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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Ryan Baldi

Rain, pageantry and a golden goal: Remembering the first MLS Cup final

DC MLS LA Cobi Jones Bruce Arena Galaxy MLS Cup DC United LA Galaxy Major League Soccer
Tony Sanneh, Eddie Pope, John Harkes and Jeff Agoos of DC United celebrate with the Alan I Rothenberg trophy after winning the inaugural MLS championship
Tony Sanneh, Eddie Pope, John Harkes and Jeff Agoos of DC United celebrate with the Alan I Rothenberg trophy after winning the inaugural MLS championship Photograph: Simon Bruty/Getty Images

As Columbus Crew and LAFC prepare to meet in the 28th edition of the MLS Cup Saturday, US soccer’s crown-jewel showdown has come a long way since its inaugural final back in 1996, played between DC United and LA Galaxy on a rain-soaked pitch in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Yet despite the unquestionable uptick in quality of play, coaching and infrastructure the league has witnesses since, the first-ever MLS Cup might never be beaten for sheer entertainment.

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