#mls cup

[bongaboi]

Columbus Crew: 2023 MLS Cup Champions

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus Crew have turned their bold, possession-centric style into the league's ultimate prize, capturing MLS Cup 2023 presented by Audi with a 2-1 win over LAFC.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy's team produced a masterclass performance Saturday at rain-soaked Lower.com Field, resulting in the Eastern Conference club's third-ever MLS Cup after their 2008 and 2020 squads also entered the history books as champions.

First-half goals from Cucho Hernández (33') and Yaw Yeboah (37') gave Columbus a cushion to absorb a Dénis Bouanga (74') lifeline, denying LAFC's MLS Cup repeat quest. In the process, head coach Wilfried Nancy's group has climbed the 29-team mountaintop that began with MLS is Back weekend on Feb. 25.

Before raising the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, Columbus pulled ahead through Cucho's authoritative penalty kick – helping him earn MLS Cup MVP presented by Audi honors and finish with an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs co-leading five goals. That opportunity arose when referee Armando Villarreal pointed to the spot, judging LAFC defender Diego Palacios to have handled a flicked-up touch from Diego Rossi.

The Crew, the league's highest-scoring team in 2023, quickly doubled their advantage when Yeboah capped an 11-pass buildup. The Crew's left wingback was on the receiving end of Malte Amundsen's line-splitting through ball, then sliced home an outside-the-foot finish past goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.

But, as was so often the case in 2023, Bouanga would not be silenced. The Best XI forward slipped a second-effort shot past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, drawing him level with teammate Carlos Vela for the most calendar-year goals (38) in MLS across all competitions (Vela's MVP-winning 2019).

The Black & Gold's late push fizzled out, though. And the hosts, after seven minutes of second-half stoppage time, were left dancing as champions.

Goals 33' - CLB - Cucho Hernández 37' - CLB - Yaw Yeboah 74' - LAFC - Dénis Bouanga

Three Things THE BIG PICTURE: Four years ago, only 1,500 fans watched Columbus beat Seattle Sounders FC for the MLS Cup 2020 trophy – a necessity at Historic Crew Stadium amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, 20,802 fans flooded to the club's new state-of-the-art venue for an unforgettable night. Factor in how last year Columbus compensated CF Montréal to extract Nancy as head coach and the club's rise is even more memorable. LAFC? They lost their third final of the year and got a cold reminder of how hard it is to repeat, something not accomplished since the 2011-12 LA Galaxy.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Yeboah's goal was champagne football in motion. What a ball from Amundsen.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Cucho! The MLS Cup MVP crowned a spectacular year and is forever a Crew legend.

Next Up CLB: End of 2023 season LAFC: End of 2023 season

[alexis-mac-allstar]

Glory to Columbus, ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡somos Campeones de los Estados Unidos!!!!!!!

💛🖤

[aslamat]

World Cup Winner and Premier League Icon Announces MLS Move

French striker Olivier Giroud has confirmed his switch to Major League Soccer (MLS) after departing AC Milan this summer. The 37-year-old, known for his success with Chelsea and the French national team, will reunite with former teammate Hugo Lloris at Los Angeles FC. Owned by Hollywood star Will Ferrell, LAFC secures Giroud until December 2025 with a reported annual salary of $3.2 million.

Career Highlights

Giroud boasts an illustrious career, clinching titles for club and country:

- World Cup Winner (2018): A pivotal player in France's 2018 victory, starting in the final against Croatia. - Champions League Winner: Secured the Champions League with Chelsea in 2020-21, netting in the semifinal versus Real Madrid. - Europa League Winner: Contributed to Chelsea's 2018-19 Europa League triumph, bagging 11 goals in the competition. - FA Cup Winner (4 times): Lifted the FA Cup four times with Arsenal (2013-14, 2014-15) and Chelsea (2017-18, 2018-19). - Serie A Winner: Helped AC Milan claim Serie A glory in the 2021-22 season, tallying 11 goals in 29 appearances.

MLS Move

Giroud's MLS venture enriches the league's roster of international stars, alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami and Zlatan Ibrahimović's stint with LA Galaxy. His seasoned expertise promises to elevate MLS's competitiveness and entertainment value.

What's Next?

As Giroud readies for MLS action, fans anticipate a thrilling season ahead. With LAFC positioned fifth in the MLS Western Conference, his arrival could fortify their pursuit of success. The spotlight shines brightly on Giroud's debut, eagerly awaited by fans eager to witness his adaptation to MLS's unique style of play. LAFC's formidable squad, featuring talents like Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga, coupled with Giroud's inclusion, positions them as formidable contenders for the MLS Cup.

Impact on MLS

Giroud's transition to MLS marks a milestone for the league, amplifying its global allure. His distinguished track record and goal-scoring prowess promise to captivate fans in Los Angeles and beyond, contributing to MLS's sustained growth and popularity worldwide.

In summary, Olivier Giroud's MLS move signifies a watershed moment for the league, with his seasoned skill set poised to leave an indelible mark. As he embarks on his journey with Los Angeles FC, fans eagerly anticipate an electrifying season ahead, certain that Giroud's presence will elevate MLS's status on the world stage.

[thesoccerfan]

[ollieflopkins]

big shoutout to my baby daddy Christian Ramirez, subbed in as an attacking mid in the 65’ tonight for Columbus Crew, who scored the winning goal to take us to the MLS Cup Final 😭

Columbus is my hometown team that I have a long complicated on and off relationship with (super fan until 2016, actively not a fan 2017-2021 ish, kind of a fan 2022-now). But seeing them succeed and watching them win with friends is a blessing really.

