The Portland Timbers play host to New York City FC in the 2021 MLS Cup Final in what promises to be a final for the ages.
The Timbers are searching for their second MLS Cup title, having won in 2015, but a victory today would mark the team’s first title win at home in front of a sold-out crowd at Providence Park.
New York City FC is searching for its first championship in the team’s sixth year of existence. Ronny Deila is the team’s fourth head coach during that span, but he has helped lead the team to its first final, led by the goal-scoring of MLS Golden Boot winner Taty Castellanos.
Here is a rundown of SBI’s pre-match coverage of the final:
MLS Cup Final Preview (LINK)
Valentin Castellanos poised to shine in MLS Cup that could be his NYCFC finale (LINK)
MLS Cup Final: Three Keys to a Timbers win (LINK)
MLS Cup Final: Three Keys to an NYCFC win (LINK)
The SBI Show: Episode 346 (MLS Cup Final Preview) (LINK)
SBI will be providing updates from Portland in the comments section below. Please feel free to join us, and share your own thoughts and opinions on the MLS Cup Final in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match!
NYCFC has won MLS Cup for the first time in its history, outlasting Portland 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout. Sean Johnson with two PK saves. Epic for NYCFC who conceded in the 93rd minute. Strong performance from a lot of players (James Sands, Tayvon Gray), etc. We hoped you enjoyed this week’s coverage, more to come on SBI from postmatch.
And we’re headed to PK’s.
Steve Clark is 0/6 in stopping penalties this season while Sean Johnson is 0/1.
Both teams looking content to go to penalty kicks, but think we can still see a winner here. Valeri has definitely brought a spark.
Portland having more of the ball through the first extra time period, but NYCFC doing well to limit the point-blank chances.
FELIPE MORA! The striker slams home the rebound and Portland ties it up 1-1 to force extra time. Epic stuff from Providence Park
Timbers have four minutes to rescue this. Diego Valeri is on. NYCFC trying to shut thing down. Can Portland do it? I don’t think so.
Diego Valeri coming on a little later than a lot of us expected, but we will see the Argentine on for the Timbers.
Mora skies a header in the box with only three minutes remaining before stoppage time. Portland doing everything they can and NYCFC holding firm.
Portland throwing everything at NYCFC in the final minutes. Yimmi Chara played a great free kick into the box, but Felipe Mora couldn’t get on the end of it. Huge chance missed by Timbers.
Sure looked like a handball in the penalty area by Maxime Chanot, but there was no review. NYCFC got away with one there I think.
We have not seen much from Portland yet, but you have to think they will get an equalizer as the second half wears on. Mora or Blanco haven’t been on the ball a whole lot. Wonder if/when Savarese will bring Niezgoda on.
HALFTIME – Timbers 0, NYCFC 1. NYCFC with a deserved lead in a 1st-half that didn’t a ton of clear chances, but NYCFC was more proactive in the final third
NYCFC is winning the midfield battle pretty comfortably. Timbers will get some looks on the counter, but need more of the ball.
Valentin Castellanos opens the scoring with a 41st-minute header off a Maxi Moralez free kick.
Steve Clark with a howler on that one, the ball came right at him and he misplayed it, letting it get past him.
Brutal goal to give up just before halftime.
1-0, NYCFC, 41st minute.
Still no score, 34th minute. Both teams have had some looks, but nothing truly dangerous just yet. Good back and forth action but no end product yet.
No score though 23 minutes at MLS Cup, NYCFC has had more possession in the attack, but no dangerous chances yet. Timbers absorbing pressure and haven’t had success on the counter yet.