The 2022 MLS Cup final features the top seeds in each conference for just the fourth time in history, as Supporters’ Shield winners LAFC take on Eastern Conference champions Philadelphia Union.
The two sides finished level on points in the regular season, with LAFC winning the Shield thanks to the tiebreaker advantage of most wins.
A clash of styles will meet on the field in Los Angeles — LAFC’s high-flying, star-studded attack matches up against a Philly squad that boasts a grind-it-out mentality.
Carlos Vela and Cristian Arango combined to score 28 goals this season for LAFC, but they’ll face off against one of the league’s best defenses. Union head coach Jim Curtin organized a back line that boasts the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year (Andre Blake) and MLS Defender of the Year (Jakob Glesnes).
The two best teams in the league match up with MLS Cup on the line. It’s hard to ask for a better occasion than that.
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How to watch LAFC vs. Philadelphia Union
| USA | Canada | |
| Date | Saturday, November 5 | |
| Time | 4 p.m. ET | |
| TV channel (English) |
FOX | TSN 4 |
| TV channel (Spanish) |
TUDN, Univision | — |
| Streaming | fuboTV, Fox Sports app, TUDN app | TSN Go, TSN Direct |
USA: Saturday’s MLS Cup final between LAFC and Philadelphia Union from Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles will be broadcast in English in the United States on FOX’s network channel. A Spanish-language broadcast can be found on both TUDN and Univision.
All three channels are available to stream via a fuboTV subscription, with a free trial available for new users.
Canada: The 2022 MLS Cup final will be broadcast on TSN 4 in Canada, which can be streamed on TSN GO and TSN Direct.
MORE: A breakdown of the projected USMNT roster for the 2022 World Cup
Next stop…
📍 @unionstationla pic.twitter.com/vudKdYK1sQ
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 3, 2022
LAFC vs. Philadelphia Union lineups, team news
The biggest question around LAFC’s final starting lineup of the year surrounds Giorgio Chiellini who, at 38 years old, has been in and out of the rotation at center-back. He did not start the El Trafico playoff derby against LA Galaxy, with Eddie Segura there instead. He then did start the Western Conference final against Austin FC, but came off at halftime.
All other positions seem solidified for head coach Steve Cherundolo, who is not dealing with any significant injuries at this point in the season.
Star signing Gareth Bale has not seen much of the field since joining this past summer, and was only an unused substitute against Austin. It’s unlikely he will see the field in this match.
LAFC projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Crepeau (GK) — Palacios, Chiellini, Murillo, Hollingshead — Acosta, Sanchez, Cifuentes — Bouanga, Arango, Vela.
Health is also a strength for the Philadelphia Union and head coach Jim Curtin, with few injury concerns. The only worry is for captain Alejandro Bedoya who has been playing through a hip injury.
Bedoya wasn’t expected to play against NYCFC in the Eastern Conference final, but made a surprise start, only able to gut it out through the first half and was withdrawn at halftime. If Bedoya doesn’t prove fit for the final, it will likely be his halftime replacement against NYCFC, Jack McGlynn, taking over.
Philadelphia Union projected starting lineup (4-3-1-2): Blake (GK) — Wagner, Elliott, Glesnes, Mbazio — Flach, Martinez, Bedoya — Gazdag — Uhre, Carranza.
Ready yet again to run through an Andre Blake (brick wall) after @AleBedoya17‘s huddle speech!!!#DOOP pic.twitter.com/e9UaYpZyNO
— x – PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) November 3, 2022
LAFC vs. Philadelphia Union betting odds, pick & prediction
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), & SkyBet (UK).
LAFC, as the Supporters’ Shield winners and home side, are understandably heavy favorites. They’ve proven throughout the year that they can match up against the best teams in MLS and come out on top.
Goals are also expected in this game, with both teams to score and the over each pegged as likely outcomes. Obviously, LAFC can generate a volume of scoring chances, but Philadelphia also had one of the best defenses in the league, so the hosts will have their work cut out for them supporting the bookmakers.
Aside from LAFC’s late-season slip that came after they had already mathematically secured the Supporters’ Shield, the hosts for the final were far and away the best team in the league. They will have a war on their hands, but they have fought through plenty before, and came out on top.
Philadelphia should be immensely proud of their season no matter the result, and manager Jim Curtin will be in the conversation for a number of jobs this offseason. But in this final they may just come up short.
- Pick: Half with most goals—second half (-110 on BetMGM)
- Prediction: LAFC 2-1 Philadelphia Union
MORE: Today’s best bets and daily expert predictions from The Sporting News
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction |
|
|---|---|---|
| LAFC win | -135 | 1.70 |
| Draw | +280 | 3.98 |
| Philadelphia win | +320 | 4.14 |
| Both teams to score Y / N |
-185 / +130 | 1.51 / 2.23 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
-185 / +130 | 1.55 / 2.34 |
| LAFC -0.5 | -145 | 1.76 |
| Philadelphia +0.5 | +100 | 2.04 |
