LAFC defeat Austin FC 3-0 in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final
CLICK HERE to watch Cristian “Chicho” Arango’s 29th minute game-winning goal
Philadelphia Union host New York City FC tonight in Eastern Conference Final on FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN2, TVA Sports (8 p.m. ET)
NEW YORK (Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022) – The Los Angeles Football Club advanced to their first MLS Cup in club history today, earning the right to host Major League Soccer’s championship match at Banc of California Stadium after defeating Austin FC 3-0 today in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final.
LAFC’s Western Conference Final game-winning goal came from Colombian striker Cristian “Chicho” Arango who raced in front of a defender and perfectly headed a Carlos Vela corner kick into the top corner of the net in the 29th minute of play. Arango also scored the stoppage time game-winner that lifted LAFC past cross-town rival LA Galaxy in the Western Conference Semifinal.
LAFC will host 2022 MLS Cup on Saturday, Nov. 5 (4 p.m. ET, FOX, UniMás, TSN4, TVA Sports), and await the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Philadelphia Union and reigning MLS Cup champions New York City FC. The Eastern Conference Final will be played tonight at 8 p.m. ET, live on FS1 and FOX Deportes in the U.S., and on TSN2 and TVA Sports in Canada.
LAFC advance to MLS Cup after winning the 2022 Supporters’ Shield, awarded by the fans to the team with the best regular season record. LAFC are the only team in the past five years to win the Supporters’ Shield and advance to MLS Cup in the same season, and only the fourth team to have accomplished that feat since 2005: LAFC (2022), Toronto FC (2017), LA Galaxy (2011), Columbus Crew (2008).
While LAFC will be hosting the team’s first MLS Cup, the league’s championship game has been played in Los Angeles seven times previously (The Rose Bowl-1998, and Dignity Health Sporting Park - 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014).
A full schedule of media availabilities and events will be made available on Monday, Oct. 31 on www.MLSsoccer.com/media-resources.
Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs
Round One (Six Games)
(The No. 1 Eastern Conference seed and the No. 1 Western Conference seed had a Round One bye. The No. 2 seed hosted the No. 7 seed, the No. 3 seed hosted the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed hosted the No. 5 seed.)
Saturday, Oct. 15
New York Red Bulls 1:2 FC Cincinnati
LA Galaxy 1:0 Nashville SC
Sunday, Oct. 16
Austin FC 2(3):2(1) Real Salt Lake
CF Montréal 2:0 Orlando City SC
Monday, Oct. 17
New York City FC 3:0 Inter Miami CF
FC Dallas 1(5):1(4) Minnesota United
Conference Semifinals (Four Games)
(The No. 1 seed played the winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5. The winner of No. 2 vs. No. 7 played the winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6, with the higher-seeded club hosting)
Thursday, Oct. 20
Philadelphia Union 1:0 FC Cincinnati
LAFC 3:2 LA Galaxy
Sunday, Oct. 23
CF Montréal 1:3 New York City FC
Austin FC 2:1 FC Dallas
Conference Finals (Two Games)
(The advancing two Eastern Conference teams played in the Eastern Conference Final and the two advancing Western Conference teams played in the Western Conference Final, with the higher-seeded club hosting)
Sunday, Oct. 30
LAFC 3:0 Austin FC
Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC (8 p.m. ET)
MLS Cup (One Game)
(Eastern Conference Final winner vs. Western Conference Final winner, hosted by the team with the most regular season points)
Saturday, Nov. 5
4 p.m. ET
LAFC vs. TBD
(FOX / UniMás / TSN4 / TVA Sports)
