Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson was on hand at Banc of California Stadium to serve as the Honorary Falconer prior to the MLS Cup Final between Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and Philadelphia Union.
Johnson, who is among those with ties to both the Dodgers and LAFC ownership groups, previously released the falcon for a playoff game in 2019.
The Honorary Falconer is one of LAFC’s prematch rituals that is intended to reflect the club’s style of play as fast, aggressive and relentless. In addition to Johnson, prior participants have included Will Ferrell, Meghan Trainor, Danny Trejo, Ty Burrell, Sophia Bush, Adrián González and Mia Hamm, among others.
Jaime Jarrín did the honors with falcon this past August, while wearing a custom LAFC jersey.
.@MagicJohnson is Black & Gold of course 😌 pic.twitter.com/P3zdmTm7X6
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) November 5, 2022
Honorary Falconer. LA Legend.
Thank you to Honorary Falconer, @MagicJohnson. Falcon Flight presented by @UOPX. pic.twitter.com/6gq9rbQ56D
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 5, 2022
Let’s go @LAFC!! Up 1-0 at the end of the half! pic.twitter.com/ObltEwpW2C
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 5, 2022
LAFC went on to defeat the Union on penalty kicks. The match was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, and 3-3 once extra time concluded. LAFC dominated penalty kicks 3-0.
LAFC captured their first MLS championship in what was also their first time reaching the final. Because of a USC Trojans football game on Saturday, a Dodger Stadium parking lot was used for fans attending the MLS Cup Final.
Dodgers, LAFC ties
The Dodgers and LAFC, which was founded in 2014, have created a growing connection over the recent years. In 2019, Fernando Valenzuela attended a special ceremony at Banc of California Stadium to present the Landon Donovan MVP trophy to LAFC forward Carlos Vela, who became the first Mexican player to win MLS MVP.
The Dodgers also have more ties to LAFC through Nomar Garciaparra, Peter Guber, Johnson and Lon Rosen being members of the soccer club’s ownership group.
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