By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 15, 2021) US Soccer Players - Make no mistake, the 2021 MLS Cup final was about Portland. The city that prides itself on embracing soccer did just that in front of a national television audience. Portland is an American soccer city. Maybe THE American soccer city. After the show that Timbers fans put on at Providence Park in cold, wet, and windy conditions, no . . .
Does winning in MLS next season mean figuring out what happened this season?
By J Hutcherson (Dec 14, 2021) US Soccer Players - One thing that the pandemic disruptions have made clear in MLS is that clubs and the league itself will not wait to make changes. 2020 counted, judged by how many teams made significant roster and technical staff decisions. 2021 was more of the same, with general managers, technical directors, and coaches moving on as teams revamped before and . . .
The 2021 MLS season in review
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 13, 2021) US Soccer Players – The 2021 MLS season has been quite a ride. A year after a pandemic delayed season, it came back strong in difficult circumstances. It had it all: close games, last-gasp goals, and plenty of upsets. In fact, it's the continued unpredictable nature of MLS that many use as a criticism. Instead, it's what many of us think remains one . . .
NYCFC’s MLS Cup
The 2021 Major League Soccer season ended with NYCFC beating Portland in the MLS Cup final. After drawing 1-1 in regulation and that score holding through extra time, NYCFC won the Cup 4-2 on penalties. Valentin Castellanos put New York up in the 41st with Felipe Mora equalizing four minutes into stoppage time. NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson blocked Portland's penalties in rounds one and two. NYCFC . . .
Is New York City FC finally becoming an MLS power?
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 9, 2021) US Soccer Players - The Philadelphia Union had nearly pulled off an improbable victory over New York City FC in Sunday's Eastern Conference Final at Subaru Park. Despite the absence of a starting XI's worth of players due to a COVID-19 outbreak, a packed crowd was roaring their shorthanded team on towards a place in the MLS Cup final. Then a late . . .
Soccer City USA hosts a title game
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Dec 8, 2021) US Soccer Players - The city of Portland has several nicknames. The Rose City, Rip City, Stumptown, and PDX pay homage to some portion of the city's history and culture. None of those nicknames are going anywhere. For instance, the Rose City nickname is not contingent upon the number of roses that bloom in and around Portland at any one time. But there . . .
Preview: The 2021 MLS Cup final
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 6, 2021) US Soccer Players – All eyes will be on Portland this Saturday when the Timbers take on New York City FC (3pm ET - ABC). It is the first time Providence Park will host the final, while the Timbers will compete in their third MLS championship game in seven years. NYCFC, meanwhile, will be playing for their first MLS Cup. "To be able to host MLS Cup, . . .
Portland hosts NYCFC in the 2021 MLS Cup
Monday's soccer news starts with the MLS conference finals. Portland shutout Real Salt Lake 2-0 in the Western Conference. Felipe Mora scored for the Timbers in the 5th and Santiago Moreno doubled the lead in the 61st. RSL's Aaron Herrera saw red in the 79th minute. “Tonight was very special,” Portland coach Gio Savarese said. "The passion, the energy, it was at a level that gives me . . .
