MLS: LAFC and Philadelphia will face off in the championship final

Los Angeles FC and Philadelphia Union defeated Austin FC (3-0) and New York City FC (3-1) respectively on Sunday and will meet in the MLS final. The top two regular-season teams in each Western and Eastern conference enforced logic. And it is the LAFC, present in MLS since 2018, which will host the Banc of California Stadium next Saturday.

The two teams faced each other for the first time, already in Los Angeles, and remained back to back (2-2). A header from Colombian striker Cristian Arango, taking a corner from Mexican star Carlos Vela, put LAFC on the right track in the first half (29th) against Austin. Dominating, the Californian team then wasted several opportunities, by their duo, yet decisive in the first period. But in the 62nd minute, his relentless pressure finally paid off.

Three goals in eleven minutes

Another corner from Vela caused confusion in the penalty area and the Argentinian Maxi Urruti, who had just come on for the Texas team, could not control his header, which hit the mark against his side. Ten minutes from time, Ghanaian winger Kwadwo Opoku gave more largeness to the score, with a low shot. Later, Philadelphia was stunning to knock out NYCFC, who had opened the scoring in the 57th minute, through Argentine attacking midfielder Maximiliano Moralez.

Argentinian striker Julian Carranza (65th), Hungarian Daniel Gazdag (67th) and Jamaican Cory Burke (76th) scored three goals in 11 minutes, which knocked out the New York defending champion.