Voodoo Doughnut, Portland’s famous purveyor of zany confections, was offering a green and gold sprinkle doughnut in honor of the Timbers hosting the MLS Cup Saturday. I should talk about the final, in which the Timbers fell to New York City FC in a penalty shootout … but doughnuts just seem more interesting.
Sour grapes from the Northwest Corner? Well, probably some of that, but the game was kind of dull, and the shootout, usually good for drama even if it isn’t soccer, featured only four good kicks out of eight between the two teams.
The game was a fitting end to lacklustre playoffs. Both Portland and New York were the fourth seeds in their respective conferences, as the top teams just didn’t show up.
In the Eastern Conference, NYCFC beat the top-seeded New England Revolution in another penalty shootout, then defeated a #2 Philadelphia Union squad missing nine players due to COVID-19 protocols.
In the west, the Timbers defeated the #1 seed Colorado Rapids 1-0 with a goal from a defenseman in the 90th minute of the conference semis. The #2 Seattle Sounders FC fell to a cynical Real Salt Lake, which prevailed in a shootout after not taking a single shot on goal in a 0-0 match. Yeah, it’s all about the doughnuts this year.
New York Is a worthy champion, with a solid defense led by hulking goalie Sean Johnson. Their striker, Valentín Castellanos, won the golden boot this season with 19 goals. On the other side, the Timbers came on strong in the playoffs after an up-and-down season, making it to the final for the third time in six years.
In the Northwest Corner, we can’t help but note that the Western Conference representative in the MLS Cup final has been either the Seattle Sounders or the Portland Timbers over the last seven years, since 2015. Both teams benefit from fervent fans filling their stadiums. Providence Park was jammed with an ardent Timbers Army Saturday despite a drenching rain.
Unfortunately, the Timbers couldn’t deliver for them. Playmakers Sebastien Blanco and Diego Charra tried to make stuff happen, but Portland was seconds from losing 1-0 after Castellanos struck off a set piece late in the first half. Striker Felipe Mora bailed the Timbers out with a goal in a desperate scramble in the box.
Shootouts are a necessary evil, but can entertain as gifted pros show skill and mental tenacity. The wow factor was muted this time. Johnson, New York’s netminder, stopped Portland’s first two shots, but they weren’t good efforts. Four of New York’s shots went in, but two out of the four were eminently stoppable.
The 2021 MLS playoffs left me hungry. In decisive games, wondrous goals and dominating, masterful sides were as scarce as dough in the middle of a doughnut.
Claude Iosso, a passionate and analytical observer of the beautiful game, offers observations about big moments in soccer around the world. Writing for the East Portland Blog, he will certainly talk about the Timbers. Speaking for the country’s entire northwest corner, he’ll talk about the Sounders too. Yes, it’s possible to root for both these teams.
Claude grew up playing soccer, and was an excellent sweeper for a time, playing with the speed of Kyle Walker and the guile (dark arts) of Sergio Ramos. He fell back in love with the sport in 2006, when he glimpsed Spain’s slick passing in the World Cup.
Claude likes to celebrate and explore the greatest players and moments in other leagues as well. For the casual fan, things in Europe and the Americas aren’t always as they seem. In the Northwest Corner, you will find the hidden storylines behind topics like the failed European Super League, Messi’s exit from Barcelona and whatever is rocking world soccer today.
