Who is the Current MLS Champion? LA Galaxy (MLS Cup 2024)

For soccer fans wondering Who is the current MLS champion, the answer is the Los Angeles Galaxy, who claimed the MLS Cup 2024. In the thrilling final on December 7, 2024, the Galaxy defeated the New York Red Bulls 2–1. This article provides a comprehensive MLS season recap, covering the MLS Cup final match, team performances, standout players, and key highlights of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.

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Figure: Dignity Health Sports Park stadium in Carson, California – home of the LA Galaxy, who became the 2024 MLS Cup champions. The Galaxy celebrated their championship victory on home turf with a 2–1 win over the New York Red Bulls in MLS Cup 2024. By capturing the league’s ultimate prize – the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy – LA lifted the cup for a record-extending sixth time. It was the club’s first MLS Cup since 2014, ending a decade-long title drought and reaffirming LA’s status as the league’s most successful team. (The MLS Cup trophy is awarded to the league champion, while the Supporters’ Shield goes to the regular-season points leader.)

MLS Cup 2024 Final Recap

The 2024 MLS Cup final pitted Western Conference winner LA Galaxy against Eastern Conference finalist New York Red Bulls at Dignity Health Sports Park. Los Angeles struck early, building a 2–0 lead before halftime, and held on after New York pulled one back. Key moments included:

Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy) – 9’ – Opened the scoring early with a left-footed shot from the top of the box.
Dejan Joveljić (LA Galaxy) – 13’ – Tapped in the second goal on a rebound, putting the Galaxy up 2–0. Joveljić’s goal proved decisive (he finished the playoffs with six goals, the second-most ever in an MLS postseason).
Sean Nealis (NY Red Bulls) – 28’ – Scored on a volleyed header from a corner kick to cut the deficit to 2–1. This gave New York hope, but they could not find an equalizer.

After these goals, both teams battled physically and created chances, but LA’s goalkeeper John McCarthy and defense held firm in the second half. LA Galaxy’s midfielder Gastón Brugman (who recorded the assist on Paintsil’s goal) was named MLS Cup MVP for his commanding performance. In an emotional moment, Paintsil and Joveljić each dedicated their goals to injured teammate Riqui Puig (who had suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the Western Conference Final). Ultimately, the final score was LA Galaxy 2, New York Red Bulls 1, crowning LA as the 2024 MLS Cup winners.

Standout Players in the Final

Dejan Joveljić (LA) – The Serbian striker was the most dangerous attacker in the match. In addition to scoring the winning goal, he finished with six goals in the 2024 playoffs. Joveljić was instrumental throughout the postseason, breaking into LA’s lineup in 2024 and proving to be the team’s super-sub and playoff hero.
Joseph Paintsil (LA) – The Ghanaian forward scored the opener and constantly troubled the Red Bulls defense with his movement and direct play. He led LA with 12 goals in all competitions (regular season + playoffs).
Gaston Brugman (LA) – The Uruguayan midfielder dictated the midfield, providing energy and an assist. He earned the MLS Cup MVP award for his overall control of the game.
Sean Nealis (NY) – The Red Bulls defender scored his first goal of the season in the final, showing up at the right spot on a set piece. He kept New York in the game with that header.
Emil Forsberg (NY) – Although Forsberg didn’t score, the Swedish playmaker led the Red Bulls’ attack throughout the playoffs. He was the creative catalyst for New York, logging 11 assists on the year (despite missing time with injury) and setting up many chances for his teammates.

These key performers influenced the final and underscored why LA’s balanced attack and experienced lineup proved just enough to hold off a young New York team. According to match reports, all week New York coach Troy Lesesne touted his side’s confidence, but it was LA’s quality and clinical finishing that decided the championship.

LA Galaxy’s Road to the Title

The Galaxy’s path through the 2024 playoffs was dominant. As the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed (64 points, tied with LAFC), LA hosted every round they played. They rolled over every opponent en route to the Cup:

Round One: Defeated Colorado Rapids 5–0 (Oct 26, 2024). The Galaxy’s offense exploded, with multiple scorers and a relentless attack.
Conference Semifinal: Defeated Minnesota United FC 6–2 (Nov 24, 2024). LA again scored freely, including multiple goals by Joveljic, and outplayed Minnesota on home soil.
Western Conference Final: Defeated Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 (Nov 30, 2024). In a tighter match, a single late goal by Kevin Cabral sent LA to the MLS Cup.

Across those three playoff games, the Galaxy scored a staggering 18 goals and conceded only 4. This set a new MLS Cup playoff record for goals scored in a single postseason. LA also ended the year undefeated at home, with a combined 17-0-4 record in 2024. All five of their playoff matches (including the Cup final) were at Dignity Health Sports Park, and the fans packed the stadium each time. In short, LA’s championship run was an offensive onslaught, fueled by a late-season boost from mid-season Designated Player signings (such as Joveljić and Gabriel Pec) and a veteran core.

