Galaxy-Sounders, Orlando City-Red Bulls meet in MLS Conference Finals
11/25/2024 06:31 AM
The MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Finals are officially set.
Sunday’s conclusion of the conference semifinal round saw four teams clinch their spot into next weekend’s Conference Finals. The L.A. Galaxy will meet the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Final on November 30 while Orlando City hosts the New York Red Bulls the same day in the Eastern Conference Final.
The winners of the two matchups will meet at MLS Cup on December 7.
Galaxy, Sounders advance to West Final
The Galaxy rolled to a spot in the West Final after breezing past Minnesota United 6-2 at Dignity Health Sports Park. Gabriel Pec, Dejan Joveljic, and Joseph Paintsil all registered braces in the match while five different players added assists.
Pec also missed one penalty kick in the second half right before the Loons were reduced to 10 men.
Brian Schmetzer’s Sounders outlasted LAFC 2-1 in extra time at BMO Stadium to set up next weekend’s clash with the Galaxy. Ryan Hollingshead propelled Steve Cherundolo’s squad in front but an own goal from Maxime Chanot forced extra time between the two clubs.
Veteran attacker Jordan Morris delivered the winning goal in the 109th minute while goalkeeper Stefan Frei delivered nine saves in between the posts.
The Sounders and Galaxy split this season’s three meetings, with L.A. winning 1-0 at home back on March 30.
Orlando City, Red Bulls reach East Final
Orlando City continued to be one of the stingier teams to break down in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Oscar Pareja’s squad defeated Atlanta United 1-0 on Sunday thanks to Ramiro Enrique’s sliding finish in the 39th minute. Defensively the Lions made it tough for the visiting Five Stripes, holding them to zero shots on target in the match.
Orlando City have only scored four goals in four playoff matches this fall but have also conceded just one.
The Red Bulls eliminated reigning MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew in the opening round before defeating rivals NYCFC 2-0 on Saturday.
Felipe Carballo finished off Dante Vanzeir’s pass in the 16th minute before Vanzeir doubled the visitors lead nine minutes later. 27-year-old Carlos Coronel stole the show against NYCFC, registering a seven-save shutout.
These two teams played out a 1-1 draw in Orlando back on March 30 while the Red Bulls claimed a 1-0 home victory against the Lions in early-June.
