Ghanaian Duo Make History After Helping Los Angeles FC Win 2022 MLS Championship

• Ghanaian players Kwadwo Opoku and Latif Atta Blessing have won their first-ever MLS title with LAFC
• Los Angeles FC defeated Philadelphia Union on penalties to win the Major League Soccer trophy for the first time
• Opoku came on in the second half while Blessing was an unused substitute in the final at the Banc of California Stadium

Ghanaian duo Kwadwo Opoku and Latif Atta Blessing have won their first-ever Major League trophy with Los Angeles FC.

Opoku came on in the second half to replace Cristian Arango as the game was forced into extra-time following a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Banc of California Stadium.

In a dramatic extra-time, former Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale scored late in injury time to force the game into penalties as LAFC won the shootouts.

It was a historic day for the California-based club as they won the trophy for the first time just five years in the league.

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How the game happened

LAFC got off to a great start after Kellyn Acosta scored the opener after 28 minutes.

Philadelphia Union responded after the break through Daniel Gazdag but the Western Conference champions took the lead again with seven minutes remaining. Jesus Murillo connected from a Carlos Vela assist.

And just when LAFC thought they are headed for victory, Jack Elliot pushed the game into extra-time with a brilliant goal.

Elliot then scored in last minute of extra-time but the Eastern Conference champions celebrations was cut short after Bale equalized right before the referee's final whistle.

LAFC scored three of their spots kicks with Union failing to score a single penalty.

Opoku made 40 appearances for LAFC this season, scoring nine goals through the campaign while Blessing played 30 games, providing an assist.

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Gareth Bale struggles with fitness despite MLS success

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Gareth Bale said Saturday he is still battling through fitness issues as he turns his attention to the World Cup after a dramatic game-saving cameo set up Los Angeles FC's MLS Cup triumph.

The 33-year-old Wales captain once again demonstrated his habit of rising to the occasion, nodding home a 128th-minute equaliser to set up LAFC's penalty shoot-out win.

Bale was brought on as a substitute early in extra time at the Banc of California Stadium in what was his first taste of competitive football for more than a month.