The ultimate 90 minutes of the 2024 MLS season are upon us because the Galaxy and the Crimson Bulls put together for a showdown in Carson to crown a brand new league champion.
Forward of the highly-anticipated cup remaining, let’s dig into just a few of the most important speaking factors heading into the weekend.
The Galaxy should remedy their Puig downside
Nov 24, 2024; Carson, California, USA; LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) reacts after the sport in opposition to Minnesota United in a 2024 MLS Cup convention semifinal match at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park. Necessary Credit score: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn
It is a crying disgrace for everyone concerned in MLS that arguably probably the most watchable participant within the league outdoors of the Inter Miami superstars will miss the ultimate this weekend. However after confirming an ACL tear for talismanic midfielder Riqui Puig, the Galaxy must discover a new metronome within the center.
Riqui Puig performed round 30 minutes on a torn ACL.
And nonetheless supplied the game-winning help in a 1-0 win.
To make issues worse, Marco Reus, probably the most pure substitute for Puig within the Galaxy squad is doubtlessly a game-time choice with health problems with his personal. Nevertheless, the German was optimistic about his possibilities of that includes after talking within the buildup to the ultimate this weekend.
Objectives should not be a problem for Greg Vanney’s aspect. The trio of Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, and Dejan Joveljić has been electrical all through the playoffs, however it’s no secret that Puig is the puppet grasp from a deeper place within the middle of the park.
If Reus can play from the beginning, their should not be an excessive amount of of a drop-off, however a Puig-less Galaxy will not be practically the unstoppable drive as one with the artful Spaniard.
It is time for Emil Forsberg to go away his mark on MLS
Nov 3, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New York Crimson Bulls midfielder Emil Forsberg (10) celebrates a second half objective in opposition to the Columbus Crew in a 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Spherical One matchat Crimson Bull Area. Necessary Credit score: Tom Horak-Imagn Photos
The Swede was introduced into the membership at for moments identical to this. With luggage of European expertise and the expertise to take over a match by himself. A Forsberg masterclass is the very best probability the Crimson Bulls have of stealing a end in Carson on Saturday.
New York Crimson Bulls midfielder Emil Forsberg:
“I got here right here to… convey the Crimson Bulls again to one thing particular. The objective was to return right here to win.”
“I don’t assume anyone believed the Crimson Bulls had been going to be right here in MLS Cup.”
The 33-year-old can pull the strings behind the striker partnership of Dante Vanzier and Lewis Morgan, who’ve saved their greatest performances this season for the playoffs.
“He’s not solely a terrific participant, however he’s additionally a terrific individual,” head coach Sandro Schwarz stated this week.
“He leads the staff off the sector, within the locker room and, that is vital, together with his expertise. He feels the duty for the staff.”
Whereas that sort of duty could also be a burden for some, Forsberg ought to relish the chance to ship silverware to a membership that has perennially fallen quick when it mattered most.
A conflict of identities on the pitch
Nov 1, 2024; Commerce Metropolis, Colorado, USA; LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney seems on throughout the second half in opposition to the Colorado Rapids in a 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Spherical One match at Dick’s Sporting Items Park. Necessary Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photos
Should you’re sitting down on Saturday hoping for some entertaining soccer within the MLS Cup remaining, it’s possible you’ll not have to attend lengthy to your needs to be fulfilled.
Greg Vanney’s possession-first model of soccer has yielded some excellent outcomes for the neutrals. Their 69 objectives scored within the common season was the best tally within the Western Convention, whereas a mark of fifty objectives conceded was joint-most of any top-10 staff in MLS.
How that possession is impacted by aforementioned lack of Riqui Puig stays to be seen, however the Galaxy will look to take the sport to their guests whatever the personnel.
The Crimson Bulls, however, are wedded to the model of play that filters down from the highest of the Crimson Bull Soccer Group. Excessive-pressing, and high-energy spurts is the secret for the Harrison aspect.
New York Crimson Bulls’ play can typically appear chaotic, however their common positions in direction of the top of Saturday’s win vs. Orlando had an organised symmetry to it. Provides a superb overview of their form.
Whereas they limped by way of the again half of the common season marketing campaign, we have seen simply how efficient their model of play has been within the playoffs to this point. Give New York half-hour to blow away a staff by outworking them, they usually’ll placed on a present.
The conflict in kinds ought to set us up completely for some sparks on the pitch on Saturday. One aspect will work their hardest to regulate the sport and suffocate their opponent, whereas one will look to disrupt, trigger chaos, and choose their moments to be electrical. Buckle up, people.