New York City FC won its first ever MLS Cup on Saturday, defeating the Portland Timbers 4-2 on penalties. The 2021 Golden Boot award winner Valentin Castellanos scored in the 41st minute to give his team the lead. However Felipe Mora was not to be denied, scoring the equalizer for Portland at 90+4 to send the game to extras.
After added time solved nothing, both teams headed to penalty kicks. There NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson stopped the first two kicks to give his team the edge it needed to prevail over the home side. Alexander Callens would be the one to score the deciding goal, blasting a well placed strike into the back of the net to clinch his teamโs first trophy since joining the league in 2015.
It was a grueling trip to reach the finals for New York who had to go through Atlanta, New England, and Philadelphia to book their ticket to the championship game. The match marked the first time that NYCFC had reached the MLS finals in club history.
The match wasnโt without its share of controversy however, as Timbers supporters pelted NYCFC players with projectiles as the visitors were celebrating the gameโs opening goal. One such projectile, a beer can, struck Jesus Medina in the head causing a lengthy delay to the first halfโs closing minutes. The Timbers confirmed after the match that the fan who threw the beer can was located, removed from the stadium and banned from attending future events at Providence Park.
Team officials have yet to announce any parade or celebration details, however the club assures fans that they are in the works.