New York Red Bulls’ Playoff Run

Despite finishing only 7th in the Eastern Conference (47 points, +5 goal differential), the Red Bulls went on a surprising playoff run. By virtue of the new playoff format (with 18 teams), NYR bypassed the wild-card and faced a high seed in the first round. They secured back-to-back road wins:

Conference Semifinal: Beat New York City FC 2–0 (Nov 23, 2024). Playing in Queens, the Red Bulls shut out their crosstown rivals in front of 24,891 fans (selling out Citi Field). Both goals came in the second half after strong defensive play.
Eastern Conference Final: Beat Orlando City SC 1–0 (Nov 30, 2024). In Orlando, NYR scored late and held on to upset the higher-seeded Lions and reach their first-ever MLS Cup final.

This made New York the lowest seed in MLS history (East No.7) to reach the Cup Final. Coach Troy Lesesne’s team showed resilience and tactical discipline, relying on players like Forsberg and striker Omir Fernandez. However, despite their Cinderella run, the Red Bulls remained one of the few original MLS clubs without a championship. Captain Sean Nealis scored the team’s lone goal in the final, but LA’s early lead proved too much to overcome.

2024 MLS Regular Season Highlights

The regular season context makes clear why LA and Miami were favorites. The Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the best regular-season record, was won by Inter Miami CF with a league-record 74 points. Miami’s star duo, Lionel Messi (17 goals, 15 assists) and Luis Suárez (18 goals) powered the offense. The Herons set numerous records, including best home and away performances, but ultimately they fell to Atlanta United in the first playoff round.

In the Eastern Conference, Miami (22W-4L-8T) finished far ahead of Columbus Crew (66 points) and Cincinnati (59 points). The Western Conference was led by LAFC, with the Galaxy tying them at 64 points (19-8-7). LAFC led on goal differential (both scored 64, but LAFC +20 vs. +19). As a result, LA Galaxy was technically the #2 seed in the West even with the same record. The standings in brief:

Supporters’ Shield (League champion): Inter Miami CF – 74 points.
Eastern Conference Leader: Inter Miami – 74 points.
Western Conference Leader: Los Angeles FC – 64 points (tied with LA Galaxy).

Individual honors: DC United’s Christian Benteke won the MLS Golden Boot with 23 goals. Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández was second with 19 goals. Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi was voted the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, joining the likes of Carlos Vela and Sebastian Giovinco as one of the few players with 20+ goals and 15+ assists in a season. (Messi’s Miami set a single-season MLS points record with those 74 points.) Dejan Joveljić of LA Galaxy was the 2024 playoff top scorer with 6 goals.

Key statistics: The 2024 season was high-scoring overall (87 total goals by LA Galaxy alone). Messi and Suárez’s Miami tallied the most goals in the East, while Benteke’s DCU had the league’s top offense. D.C. United also earned the 2023 MLS champion moniker, but failed to repeat in 2024 (they missed the playoffs). Notably, the 2024 season introduced an 18-team playoff (top 9 per conference), including a wild-card and best-of-3 first round, expanding the postseason excitement.

For more details on standings and stats, see the MLS official site or individual team pages like the LA Galaxy official site and New York Red Bulls official site.

What This Championship Means

LA Galaxy legacy: With this victory, LA Galaxy extend their lead for most MLS Cup wins (6 titles). The Galaxy’s championship years are 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, and now 2024. They remain a dynasty of MLS, and coach Greg Vanney earned his first Cup with LA (and second overall after winning with Orlando in 2015).
Franchise turnaround: Only a few years prior, LA Galaxy were mid-table; their 2024 title shows a resurgence. The franchise is set for a period of celebration, capitalizing on the victory in marketing and fan engagement.
Impact on MLS: The match itself breaks 2024 attendance and broadcast records for MLS Cup (sold-out home crowd, etc.). The league benefits from having a storied team like LA claim the title, as it ties into MLS history and traditions.
Player futures: Many Galaxy players in top form (Joveljić, Paintsil, Pecznik) have raised their profiles. PSG’s Marco Reus, who scored in other playoff rounds, now adds MLS Cup champion to his résumé. Red Bulls players like Nealis gain confidence from this run, likely boosting their careers.
Supporters and Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park, as host, gained the spotlight. This was LA’s 7th time hosting an MLS Cup, reinforcing the venue’s importance in league history.

Call to action: Who is the current MLS champion? The LA Galaxy! Share this story with fellow soccer fans and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to follow MLS updates and join the conversation on social media.

FAQs

Who won the 2024 MLS Cup?
The Los Angeles Galaxy won the 2024 MLS Cup, defeating the New York Red Bulls 2–1 in the final.
What was the final score of the MLS Cup 2024?
The final score of the 2024 MLS Cup was LA Galaxy 2, New York Red Bulls 1.
Where was the 2024 MLS Cup final played?
The 2024 MLS Cup final was played at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (the Galaxy’s home stadium).
How many MLS Cup titles has LA Galaxy won?
With the 2024 victory, the LA Galaxy have won a record six MLS Cup titles (more than any other team).
Who won the 2024 Supporters’ Shield?
Inter Miami CF won the 2024 Supporters’ Shield with a league-record 74 points (best regular-season record), though they were eliminated early in the playoffs.
Who was the top scorer in the 2024 MLS playoffs?
LA Galaxy’s striker Dejan Joveljić was the top scorer of the 2024 playoffs with 6 goals.
Who was named the MLS Cup 2024 MVP?
LA Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman was named the MLS Cup 2024 MVP for his key role in the final. (Separate from that, Lionel Messi was the 2024 regular-season MLS MVP.)