A 'ton of gas' in the tank for the MLS Cup 2024 MVP | OneFootball

The Los Angeles Galaxy lifted their sixth MLS Cup in franchise history this weekend. After nearly 100 minutes of play on the field (including stoppage time), the legs received a break when the team's arms were used to hoist the championship title.

A pair of early first half goals gave the edge to the LA Galaxy over the New York Red Bullls, 2-1. Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic found the back of the net. Marky Delgado and Gaston Brugman each recorded an assist.

However, just one of those four players for the 2024 Western Conference Champions had to do a little extra lifting on Saturday.

Filing in the Starting XI for the injured Riqui Puig, it was Brugman who was named the starter at midfield in his place before the game. The 32-year-old from Uruguay was then name the MLS Cup 2024 MVP after the game.

Perhaps the unlikeliest of stars on the Galaxy's roster, but certainly a deserving one, indeed.

Brugman had five assists during the regular season. He was used sparingly compared to Puig, Delgado and Edwin Cerrillo. Yet, it was Brugman's 75-minute start on Saturday that tagged him as the Most Valuable Player in the league's 29th MLS Cup Finals.

Teammate John McCarthy can relate to Brugman on this experience. In 2022, not only did the current goalkeeper for the Galaxy win an MLS Cup (with LAFC), but he was also named the MLS Cup MVP that year, too.

The LA Galaxy normally score in bunches and that they did. Their 17th postseason score of the 2024 MLS Playoffs came when Brugman connected with Paintsil on a laser perfect pass through the middle.

Brugman accepted his role as a sub this year. He was accustomed to starting prior to this season.

In 2022 and 2023, Brugman had started all but one of his 36 combined games between both years. This season, He started 12 games and came off the bench in ten more.

Despite having five career goals in MLS, all with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Brugman did not score once in 2024. That didn't hold back his teammates from lighting up the scoreboard for 69 regular season goals (87 including postseason).

This particular midfielder showed he had a plenty of gas in the tank to help the Galaxy win on Saturday. How much gas? A ton of gas.