Advertisement

Portland Timbers vs. New York City FC MLS Cup 2021: Live stream, time, date, odds, how to watch

usa today
·4 min read

The 26th edition of MLS Cup will feature New York City FC and the Portland Timbers.

While this will be the first MLS Cup appearance for NYCFC, Portland will be playing in its third MLS Cup. However, this will be the first time that the Timbers will host MLS Cup at Providence Park. Portland won MLS Cup in 2015 against the Crew in Columbus, but were defeated by Atlanta United in MLS Cup 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Timbers, coached by Giovanni Savarese, reached MLS Cup by defeating Minnesota United in Round 1, the Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference semifinals and then Real Salt Lake in the conference final. Felipe Mora (11) and Dairon Asprilla (10) were Portland's leading goal-scorers during the 2021 regular season.

NYCFC, coached by Ronny Deila, reached MLS Cup by defeating Atlanta United in the first round, the New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference semifinals and the Philadelphia Union in the conference final. With his 19 goals this season, Valentín "Taty" Castellanos was the league's Golden Boot winner.

NYCFC will be playing for New York's first major pro sports championship since the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012.

2021 MLS CUP PREDICTIONS: Does New York gets its first major sports title since 2011?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: Portland coach's history with NYCFC dates back to Cosmos days

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW: Stay up to date with our sports newsletter

NYCFC's Valentin Castellanos was the 2021 MLS Golden Boot winner.
NYCFC's Valentin Castellanos was the 2021 MLS Golden Boot winner.

Here's everything you need to know for MLS Cup 2021:

What time does MLS Cup start?

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET at Providence Park in Portland.

What TV channel is MLS Cup on?

The game will be nationally televised on ABC, with Jon Champion (play-by-play) and Taylor Twellman (analysis) on the call. Spanish-language broadcast is available on UniMás and TUDN.

How can I watch MLS Cup online via live stream?

The game can be streamed on Watch ESPN. The game also can be streamed live on fuboTV.

What are the odds for MLS Cup 2021?

According to Tipico Sportsbook, New York City FC (+155) are slight favorites over the Portland Timbers (+165).

Why is MLS Cup 2021 being played in Portland?

The Portland Timbers earned home-field advantage for MLS Cup by having a better regular-season record than their opponents, NYCFC. Since 2012, the team with the highest regular-season point total has been the championship game's host.

A Timbers game at Providence Park is unique in American sports. Timber Joey, Portland's lumberjack mascot, saws off a slab of wood for each Timbers goal and then presents it to the goal scorer after the game. Timbers Army, Portland's supporters group, is among the finest in the sport and is known for impressive tifo displays.

Portland fans will be hoping Timber Joey cuts the log multiple times when the Timbers host MLS Cup against NYCFC.
Portland fans will be hoping Timber Joey cuts the log multiple times when the Timbers host MLS Cup against NYCFC.

MLS Cup history: Previous finals

2020: Columbus Crew over Seattle Sounders FC (Mapfre Stadium), 3-0

2019: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (CenturyLink Field), 3-1

2018: Atlanta United over Portland Timbers (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 2-0

2017: Toronto FC over Seattle Sounders FC (BMO Field), 2-0

2016: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (BMO Field), 0-0 (Sounders won penalty shootout, 5-4)

2015: Portland Timbers over Columbus Crew (Mapfre Stadium), 2-1

2014: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (StubHub Center), 2-1 (extra time)

2013: Sporting Kansas City over Real Salt Lake (Sporting Park), 1-1 (SKC won penalty shootout, 7-6)

2012: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 3-1

2011: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 1-0

2010: Colorado Rapids over FC Dallas (BMO Field), 2-1 (extra time)

2009: Real Salt Lake over Los Angeles Galaxy (Qwest Field), 1-1 (RSL won penalty shootout, 5-4)

2008: Columbus Crew over New York Red Bulls (Home Depot Center), 3-1

2007: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (RFK Stadium), 2-1

2006: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-1 (Dynamo won penalty shootout, 4-3)

2005: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-0 (extra time)

2004: D.C. United over Kansas City Wizards (Home Depot Center), 3-2

2003: San Jose Earthquakes over Chicago Fire (Home Depot Center), 4-2

2002: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Gillette Stadium), 1-0 (extra time)

2001: San Jose Earthquakes over Los Angeles Galaxy (Crew Stadium), 2-1 (extra time)

2000: Kansas City Wizards over Chicago Fire (RFK Stadium), 1-0

1999: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 2-0

1998: Chicago Fire over D.C. United (Rose Bowl), 2-0

1997: D.C. United over Colorado Rapids (RFK Stadium), 2-1

1996: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 3-2 (extra time)

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2021 MLS Cup live stream, time, TV info, how to watch Timbers-NYCFC