New York City FC Bests Portland Timbers in Fight for 2021 MLS Cup

New York City Football Club beat the Portland Timbers in penalties to win their first-ever MLS Cup.

NYCFC opened the scoring when Valentin Castellanos headed home a goal from a set-piece in the 41st minute.

There goes that man!@tatycaste11anos opens the scoring in #MLSCup! pic.twitter.com/xD4JS0dTZq

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 11, 2021

The 23-year-old Argentine capped off an incredible season by scoring in all three of his playoff appearances.

The Portland Timbers, winners of the 2015 MLS Cup and the runners up in 2018 and 2021, waited until extra time to knot the score at one.

When the clock struck 90 minutes, the Portland Timbers were granted an additional four minutes of extra time and used every last second. Felipe Mora, after a shot was deflected, rocketed the tying goal with seconds remaining in the game.

FELIPE MORA AT THE DEATH

ALL. TIED. UP. #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/SDKasDJNbD

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 11, 2021

Over two periods of extra time, the score remained 1-1 and brought on a penalty shootout to decide the MLS Cup Champion.

The Portland Timbers got themselves in a hole they would not be able to recover from after they missed their first two penalties. The final penalty to give NYCFC the Cup was a thunderous strike by Alex Callens.

ALEX CALLENS WITH AUTHORITY! 💥

What a moment for @NYCFC. #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/KXvbDg0ASt

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 11, 2021

New York City FC was founded in 2013 and is owned by City Football Group, the holding company that owns Manchester City, and Yankees Global Enterprises, the LLC that owns the professional baseball team the New York Yankees. From January 2016 to November 2019, they were managed by current Crystal Palace manager and former Arsenal star Patrick Viera.