Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale scored a brilliant late equalizer in extra time to help the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) clinch their first Major League Soccer Cup (MLS) in a thrilling final against Philadelphia Union at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. The Wales captain and soccer hero came off the bench and scored in the 128th-minute to make it 3-3 before LAFC won the shootout 3-0.
“It’s always nice to score in finals, and I seem to have a knack for doing that,” Bale said. “It’s big. It’s important for the club. It’s important for the fans.” Kellyn Acosta struck to open the lead for LAFC. Daniel Gazdag scored an equalizer in the second half. Jesus Murillo’s 83rd-minute goal was not enough to win the match in the as normal time Jack Elliott equalized two minutes later to force an extra time.
“The reason why I came here was to try and help the club win the MLS Cup,” Bale added. “It’s important for this club to go to the next level, and I think by winning this trophy, it shows that we are. It’s a club really on the rise doing the right things and it’s an important trophy for us, especially the first one, first major trophy, and hopefully there’s more to come in the future.” More football full match report here.
Bale did not start for the final until the 97th minute as he continued to recover from injury. Jack Elliott scored the lead for Union in the 124th-minute before Bale netted a dramatic late goal four minutes later that prompted a penalty shootout. LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was shown a yellow card for a foul on Cory Burke before it was changed to red as Crepeau was sent off on a stretcher due to injury.
In the shootout, Philadelphia-born and substitute goalkeeper John McCarthy saved two crucial penalties before Ilie Sanchez scored one of the three decisive spot-kicks to seal the win for LAFC. McCarthy was named the Most Valuable Player of the league after the match. The Black and Gold finished first in the Western Conference with a 21-4-9 record.
With the win, they become the eighth team in MLS history to win both the Supporters’ Shield as regular-season champion and the MLS Cup playoff tournament. This is LAFC’s first MLS trophy since their debut season in 2018. Bale moved to MLS in October after his contract in Spain ended. He will return to the pitch in Wales’ World Cup opener against the U.S.
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