John McCarthy’s second MLS Cup win a first for Los Angeles

A goalkeeper from Philadelphia can now claim the title as the first player to win an MLS Cup with both MLS teams in Los Angeles.

John McCarthy, a La Salle University and North Catholic grad who played four seasons with the Philadelphia Union, won his second MLS Cup with the LA Galaxy in a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. The 32-year-old started the match after coming off the bench in the second half and leading LAFC to the 2022 MLS Cup in a penalty shootout win over his hometown team.

McCarthy also became just the seventh goalkeeper to win two MLS Cup finals and joins a short list of players from the Philadelphia area with more than one MLS Cup trophy to his name.

Chris Albright still leads the way in that category with three MLS Cup wins while Ben Olsen, Jeff Larentowicz and Jon Conway round out the list of other players with local ties who have won more than one.

With four saves in the victory today, the @LAGalaxy’s John McCarthy became the seventh goalkeeper in @MLS history to win multiple MLS Cups. pic.twitter.com/grTnHYdOSB

— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) December 8, 2024