Sport

Gareth Bale’s MLS Cup final shows what he could still offer Wales at the World Cup

For the majority of the 32 minutes Gareth Bale played in Saturday’s MLS Cup final, the Welsh winger offered next to nothing. It was clear in the lack of movement from the 33-year-old that he was a long way short of full fitness, but the Los Angeles FC attacker still came up with a match-defining moment that ultimately sent his team to glory. Bale is only contracted to LAFC until next summer and there’s no guarantee he will be back in South California after the 2022 World Cup, The 33-year-old joined LAFC with the sole purpose of preparing for the tournament with Wales and so it’s possible he will look to make another move once he’s home from Qatar.

While Bale scored a season-defining goal on Saturday, his time in MLS has been largely underwhelming. A lack of fitness and persistent injury troubles limited him to just two starting appearances, casting doubt on the condition Bale will be in for Wales at the World Cup this winter. He might not be physically able to play every minute of every game.

And yet Bale’s big moment for LAFC in Saturday’s MLS Cup final proves why Wales should do all they can to play to their best player’s strengths even if he is fading as a physical force. Great players have a knack for scoring big goals in big games and Bale has waited his entire career to play at a World Cup for his country.

“He’s a guy with big qualities and a guy who makes big plays,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said after Bale’s extra time goal against the Philadelphia Union. “Let’s hope he doesn’t in the first game of the World Cup for all the Americans in the room. But it’s Gareth being Gareth. He does it in training. He’s done it this season. When he’s feeling well and healthy, he makes a difference in games. That’s why we bring him in in those moments. I wish he was 24.”

Wales kick off their World Cup campaign against the USA on 21st November and it’s not certain whether or not Bale will be fit enough to start. Cherundolo confirmed after Saturday’s match that the 33-year-old only had enough in the tank to play 20 or 30 minutes which is surely a concern for Rob Page and his coaching staff.

Even if Bale is fully fit, Wales can’t count on him to be the same player he was even a few seasons ago. He no longer has the explosive pace to burst pace opposition defenders. He is slower in his movement after years of injuries. There’s also the fact that Bale is now well into his 30s – the effects of time have taken their toll on his body.

But LAFC showed how to make use of Bale’s eye of goal by deploying him in a more central position where they could create opportunities for him. If Wales can harness Bale and make up for his inability to get back and help out defensively, they could still reap the reward of having him in their team.

Under Page, Wales are a well-drilled, well-organised side, but Bale gives them a different dimension. He is a difference-maker and Wales will need someone to make the difference in the attacking third if they are to make it out of Group B at the 2022 World Cup and into the round of 16. Bale isn’t the same player he was a few years ago, but he can still produce when it matters most of all.