Matchday

"It's destiny": World Cup-bound Gareth Bale brings LAFC first-ever MLS Cup

1105 LAFC Bale Sider

LOS ANGELES ā€“ It had to be him.

With the second extra-time period nearing its conclusion in Saturdayā€™s MLS Cup 2022 matchup, the visiting Philadelphia Union seemed set for a 3-2 win at Banc of California Stadium.

Gareth Bale had other ideas.

LAFCā€™s superstar forward, signed in late June upon leaving Real Madrid, leaped skyward to connect with Diego Palaciosā€™ endline cross, heading it home in the 128th minute to force a 3-3 draw and penalty kicks.

It was a Hollywood moment from the leagueā€™s biggest star and set the stage for the Black & Goldā€™s first-ever league title after a 3-0 penalty-kick shootout victory. In one nod of the ball, vindication was found.

ā€œIt's always nice to score in finals, and I seem to have a knack for doing that,ā€ Bale said postgame, shortly after teammates JosĆ© Cifuentes and Cristian Arango gave him a beer shower in celebration.

Bale wasnā€™t kidding, by the way. The 33-year-old arrived in Southern California after winning 19 trophies since 2013, spanning his time with Tottenham and Real Madrid. He even once commanded the worldā€™s biggest-ever transfer fee, moving from the English Premier League to Spainā€™s LaLiga.

But, truthfully, Baleā€™s time in MLS hasnā€™t gone how some hoped. He only produced two goals across roughly 350 minutes (12 appearances) during the regular season as LAFC became Supportersā€™ Shield champions, and then he didnā€™t feature in their Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs run until facing Philadelphia.

Introduced in the 97th minute for club captain Carlos Vela, Bale made the difference when it mattered most ā€“ pushing back against some criticisms that follow a player of his global profile.

ā€œHe's a guy with big qualities and a guy who makes big plays,ā€ said head coach Steve Cherundolo. ā€œLet's hope he doesn't in the first game of the World Cup for all the Americans in the room.

ā€œBut it's Gareth being Gareth. He does it in training. He's done it this season. When he's feeling well and healthy, he makes a difference in games. That's why we bring him in in those moments. I wish he was 24.ā€

Giorgio Chiellini, LAFCā€™s other high-profile addition this summer, summed up the emotional impact of Baleā€™s heroics.

ā€œBefore Gareth scored, I was thinking it was over,ā€ said the former Juventus center back. ā€œThen when I see the goal, I thought itā€™s fair, itā€™s destiny that the Cup is close to LAFC.ā€

Close indeed, and now Bale will turn his focus to leading Wales into their first World Cup in 64 years. Theyā€™ll open Nov. 21 against the United States, likely squaring off against his LAFC teammate Kellyn Acosta, whose deflected free kick opened the scoring in Saturdayā€™s barnburner.

Bale addressed the injury concerns that seem to frame global soccer nowadays, with Qatar 2022 hopes creeping into playersā€™ minds.

ā€œIt's been difficult mentally now leading into the World Cup,ā€ Bale said. ā€œYou see there's so many players that are dropping out, and now they are missing the World Cup.

ā€œSo it's been difficult mentally, and I'm sure it has been for a lot of players leading, going into the World Cup. For sure it's been in the back of my mind trying to make sure I'm 100 percent fit.ā€

Bale, who joined LAFC on a 12-month contract using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) with options through 2024, said heā€™s still not at full fitness. But the joy of bringing a historic MLS Cup to his new club might help ease some lingering pains.

ā€œIt's important for this club to go to the next level, and I think by winning this trophy, it shows that we are. It's a club really on the rise doing the right things,ā€ Bale said. ā€œItā€™s an important trophy for us, especially the first one, first major trophy, and hopefully there's more to come in the future.ā€