The 2024 MLS Cup Closing is about: the Los Angeles Galaxy will host the New York Purple Bulls on Saturday, Dec. 7. The Galaxy is the winningest workforce in league historical past, with a record-setting 5 MLS Cups to its title, whereas the Purple Bulls have by no means received the Cup and enter the match because the lowest-seeded workforce to ever qualify for the ultimate.
However do not let the gulf between these stats idiot you: this can be a tight matchup of two wildly completely different franchises. The Galaxy is a relentless goalscoring workforce that is all the time transferring ahead, whereas the Purple Bulls are one of many strongest defensive outfits within the league.
Listed below are the important thing areas the place this MLS Cup ultimate might be received or misplaced:
The addition — and subtraction — of key European stars
The destiny of the Purple Bulls lies within the arms (and ft) of attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg. The Swedish veteran arrived in New York this yr and utterly revamped the workforce’s assault. He is not a game-changing particular person expertise like Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi or a nose-for-goal striker like D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, so his affect may be underplayed by followers and reporters alike, however make no mistake about it: the Purple Bulls dwell and die by Forsberg’s health.
The Purple Bulls had a robust begin to the 2024 season; they had been thought of one of many league’s strongest packages till summer season break. However that narrative went out the window when Forsberg damage his leg in early June. The Purple Bulls received simply two of the 9 video games he missed and tumbled down the Japanese Convention standings. Forsberg’s well-timed playoff return reinvigorated the Purple Bulls and set them on a path to the MLS Cup.
