Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch makes MLS Cup prediction
By Chris Smith
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has made his prediction for the outcome of this Saturday's MLS Cup clash between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union.
In an unusually rare occurrence in MLS, the top seeds from both the Eastern and Western Conferences have made it all the way through the Playoffs gambit to the final. The two sides finished level on 67 points during the regular season with LAFC only winning the Supporters' Shield on games won.
Though he's thousands of miles away on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Marsch will be keeping his eye on the winner-takes-all showdown following his Leeds side's home clash with Bournemouth in the Premier League earlier on Saturday.
Speaking to MLSsoccer.com's ExtraTime podcast, Marsch made his prediction for the outcome of the match.
"My mind says LAFC but my heart, probably in this moment, says Philly," the American coach stated, adding on head coaches Steve Cherundolo and Jim Curtin: "These are two very good friends of mine. If I were to pick two current coaches who are my best, the guys that I'm closest with, I would think it would be these two guys."
Put in the awkward position of revealing who he'd prefer to win MLS Cup, Marsch admitted he'd love to see Curtin rewarded with the trophy after eight years as the Union's head coach.
"Steve is new in his coaching career, and Jimmy's put a lot into it," he explained. "I would probably like to see Jimmy get one this time."
"... Sorry Stevie. I love you, brother," he added.
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