It all comes down to the 2024 MLS Cup presented by Audi, taking place Saturday afternoon at Dignity Health Sports Park (4:00 p.m. ET | Apple TV – Free; FOX, FOX Deportes; TSN, RDS).

Who is ahead? Is LA (Western Conference No. 2) the clear favorite at home? Can New York (Eastern Conference No. 7) cause another surprise?

The MLS Season Pass talent predicted how this event could unfold.

The Red Bulls have proven everyone wrong so far, but I’d be hard-pressed to beat the Galaxy in an MLS Cup final at home. Call it a force of habit.

While David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez were scary enough in my day, the truth is that the home atmosphere wasn’t like that. This is DIFFERENT now. I think Galaxy did that with a 3-1 home win.

When I found out Riqui Puig was out with an ACL injury, my instinct was to pick the Red Bulls, but I think LA will find a way to get the offense going again after they faltered against Seattle advised. They will brace themselves knowing they will be without their game-winning midfielder, who has more touches on the ball than anyone else in the league.

Plus, being home is an undeniable advantage for LA. They want to prove to the fans that they are really back and that this is not LAFC’s city.

RBNY had a magical run and tactically they got it right every step of the way and took out some formidable opponents. But I think their run ends here. Galaxy wins 3-1.

Even with Riqui Puig out injured, LA still has a very strong attack – including Newcomer of the Year in Gabriel Pec. They have also had a significantly improved defense since the start of the season. This ends with 2:1 Galaxy.

The Red Bulls needed to go out and get results this postseason, and they did that in some very difficult places.

But Dignity Health Sports Park is a fortress this season as the Galaxy won 16 of 20 games and drew the other four. Galaxy will maintain their unbeaten home record and win 2-0 as everyone raises their game in the absence of Riqui Puig after his devastating knee injury in the Western Conference final.

Gabriel Pec and Dejan Joveljić scored the goals and the Galaxy lifted the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy for the sixth time, capping a fantastic season in Los Angeles.

Galaxy will win 2-1. Without Riqui Puig the game will be close. But at home and with Marco Reus, Galaxy will find a way to be successful.

The Red Bulls may be “massive underdogs”, as I put it, but the duel suits them. Are you playing away against a team that dominates the ball and has difficulty defending in space and from set pieces? Oh, and are they missing their best player? Yes, that could work. I just don’t think so, at least not completely. No Riqui Puig means more bite in midfield, and Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljić stay on the ball. 2-1 LA.

I think RBNY will play with the same composure and determination that they played throughout the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, and they will get under the skin of a Galaxy without Riqui Puig to the point that their game plan will be thwarted. Red Bull wins its first ever trophy with a 1-0 result.

If there’s one team that can ruin a party, it’s the New York Red Bulls. I say this with all the love and respect in the world. They know who they are and they embrace everything. This team will make life difficult for the galaxy. In a close game, I would say RBNY comes out on top and finally takes home the MLS Cup!

I think the Red Bulls will get another win away from home. They are coming off a Hudson River Derby win at Citi Field and a big win against one of the hottest and best defensive teams in MLS, Orlando City.

The loss of Riqui Puig is the deciding factor for me. He is the Galaxy’s magician, and his presence has made them so dynamic on offense this season. Without him in the final I think it could cost them the game.

The New York Red Bulls will be MLS Cup champions because they were strong on the road and won’t feel the pressure of being the home team. Riqui Puig is irreplaceable for LA.