Maybe someday I will mend my relationship with the MLS and the Crew and we will be properly reunited. But tickets used to be $13 for fan section and now they’re $50+ for fan section so idk lolol

[codeinee-cups]

Man I was so drunk and happy

[sportplusdigital]

COLUMBUS CREW vs LAFC EN VIVO 🔴 FINAL DE MLS EN DIRECTO

[silveragelovechild]

[dad-mom-man-woman]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati)

Spoiler alert: the best team in league is moving forward

[jotamediasports]

Will INTER MIAMI Vs Nashville TWO be a new game With MESSI

[alexis-mac-allstar]

I SWEAR TO GOD, IF WE GIVE UP OUR LEAD IN THE *LAST TWENTY MINUTES*

[razorroy]

2023 The Summer of Messi

Lionel Messi's brilliance and genius is coming to MLS. But, not just yet. First, Inter Miami and Messi, fresh off their title winning Leagues Cup run will attempt to place Inter Miami in a US Open Cup final first. Followed by a much deserved rest for the 36 year old legs of Messi.

Messi needs only two wins in the US Open Cup to collect his second piece of silverware in the US. Should Inter Miami get past FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semi-finals, their attention will shift to the MLS schedule and the undesirable position they find themselves in.

Inter Miami currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern conference with just 18 points out of a possible 66 points. With six other clubs above Inter Miami and the Chicago Fire currently occupying the final playoff spot with 32 points. This would seem a daunting task. Inter Miami have only 12 matches left. Which means there are only 36 points available to them. Realistically grabbing all 36 is just not possible. But so was the idea of Inter Miami winning the Leagues Cup.

Inter Miami have the least amount of points in MLS. Therefore a change was needed. And what a change it was.  An overhaul of the squad by the addition of three key players. Plus a change at the managerial position has this club primed to do the unthinkable. Messi, Sergio Busquet, and Jordi Alba haven't just shown the way to success on the pitch for the rest of the team. The trio have helped in training sessions as well. Gathering teammates together to share experienced tactical advice has been crucial. All three new additions have worked with new manager Tata Martino previously. A concise understanding of the new system he's installing has fused this unit into more than just a winnable side. This is now a potent side that can challenge for any cup in North America.

A colossal amount of work remains just for Inter Miami to qualify for the MLS cup playoffs. However, once in, there is no limit to how far this squad can advance. On December 9th Lionel Messi just might be hunting for his third piece of silverware since his summer arrival.

Welcome to America, Leo Messi. How have you been enjoying your stay?

[clawnoire]

going thru my screenshots to find something else but found this trisha video screenshot instead

[imvges-football]

>>>

[bongaboi]

Los Angeles Football Club: 2022 MLS Cup Champions

LOS ANGELES – A Hollywood screenwriter couldn’t have dreamed up MLS Cup 2022 any better.

LAFC are top of the league, emerging as first-time champions from Saturday’s epic championship match at Banc of California Stadium, beating the Philadelphia Union in penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw for the ages – and also making the hosts the first team to complete a Cup-Supporters’ Shield double since Toronto FC in 2017.

Gareth Bale’s thunderous 128th-minute equalizing header sent the game into penalty kicks, showing exactly why the Black & Gold signed the superstar forward this summer as he left Real Madrid. That canceled out a possible man-of-the-match performance from Philly center back Jack Elliott, whose first equalizer booked extra frames, and then his go-ahead 124th-minute strike pushed the Union on the verge of victory.

But Bale came up huge with the final whistle nearing, and back-up goalkeeper John McCarthy took the hero’s cape in the PK shootout by saving two Union efforts – from Jose Martinez and Kai Wagner – after Daniel Gazdag missed the Eastern Conference champions’ first attempt.

LAFC first got scores from Denis Bouanga and Ryan Hollingshead in PKs, then Ilie Sanchez’s game-winner from the spot sealed a 3-0 advantage for the Black & Gold from 12 yards out. From there, celebrations ensued for the Western Conference champions before their 3252 supporters' section – all in a final that pitted the league’s top two teams against each other for the first time since 2003.

But the storyline, among many, might be McCarthy. He was subbed on in the 117th minute after LAFC’s starting goalkeeper, Maxime Crepeau was shown a red card when a Video Review decision reduced the hosts to 10 men. Crepeau also got hurt on the play, suffering a serious-looking leg injury after colliding with Philly forward Cory Burke following an under-hit back-pass; referee Ismail Elfath originally brandished a yellow card that was later upgraded.

All that drama was just during extra time and PKs, as the game reached a new level as it reached each passing period. LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta (deflected free kick) and defender Jesus Murillo (corner-kick header) each scored during regulation time, and the Union equalized each time via Gazdag (near-range shot) and Elliott (free-kick header) to make it 2-2.

From there, the Tinseltown effect took over – Elliott’s almost-winner, Bale’s towering header and McCarthy’s PK heroics – to cap an MLS Cup final that can only be called legendary.

Goals 28' - LAFC - Kellyn Acosta 59' - PHI - Daniel Gazdag 83' - LAFC - Jesus Murillo 85' - PHI - Jack Elliott 120'+4' - PIH - Jack Elliott 120'+8' - LAFC - Gareth Bale

Next Up LAFC: End of 2022 season PHI: End of 2022 season

[codeinee-cups]