Marco Reus has long been regarded as one of the most talented footballers of his generation. A player known for his exceptional skill, vision, and leadership, Reus has had a career defined by near-glories and frustrating near-misses. After a long and often heartbreaking journey with Borussia Dortmund, Reus is now poised for his most important match yet — the MLS Cup final. As LA Galaxy face the New York Red Bulls for the title, Reus finds himself on the cusp of winning his first major club trophy — an achievement that has long eluded him, despite his exceptional career.
Reus’ journey through football has been marked by both brilliance and misfortune. A talented forward and attacking midfielder, he played a crucial role in Borussia Dortmund’s success during his tenure, but key moments — most notably the 2012/2013 and 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League finals, as well as his injury before the 2014 World Cup — have left him just short of the major silverware he deserves.
A Career of Near-Misses: Champions League and National Heartbreak
Although Reus has enjoyed domestic success in Germany, winning two DFB-Pokal titles and two DFL-Super Cups with Dortmund, the Bundesliga title has always eluded him. His most agonizing near-miss came in 2013 when Dortmund reached the Champions League final, only to lose 2-1 to Bayern Munich in a dramatic clash. A year later, Reus’ hopes of winning the World Cup with Germany were dashed when he was forced to withdraw from the national squad just before the 2014 tournament due to an ankle injury suffered in a warm-up match against Armenia. His absence meant he missed out on Germany’s triumphant campaign, as the team went on to lift the World Cup in Brazil without him.
Despite the heartbreak, Reus’ resilience has been unwavering. He stayed with Borussia Dortmund and continued to be their star player, leading them through many competitive campaigns and inspiring the next generation of footballers. But the one thing that continued to evade him was the major international titles — titles that seemed just out of his reach, season after season.
A New Challenge in MLS
In 2024, after over a decade at Borussia Dortmund, Reus made the surprising decision to leave Europe and join LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. The move shocked many, as Reus was at the tail end of his career and had long been considered a staple of European football. But it also presented an exciting new challenge for Reus — a chance to experience a new league and, perhaps, finally claim that elusive major title.
Since joining LA Galaxy from Dortmund in the summer, Marco Reus has accumulated just 522 minutes of play across both the regular season and playoffs. While there’s no questioning the 35-year-old’s undeniable talent, concerns over his durability remain. Reus hasn’t had much time on the pitch with his new teammates, and he did leave Saturday’s Western Conference final early due to groin tightness. This lack of consistent game time raises valid questions about his fitness heading into the MLS Cup final.
A Classic MLS Final Decades in the Making
As the dust settled on an electric night at Dignity Health Sports Park, Dejan Joveljić’s late heroics against the Seattle Sounders sealed the LA Galaxy’s return to the MLS Cup final. On the other side of the bracket, the New York Red Bulls edged past Orlando City SC, setting the stage for a long-awaited clash of two MLS founding clubs.
For the first time in a decade, the Galaxy and Red Bulls — flagship franchises from the league’s 1996 inception — will meet in the MLS Cup. Representing the sprawling metropolises of Los Angeles and New York, their matchup harkens back to MLS’s origins while showcasing the contrasting paths both teams have taken to this point.
The Galaxy’s return to prominence reflects a mix of bold investments and steady leadership under Greg Vanney, while the Red Bulls have reached the summit through defensive grit and precise execution under Sandro Schwarz. With styles as divergent as their histories, this MLS Cup promises an unforgettable battle of contrasts as Hollywood welcomes Gotham for the league’s grandest stage.
Reus’ MLS Cup Dream
For Reus, the 2024 MLS Cup final is more than just another match — it’s a chance to finally win the major trophy that has long eluded him. After his near-misses in Europe, he has the opportunity to secure his place among the greats by helping LA Galaxy win their first MLS Cup since 2014.
Winning the MLS Cup would be a fitting conclusion to Reus’ career, allowing him to finally claim the title he has worked so hard for. His leadership and skill have been a vital part of Galaxy’s success this season, and lifting the MLS Cup would cap off what has been an incredible journey — from Bundesliga heartbreaks to Champions League near-glories, and now, the chance to end his career with a North American triumph.
