LA Galaxy strike early, hold off New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win their record 6th MLS Cup championship

LA Galaxy strike early, hold off New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win their record 6th MLS Cup championship
Los Angeles Galaxy players celebrate after defeating the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup championship soccer match Saturday in Carson, Calif. (AP)
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Updated 08 December 2024
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LA Galaxy strike early, hold off New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win their record 6th MLS Cup championship

LA Galaxy strike early, hold off New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win their record 6th MLS Cup championship
  • Greg Vanney: I’m just so proud of this group after the challenges that we (had) and the way they bounced back and competed as a group
  • Galaxy nursed their lead through a scoreless second half to raise their league’s biggest trophy for the first time since 2014

CARSON, California: Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic scored in the first half, and the LA Galaxy won their record sixth MLS Cup championship with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

After striking twice in the first 13 minutes of the final with goals from their star forward, the Galaxy nursed their lead through a scoreless second half to raise their league’s biggest trophy for the first time since 2014.

MLS’ most successful franchise struggled through most of the ensuing decade, even finishing 26th in the 29-team league last year. But the Galaxy turned everything around this season with a high-scoring new lineup that finished second in the Western Conference and then streaked through the playoffs with a playoff-record 18 goals in five games to win another crown.

“I’m just so proud of this group after the challenges that we (had) and the way they bounced back and competed as a group,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “We spent a lot of energy at the start, but I’m just so proud of these guys. They’ve cemented themselves as legends in this club.”

Sean Nealis scored for the seventh-seeded Red Bulls, whose improbable postseason charge ended one win shy of their first Cup championship. With the league’s youngest roster, New York fell just short of becoming the lowest-seeded team to win MLS’ playoff tournament under first-year German coach Sandro Schwarz.

“I love these guys,” Schwarz said. “Some guys, they are crying. In the big picture, that’s a start. Sometimes when you lose the final, it’s tough, but you use this experience to create the next energy, the next intensity.”

The Galaxy won this title without perhaps their most important player. Riqui Puig, the playmaking midfielder from Barcelona who ran their offense impressively all season long, tore a ligament in his knee last week in the Western Conference final.

Puig watched this game in a suit, but his teammates hadn’t forgotten him: After his replacement, Gaston Brugman, set up LA’s opening goal with a superb pass in the ninth minute, Paintsil held up Puig’s jersey to their roaring fans during the celebration.

“I was really waiting for this moment,” said Paintsil, who scored his 14th goal of an impressive season. “I’m much more, 10 times faster than them, and Gaston saw the space. ... It was really a good thing. We did it for Riqui, and we did it for our family that came, and our supporters.”

Just four minutes later, Joveljic sprinted past four New York defenders and chipped home the 21st goal of his outstanding year as the Galaxy’s striker.

Brugman was named the MLS Cup MVP after a commanding performance in midfield. The Uruguayan hadn’t started a match for the Galaxy since Oct. 5, playing only as a postseason substitute before the final.

Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy made four saves to win his second MLS title in three seasons. He was the MVP of the 2022 MLS Cup Final for the Galaxy’s crosstown rival, Los Angeles FC.

Nealis beat McCarthy in the 28th minute when he volleyed from LA’s penalty area.

The second half was lively, but scoreless. Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg hit the outside of the post in the 72nd minute, while LA’s Gabriel Pec and Galaxy substitute Marco Reus nearly converted chances a few moments later.

The ball got loose in the Galaxy’s penalty area in the third minute of extra time, but two Red Bulls couldn’t finish.

After Galaxy owner Phil Anschutz received the MLS Cup that bears his name because of his steady financial support of the league during its shaky years, Galaxy captain Maya Yoshida carried the trophy onto a stage filled with his teammates for a celebration amid fireworks and confetti.

The Galaxy extended their lead over DC United (4) for the most MLS Cup championships in league history. The Red Bulls remain one of three original MLS franchises never to win the title, along with FC Dallas and the New England Revolution.

Vanney became the fourth coach to win an MLS title with two clubs. He lost three MLS Cup Finals as a Galaxy player, but won it as Toronto’s coach in 2017.

The Galaxy finished 17-0-3 this season at their frequently renamed suburban stadium, where the sellout crowd of 26,812 for the final included several robust cheering sections of Red Bulls supporters hoping to see their New Jersey-based club’s breakthrough.

Just last season, the Galaxy’s own supporters boycotted the team at certain home matches, fed up with years of mismanagement and no progress. But the club famous for employing global stars from David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Robbie Keane and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández swiftly rebuilt itself into a contender this season by spending big to get lesser-known young talents.

The Galaxy signed Pec from Brazil and Paintsil, a Ghanaian playing in Belgium. The duo combined with incumbent Serbian striker Joveljic to form a potent attack that could outscore almost any MLS opponent.

But the Galaxy also relied heavily on Puig, their Catalan catalyst and one of MLS’ best players. Puig stayed in last week’s game after injuring his knee, and he even delivered the decisive pass to Joveljic for the game’s only goal.


