The Major League Soccer Season is down to the final match of the season as the Portland Timbers meet New York City FC in the MLS Cup Final 2021.
The MLS Cup Final 2021 will cap off the long, marathon-like soccer season in the United States and Canada. The playoffs have thrown up some upsets as New York City knocked out the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the New England Revolution. If you remember, I told you the Revs would get knocked out of the playoffs.
Portland Timbers also knocked out a No. 1 seed as they defeated the top-ranked Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference on their journey to the MLS Cup Final 2021.
Portland Timbers aim for second MLS Cup trophy
Saturday’s cup final will be the third for the Portland Timbers. They won the MLS Cup in 2015 defeating Columbus Crew 2-1. In 2018, the Timbers were on the losing end, falling 2-0 to Atlanta United.
New York City FC, who are a part of the Manchester City Football structure, have never played in the MLS Cup Final previously. Remarkably, the Blues of New York reached the MLS Cup Final after their initial big-money spend on legendary players.
This is a club that once employed Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, and David Villa. After a re-think of how to assemble a squad in MLS, New York City FC have become a top side.
MLS Cup Final 2021: How do the clubs match up?
Saturday’s cup final will be held in Portland at Providence Park. Due to having a higher points total at the end of the MLS regular season, the Timbers earned the right to host the match.
Portland have an incredible following in the city and that could sway the final into their favor. Portland Timbers had MLS’s third-highest attendance in 2021 with an average of 21,285 fans per game.
New York City have long tried to capture the attention of the Big Apple’s vast sports landscape. The same can be said about their city rival, the New York Red Bulls. An MLS Cup Final win would help the team become more of relevant in NYC.
While Portland have home-field advantage, New York City have MLS’s top scorer. Valentin Castellanos bagged 19 goals in 32 games for the Blues. In his fourth season at the club, Castellanos had his best year in front of goal. His previous best in goals was 11.
Portland Timbers were led in goals by Felipe Mora with 11 goals in 29 matches. Unlike New York City, the Timbers had two double-digit scorers. Dairon Asprilla scored 10 times.
MLS Cup Final 2021: Head-to-Head
As I often say, the teams that reach the MLS Cup Final, and the team that ultimately wins the trophy, are those that get hot at the end of the season. Oftentimes, it isn’t the overall No. 1 seed and Supporters’ Shield winner as was evident with the New England Revolution (think of MLS as like the NHL).
Portland and New York City have met a mere six times in their histories in MLS play. The Timbers have won five of those six head-to-head matches while New York City have claimed just one victory.
Portland are on a four-match winning streak against New York City, but it should be noted that only one of the Timbers’ five all-time wins over the Blues came at home.
The Timbers are on a six-game winning streak. They ended the regular season with three straight wins before winning three straight matches in the playoffs. All of Portland’s wins in the playoffs have been in 90 minutes.
New York City are on an eight-match unbeaten run. six of those eight games ended in wins. The Blues won two of their three matches in regular time and had to go to penalties against the Revolution to knock them out.
MLS Cup Final 2021: Pick
Portland coach Giovanni Savarese led the team to the 2018 MLS Cup Final where the team lost to Columbus Crew. Last season, he won the MLS is Back Tournament, which was a post-COVID break competition held by the league.
Although New York City have the league’s top scorer in Castellanos, this is a team that will play in a difficult environment with hostile fans. Portland earned the right to host the match.
Zcode System’s Soccer Buddy tool has picked a 1-1 draw at full-time. However, I’m going to go against this pick. I believe the Portland Timbers will pick up a win in regular time to win their second MLS Cup.
Zcode System’s Soccer Buddy Pick: Portland Timbers 1-1 New York City FC
Drew’s Pick: Portland Timbers to win 2-1
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