eddie Segura. In the Western Conference final, it was Murillo and Giorgio Chiellini. For the MLS Cup final, both Chiellini and Segura were dealing with injuries so Cherundolo went with Ibeagha, who started 10 consecutive games during the regular season. With Segura injured and Chiellini not on the team yet, Ibeagha weathered the storm in the backline with solid performances.

When called upon for the most important game of the year, Ibeagha responded with another good defensive effort. Although LAFC conceded a goal in the 59th minute to Daniel Gazdag and another to Elliott, limiting the Union to only two shots on target for the entire game is an achievement of its own.

To be able to have five starting-caliber center backs on the roster truly showed the depth LAFC built at the position, which came in handy against one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the league. Without those options at center back, LAFC would've struggled even more with defending such an aggressive and high-pressing Union. Last-ditch tackles from Ibeagha and timely clearances from Murillo helped LAFC stay in the match. 

Bale and McCarthy share the hero tag

Bale had not played for the Black & Gold since Oct. 2, subbing in the final five minutes of the match against the Portland Timbers. Dealing with injury and game fitness, Bale missed the regular season finale against Nashville and LAFC's two playoff matches.

When Cherundolo made the substitution seven minutes into extra time, taking off Carlos Vela for Bale, the Welshman was welcomed with cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd. Bale is no stranger to scoring goals in finals.

Bale scored for Real Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final, in the 2016 Champions League final, and again in the 2017 Champions League final. Philadephia went ahead 3-2 with just six minutes remaining in the match on Elliott's second goal, silencing the crowd at the Banc. However, the silence would only be temporary.

In the 128th minute, Bale lifted himself over everyone inside the box and headed in the tying goal past Andre Blake. The Banc erupted; it was the loudest I had ever heard the crowd in this stadium. Big players show up in big moments.

Backup keeper John McCarthy had only played one game during the regular season, but after starting goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was forced to exit the match due to both injury and a red card, McCarthy was called up to enter the match in goal.

A penalty kick specialist, McCarthy stumbled into the perfect situation after Bale scored the equalizer just minutes before the end of the match. Philadelphia missed all three penalty kicks with McCarthy blocking two of them, resulting in the goalkeeper being named the MLS Cup final MVP. There was no player more deserving given the circumstances.

Bale for his goal in overtime and McCarthy for his two saves in the penalty shootout made both the heroes in the final, giving LAFC its first-ever league title. 

Although Ilie scored the penalty kick that sealed the deal, everyone ran towards to McCarthy to celebrate and recognize the goalkeeper for his heroic performance.