The 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs were arguably the most entertaining in league history, especially if the final was anything to go by.
LAFC beat the Philadelphia Union 3-0 on penalties to take home the biggest prize, but not before an incredible 3-3 draw that included both sides taking the lead and the record for the latest goal in MLS history being broken twice – including by Gareth Bale in the 128th minute.
Of course, the Playoffs are about more than just the final. Players stepped up in earlier rounds to get LAFC and the Union that far, while there were some real standout performances from stars at other clubs.
WIth that in mind, we’ve put together our best XI from the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs:
GK: Andre Blake – Only Sean Johnson (14) made more saves than Andre Blake (13) during these Playoffs, while the Jamaica international allowed just one goal in his opening two games. Even in the final, he couldn’t be blamed. Blake’s most memorable moment was stopping Alexander Callens just after the Union went 1-0 down in the Eastern Conference Final – a save that turned the match on its head.
RB: Olivier Mbaizo – He didn’t come up with too many attacking fireworks, but Olivier Mbaizo was solid as a rock throughout the Playoffs. The Cameroonian defender was dribbled past just once across the three games and made a combined seven tackles while staying on the field for all 300 minutes of the Union’s campaign.
CB: Jesus Murillo – LAFC had serious fitness troubles at center-back but through it all, Jesus Murillo was a constant. The Colombian played every single minute of the Black and Gold’s run while having to deal with Giorgio Chiellini, Eddie Segura, and Sebastien Ibeagha all coming in at one point or another. Sure, Murillo didn’t have his greatest game against the LA Galaxy, but he was a giant against Austin FC and even scored in Saturday’s final.
CB: Jack Elliott – His Playoffs might well be remembered for being beaten in the air by Gareth Bale, but that would be so unfair to Jack Elliott. The English center-back had already scored twice in the final to put the Union on the brink, while through the post-season, he ranked second for interceptions (6) and tackles (6), while winning 15 of his 21 contested aerial duels.
LB: Kai Wagner – Wagner is so often heralded for his offensive play and, indeed, he did notch an assist at MLS Cup. However, it was his defensive play that impressed so much during the Playoffs, with Wagner putting in tackle after tackle and still finding time to create at the other end. It was a close-run thing with Diego Palacios, though.
CM: Ilie Sanchez – It may come as quite a surprise to learn that LAFC only dominated possession in one post-season game, with both the LA Galaxy and Philadelphia Union seeing more of the ball. However, when the Black and Gold had it, Ilie Sanchez made it count with some supreme, metronomic passing. What’s more, the Spaniard used all his positional intelligence to cut out opposition attacks, keeping LAFC on top even without the ball.
CM: Maxi Moralez – If you need someone to show up for the big occasion, look no further than Maxi Moralez. After scoring just two regular-season goals, the veteran Argentine stepped up and found the net in all three of NYCFC’s Playoffs games. Moralez didn’t let up creatively, either, with only Diego Fagundez (10) creating more chances (8) on the whole. And, as always, despite his age, Moralez worked relentlessly for the team and probably deserved another MLS Cup appearance individually.
CAM: Sebastian Driussi – For the first two rounds of the Playoffs, Sebastian Driussi was a force of nature. Sure, he fell flat against LAFC, effectively killing Austin FC’s chances. But it’s hard to forget his two-goal performance against Real Salt Lake, or his match-winner against FC Dallas. Driussi single-handedly dismantled those two defenses, taking Austin into uncharted territory.
RW: Carlos Vela – We all know Carlos Vela isn’t the same player he was in 2019 and, yet, he still finds a way to contribute. The Mexican forward created seven chances across three games, providing an assist in each of LAFC’s wins, while with a combined xG total of 0.85, he was really quite unlucky not to score himself. Vela is more than just a talisman for LAFC now, he’s also become their captain and spiritual leader.
ST: Heber – Perhaps Cristian Arango should be here, but it’s hard not to be impressed by Heber’s story. While out with an ACL injury, the Brazilian striker had to watch as Taty Castellanos moved into the middle and won a Golden Boot. Even when he was back fit, Talles Magno was often preferred up-front throughout 2021. And yet, as the season went on, Heber won his place back and was even fit enough to score in each of NYCFC’s Playoffs wins this campaign, proving a menace for Inter Miami and CF Montreal before finally running out of steam in the Eastern Conference Final.
LW: Denis Bouanga – Bounga’s Playoffs campaign definitely peaked with his brace in El Trafico against the Galaxy but he definitely wasn’t done there, even if he didn’t score again. The Gabon international created four chances across his next two games while, during the whole Playoffs campaign, he made nine tackles, putting in one hell of a shift for Steve Cherundolo. Bouanga appears to be everything LAFC wished Brian Rodriguez would be.
Subs: John McCarthy, Diego Palacios, Jakob Glesnes, Kellyn Acosta, Jose Cifuentes, Daniel Gazdag, Djordje Mihailovic, Diego Fagundez, Cristian Arango.
