The 2021 MLS Cup champions will be crowned on Saturday night when the Western Conference winners Portland Timbers host the Eastern Conference champions New York City FC in the MLS Cup final at Providence Park.
These two sides both finished fourth in their regular season tables but they have come good when it matters most and will meet for the title, one which will be the first for New York City FC or a second for the Timbers.
Where to watch
The match will be shown live and in full on both of the channels which cover this league in the UK – Sky Football and Free Sports. The build-up to the final begins at 8.15pm and the match kicks off at 8.23pm.
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are no strangers to the MLS Cup final. This is their third trip to the big dance in six years. They won their first final in 2015 but came up short on the road in the second one in 2018. This is a side who have been used to winning silverware in recent times having landed the MLS is Back tournament last term and they will be expecting to claim a second title given that they host this final at a home ground which is often a fortress for the Timbers.
This is likely to be the final time that a Portland legend graces the Providence Park pitch as Diego Valeri is expected to leave the club at the end of the season so the Timbers certainly aren’t going to lack for motivation to send their hero out on a high in front of a huge crowd. They will be hoping that Sebastian Blanco is fit to play even though they didn’t need him against Real Salt Lake in the Conference final last week. A repeat of that display might be enough here.
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New York City FC
The rise from entry into the MLS to competing for the big title in such a short space of time for New York City FC would normally have been hugely celebrated had it not been for the even more remarkable rise of Atlanta United prior to them. Nevertheless, it is some achievement and they will be looking to cap it off with the title. I think it is fair to say that NYCFC have ridden their luck in this postseason run but they have made it to the final and will fancy their chances now they are here.
There is no doubt they were second best in the Conference semi-final against New England Revolution but they held their nerve on penalties and then they were fortunate to face the Philadelphia Union when they had all their Covid issues. They will be quick to point out that they were without Valentin Castellanos because of suspension for that Union game and they will be delighted to have him back for this MLS Cup final. I still feel NYC will need to find a little more to win this.
Betting
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the odds for this final and saw that Portland Timbers were the outsiders. I naturally assumed with home advantage at a ground which is one of the hardest in MLS to play at that the Timbers would be solid favourites. That is before we consider the fact this is their third MLS Cup final in six seasons and there are a few players who played in their last one in 2018 and even some who were there in 2015 as well so Portland have a huge edge on experience grounds.
I also think the Timbers have been the better side in the postseason. New York City FC have done what they needed to in order to make it into this final but the all round play of Portland has impressed me far more. I think they have more scoring options and a defence which has come to the party, conceding just two goals in their last six matches. Portland have also won five of the six meetings between these two sides so if there is a winner inside 90 minutes I firmly expect it to be them.
Tips
Back Portland Timbers (0AH) to beat New York City FC for a 3/10 stake at 2.00 with BetVictor
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