The MLS Cup conference finals did not disappoint. While we saw just two goals from open play, there was drama galore in the 180 minutes of action Saturday evening.
Let’s pick through some of the main takeaways from the proceedings in Orlando and Los Angeles.
Yet again, Seattle felt ‘one piece away’ from glory
Nov 30, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Seattle Sounders FC forward Georgi Minoungou (93) reacts after the match against the LA Galaxy in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Seattle Sounders are an enigma. Despite never really making their mark in the transfer market, they continually push deep into any competition they enter. And once they are there, they are as tough to knock out as anybody.
That success is due in large part to head coach Brian Schmetzer and the culture he has built in the emerald city, but culture only takes you so far when the teams around you spend big in the transfer market.
While they did splash some cash on Argentine youngster Pedro de la Vega, the Cascadia club remain a relatively quiet participant in the burgeoning arms race in MLS.
Against the LA Galaxy Saturday evening, the aforementioned disciplined culture kept the Sounders within an arm’s length of the highflying SoCal club, but the sprinkle of stardust was clearly missing when it mattered.
But if the Seattle hierarchy do finally decide to loosen the purse strings, it could spell bad news for their Western Conference foes.
🚨The Seattle Sounders expiring contracts for 2024🚨
This will be the most important off-season in the club’s history going into next season with the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and lots of big decisions that need to be made…
Who would you like to see be kept and let go? pic.twitter.com/SIBLIvGr1j
— Rave Green TV (@RaveGreenTV) December 2, 2024
The Red Bulls’ run is what makes MLS great
Nov 30, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; New York Red Bulls defender Andres Reyes (4) celebrates after winning in the 2024 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Very few people would have picked the New York Red Bulls to make a run for their first MLS Cup berth since 2008, especially after a fairly tumultuous regular season.
Back in September, the Red Bulls suffered a 5-1 home defeat to crosstown rivals NYCFC, prompting the home supporters to raise a banner that read “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”.
Fast forward a couple of months, that very…