Kane calls on Bayern to extend with pal Dier

Kane calls on Bayern to extend with pal Dier
Updated 2 min 1 sec ago
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Kane calls on Bayern to extend with pal Dier

Kane calls on Bayern to extend with pal Dier
Kane said he hoped the club would extend Dier’s 2025-expiring deal
“He’s come in the last couple of games and done really, really well, and got two clean sheets”

MUNICH: Harry Kane called on Bayern Munich to extend Eric Dier’s deal at the club, saying he would “love” to continue playing with his former Spurs and England team-mate.
Dier was a surprise signing when he arrived from Spurs in January 2024 but has gone on to play 31 games for the German giants.
The 31-year-old center-back has started three of his past four league games for Bayern despite competition from central defenders Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae.
Speaking to AFP and other media after Bayern’s 3-2 home win over Wolfsburg on Saturday, Kane said he hoped the club would extend Dier’s 2025-expiring deal.
“Eric’s been great, he’s been waiting patiently, obviously Upa (Upamecano) and Min-jae have been fantastic this season, so Eric’s just had to bide his time.
“He’s come in the last couple of games and done really, really well, and got two clean sheets, so, yeah, of course I’d love Eric to stay.
“I guess that’s between him and the club, I haven’t had any conversations with him, so we’ll have to see.”
Including matches for Bayern, Tottenham and England at junior and senior level, the duo have played 386 games together.
Bayern went trophyless for the first time in 11 seasons in 2023-24, continuing Kane’s run of never having won a team trophy, but the England captain backed Bayern to break through this year.
“Last year there were games where we were struggling but we just found a way to win.
“It’s been a bit different this year... we’ve been dominating every game we’ve played.
“We’re becoming a really dominant team in Germany and in Europe.”

Leganes snap Liga leaders Atletico’s winning streak

Leganes snap Liga leaders Atletico’s winning streak
Updated 10 min ago
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Leganes snap Liga leaders Atletico’s winning streak

Leganes snap Liga leaders Atletico’s winning streak
  • Matija Nastasic nodded Leganes ahead early in the second half
  • “We didn’t get into the game well enough, I thought we were low on energy, it wasn’t enough from us,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told DAZN

MADRID: Antoine Griezmann missed a late penalty as La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid stumbled to a shock 1-0 defeat at Leganes on Saturday, ending a club record run of 15 consecutive victories.
Matija Nastasic nodded Leganes ahead early in the second half, with Griezmann dragging a poor penalty wide in the final stages to consign Atletico to a second defeat of the league season.
Diego Simeone’s side’s superb form toward the end of 2024 took them above rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona at the halfway point, but their poor display against Leganes opened the door to Spain’s big two.
Real Madrid have the chance to move top of the table on Sunday when they host Las Palmas, while Barcelona can cut down the six-point gap on Atletico later Saturday at Getafe.
“We didn’t get into the game well enough, I thought we were low on energy, it wasn’t enough from us,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told DAZN.
“We’ll keep our head up after (winning) 15 games, we lost this one and we have to keep going forward... unfortunately the streak is over.”
The goalkeeper said Atletico would keep battling to win the title for the first time since 2021.
“The league is long, there are a lot of games until the end and it’s clear that it doesn’t end in January,” added Oblak.
Madrid minnows Leganes, 15th, battled well in defense to keep Atletico at bay in the first half.
Rojiblancos striker Julian Alvarez hit the woodwork and had another effort blocked, while Griezmann struck the post and Marko Dmitrovic batted away his second effort from the rebound.
At the other end Juan Cruz threatened on a rare forray forward for the hosts but Oblak reacted well to keep out his cross-shot.
Early in the second half, Serbian defender Nastasic headed Leganes in front from a corner, and they protected their advantage without much stress until controversially conceding a penalty for a debatable handball by Sergio Gonzalez.
Griezmann took responsibility from the penalty spot, but rolled his 90th-minute effort wide of the goal.
Substitute Angel Correa had a final chance to level for Atletico but Dmitrovic bravely blocked his effort from close range to secure Leganes’ victory.
Leganes also beat Barcelona in December and Dmitrovic said their shock wins come down to elbow grease.
“There’s nothing special (about the team), there’s work behind every game, the whole week,” said Dmitrovic.
“Yes, we were capable of beating two of the three biggest sides in La Liga, now there’s no excuses — what we did against Barca and Atletico we have to repeat in other games.
“You can’t guarantee you’ll win games in this league, but the same effort, desire, hope and work, we have to repeat.”
Atletico must now bounce back in the Champions League, where they are aiming to reach the knock-out rounds, against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
“They were 15 extraordinary games, I feel enormously proud at having set the (consecutive) winning record in Atletico’s history,” Simeone told DAZN.
“Their goal gave them the strength to keep working hard in defense, and it’s a strength to defend as well as Leganes did...
“We have to accept that defeat is part of the game and prepare ourselves for Tuesday.”


