Dejan Joveljic sent the LA Galaxy to their first MLS Cup since 2014 after scoring a last-gasp winner in their Western Conference final against the Seattle Sounders.
With four minutes remaining at Dignity Health Sports Park, Joveljic fired home his fifth goal of the playoffs to snatch a 1-0 victory and the conference title for the Galaxy on Saturday night.
The Serbian striker’s heroics mean LA will now host the New York Red Bulls in next Saturday’s all-important MLS Cup, a fixture they have not prevailed in since that last appearance 10 years ago.
Earlier in the evening, the Red Bulls became the first ever No. 7 seed to play for the championship after securing a 1-0 victory over Orlando City in the Eastern Conference showpiece.
Next weekend will mark a sixth MLS Cup appearance for the Galaxy, who have won their previous five appearances. The Red Bulls are making their second trip and seeking their first victory after losing to the Columbus Crew in 2008.
Joveljic’s goal was set up when the Galaxy intercepted a pass near the sideline. Mark Delgado picked up the ball and found Riqui Puig, who played it to Joveljic on the edge of the box.
Dejan Joveljic sent the LA Galaxy to their first MLS Cup since 2014 on Saturday night
The striker snatched a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders with four minutes remaining
As well as sending the Galaxy to the MLS Cup, it also sealed the Western Conference title
The 25-year-old then pulled the trigger and beat Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei at his near left post to spark jubilant Galaxy scenes in LA.
Down the other end, John McCarthy also made four saves for his eighth clean sheet this season across all competitions.
The Galaxy were the second seed in the Western Conference after not making the playoffs last year. They beat Colorado in two games in the first round and defeated Minnesota 6-2 last Sunday.
Over in Orlando, Andres Reyes scored two minutes into the second half and Carlos Coronel kept a brilliant clean sheet to seal the win for the Red Bulls.
First-year coach Sandro Schwarz, who left Germany’s Hertha Berlin to manage the Red Bulls, led his team past second-seeded and defending-champion Columbus in the first round, winning the rubber match on the road. The Red Bulls beat No. 6 seed New York City FC 2-0 at Citi Field in the semifinal.