After a saving goal by Gareth Bale in extra time, Los Angeles FC defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-0 on penalties (3-3 in regulation time) on Saturday in the final of the North American league (MLS) and won the first title in its history.
Mexican striker Carlos Vela, leader of Los Angeles FC (LAFC) Since entering MLS in 2018, he has lifted the coveted first club title of his career in front of his fans at Banc of California Stadium.
ANDl LAFCwhich hosted the final for being the best team in the regular phase, took the lead twice through American Kellyn Acosta and Colombian Jesús Murillo in the 28th and 83rd minutes.
The Union equalized through the Hungarian Dániel Gazdag and the Englishman Jack Elliott equalized at 59 and 85.
In a chaotic end of overtime, LAFC’s Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was seriously injured and sent off for a foul outside the box against Cory Burke.
After substitute goalkeeper John McCarthy came on, Elliott made it 2-3 for the Union in the 120+4 minute, sparking panic in the Los Angeles stands, but just four minutes later Bale appeared to head in the goal and send the final to penalties.
LAFC began the shootout by missing a penalty, the work of Spain’s Cristian Tello, but goalkeeper John McCarthy became the local hero, saving two shots from Venezuela’s José Martínez and Germany’s Kai Wagner.
HE’S GARETH ******* BALE. #ForLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/yqqi67RSdz
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 5, 2022
The Spanish Ilie Sánchez converted the decisive penalty for LAFC that sparked jubilation among the more than 22,000 spectators of the Los Angeles team.
Bale, who had not played since October 2, did not take a penalty but was again providential in a final, less than three weeks before he leads the Wales team in its historic return to a World Cup.
FOR LOS ANGELES. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hW2K1XMvYp
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 5, 2022
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