NYCFC MLS CUP CHAMPIONS CELEBRATION IN CITY HALL
New York City FC won the first MLS championship in the Club’s history, defeating the Portland Timbers in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw before a sellout crowd at Providence Park in Portland.
NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson was named MLS Cup MVP presented by Audi after making two saves during the penalty shootout. Valentín “Taty” Castellanos, the winner of the 2021 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi, gave NYCFC the lead late in the first half, before Felipe Mora scored the equalizer four minutes into second-half stoppage time, the latest goal scored in MLS Cup to send a game into extra time.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio presented keys to the city to each of the players, honoring the Cityzens for their first MLS Cup title.
“The team motto is ‘For the City’ and this team lives it out,” De Blasio said. “They inspire us, they make us feel hope even in the toughest moments. This is an amazing team for the ages.”
Serenaded with chants of “take it off” after his unique post-match celebration, fully-clothed NYCFC manager Ronny Deila credited the togetherness of the championship quest, saying he was taken aback by celebratory scenes at the watch party at Hammerstein Ballroom.
“What we have accomplished together is amazing, unbelievable. I will remember for the rest of my life,” Deila said. “I almost start crying again. I don’t want to do that, but it makes me emotional because it’s about people, it’s about being together. It’s about doing something together because you’re nothing alone. It’s us, so thank you everybody for that.”
The club’s sporting director, David Lee, also referenced that theme of taking the journey together, from their lone Audi MLS Cup Playoffs win at Yankee Stadium – a Round One victory over Atlanta United – to the epic penalty kick shootout win in MLS Cup 2021.
“There is a phrase that we have said regularly over the last few weeks: If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together,” Lee said. “We all, players, staff and most importantly you the fans, we went together to Yankee Stadium to beat Atlanta, together to New England, together to Philadelphia and most importantly together to Portland to bring the trophy home.”
