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Like the World Series, the MLS Cup is contested between Los Angeles and New York City, as the LA Galaxy host the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer’s biggest match. The Red Bulls are looking to do the improbable by becoming the first seven seeds to reach the competition in their quest for their first-ever MLS Cup title. It’s their first appearance in the competition since 2008 and they’re up against one of the most successful teams in MLS history. The Galaxy have won a record five MLS Cup titles but haven’t appeared in this competition since 2014 either, so no matter who wins, it will be quite a moment for both teams after years of inconsistency.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday December 7 | Time: 4:00 PM ET
- Location: Dignity Health Sporting Park – Carson, California
- TV: Fox | Live stream: Fubo TV (Try for free)
- Chances: LA Milky Way -140; Sign +400; New York Red Bulls +340
How they got here
LA system: The second-seeded team in the Western Conference, after seeing the top seed slip away on the final day of the regular season, responded with a vengeance, pushing aside the Colorado Rapids in the first round, where they scored nine goals before following suit. with a 6-2 thriller against Minnesota United. The Western Conference finals were a tougher test against the Seattle Sounders and their stout defense, but a solo goal from Dejan Joveljic saw the Galaxy book their place in the MLS Cup.
New York Red Bulls: The seventh seeds in the Eastern Conference went on the road in every match but one, and were seen as extreme outsiders to survive their first-round clash with the Columbus Crew, let alone reach the MLS Cup. It took a penalty shootout win to seal their first-round series against the Crew and they haven’t conceded a goal since. It’s been quite an impressive run led by Carlos Coronel, but it’s been a real team effort in defence, from Daniel Edelman in midfield to Dylan and Sean Nealis all in front of Coronel to protect him. Winning these exciting competitions takes courage.
Storylines
LA system: Riqui Puig’s injury absence is high but the Galaxy received a boost in midweek when Marco Reus returned to training. If Reus are less than a year away from playing in a Champions League final, it will be a huge boon to their hopes of winning this match in a close match.
LA Galaxy predicted XI: John McCarthy, John Nelson, Maya Yoshida, Carlos Garces, Miki Yamane, Edwin Cerrillo, Marco Reus, Marco Delgado, Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, Dejan Joveljic
New York Red Bulls: With a clean bill of health, Sandro Schwartz will want the Red Bulls to continue doing what they’ve been doing all postseason: apply pressure as best they can and continue to defy the odds. No one expects them to win the MLS Cup, but that’s when a team can be at its most dangerous.
New York Red Bulls predicted XI: Carlos Coronel, Sean Nealis, Andres Reyes, Dylan Nealis, John Tolkin, Peter Stroud, Daniel Edelman, Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg, Lewis Morgan, Dante Vanzeir
Prediction
There won’t be much to separate these teams, but the Galaxy will take care of business at home. Choose: LA Galaxy 2, New York Red Bulls 0