Soccer

Portland’s 2021 MLS Cup Final, in Photos

Raindrops, tifo, a Chara sandwich, and heartbreak for the Timbers

Photography by Alli Weseman December 21, 2021

The fan-made tifo is raised at the game's start.

The Timbers Santiago Moreno, who scored the decisive goal in the Western Conference Final to send the Timbers to the MLS Cup game, battles with NYC's Maxi Moralez.

A soaked Dario Zuparic for Portland, and NYC's goalscorer, Valentîn Castellanos

Since the Timbers had a better record in the regular season than New York, the final was held in Soccer City, USA, for the first time.

Nothing to see here. Just Dairon Asprilla defying gravity again. (If you haven't seen his October 27 bicycle-kick goal, look it up.)

Brothers Yimmi (no. 23) and Diego (21) Chara

A vote of support for Steve Clark, in goal for the Timbers

Sebastian Blanco sat out the Western Conference Final following an injury in the match before, but he started and played 61 minutes in the MLS Cup Final.

Official attendance at Providence Park was 25,218, though the crowd was thinned by two when a pair of men who had been seen throwing beer cans onto the pitch, striking a player, were escorted from the premises and handed over to police.

A Timber since 2013 and MVP of the team's 2015 MLS Cup win, Diego Valeri came on as a sub in the 89th minute.

This trophy model survived the weather better than the giant inflatable one from the pregame ceremony.

Timbers defender Pablo Bonilla (foreground, from right) and midfielder Yimmi Chara leaving the pitch after the heartbreaking end

Felipe Mora, whose goal in the 94th minute sent the game into extra time, with his goalscorer's (not so) celebratory slab

There's always next year. The Timbers' 2022 season starts at home, against the New England Revolution, on February 26.

On December 11, 2021, Portland hosted the Major League Soccer Cup Final for the first time. Providence Park erupted after a late equalizer from Felipe Mora sent the game into extra time. But the Timbers, who won the Cup in 2015, were not to hoist the trophy this year. After the game remained tied, New York City FC won on penalties, 4–2.

Here's a look at the day in pictures, from the crowd-painted tifo to the two Charas to the one and only Diego Valeri.

Soccer, Portland Timbers, Timbers Army

Portland Monthly

Portland’s 2021 MLS Cup Final, in Photos

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