MLS Cup

Los Angeles FC vs. Philadelphia Union in 2022 MLS Cup: Live stream, time, date, odds, how to watch

USA TODAY

This is the 27th edition of MLS Cup, and first to be played at Los Angeles' Banc of California Stadium.
Philadelphia Union and LAFC are both first-time MLS Cup participants.
This is the first MLS Cup since 2003 featuring the top seeds in each conference.

The Philadelphia Union and Los Angeles Football Club have provided a sporting rarity ... the two best regular-season teams meeting for the league championship.

The 27th edition of MLS Cup will feature two first-time participants, and is the first between the top playoff seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences since 2003, when the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Chicago Fire (of course, that was when MLS had 10 teams; there are 28 now).

Both teams had to get through tough opposition to reach this point. For LAFC, it meant defeating their nemesis, the Los Angeles Galaxy, in a thrilling conference semifinal. The Union, meanwhile, toppled the defending MLS Cup champions, New York City FC, in the conference final.

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LAFC mascot Olly, a female Red Naped Shaheen Falcon, poses with the F. Anschutz Trophy outside of at Los Angeles Union Station.

Here's everything you need to know for MLS Cup 2022:

What time does MLS Cup start?

Kickoff is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

What TV channel is MLS Cup on?

The game will be nationally televised on Fox, with Jon Strong (play-by-play) and Stu Holden (analysis) on the call. Spanish-language broadcast is available on Univision and TUDN.

How can I watch MLS Cup online via live stream?

The game can be live streamed on the Fox Sports app or FoxSports.com. The game also can be streamed live on fuboTV.

What are the odds for MLS Cup 2022?

According to Tipico Sportsbook, Los Angeles FC (-120) are favorites over the Philadelphia Union (+280).

Why is MLS Cup 2022 being played in Los Angeles?

As Supporters' Shield winners, Los Angeles FC earned home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs, including for the championship game, which is not held on a neutral site. LAFC and the Philadelphia Union actually finished the 2022 season even on points (67), but LAFC won the tiebreaker by having more wins (21 to the Union's 19). This was the second time (2019) that LAFC won the league's Supporters' Shield; the Philadelphia Union won the Supporters' Shield in 2020.

MLS CUP 2022 STORYLINES

Players to watch

Cristian "Chicho" Arango, forward, Los Angeles FC: An absolute bulldog in front of goal, Arango has scored 30 goals in 51 appearances since joining LAFC in August 2021. Arango already has two goals this postseason, including a stoppage-time winner in an El Tráfico playoff showdown against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Gareth Bale, forward, Los Angeles FC: Will he even play? After helping Wales reach its first World Cup in 64 years, Bale arrived in L.A. after eight seasons with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid. However, Bale has made just two starts for LAFC since his much-ballyhooed arrival in July, and has yet to make an appearance this postseason.

Andre Blake, goalkeeper, Philadelphia Union: The Jamaican international is the first three-time winner of the MLS goalkeeper of the year award – including this season. His 15 clean sheets this season are tied for the second-best total in MLS history (with Jimmy Nielsen of Sporting Kansas City in 2012), and just one behind the legendary Tony Meola's 16 registered in 2000.

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake finished third (behind Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar and Austin FC's Sebastián Driussi) in the 2022 league MVP voting.

Dániel Gazdag, midfielder, Philadelphia Union: The Hungarian international's second season in Philly was a breakthrough. With 22 goals (tied for second in MLS) and 10 assists, Gazdag was just one of two players (MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar the other) to finish with 30 or more total goal contributions. LAFC's defense will be wise to mark Gazdag, who scored the opening goal in the teams' only regular-season encounter, a 2-2 draw at Banc of California Stadium on May 7.

Jakob Glesnes, defender, Philadelphia Union: The 2022 MLS defender of the year and one of four Union players to make the MLS Best XI list (fellow defender Kai Wagner also among them), Glesnes anchored a defense that allowed the fewest goals (26) in a 34-game MLS regular season. Glesnes has some history with LAFC, too. On March 8, 2020, in the league's final game before coronavirus pandemic halted the season, Glesnes scored an insane free-kick goal from 35 yards out.

Carlos Vela, forward, Los Angeles FC: An OG LAFC player (Latif Blessing is the only other current player who was also on the team during its inaugural season in 2018), Vela is a three-time MLS Best XI choice (including this season) and was the 2019 MLS MVP after a record-setting campaign. The first major player signing in team history, an MLS Cup triumph would cement Vela's status as an LAFC legend just five seasons into the club's existence.

So much Philly sports success

The Union are part of a trifecta of awesome for Philadelphia sports fans. While the Union are making their first MLS Cup appearance, the undefeated Eagles are off to the best start in franchise history and the Phillies made a remarkable run to the World Series.

