Dejan Joveljic sends LA Galaxy to MLS Cup Final with late winner

CARSON, Calif -- The LA Galaxy are heading back to the MLS Cup Final for the first time in a decade, thanks to Dejan Joveljic’s 86th-minute goal that secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Final.

The sold-out crowd of 26,327 anxiously waited for a goal for what felt like forever, then, after 86 grueling minutes, Joveljic scored to make it 1-0 and sent Dignity Health Sports Park into a frenzy.

Seattle had a costly giveaway that ended up at the feet of Riqui Puig, who sent the ball towards Joveljic, who did the rest.

Joveljic, often dubbed “The Chessmaster” for his love of chess capitalized on an assist from Riqui Puig, firing a shot from the top of the box past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei. The sold-out crowd erupted as the Galaxy held on through six tense minutes of stoppage time to claim the conference championship.  

"They showed that they played best defensive football... but they didn't know one thing, we have the keys for every locker on the west side," Joveljic said.

The match had been a scoreless stalemate for most of the evening, with both goalkeepers delivering standout performances. LA’s Jonathan McCarthy was particularly sharp, making key saves against Albert Rusnak and Jordan Morris to keep the Sounders at bay. 

Puig, the Galaxy’s midfield maestro, was instrumental in the winning play and showcased his vision throughout the game, though he had earlier sent a free kick straight into Seattle’s wall in the 78th minute. Joveljic’s late-game heroics, however, proved to be the difference as the Galaxy secured their spot in the final.  

While the Galaxy came away with the result, it didn't come without some bumps and bruises. Marco Reus was subbed off at halftime and Puig had to be pulled from the locker room for the trophy celebration afterwards.

"He had an issue coming out at the last game, but he had trained for the last part of the week and felt like he was in a good spot, but he said probably 15 or 20 minutes, and he felt something," Vanney said of Reus. Vanney went onto say he did not "know exactly what happened," with Puig but Vanney added he would be assessed in the coming days.

Joveljic went onto to give a shout-out to another "Chessmaster," following his Man of the Match performance.

"Today is the Magnus Carson, the best chess player in the world's birthday. So I wanted to say congrats, and right now [he's in the] World Cup of chess... I'm happy to watch that tomorrow."

A year after finishing second to last in the Western Conference, the Galaxy now find themselves in the MLS Cup Final, where they will face the New York Red Bulls with a chance to add to the club's league leading five MLS Cup trophies.

Vanney said he saw this turnaround coming from the opening match of the season when Lionel Messi and friends came to Tinsel Town.

"From Game 1 against Miami, which is a wonderful game to start the season, because it gets all of your attention.. the guys were focused and ready and proved on that day, I think, that they could be here," Vanney said. "I'm really just proud of the group. The process to get here is never going to be easy, especially when you encounter the challenges that we encountered last year, which were completely unexpected."

McCarthy, who will take part in his third consecutive MLS Cup, after taking part in the last two with El Trafico rival LAFC, is trying to look at the Final like "it's just another game."

Kickoff for the MLS Cup Final is set for Dec. 7 at 1:00 p.m.