Welcome to the Total Soccer Show and our preview of MLS Cup 2024.

In the West, we've got an LA Galaxy side gunning for their record sixth MLS Cup title,

but who will sadly be without star player Ricky Pooge.

And from the east, the underdog New York Red Bulls,

the lowest ever seed to reach the final, who took out the reigning champs on route to their journey to Carson, California. Today we're looking at the matchup, the tactical keys to the game, the players to watch out for, and much, much more. My name is Ryan Bailey, joining me today, your friend, my friend Taylor Rockwell. Hello, Taylor. Hello, I feel like that person, like, right before the quiz in high school or, like,

right before the test when you go in and then someone says something and you're like, oh, I don't know that. Should I know that? Is that going to be on the quiz? I did not know they were the lowest ranked team or lowest seeded team ever. You've blown my mind. And apparently you've blown Joe's mind as he takes pictures of his recording setup as we do the introduction.

That's right.

Joe Larry joining us from a cupboard somewhere in California? Yes, basically. I'm just preparing for Carson Weekly is what I'm doing. I'm also realizing my mic is way too loud so far. Just speak into the mic. That's the most helpful part, Joe. Yeah, I think so. I think so. So think so. I'm kneeling on a bunch of pillows because the space is not large enough for a chair. We're having an interesting morning, and I just wanted the people to see it. That's all. It's also you holding the side and really makes it look like, yeah, right? If I don't hold on, I'm going to fall down. Are you in the trash compactor from Star Wars? It's closing in. It's closing.

We're really going behind the curtain today on Total Soccer show. But Joe Lowry, of course, our correspondent on the ground at MLS Cup will be hearing plenty from Joe in his journey throughout the weekend, I'm sure. But also he just heard his voice. Hard to say. There we go.

Graham Ruffin also here.

Hello, Graham.

Hello, Ryan Bailey.

I was under the impression that we were all meeting in Carson today for this episode. I'm actually sitting on the pitch at Dignity Health Sports Park. You just can't see it because I've got the pillow fort around me. But that's where I am right now. Oh, that explains that the surface does not look as smooth as usual.

There we are, Grant.

The Canber is different today.

Patreon.com slash total soccer shows where you'll get our bonus content, by the way. Bonus episodes, bonus video, maybe even from Joey Lowry on his travels in California. And, yeah, access to the Discord as well, where you'll find all the cool kids hanging out discussing MLS Cup and much, much more.

Joe, before we get into it, my first question is a difficult one for you, not just because you appear to be crouching in a cupboard at this point, but where did you predict these teams to finish in your beginning of season predictions?

Do you have any idea? I've just sprung this on you. I mean, the Galaxy surely were quite high in your predictions. I think I would have been darn close on both of these. To be honest, if you give me two minutes or ask someone else who can reach the computer with more ease to look it up, we might be able to find out. Very well, very well. We'll go to Taylor Rockcore. Taylor, MLS Cup weekend, of course. How are you feeling about it? Nice 4pm kickoff Eastern Time on Fox and our beloved Apple TV as well. This matchup, maybe not being portrayed as an underdog versus a Titan of sorts. Do you think it's going to be unbalanced?

I don't, actually. I think it's going to be a

potentially ugly game that could also be a potentially very fun and enjoyable game. I do wish it were

a little bit later. I was thinking it was going to be a nighttime game here in the East that it is 4pm

is like, I don't know. It's just not the like appointment billing you want, but at the same time, I think it means that you get eyes on it. You're not competing with prime time. And it will be a really fun game for people tuning in because you've got the Galaxy who have been so exciting, so strong in the attack, so occasionally vulnerable in defense. However, missing that that key player in Ricky Pooge is going to be a problem for them versus the Red Bulls who playing with a chip on their shoulder. Joe and I have talked about it many times. They're coming into this game, I think with a point to prove. They're going to be a high intensity at times, but they don't really have the full attacking quality, certainly not to the level of the galaxy. So it could be a KG affair. It could be

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