MLS Cup players who could be at World Cup 2022

As many as seven players in this year's MLS Cup could be making the trip to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

LAFC has six of those players: Kellyn Acosta (USA), Gareth Bale (Wales), Maxime Crépeau (Canada), and José Cifuentes, Sebastian Méndez and Diego Palacios (Ecuador). For Philadelphia, Oliver Mbaizo (Cameroon) also is expected to be at the World Cup.

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Two-time MLS coach of the year vs. first-year MLS coach

Jim Curtin, a native of the Philadelphia area, has coached the Union for nine seasons and is a two-time MLS coach of year award winner. His opponent on Saturday, LAFC's Steve Cherundolo, is in his first season as an MLS coach.

Both Curtin and Cherundolo had lengthy playing careers. Curtin played each of his nine professional seasons in MLS (seven with the Chicago Fire, two for the defunct Chivas USA), and was a starter for the Fire in the 2003 MLS Cup. Cherundolo earned 87 caps for the U.S. men's national team and made 370 appearances over 16 seasons for Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga.

Diametrically different opponents

LAFC is what you would expect from a Los Angeles-based team with a centrally located stadium. It features celebrity fans such as Owen Wilson in the field-level seats and famous owners such as Will Ferrell in the suites. The club's supporters' section at Banc of California Stadium – the 3252 – was rabid from the jump in 2018.

On the field, LAFC has been able to lure star players such as former Mexico national team player Carlos Vela (2019 MLS MVP), longtime Juventus and Italian national teamer Giorgio Chiellini, and Gareth Bale, the former Real Madrid star who helped Wales reach the World Cup.

Actor Owen Wilson stands on the field prior to the start of the Western Conference final at Banc of California Stadium on Oct. 30, 2022.

The blue-collar Philadelphia Union don't enjoy the same status with celebrities as LAFC, but the club does feature 12-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant in its ownership group. The club's MLS existence could be attributed to the dogged determination of Philadelphia's Sons of Ben supporters' group (a documentary about that is streaming on Peacock).

On the field, Philadelphia has eschewed high-priced players and embraced value signings and a build-from-the-ground-up philosophy. USMNT players Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie were developed by the Union, whose academy likely will develop even more U.S. national teamers for years to come.

Philadelphia Union fans cheer during an MLS playoff game against FC Cincinnati at Subaru Park on Oct. 20, 2022.

Family ties

Philadelphia Union president Tim McDermott is the older brother of Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott.

At his media availability on Wednesday, Sean McDermott sported a Union shirt and gave the team and his brother a shout out.

"Philly Union, baby. I'm pumping the Philly Union," said Sean McDermott, whose team is an AFC-best 6-1 entering NFL Week 9. "The best in the MLS and I think it's been four years running now in terms of their win record and how many games they've won and sustained success and coach (Jim) Curtin getting named coach of the year.

"Congrats to them and excited for my brother Tim and all that they've done there."

MORE:Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott is all in on the Philadelphia Union for MLS Cup 2022

MLS CUP HISTORY

Which teams have won MLS Cup?

2021: New York City FC over Portland Timbers (Providence Park), 1-1 (NYCFC won penalty shootout, 4-2)
2020: Columbus Crew over Seattle Sounders (Mapfre Stadium), 3-0
2019: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (CenturyLink Field), 3-1
2018: Atlanta United over Portland Timbers (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 2-0
2017: Toronto FC over Seattle Sounders FC (BMO Field), 2-0
2016: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (BMO Field), 0-0 (Sounders won penalty shootout, 5-4)
2015: Portland Timbers over Columbus Crew (Mapfre Stadium), 2-1
2014: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (StubHub Center), 2-1 (extra time)
2013: Sporting Kansas City over Real Salt Lake (Sporting Park), 1-1 (SKC won penalty shootout, 7-6)
2012: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 3-1
2011: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 1-0
2010: Colorado Rapids over FC Dallas (BMO Field), 2-1 (extra time)
2009: Real Salt Lake over Los Angeles Galaxy (Qwest Field), 1-1 (RSL won penalty shootout, 5-4)
2008: Columbus Crew over New York Red Bulls (Home Depot Center), 3-1
2007: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (RFK Stadium), 2-1
2006: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-1 (Dynamo won penalty shootout, 4-3)
2005: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-0 (extra time)
2004: D.C. United over Kansas City Wizards (Home Depot Center), 3-2
2003: San Jose Earthquakes over Chicago Fire (Home Depot Center), 4-2
2002: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Gillette Stadium), 1-0 (extra time)
2001: San Jose Earthquakes over Los Angeles Galaxy (Crew Stadium), 2-1 (extra time)
2000: Kansas City Wizards over Chicago Fire (RFK Stadium), 1-0
1999: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 2-0
1998: Chicago Fire over D.C. United (Rose Bowl), 2-0
1997: D.C. United over Colorado Rapids (RFK Stadium), 2-1
1996: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 3-2 (extra time)

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