Nunez late double rescues win for Liverpool in Premier League

Nunez late double rescues win for Liverpool in Premier League
Updated 18 January 2025
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Nunez late double rescues win for Liverpool in Premier League

Nunez late double rescues win for Liverpool in Premier League
  • Nunez was derided by Brentford’s fans after going on as a substitute in the 65th minute
  • The Uruguay striker responded by turning home a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first minute of added-on time

LONDON: Darwin Nunez scored twice in stoppage time as Liverpool beat Brentford 2-0 to strengthen their spot in first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Second-placed Arsenal will look to restore the four-point gap to Liverpool by defeating Aston Villa later.
Nunez was derided by Brentford’s fans after going on as a substitute in the 65th minute, but the Uruguay striker responded by turning home a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first minute of added-on time.
Nunez then finished off a counterattack two minutes later and secured a first victory in three league games for Liverpool, which drew with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest either side of a loss to Tottenham in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals.
Liverpool have still lost only one league game all season, at home to Forest in September. The Reds had 37 shots against Brentford and scored with their final two.

Van Nistelrooy under pressure
Next-to-last Leicester lost a seventh straight game in the league, 2-0 to Fulham, to pile the pressure on recently hired manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Van Nistelrooy has won only one of his nine league games in charge — the first against West Ham on Dec. 3.
Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore scored for Fulham.
Crystal Palace won at West Ham 2-0 thanks to two second-half goals by Jean-Philippe Mateta, the second from the penalty spot.


Goretzka stars as Bayern stretch Bundesliga lead to 7 points with win over Wolfsburg

Goretzka stars as Bayern stretch Bundesliga lead to 7 points with win over Wolfsburg
Updated 18 January 2025
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Goretzka stars as Bayern stretch Bundesliga lead to 7 points with win over Wolfsburg

Goretzka stars as Bayern stretch Bundesliga lead to 7 points with win over Wolfsburg
  • Goretzka fell out of favor at Bayern last season but reminded the club’s bosses of his qualities
  • Bayern started well with Leroy Sané striking the crossbar

BERLIN: Leon Goretzka scored twice for Bayern Munich as they beat Wolfsburg 3-2 to open a seven-point lead in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Defending champion Bayer Leverkusen could restore the four-point gap with a win at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the late game.
Goretzka fell out of favor at Bayern last season but reminded the club’s bosses of his qualities by scoring twice for the first time since March.
Bayern started well with Leroy Sané striking the crossbar, then Harry Kane forcing a save from Kamil Grabara in the Wolfsburg goal.
But it took Goretzka to open the scoring in the 20th after surging through the middle of the field before firing inside the far post. Goretzka’s second goal in the 62nd – coming after Michael Olize’s goal in the 39th – proved to be the winner after Mohammed Amoura scored twice for Wolfsburg.
Leipzig squandered a three-goal lead at last-place Bochum as Myron Boadu scored a second-half hat trick for the home team.
Stuttgart capitalized with a 4-0 rout of Freiburg to overtake Leipzig and move to fourth, the last place for Champions League qualification. Leipzig dropped a point behind Stuttgart in fifth.
Also, St. Pauli defeated relegation rival Heidenheim 2-0 away, and Hoffenheim won at Holstein Kiel 3-1.


Kluivert scores another hat trick as Bournemouth end Newcastle’s winning run in Premier League

Kluivert scores another hat trick as Bournemouth end Newcastle’s winning run in Premier League
Updated 18 January 2025
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Kluivert scores another hat trick as Bournemouth end Newcastle’s winning run in Premier League

Kluivert scores another hat trick as Bournemouth end Newcastle’s winning run in Premier League
  • Milos Kerkez added a fourth goal in the sixth minute of added-on time
  • Bruno Guimaraes had equalized for Newcastle

NEWCASTLE: Justin Kluivert scored his second hat trick of the season in the Premier League to inspire Bournemouth to a 4-1 victory at Newcastle, whose nine-match winning run in all competitions came to an end emphatically on Saturday.
The Dutch midfielder netted in the sixth and 44th minutes, and again in the second-half stoppage time to complete his hat trick at St. James’ Park.
Milos Kerkez added a fourth goal in the sixth minute of added-on time.
Bruno Guimaraes had equalized for Newcastle.
Kluivert also scored three goals against Wolverhampton in November. In that match, all of Kluivert’s goals were penalties, but he scored from open play each time against Newcastle.
Six of Newcastle’s nine straight victories had come in the league, helping to lift the Saudi-controlled team into the top four in their bid to return to the Champions League.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak failed to score, having previously netted in eight league games in a row. That left him three games short of Leicester striker Jamie Vardy’s record for the longest scoring run in Premier League history.
Bournemouth climbed to sixth place, tied for points with fifth-place Chelsea.