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Carson, California – Last offseason, only one team showed interest in goalkeeper John McCarthy, and that decision proved fruitful for both parties involved. On Saturday, McCarthy played a pivotal role in securing an MLS Cup title for the LA Galaxy, delivering an impressive performance with four saves during a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.
This triumph marks McCarthy’s third consecutive appearance in an MLS Cup final, following his previous stints with Los Angeles Football Club in 2022 and 2023. Reflecting on the achievement, McCarthy expressed gratitude, stating, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be in three. Winning two out of three is amazing, but winning today means everything.”
In the 2022 MLS Cup final, McCarthy earned the MVP title after stepping in during extra time for LAFC when starting goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau suffered a serious injury. He made critical saves, including stopping two penalty kicks, helping LAFC secure their first championship. McCarthy was absent from the bench in the subsequent year when Columbus secured the title, halting LAFC’s hopes for a repeat victory.
Galaxy’s coach Greg Vanney and general manager Will Kuntz set their sights on McCarthy during the offseason, valuing not just his experience but also his confident demeanor on the field. McCarthy noted, “It’s not like I was sitting there with 20 different teams to pick and choose. I’m grateful for Will to give me the opportunity to compete. And that’s all I ask for. At the end of the day, all I care about is winning. They gave me belief.”
Saturday’s match marked McCarthy’s 24th victory in 38 starts, with a commendable goals against average of 1.29 this season, leading to a 24-8-6 record across all competitions. Vanney emphasized the necessity of having a player with a strong presence and experience, highlighting, “We needed a guy with a big personality, loud voice, and with a big presence. John has shown that with his maturity and personality from the start.”
During the match, the Red Bulls struggled to find significant scoring chances. Their only goal came from Sean Nealis in the 28th minute, following a failure to clear the ball after a Red Bulls corner. Captain Emil Forsberg nearly equalized in the 72nd minute, but his shot hit the outer post. In extra time, McCarthy managed to deal with loose balls that threatened his goal, showcasing his reliable presence.
“To win for one of the most historic clubs in MLS, it’s awesome to lift the trophy,” McCarthy remarked, celebrating a victory that solidifies his growing legacy within Major League Soccer.
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