New York City FC lifted MLS Cup for the first time in the club’s six-year history on Saturday after tying Portland 1-1 and defeating the Timbers 4-2 on penalty kicks. The Timbers were heavy favorites heading into the final, but the traveling NYCFC supporters pulled out their secret weapon: the timbs.
One of the biggest talking points of the game was the horrific blown call in the final seconds during the build-up of Portland’s equalizer. NYCFC was seconds from lifting its first title when Larrys Mabiala clearly fouled Maxime Chanot. Felipe Mora then put home the equalizer.
PORTLAND EQUALIZE IN THE LAST MINUTE OF THE MLS CUP! pic.twitter.com/NGBvvAjAe8
— ESPN (@espn) December 11, 2021
Mabiala wipes out Chanot going up for the challenge. Did the ref or VAR official deem it a fair challenge because Mabiala was making a play for the ball while Chanot stood prone?
NYCFC will have a fair gripe if they don’t pull this one out.#MLSCup— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) December 11, 2021
This a terrible look for VAR to not overturn this clear and obvious error. Those in the crowd wearing “timbs” couldn’t have been pleased with the no call.
Timberland boots, often referred to as “timbs”, are a staple of New York culture and made a legendary appearance at MLS Cup. The NYCFC supporters brought giant carboard cutouts of timbs and it was a fan-favorite for sure.
Brought the Timbs to the Timbers' house pic.twitter.com/ndRgiwhQyX
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) December 11, 2021
The #NYCFC fans brought the Tims out! Let’s go! @ThirdRailSC #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/PoA2jkiO99
— NYCFC Nation (@NYCFCNation) December 11, 2021
These NYCFC fans made cutouts of Timbs to bring to Portland.
Can’t take New Yorkers anywhere man.City leads Portland 1-0 in the 42nd. pic.twitter.com/IBJX7shFk1
— Andrew G. Haubner (@A_G_Haubner) December 11, 2021
The 2021 MLS Cup was an unpredictable affair from the classic Portland weather conditions, the scrappiness of the game and the highest of drama at the end. Perhaps there was some foreshadowing of the madness prior to kick off when the giant MLS Cup prop collapsed.
Dying. pic.twitter.com/5PZ72t7syE
— Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) December 11, 2021
The first half was an evenly matched affair with both sides seeing glimpses of goal. The breakthrough came courtesy of the 2021 MLS Golden Boot Winner, Taty Castellanos. With halftime beckoning, NYCFC struck on a set piece. A perfect ball from Maxi Moralez was met by the flying head of Castellanos.
Steve Clark will wish he could have this one back as the ball snuck underneath him.
New York City take the lead in the MLS Cup final! pic.twitter.com/6KRF3dU8Zx
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 11, 2021
The moment NYCFC took the lead in MLS Cup
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 11, 2021
A dirtbag in the crowd who could relearn their manners threw their drink at the celebrating players and struck Jesús Medina. The fan was ejected from the game and will likely receive a long ban and hefty fine.
Jesús Medina was hit by an object thrown from the crowd after NYCFC scored. pic.twitter.com/n0ptX7nR1u
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 11, 2021
It looked as if Castellanos’ goal would prove to be the difference as Portland was unable to find an answer in the second half. Then came the latest goal in regulation in MLS Cup history to break New York hearts.
PORTLAND EQUALIZE IN THE LAST MINUTE OF THE MLS CUP! pic.twitter.com/NGBvvAjAe8
— ESPN (@espn) December 11, 2021
It felt as if both teams were still recovering emotionally from the late equalizer. The first half of extra time had a slight burst of energy from Portland but then became a cagey affair. The best opportunity from extra time came in the 112th minute for Portland on a counterattack, but Sean Johnson came up with a huge save.
For the fifth time in MLS Cup history and first time since 2016 the game went to a penalty shootout.
The unpredictable theme continued through the shootout as three of the first four penalties were saved. After two rounds of penalties New York held a 1-0 advantage. Johnson had two massive saves both to his right side.
Thanks to Johnson’s heroics NYCFC controlled its own destiny and it would be the fifth penalty taker Alexander Callens who smashed home the victory. NYCFC celebrated appropriately.
THEY'VE DONE IT!
THE MOMENT NYCFC BECAME MLS CUP CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/70YOS0iE59— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 11, 2021
UNDENYABLE CHAMPIONS #FORTHECITY pic.twitter.com/kRmjqO2e3n
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) December 11, 2021
NYCFC proved all the doubters wrong as Portland, or Porto if you work for CBS, was heavily favored to win. My colleagues at The18 weren’t available for comment.
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Both teams came into MLS Cup as four seeds, but NYCFC gets the honor of being the fourth team to win it all as a four seed.
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