LAFC vs. Philadelphia Union score: Wild MLS Cup goes to penalty kicks as LAFC win their first title

In a match that had everything there were six goals, a red card, a penalty shootout and backup keeper named MLS Cup MVP

In what may go down as the greatest MLS game ever and easily the most entertaining MLS Cup in history, LAFC are first-time champions, defeating the Philadelphia Union in penalty kicks on Saturday. 

The game finished 2-2 at the end of regulation and 3-3 at the end of extra time, resulting in penalty kicks where the hosts won 3-0, despite having gone down to 10 men in extra time. The Union didn't convert any of their three penalty attempts with LAFC backup goalkeeper John McCarthy saving two. McCarthy, a Philadelphia native who played for the Union from 2015-18, was named MLS Cup MVP. 

It's LAFC's first MLS crown in their first final appearance.

Philly, thanks to two goals from center back Jack Elliott, looked set to beat the hosts and favorites LAFC in extra time at Banc of California Stadium. Things, however, were far from over, with Gareth Bale coming off the bench to head home the equalizer to force penalty kicks.

LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was shown a red card in the second half of added time for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, suffering what appeared to be a serious injury in the process, and the visitors took advantage of being a man up with Elliott's second goal.

Philly were only in position to take that late lead because they twice came back from a goal down to level it, countering Kellyn Acosta's first half goal with a Daniel Gazdag one just before the hour mark and then Jesus Murillo's go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute with Elliott's header in the 85th minute. And then Elliott was there to clean up a loose ball in front of goal in the 124th minute to silence the home crowd and seemingly win the title with the latest goal in MLS playoff history. But it was not to be as LAFC's Bale shoed up with the heroics, leveling the match and sending it to penalties despite his team being down a man.

The six goals in the final are the most since the 2003 title game between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Chicago Fire. Coincidently, that was also the last time the two No. 1 seeds made the championship match

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[Nov 5, 2022 at 7:27 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Sanchez gets the winner!!!

[Nov 5, 2022 at 6:56 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Penalty kicks it is!

Jack Elliott scored in the 124th minute for Philly, but Gareth Bale's goal in the 128th minute has forced extra time!!!!!

[Nov 5, 2022 at 6:43 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Nine added minutes 

There are nine extra minutes to be played in this one after the long pause due to Crepeau's injury.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 6:38 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Changed to a red

The goal is changed to a red card. LAFC down to 10 men with Crepeau sent off.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 6:32 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

OH MY!

Crepeau and Burke collide on a one-on-one, and it looked like a sure red card for the goalkeeper! He looks seriously injured! It's just a yellow card for the goalkeeper!

[Nov 5, 2022 at 6:25 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Onto the second half of extra time

[Nov 5, 2022 at 6:21 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

LAFC with the edge?

Feels like LAFC are the team more pressed to go forward. While Philly are looking to create with patience, they may be content taking this game to penalties, but they know they can expose this LAFC defense and may not try to leave it to the spot.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 6:10 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Extra time is underway!

[Nov 5, 2022 at 6:05 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Extra time it is! 

30 minutes of extra time to come now! Still everything hanging in the balance. This was the first time MLS Cup ended 2-2 after regulation in the history of the league.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 5:51 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Philly!

It's 2-2! They answer right back! Jack Elliot, unmarked, heads home at the near post on a set piece! Game on!

[Nov 5, 2022 at 5:49 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal LAFC!

Murillo!!!! A corner from Vela, and the Colombian heads home with power and precision! He's left wide open on a near-post run, and he finishes Vela's perfect cross with a lovely touch! 

[Nov 5, 2022 at 5:36 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

It's Philly ... Burke comes on

Uhre is coming off and looks gassed. Burke scored in the semifinal and that big frame can really allow for some hold-up play in this last 20 minutes as well as potential on a set piece. 

[Nov 5, 2022 at 5:35 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Final 20 minutes ... a chance for Bale to be the hero?

Still no changes for either team ... who will make a move first? 

[Nov 5, 2022 at 5:30 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Video: Union goal

[Nov 5, 2022 at 5:25 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Philly! Union tie it!

It's 1-1! A shot from Martinez falls right to Gazdag, and he puts it home with class to make it level! 

[Nov 5, 2022 at 5:14 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Second half is underway!

45 minutes and potentially more to go! 

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:59 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

An interesting first half

Union had 57% of the ball and recorded eight shots, but none went on frame while LAFC had two shots on goal. Union fouled nine times to slow the pace, and it worked to a degree, but that fortunate deflection on Acosta's free kick is the difference.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:54 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

At the break! 

It's 1-0 after the first half. LAFC 45 minutes away from their first MLS Cup title!

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:45 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Almost 2-0!

Andre Blake with a huge save! A set piece from LAFC, and the ball hits the wall before Vela plays Palacios through, but the Jamaican shot-stopper makes the quick save to his left!

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:38 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

GOAL LAFC!

1-0 to the hosts! It's USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta!!!! He hits the free kick off the wall and it finds its way in! Fortunate? Sure, but they'll take it. 

Remember, only once have they failed to win a game this season when scoring first.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:26 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Better from Philly

The visitors are playing smart, looking to get the ball off their foot fast and get into the attack. It's resulting in them having numbers in attack, yet they aren't doing anything with it.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:17 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Close from LAFC!

Good look there from Vela with a powerful effort that hit a defender and nearly found the upper corner. Ref doesn't give a corner despite it clearly going off of him.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:10 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Positive start from LAFC

The hosts are on the front foot and feeding off of the noise, looking sharp in terms of getting into attacking positions. Union defending fairly well early on. 

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:08 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Underway!

The action has begun! LAFC in their traditional black kit while the Union are in their blue and yellow uniform.

[Nov 5, 2022 at 4:01 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Anthem time

Kickoff is just moments away as the anthem rings out across the stadium. Temperature in the 60s and a perfect day for a game in Los Angeles. 

[Nov 5, 2022 at 3:19 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Union XI