Combined XI: LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls | MLS Cup 2024

You know there’s a Cup final on the horizon when the ol’ Combined XI column pops up in your feed!

Let’s start with the obvious: LA Galaxy, even without Riqui Puig, are massive MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi favorites on Saturday (4 pm ET | Apple TV – Free; FOX, FOX Deportes; TSN, RDS).

So LA dominate my team, while New York Red Bulls cry foul but not-so-secretly relish the underdog role. Surely, Sandro Schwarz’s biggest wish is for all media types to count his team out, ideally publicly. (You’re welcome, Sandro.)

Everyone is comfortable with their assigned role, just as I am perfectly comfortable giving the Galaxy seven of 11 spots available.

This is admittedly harsh on LA’s John McCarthy, who was the better goalkeeper by the advanced numbers and the eye test (early season set pieces excluded) during the regular season.

I’m taking the Paraguayan international here because what he did during the spring, summer and early fall isn’t nearly as important as what he’s done in November. Coronel has been on an absolute heater. It’s no stretch to say the Red Bulls wouldn’t be in MLS Cup without him.

For content’s sake, gimme the guy on the heater, but I’ll take the spot-kick specialist (McCarthy) should the game go to penalty kicks. In other words, this is basically a wash.

Cameron Harper has covered every blade of grass on the Red Bulls’ right flank and deserves a hearty shout, but Yamane might be the most underrated player in the final.

The former Japanese international is a rock (just ask Gabriel Pec, who has freedom to roam because of his cover) for this much-improved Galaxy group. The 30-year-old keeps the things Greg Vanney asks of him – anticipatory defensive positioning, connecting and advancing play, one-v-one defending – simple and effective. No wasted energy or movement. Just job done at a high level. Over and over.

How can you pick just one Nealis? One spot in the back is going to the brothers Nealis, whichever of Dylan or Sean fits your eye. They may be brothers, but have distinct strengths on either side of Andrés Reyes.

Sean’s…