MLS Cup live updates: Lineups, highlights, how to watch LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls

CARSON, Calif. — Yahoo Sports has live coverage of the Saturday’s 2024 MLS Cup final, where the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls face off in a showdown of heavyweight versus underdog. The match kicks off at 4:10 p.m. ET, 1:10 p.m. PT at the Galaxy’s fortress, Dignity Health Sports Park. Fox will broadcast the final in the United States. Fans can also stream it on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass in England or Spanish.

The Galaxy are chasing a league record sixth title after an electric season fueled by big-name signings and free-agent coups. But Saturday, they’ll be without midfield maestro Riqui Puig, whose torn ACL leaves a massive gap in their attack. Can Greg Vanney’s side adapt and deliver yet another championship to Los Angeles?

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: Riqui Puig #10 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates after defeating the Seattle Sounders 1-0 in the Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park on November 30, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) — The Los Angeles Galaxy, winners of five MLS Cups, look to add to their trophy case Saturday against the New York Red Bulls. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

On the other side, the Red Bulls have defied all odds to get here. After sneaking into the playoffs as the East’s seventh seed, they’ve clawed their way past defending champ Columbus, then crosstown rival NYCFC, then Orlando. They’ve been fueled by gritty pressing and a lights-out defense led by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. Now, with history on the line, Sandro Schwarz’s team has a chance to pull off one of the league’s greatest Cinderella stories.

Will the Galaxy’s star power shine through, or can the Red Bulls grind out one final upset to lift their first MLS Cup?

All of the latest updates, highlights and more will be below.

Live6 updates

Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:45 PM GMT+1

Red Bulls bring the hometown flavor

You might remember the New York Red Bulls as a glamorous club headlined by the likes of Rafa Marquez and Thierry Henry.

You might see Emil Forsberg, who enjoyed a long career at RB Leipzig in Germany, and think they’re still that same team.

But no. In fact, they haven’t been that team for a while. Their engine, now, is their academy. Of today’s starting 11, six are American, three are from New Jersey, and another two — the Nealis brothers, both defenders — are from Long Island.
Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:36 PM GMT+1

How will the Galaxy adjust without Puig, Reus?

Riqui Puig — who tore his ACL with around 30 minutes to go in the Western Conference final, then played the rest of the game and served up a game-winning assist in the Galaxy’s 1-0 win over Seattle — was arguably the most impactful player in MLS over the entirety of the 2024 season, including the playoffs.

He’s a massive loss, no matter how the Galaxy chose to replace him.

Still, the choice is notable. Many expected for Vanney to turn to attacking midfielder/winger Diego Fagundez in a central role. Instead, he went for Gaston Brugman, a defensive midfielder. That gives the Galaxy two true destroyers — Brugman and Edwin Cerrillo — and a very different look than the team that tore up MLS with a possession-based style. (And Marky Delgado, the other Puig/Reus replacement, is more scrappy than elegant.)

So, rather than try to replace Puig’s playmaking and dominate the ball, LA’s plan appears to be to solidify in midfield, and grind with the Red Bulls.

The impact of that choice is that more attacking onus will shift to the two Designated Players on the wing, both new additions this season: Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil.
Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:27 PM GMT+1

The lineups, in formation

Here’s how the Galaxy and Red Bulls will set up, per the official team sheet.

Given the Galaxy injuries, no surprises.

The Galaxy will set up in their customary 4-3-3, and the Red Bulls in their 3-4-2-1. (MLS)
Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:18 PM GMT+1

Marco Reus on the bench

The big news within the starting lineups is that Marco Reus — the former Borussia Dortmund star who joined the Galaxy midseason — is only fit enough for the LA bench.

He felt something in his groin early in last Saturday’s Western Conference final. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said yesterday that Reus “trained fully” on Friday, and “should be ready to go tomorrow” … but apparently he isn’t, at least not fully.

And that’s a big loss. Reus hasn’t lit up MLS, but he would’ve stepped into an elevated role in the absence of Riqui Puig, who tore his ACL last weekend.

Without both of them, the Galaxy’s midfield is significantly weakened. Marky Delgado and Gaston Brugman are the replacements.
Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:14 PM GMT+1

Lineups

Lineups are in. Here are the starting 11s:

Lineups for the 2024 MLS Cup final.
Sat, December 7, 2024 at 9:12 PM GMT+1

Welcome to MLS Cup

We’re just under an hour until kickoff at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Between now and then, we’ll set the stage for a fascinating matchup — which could produce all sorts of drama, or a relative dud.