Los Angeles FC claims 1st MLS Cup title with shootout win over Philadelphia Union

Los Angeles FC players celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Union in a penalty kick shootout to win the MLS Cup soccer match Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

LOS ANGELES — Gareth Bale tied the score 3-3 on a dramatic header in the eighth minute of extra-time stoppage time, backup goalkeeper John McCarthy stopped two Philadelphia shots in the shootout, and Los Angeles FC beat the Union 3-0 on penalty kicks to claim its first MLS Cup championship Saturday.

After Bale came on as a substitute in extra time and scored the tying goal for 10-man LAFC, Denis Bouanga, Ryan Hollingshead and Ilie Sanchez scored in the 3-0 shootout, capping the most dramatic of MLS's 27 title games.

McCarthy, a Philadelphia native and former Union keeper who had exactly one previous game of MLS action for LAFC this season, was forced to come on during the second extra period when starter Maxime Crepeau badly injured a leg while committing a red-card foul on Cory Burke.

Jack Elliott's second goal of the game then put Philadelphia ahead in the fourth minute of injury time, but Bale entered in the 97th minute and tied it with a thrilling header for the Welsh superstar's third MLS goal, his first in three months.

In the shootout, McCarthy didn't allow a goal on the Union's three attempts, diving to make two saves and watching Daniel Gazdag slip and sky his attempt over the crossbar. Sanchez then sealed the victory in front of LAFC's ecstatic home crowd.