MLS Cup live updates: Lineups, highlights, how to watch LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls

Live7 updates

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  Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:56 PM GMT+1

  Two MLS OGs finally meet in MLS Cup

  The Galaxy and Red Bulls (formerly Metrostars) are both MLS originals. They actually met in their first-ever game, in MLS’s inaugural season, in 1996.

  But this is their first meeting in a final, largely because the Red Bulls have a relatively long history of playoff failures. They’ve only reached MLS Cup once, and never won it.

  The Galaxy, on the other hand, have played in nine finals and won five. This is their 10th. Will it be their league-record sixth title?

  They’re favored, even without Puig, but I expect a tight game

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  Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:45 PM GMT+1

  Red Bulls bring the hometown flavor

  You might remember the New York Red Bulls as a glamorous club headlined by the likes of Rafa Marquez and Thierry Henry.

  You might see Emil Forsberg, who enjoyed a long career at RB Leipzig in Germany, and think they’re still that same team.

  But no. In fact, they haven’t been that team for a while. Their engine, now, is their academy. Of today’s starting 11, six are American, three are from New Jersey, and another two — the Nealis brothers, both defenders — are from Long Island.

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  Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:36 PM GMT+1

  How will the Galaxy adjust without Puig, Reus?

  Riqui Puig — who tore his ACL with around 30 minutes to go in the Western Conference final, then played the rest of the game and served up a game-winning assist in the Galaxy’s 1-0 win over Seattle — was arguably the most impactful player in MLS over the entirety of the 2024 season, including the playoffs.

  He’s a massive loss, no matter how the Galaxy chose to replace him.

  Still, the choice is notable. Many expected for Vanney to turn to attacking midfielder/winger Diego Fagundez in a central role. Instead, he went for Gaston Brugman, a defensive midfielder. That gives the Galaxy two true destroyers — Brugman and Edwin Cerrillo — and a very different look than the team that tore up MLS with a possession-based style. (And Marky Delgado, the other Puig/Reus replacement, is more scrappy than elegant.)

  So, rather than try to replace Puig’s playmaking and dominate the ball, LA’s plan appears to be to solidify in midfield, and grind with the Red Bulls.

  The impact of that choice is that more attacking onus will shift to the two Designated Players on the wing, both new additions this season: Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil.

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  Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:27 PM GMT+1

  The lineups, in formation

  Here’s how the Galaxy and Red Bulls will set up, per the official team sheet.

  Given the Galaxy injuries, no surprises.

  

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  Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:18 PM GMT+1

  Marco Reus on the bench

  The big news within the starting lineups is that Marco Reus — the former Borussia Dortmund star who joined the Galaxy midseason — is only fit enough for the LA bench.

  He felt something in his groin early in last Saturday’s Western Conference final. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said yesterday that Reus “trained fully” on Friday, and “should be ready to go tomorrow” … but apparently he isn’t, at least not fully.

  And that’s a big loss. Reus hasn’t lit up MLS, but he would’ve stepped into an elevated role in the absence of Riqui Puig, who tore his ACL last weekend.

  Without both of them, the Galaxy’s midfield is significantly weakened. Marky Delgado and Gaston Brugman are the replacements.

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  Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:14 PM GMT+1

  Lineups

  Lineups are in. Here are the starting 11s:

  

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  Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:12 PM GMT+1

  Welcome to MLS Cup

  We’re just under an hour until kickoff at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

  Between now and then, we’ll set the stage for a fascinating matchup — which could produce all sorts of drama, or a relative dud.