Gareth Bale watched on from the bench as LAFC booked their place in the MLS Cup final for the very first time by sweeping aside Austin FC in a 3-0 win in the Western Conference final on Sunday.
Having already won the Supporters Shield as reward for being the top team in the regular season with an impressive record of 11 victories from 12 home games, LA were ahead just before the half hour when Cristian Arango headed home Carlos Vela's cross. The lead was doubled after the break when Maximiliano Urruti scored an own goal, before substitute Kwadwo Opoku added a score in the late stages. It sets up a final showdown with the Philadelphia Union, who won their conference final by easing to a 3-1 victory over New York City.
It means Wales skipper Bale now has an opportunity to add to his already swelling collection of honours, although his impact in the MLS perhaps hasn't been quite as profound as he, and indeed Rob Page, would have liked. The 33-year-old has played just five minutes of football for LAFC since making two Nations League appearances for Wales back in September, and this weekend's final may now be his last chance to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup just a few weeks away.
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In total, Bale has made 12 appearances in this MLS season, making just two starts, and recently suffered a minor injury scare. Reports emerged last week of Bale suffering a leg injury, although those concerns have since been played down by Page, who told Sky Sports: "He's alright. He's fine. I've had conversations with him and he's okay. He's fine. He's at the age now where he has to manage his body. He's got that experience to help him understand his body and how to get him in the best place possible for us."
Nevertheless, there may well be some concerns about Bale's lack of game time ahead of the showpiece in Qatar, and the sight of Bale strutting his stuff in Saturday's final with Philadelphia might just ease any lingering worries over his preparations.
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