The Portland Timbers have never hosted an MLS Cup final. New York City FC has in no way performed in one. That all modifications Saturday, Dec. 11, in MLS Cup 2021, so that it will function an unprecedented matchup for the 26th championship in Major League Soccer history.
Both teams were the No. 4 seed of their respective convention, however Portland will host the identify game because it compiled a better normal-season report (55 factors vs. Fifty one factors). The Timbers survived the Western Conference gauntlet by beating Minnesota United, knocking out No. 1 seed Colorado on the road and then dispatching No. 7-seed Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference Championship performed on home turf.
NYCFC's street within the Eastern Conference took it beyond Atlanta United, No. 1-seed New England in a penalty-kick shootout and a No. 2-seeded Philadelphia Union team that was decimated by a COVID-19 outbreak. The Cityzens, who scored a late intention to oust Philly, overcame a history of playoff failure to attain their first championship game in any opposition.
MORE: All you need to recognize approximately the Liga MX final
While NYCFC has excelled via enforcing its fashion at the opposition, dominating possession, prevailing the ball lower back straight away and pushing numbers into the attack, the Timbers adapt to their competition and their to be had personnel. Portland has shown it could win thru its deadly transition game, a proactive excessive-strength assault or maybe by means of eking out a shielding conflict.
The 2021 MLS Cup very last between the Portland Timbers and New York City FC is a unmarried-recreation championship healthy. The Timbers will host the healthy at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. This is the primary time that Portland is website hosting a league very last.
ABC (English), Unimas and TUDN (Spanish) will deliver the fit, and all 3 channels may be streamed on fuboTV. New users can sign on for fuboTV on a free 7-day trial. If the 90 mins of regulation result in a draw, half-hour of greater time might be played, followed by way of a penalty-kick shootout, if necessary.
MORE: How the Europa League playoffs work
A victory for the Timbers might deliver them their 2d MLS Cup trophy after their 2015 conquer the Columbus Crew on the street. Portland misplaced in its best different appearance inside the final, in 2018 in Atlanta. New York City FC is in its first very last of any range. A trophy could wreck new ground for a club that has handiest been in life due to the fact that 2015. The Timbers joined MLS in 2011.
The Timbers get winger Dairon Asprilla again from suspension, although it is doubtful whether or not the influential Sebastian Blanco will be absolutely recovered from the hamstring harm that kept him on the bench in the Western Conference final. Even without Blanco, the Timbers produce other game-changers off the bench, including club legend Diego Valeri, who may be gambling his final recreation.
