The 2023 MLS Cup final between Columbus Crew and LAFC is getting closer and closer and soccer fans across America are hoping for a clash full of end-to-end action.
In the last five editions of MLS Cup, we’ve seen all kinds of contests — both close and blowouts — with five different teams hoisting the coveted trophy.
There’s been games with last-minute drama, penalty shootouts and unbelievable, eye-popping saves from goalkeepers. The likes of Stefan Frei and Lucas Zelarayan have had performances to remember in years past, and we can only hope that this year’s edition of MLS Cup can be half as entertaining as last year’s.
The most recent installment of MLS Cup is definitely the most chaotic game we’ve seen in some time.
Kellyn Acosta kicked things off with a deflected free kick in the first half, but Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdag brought the game to level terms with a headed effort in the 59th minute. With less than 10 minutes remaining in normal time, the Black and Gold thought they had stolen it at the death after Jesus Murillo found the back of the net via a header.
However, Union defender Jack Elliott found the back of the net at Maxime Crepeau’s near post with yet another headed goal to equalize just two minutes later. Regulation wasn’t enough to decide a winner, so the teams went to extra time.
This is where things started to get even crazier. LAFC’s goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was sent off after denying a goal-scoring chance for the Union while also fracturing his leg in the process. His injury meant John McCarthy came into the game and he proved to be vital for the Black and Gold.
Philadelphia thought they had stolen it with another goal from Elliott after a set piece bounced around the penalty area, but super-sub Gareth Bale came on and scored another headed goal in the 128th minute to send the contest to penalty kicks.
McCarthy came up clutch, making two saves in the shootout, with the Union missing all of their attempts. LAFC‘s Ilie Sanchez slotted home his attempt to help his team claim their first ever MLS Cup 3-0 in the shootout.
The 2021 final was exciting, even if it didn’t live up to the same craziness that the 2022 final contained.
Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a headed effort, putting the team from the Big Apple in the driver’s seat at Providence Park. They remained in front for nearly the entire game up until stoppage time.
Portland‘s Felipe Mora tied things up after several shots were blocked in NYC’s penalty area, crushing the Blues’ dreams of MLS Cup glory for the time being. Neither side were able to find a breakthrough in extra time, meaning penalties would decide the winner.
Alfredo Morales was the only NYCFC player to miss his attempt, while Alexander Callens converted his attempt to see his side lift their first-ever MLS Cup.
Although the circumstances were a bit different than many might’ve expected ahead of the season, the league’s oldest club finally got their hands on the trophy once again.
Fan-favorite Lucas Zelarayan scored the opening goal of the contest in the 25th minute after a volleyed shot snuck past Stefan Frei. Frei had already made a couple of terrific saves in the game but should’ve done better.
Six minutes later, Derrick Etienne put the Crew 2-0 up with a calm finish and they essentially had one hand on MLS Cup as halftime approached. Even though Seattle dominated with 65% possession and had plenty of chances to get back into the game, the Crew were destined to come away with the title.
Zelarayan added his second of the game with a beautiful left-footed strike just outside the penalty area to seal Columbus’ second MLS Cup championship. Now, the Crew will hope that the likes of Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez can replicate that performance in the 2023 final vs LAFC.
The Sounders got their hands on MLS Cup for the second time in team history in front of their supporters at Lumen Field against Toronto FC in emphatic fashion.
Kelvin Leerdam’s strike that was going wide of the goal was ushered in off a TFC defender, giving the home side a 1-0 advantage early in the second half. Roughly 20 minutes later Victor Rodriguez added a second for Seattle with a right-footed effort that curled past Toronto’s Quentin Westberg. Seattle were so close to lifting MLS Cup again and just needed to hold on a little bit longer.
Thankfully for the Western Conference side, Raul Ruidiaz killed the game off by slotting home a one-on-one chance against Westberg, sending the fans in Seattle into a frenzy. TFC’s Jozy Altidore did pull one back in stoppage time, but it was too little too late for the Canadian club.
The Five Stripes set the bar extremely high for expansion sides in just their second season as an MLS club.
Club legend Josef Martinez found the back of the net inside 30 minutes after pouncing on a stray pass from the midfield and rounding Portland goalkeeper Jeff Attinella. It was a goal the fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium had become accustomed to seeing in 2018, and their No. 7 delivered once again on the biggest stage.
Martinez wasn’t done contributing for his team, as he headed on a free kick from Miguel Almiron that full-back Franco Escobar met to put Atlanta 2-0 up with roughly 40 minutes left to play. Escobar’s back-post finish was enough for Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side to lift MLS Cup for the first time, and they’ve struggled to get back to that point of success since that comfortable victory.
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