Gareth Bale this week once again justified the nickname that stuck to him - "player of finals".
After scoring in two Champions League finals for Real Madrid - in the Spanish Cup final against Barcelona and in the Club World Cup final - and after lifting Wales to the first Euro in its history and scoring all three of its goals in the World Cup playoffs against Austria and Ukraine, Bale added one more to the list: a goal in the final of the -MLS, which awarded the Los Angeles teams the title.
But it is not only the goal that justified the title "player of the finals", it is mainly what led to it.
Unlike the days when goals in the finals were a direct product of being a team player and a central figure in his team, today's Bale is not in the team and really not in the center.
Over the years, with age and especially with the many injuries, the 33-year-old Welsh star lost interest in the competitive routine and looked for a comfortable place on the sidelines, from which he could emerge when it really mattered.
That's what happened last season, when he managed to be both a deep bench player for Real Madrid and the man who sent Wales to their first World Cup since 1958, and that's what happened at the beginning of last week.
Bale reached the MLS final between Los Angeles and Philadelphia when the last time he stepped on the grass was on October 2, and even then it was for five minutes, and the last time he appeared in the lineup was a month earlier.
Coach Steven Cherundolo would have been happy to use him more, but the Welshman's fitness just didn't allow it.
"I wish he was 24" wished Cherundolo, who had to give up Bale at the start of this final as well.
Bale celebrates winning the MLS championship with Los Angeles, photo: USA TODAY Sports
"Knows how to take care of himself"
It wasn't until the 97th minute, after the game went into extra time with a 2:2 tie, that the Welshman got up from the bench to justify his reputation.
It almost didn't happen when Philadelphia went up 2:3 in the 124th minute, but then Bale entered the picture: in the 128th minute, and with the help of a tremendous dive, he went up to a high ball and hit it in powerfully.
The game ended 3:3, and Los Angeles won the title when they won a penalty shootout from the penalty spot.
"It's always nice to score goals in the final," Bale concluded, "I probably have a talent for it."
Bale's talent has come at the perfect time for Wales, who are pinning much of their hopes in Qatar at the feet of their star man.
The fact that he hardly played at all in the last two months disturbed the rest of the coach Rob Page, so much so that two weeks ago he met with his star in the USA to find out what the situation was. "He is fine, he feels good", reassured the coach in the interview that the Welsh nation was waiting for him, "He knows how to take care of himself, and he has the experience to know exactly what his body requires and needs from him.
I'm sure he's doing everything to be ready for us for the World Cup."
Therefore, the goal he scored was like a calming shot for the Welsh.
Not only the timing and status, but also the athleticism in striking and the enthusiasm in running to the crowd after the goal.
In fact, in 20 minutes of play that came after a full month without, Bale proved that he had found the formula to maximize his abilities at this point in time.
He may play a lot less, but he still does a lot.
"He is a great player who is capable of doing great things," Charundolo concluded.
The coach, an American by heart and birth, was very happy with Bale's contribution to the title of Los Angeles, but at the same time he was also very worried about what was going to happen in Qatar.
The USA's first game will be against Wales, and the monster has woken up. "On behalf of all the Americans," Charondolo said, "I hope he doesn't do it against us in the World Cup."
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