Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) brought the City of Angels another title on Saturday when they defeated the Philadelphia Union in the MLS Cup Final at Banc of California Stadium.
Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson, who is also among the ownership group for LAFC, was on hand for the championship game and served as an honorary falconer.
LAFC defeated the Union on penalty kicks to capture their first MLS championship in club history in their first final appearance. The match was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, and 3-3 once extra time concluded before LAFC dominated penalty kicks 3-0.
After the game, Johnson congratulated the soccer team and celebrated being part of another championship team.
I want to share with the world Cookie and I are champions again!! Wowwww, what a game! I’m so proud of our players, MVP John McCarthy, Head Coach Steve Cherundolo and his entire staff, my business partners and fellow owners, and the entire organization. @LAFC pic.twitter.com/pnDXodcUou
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 6, 2022
A special thank you to the best fans in all of Major League Soccer!! We couldn’t have done it without our incredible fan base! @LAFC pic.twitter.com/RWebrrAKpR
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 6, 2022
God has really blessed me! 10 NBA Championships (5 as a player and 5 as an owner), a World Series ring with the Dodgers, a WNBA Championship with the Sparks and now an MLS Championship with LAFC….what’s next???🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆💍💍💍💍💍💍💍💍💍💍💍💍💍 pic.twitter.com/NWzITqLGvG
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 6, 2022
The Dodgers and LAFC, which was founded in 2014, have created a growing connection over the recent years.
In 2020, Walker Buehler participated in a video with LAFC to promote safe coronavirus protocols during the pandemic and Fernando Valenzuela attended a special ceremony in 2019 to present the Landon Donovan MVP trophy to LAFC forward Carlos Vela, who became the first Mexican player to win the MLS MVP.
In addition, Nomar Garciaparra, Peter Guber, Tucker Kain, Lon Rosen and Jason Sugarman are all members of the LAFC ownership group.
Meanwhile, Johnson has been part of championship-winning teams with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks and LAFC.
Jaime Jarrín visited LAFC wearing custom jersey
Earlier this season when LAFC hosted D.C. United, they also welcomed Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster Jaime Jarrín to the game.
Jarrín wore a custom jersey featuring No. 98, which represents the year when he was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame. The jersey was previously gifted to him at Dodger Stadium, and the match against D.C. United marked the first time he wore it while he served as that evening’s falconer.
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