LAFC vs Philadelphia Union - MLS Cup Final Preview

We are just a little less than 48 hours away from the MLS Cup Final at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. And the 27^th MLS Cup Final contested between Western Conference Champions Los Angeles FC and Philadelphia Union promises plenty of intrigue. Not only will it be the first national championship for either side, but both sides also won their respective Conferences during the regular season. 

Both teams finished the regular season with 67 points, and while Philadelphia Union had a better goal differential with +46, LAFC will get to host the MLS Cup because they have had more wins during the regular season. Either way, there is no doubt that these two teams are the best of the regular season, and both also sailed through the MLS Cup Playoffs to set up a duel of giants. 

It is also a final that is, in many ways, overdue. Both LAFC and Philadelphia Union have been dominant throughout the regular season over the last few years. Before winning the Supporters’ Shield, which is awarded to the best regular season team, this season, LAFC already won that title in 2019. The Union, in the meantime, won the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 and also played a strong 2021 season but were ultimately eliminated by eventual winners NYCFC in the Conference Finals after the core of the team missed the game with COVID-19. 

LAFC vs Philadelphia Union – Tanner felt "fooled"

What makes the story interesting is how the respective sides got to this point. LAFC are considered one of the big spenders of MLS. Coached by former Bundesliga star Steven Cherundolo, LAFC have the sixth-highest payroll in MLS and with a squad value of €63.68m, have the second-highest squad value in the league behind Atlanta United (overview). The Union, in the meantime, have the 11th-highest squad value and the second-lowest payroll. 

LAFC’s payroll, in fact, has been subject to some debate within MLS. The club signed Gareth Bale and Giorgino Chiellini in the summer on TAM Deals. On top of that Denis Bouanga was added as a Designated Player in a €5m transfer from Saint-Étienne. Those deals added to what was already an impressive roster but also raised some eyebrows among the decision-makers of other clubs. Among them, Union sporting director Ernst Tanner. 

“I feel fooled. Especially, as [Bale and Chiellini] were signed as TAM players in the middle of the season, who can only make $1.6m,” Tanner said when asked about LAFC’s transfers by German magazine kicker. "That takes some believing. Innocent until proven guilty, of course. But Bale made $38m before tax playing for Real Madrid and could have earned many times more in England than his official salary here. Why is he giving up so much? I don’t think the market in Europe is that damaged.”

LAFC vs Philadelphia Union – Two paths to success

Those comments earned Tanner a fine by MLS and were brought up once again ahead of the final. The comments also have to be taken in the context on how Tanner has built his roster in Philadelphia. Famous for trading away all MLS SuperDraft picks year after year, Tanner believes in picking up players for little to nothing, either from unknown clubs in Europe or through the academy. 

Leeds United star Brenden Aaronson is just the most promising player to be developed by the academy. Next in line could be his brother Paxten Aaronson. Tanner also picked up Leon Flach (St. Pauli), Kai Wagner (Würzburger Kickers), and Daniel Gazdag (Honved) for little to no money, and all have been turned into MLS stars by head coach Jim Curtin. Overall, the Union have spent just €6.28m—in comparison, LAFC spent €17.77m in fees—to assemble a roster with a squad value of €39.85m. That is remarkable. 

Who will win the game? Traditionally, home advantage and then squad value have been the two biggest determining factors to predict the winner in MLS games. LAFC have the advantage in both. But the regular season showed that the Union are at least on par with LAFC, and, as a result, this promises to be a finely balanced game that just might go all the way. 

LAFC vs Philadelphia Union Players to Watch

LAFC: Cristian Arango 

Despite being linked with a move away all season, Cristian Arango never seemed fazed by all the rumors surrounding his future. Instead, the Colombian scored goal after goal for LAFC, securing his club first place in the Western Conference and then pathed his club’s way to the MLS Cup final. Arango was involved in 33% of Los Angeles’ goals this season, scoring 16 goals and four assists in the regular season and another two goals in the MLS Cup Playoffs. 

Philadelphia Union: Daniel Gazdag 

Signed for just around €1.8m, Gazdag has been incredible for the Union this season. The Hungarian national team player scored 22 goals and six assists in 34 MLS regular season games and then added another goal in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Gazdag, alongside goalkeeper André Blake, will be the Union’s most crucial player and is among the Transfermarkt Player of the Season candidates for a good reason.