LOS ANGELES – Even the best in Hollywood can’t write a script that takes place Saturday in the MLS Cup championship game for LAFC.
Titled by top men like Carlos Vela, Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Balewho are big stars of their own, LAFC is a strong contender against Philadelphia Union as they entered the buzzing stage of Banc of California Stadium.
With a backdrop of LAFC art deco and icons across the venue harking back to the golden years of the film industry, the black and gold players and their Confederate opposition put on a show. performance would go down as one of the greatest games in MLS history.
The first dramatic goals are placed on the protagonists’ shoulders. LAFC took the lead twice, only to be hit back by two equalizers from Philadelphia sending the game into extra time. With tension spilling over from the pitch and into the stands, the match played out almost like a chess game in extra time as both sides hoped to avoid mistakes.
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During the second half of the extra time, the plot then started to go awry. Near the 110th minute, goalkeeper LAFC Maxime Crepeau Running at full speed to stop Union striker Corey Burke unfortunately resulted in a horrific injury to the LAFC player and a subsequent red card for his challenge. With only 10 people left on the field, head coach Steve Cherundolo was forced to launch the reserve goalkeeper on the field. John McCarthy – a 30 year old substitute only appeared in 2022, lost 0-2 first Colorado Rapids in May, there were two goals from the penalty spot.
So McCarthy moved on, a hero unlikely to come into the limelight and someone just like that who happened to be from Philadelphia. Perhaps outside of some die-hard LAFC supporters, many MLS fans might not have known much about the lower-division goalkeeper a few years ago.
To a resounding applause from the exploding crowd at Banc of California Stadium, McCarthy straightened into the net … and then scored just minutes into the game. Initially saving a header, McCarthy then scrambled and was unable to stop the rebound from the Confederacy. Jack Elliott at the 124th minute.
The LAFC keeper was heartbroken to learn that the championship might slip through his fingers, but his redemption would still come. After Bale responded with an impressive goal of his own in the 128th minute to make it 3-3, McCarthy would soon emerge as a recovery savior in the next penalty shootout to claim the title. enemy.
“In 10 minutes or 15 minutes [it] like a ‘Halloween’ movie,” Vela said in her post-game press conference about the events unfolding in her dying moment.
“And then we ended up with a Hollywood movie.”
LAFC’s Cristian Tello stepped forward, but his penalty was saved. Then to Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdagwho somehow lost his chance in the stands.
It’s all LAFC and McCarthy after a weird miss from Union. While Denis Bouangas, Ryan Hollingshead and Ilie Sanchez All scored for LAFC, McCarthy was impeccable with two stellar saves that sent the audience into a frenzy. With a 3-0 scoreline on penalties, the Los Angeles club closed an incredible final through a breathtaking victory that gave them their first MLS trophy and a championship double after won the 2022 Supporters’ Shield.
Every member of the LAFC team put in a great effort, but no player was more significant than the rather obscure reserve keeper, who saved two penalty kicks on his way to the championship.
With tears in her eyes as the Banc of California Stadium erupted into cheers and applause, McCarthy looked dumbfounded after being presented with the MVP MLS Cup.
“It still doesn’t make sense, it still doesn’t add up,” the goalkeeper later said in his post-match press conference as he looked at the award.
Cherundolo was smiling after the game when discussing the unexpected hero of the night.
“It couldn’t have happened to someone better, John is one of the hearts of this team,” the head coach said. “John is an excellent goalkeeper, [he] could be number 1 elsewhere, could be number 1 for us. “
For a nearly speechless McCarthy, still processing his emotions during the press conference, it was clear how important this moment was to him.
“A dream come true, I haven’t lifted a trophy since I was 15,” McCarthy said. “Becoming a Philly kid and playing against my hometown team… it’s something special.”
Looking forward, LAFC’s top men and celebrities will once again steal the spotlight as the 2023 season draws near. Hundreds of thousands of people will come to watch LAFC games at Banc of California Stadium and venues around the country to witness the near-field talents of Vela, Bale, Chiellini and others, those are certainly the names placed on billboards and banners.
It’s the way of the usual football script, but Saturday night, the evening of a humble protagonist who has become the brightest star on America’s biggest stage.
“Just a moment you dreamed of as a kid,” McCarthy noted near the end of the press conference, the MVP trophy in hand.
