MLS Cup: LA Galaxy top New York Red Bulls to claim sixth title

For the first time in a decade, the LA Galaxy are back atop Major League Soccer.

The Galaxy beat the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in Saturday's MLS Cup final to claim their league-record sixth championship in MLS's 29 seasons and their first since 2014.

With injured Galaxy star and Barcelona product Riqui Puig looking on from the sidelines in street clothes after tearing his ACL in last weekend's Western Conference final, the home side got goals from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljić inside the first quarter-hour at Dignity Health Sports Park. They never really looked back, even after Sean Nealis scored for the Red Bulls before the first half was over. 

Saturday's triumph completes a remarkable turnaround for the Galaxy, which finished 26th out of 29 MLS franchises during the regular season in 2023. It also reignites the original MLS club's crosstown rivalry with LAFC, which had relegated the Galaxy to second-tier status in Los Angeles in recent years. LAFC has won two Supporters Shields and one MLS Cup since debuting as an expansion team six years ago. They were the losing MLS Cup finalists last year.

But now the Galaxy are the toast of Tinseltown once again. Here are a few quick thoughts on Saturday's MLS Cup.

The opener couldn't have been much prettier. After exchanging short passes with Edwin Cerrillo, Gastón Brugman's defense-splitting through ball found a streaking Paintsil in behind. One deft touch from the Ghanaian winger was enough to beat Red Bulls keeper Carlos Coronel and give the hosts a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Paintsil celebrated the goal by holding up Puig's No. 6 jersey.

While Paintsil's early team goal set the tone, Joveljić's brilliant individual effort was the back-breaker. The Serbian striker picked