MLS Cup 2021 - Portland Timbers vs New York City FC
The 2021 MLS Cup is upon us and it's Portland Timbers who're hosting New York City FC at Providence Park on Saturday, 4.00pm ET. Will Portland Timbers lift their second ever MLS Cup trophy or can NYFC upset the Timbers at their own home ground? Preview, team stats and predictions are coming to you here!
Portland Timbers host their first ever MLS Cup at Providence Park on Saturday against New York City FC. The Timbers will have a massive support from their home fans and have only lost 4 games at home this season. With almost evenly matched odds we think that a bet on Portland Timbers offers the best value.
Portland Timbers – New York City FC
When: 11/12 4:00pm ET
Where: Providence Park (25 218)
Watch it here: TV & Live Streaming Info
Odds: Portland Timbers (160), Draw (220), NYFC (160)
*as of 7th Dec
Head-to-head
08.02.20 New York City FC – Portland Timbers 1-3
07.08.19 New York City FC – Portland Timbers 0-1
04.23.18 Portland Timbers – New York City FC 3-0
09.09.17 New York City FC – Portland Timbers 0-1
05.16.16 Portland Timbers – New York City FC 1-2
Road to the final
Conference standings:
Portland Timbers 4th (Western Conference)
New York City FC 4th (Eastern Conference)
First Round:
Portland Timbers – Minnesota United FC 3-1
New York City FC – Atlanta United FC 2-0
Conference Semifinals:
Colorado Rapids – Portland Timbers 0-1
New England Revolution – New York City FC 2-2 (3-5)
Conference Finals:
Portland Timbers – Real Salt Lake 2-0
New York City FC – Philadelphia Union 2-1
Top scorers
Valentín Castellanos (NYFC) – 21 goals
Felipe Mora (Portland Timbers) – 12 goals
Dairon Asprilla (Portland Timbers) – 10 goals
Sebastian Blanco (Portland Timbers) – 9 goals
Jesus Medina (NYFC) – 9 goals
Match preview
Portland Timbers are ready to host their first ever MLS Cup at Providence Park after defeating Real Salt Lake in the Conference Finals. The Timbers have impressed throughout the Playoffs and have only conceded a single goal in three matches. Having lacked in defensive stability during the regular season and conceded 52 goals in 34 matches, it was clear that this was an area where they had to improve. Coach Giovanni Savarese seems to have found a solution to the problem and Portland Timbers are now as close as they were in 2018 to bring home their second ever MLS Cup trophy.
Sebastian Blanco was on the bench against Real Salt Lake after picking up an injury in the Conference Semifinals. He’s expected to take place in the starting eleven for the final along with Dairon Asprilla who’s back from suspension. Apart from that there are no fresh injuries for Portland Timbers who walk out to this final with a massive home support.
Injuries/suspensions Portland Timbers: Sebastian Blanco (Doubtful), Ismaila Jome, Jeff Attinella, Andy Polo, Hunter Sulte, Eryk Williamson
Four consecutive years where they have been knocked out in the Conference Semifinals. That’s as close as New York City FC have come to their first ever MLS Cup trophy until this season when they sealed their spot in Saturday’s final having defeated Philadelphia Union in the Conference Finals. NYCF finished fourth in the Eastern Conference and have since then managed to hold off Atlanta United, New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union.
Valentín Castellanos has been the player of the season with 21 goals to his name. He missed out on the Conference Final due to a red card that he picked up in the Semifinals but will be back for Saturday’s match. His performances have been key for NYCF this season and he will play a crucial role in their chance of lifting the MLS Cup trophy. The only injuries for NYCF are Anton Tinnerholm and Keaton Parks.
Injuries/suspensions New York City FC: Anton Tinnerholm, Keaton Parks
Prediction
Bit surprisingly the odds are nearly even when we are only days away from the 2021 MLS Cup. We believe that Portland Timbers, as home team, have a slightly better chance of winning Saturday’s match and that’s also why we have choose to go for the Timbers to lift the trophy as our prediction.
A final is a final and anything can happen but Portland Timbers will not get a chance like this anytime soon. To play a MLS Cup final infront of your home fans at your own stadium will be something special. They have been solid all season and seem to have found more stability in the defence in recent matches. The offensive line with Mora, Asprilla and Blanco is rutheless and NYFC will be put under pressure. Castellanos' 21 goals are impressive but it wont be enough to stop Portland Timbers from lifting their second MLS Cup trophy.
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Author: Dan Anderson