Los Angeles Football Club wins Major League Soccer Cup 2022 in thrilling penalty shootout

CNN
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Los Angeles Soccer Club won the 2022 Major League Soccer Cup for the first time in club history, beating the Philadelphia Union 3-0 in a post-match penalty shootout draw 3-3 on Saturday at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

LAFC opened the scoring with a goal from Kellyn Acosta in the 28th minute from a free kick from the left corner. With a 1-0 lead to start the second half, Union’s Dániel Gazdag netted the equalizer in the 59th minute.

The game remained close until the 83rd minute when Jesús Murillo’s goal put Los Angeles back in front. However, this lead will not last too long. Union’s Jack Elliott scored from a header to equalize again and force extra time.

In the 110th minute, LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau received a yellow card after a nasty foul on Philadelphia’s Cory Burke. Both players were injured on the foul and the card was changed to red as Crépeau was carried off the field with the injury. Burke stayed in the game.

LAFC backup goaltender John McCarthy came on to finish the game. Union’s Elliott again played the hero in stoppage time, scoring to put them ahead with over five minutes remaining.

Just as Union thought they had the championship assured, LAFC’s Gareth Bale scored the equalizer late in stoppage time to force a penalty shootout.

McCarthy became a true hero for Los Angeles, stopping all shots in the shootout while LAFC scored on three attempts, including Ilie Sánchez’s championship goal.

The home crowd went wild as players and coaches ran onto the pitch to celebrate the win.

McCarthy was named the 2022 MLS Cup Most Valuable Player after the game.