By Juan Ignacio Riquelme
In a historic match played at Providence Park, New York City FC prevailed with authority and lifted the first league title in its history.
CHAMPIONS! Total madness among the New York City FC squad, brand-new MLS champions.
In the MLS grand final, the Portland Timbers hosted New York City FC at Providence Park to decide who would be the season’s big winner. The home team, already crowned champion in 2015 under Caleb Porter, was looking to win the title for the first time at home, in front of its fans, but fell short, losing to New York City FC in the penalty shootout.
Given the importance of the match, the final was played with great intensity, with plenty of battles in midfield, but with neither team able to impose itself clearly. Neither side wanted to make a mistake that would undo the work of an entire year.
Valentin Castellanos, the season’s Golden Boot winner, opened the scoring for the New York side in the 41st minute. The Argentine forward received a precise cross into the heart of the box from his compatriot Maxi Moralez and headed it past Steve Clark, silencing everyone in the stadium.
The match remained very even. The home team seemed unable to find a way to equalize, and everything pointed to New York City FC being crowned champion in the 90 regulation minutes. However, Portland reacted in the closing moments. In stoppage time, in the 90+4 minute, Chilean Felipe Mora found a ball at the edge of the six-yard box and finished with his right foot, with the inside of his boot, to score the equalizer and unleash madness throughout the crowd at Providence Park.
In extra time the score did not change, so the grand final had to be decided in a penalty shootout, where the home team was not very accurate from the spot. Players like Felipe Mora and Diego Valeri, among the most experienced stars on the team, missed their attempts against an inspired Sean Johnson. In the end, the shootout finished 2-4 in favor of the visitors, and New York City FC lifted its first MLS Cup, becoming the tenth franchise to win the first final it ever played.
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