The 2024 MLS Cup Remaining is ready: the Los Angeles Galaxy will host the New York Crimson Bulls on Saturday, Dec. 7. The Galaxy is the winningest crew in league historical past, with a record-setting 5 MLS Cups to its title, whereas the Crimson Bulls have by no means gained the Cup and enter the match because the lowest-seeded crew to ever qualify for the ultimate.
However do not let the gulf between these stats idiot you: it is a tight matchup of two wildly totally different franchises. The Galaxy is a relentless goalscoring crew that is all the time transferring ahead, whereas the Crimson Bulls are one of many strongest defensive outfits within the league.
Listed below are the important thing areas the place this MLS Cup remaining will likely be gained or misplaced:
The addition — and subtraction — of key European stars
The destiny of the Crimson Bulls lies within the arms (and ft) of attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg. The Swedish veteran arrived in New York this 12 months and utterly revamped the crew’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 Crimson Bulls reside and die by Forsberg’s health.
The Crimson Bulls had a robust begin to the 2024 season; they had been thought-about one of many league’s strongest packages till summer time break. However that narrative went out the window when Forsberg harm his leg in early June. The Crimson Bulls gained simply two of the 9 video games he missed and tumbled down the Japanese Convention standings. Forsberg’s well-timed playoff return reinvigorated the Crimson Bulls and set them on a path to the MLS Cup.