Our prediction for this MLS match:
All eyes will be on Banc of California Stadium when Los Angeles FC and Philadelphia Union face each other in the MLS Cup final. Steve Cherundulo’s men are eyeing their first ever MLS Cup trophy, and we are positive that they will leave their hearts on the field in Saturday’s showdown. Fit-again Wales superstar was not risked in a 3-0 win over Austin, and the former Real Madrid ace is likely to start from the bench once again.
As always, a man to watch in the home team will be captain Carlos Vela, while there are no fresh injury worries in the home team. The U’s, on the other hand, set up a meeting with Los Angeles FC by beating New York City 3-1. The two teams seem to be evenly matched ahead of the title game, and, taking everything into account, there is a big value in betting on draw. Jim Curtin is unlikely to make changes to the team that faced the Blue Pigeons in the Eastern Conference final.
Highlighted Player (Gareth Bale):
Gareth Bale is a Welsh footballer who plays for Real Madrid as a winger. “Bailo” was born in Cardiff on 16 July, 1989 and, as expected, he played for his home-town club Cardiff Civil Service at the start of his youth career. He moved to Southampton’s football academy in 1999 and he made a great progress during his spell with the Saints.
Bale made 40 league appearances for the first team and it has to be noted that he played as a full back at the start of his senior career. In 2007 he signed a contract with Tottenham Hotspur and he was producing thrilling performances with the White Hart Lane outfit from 2007 to 2013. Real Madrid chiefs did well to sign him on 1 September, 2013 for a fee of €91 million.
The Welsh winger won two Champions League trophies with los Blancos (2013/2014, 2015/2016) and, speaking of his international career, he made it to the European Championship finals with Wales. The Welsh ace scored three goals at the showpiece tournament in France as the Dragons reached the semi-final.
Highlighted Team (Philadelphia Union):
Based in Chester, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Union is an American soccer club that compete in Major League Soccer. The U have been participating in MLS since 2010, but they have yet to win the domestic trophy. Philadelphia welcome their opponents at Talen Energy Stadium, the venue that was opened on June 27, 2010 and current capacity of the stadium is 18.500.
The U made it to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final on two occasions (2014, 2015), but they were beaten by Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City respectively in the title games. The likes of D.C. United and New York Red Bulls are regarded as the club’s fiercest rivals, but they share a rivalry with Seattle Sounders as well.
Philadelphia’s colors are navy blue and gold, but they wear white shirts and white socks when playing on the road. USA international Freddy Adu is one of the most notable footballers who player for the U in the past. The former Benfica man scored seven goals in 37 appearances for Philadelphia Union in MLS.