10 minute read
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
arrived in New York, he promised that he would strip down to his underwear and do push ups if his team ever won MLS Cup, and proved to be a man of his word and committed to the stunt despite the freezing temperatures in Portland. Deila knew the talent he had at his disposal and relied on his veterans to help his young core. New York’s experienced goalkeeper and captain Sean Johnson was named the MLS Cup MVP for an outstanding performance on the pitch, but he was just as valuable in the locker room for his club. “The way he has stepped up the last two months has been absolutely unbelievable,” Deila said of Johnson following the MLS Cup success. “And for me, he's the big, big winner. He wins us this game in the end. “The way he speaks to the team, the way he goes in front every day in training, bringing people together, and also when the big moment is coming, how he is the standout time after time. He's a winner, a real winner, and he's a leader. He's a captain that the whole club should be really, really proud of.” Johnson has been with the club since 2017 and was named captain prior to the start of the current campaign, a role he has thrived in. “So many ups, so many downs,” he said as he reflected on the game and the season. “And we just talked amongst ourselves before the game
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COACH RONNY DELIA LIVED UP TO HIS WORD AND STRIPPED OFF FOR PUSH UPS AFTER LIFTING THE MLS CUP
ABOVE: Felipe Mora pulled Portland Timbers level late in the MLS Cup Final
BELOW: Ronny Delia, coach of NYCFC
TOP RIGHT: Sebastian Mendez for Orlando FC
FAR RIGHT: Kreilach celebrating for Real Salt Lake and just said, ‘It's a massive opportunity to make it all worth it,’ and this is what we live for, these moments to be the MVP of the finals. It means the world, but it means so much more to lift the cup for this club.” Ulimately, the team that entered the league looking to be the flashiest proved that it isn’t about big names or international superstars. Winning in MLS requires a long-term commitment to the project and the development of young stars along with having experienced veterans to help guide them. It wasn’t simply the talent on the pitch that led to NYCFC becoming champions, but rather the strength in character that they had developed through both the good and bad times. “In the end, if you keep believing, keep working hard and improve, you get what you deserve,” said Deila. “And this team, what they have done, they deserve to win MLS this year, and they did it. I'm unbelievably proud and grateful to be a part of it.” As a result of the club’s revamped philosophy, the future looks incredibly bright for the MLS Cup champions. In 2021, they inked Academy product Christian McFarlane to a homegrown contract through the 2026 season with an option for 2027 – the defender is just 14 years old. NYCFC are planning for a glorious future. 10.) MENDEZ MELTS MONTREAL One of the best parts of the MLS season is Decision Day, where sides on the cusp of making the MLS Cup Playo s are all playing at the same time. It creates some amazing drama and some awesome moments. Take the Orlando City versus CF Montreal match in the frozen tundra of Saputo Stadium. With both sides neck-and-neck for the final playo spot and a charged Montreal crowd, the atmosphere was electric with each attacking chance bringing the crowd to their feet. After 53 nervy minutes, Sebastian Mendez of Orlando earned his side the advantage with a thunderous strike from distance. The goal proved to be the di erence as Orlando earned the number six spot in the Eastern Conference.
9.) KREILACH LIFTS RSL OVER SPORTING After a tumultuous 2020 season, no one expected much of Real Salt Lake in 2021. While the side certainly had some bumps along the way, Pablo Mastroeni’s side continued to stay in the playo race getting results in a very di cult Western Conference. Their dogged pursuit of MLS’ second season paid o when Damir Kreilach scored the goahead goal in the 95th minute in their Decision Day match against Sporting Kansas City.
8.) UNDERMANNED UNION UNITE If there is one thing that is certain about American sports it is that the city of Philadelphia and its sports fans love an underdog. The sports-crazed city who counts Rocky as one of its heroes, had another underdog story that nearly paid o with the Philadelphia Union. While the Union were one of the top sides in the Eastern Conference, they were dealt a huge blow before the MLS Cup Conference Finals with the news that eleven of their players would be out due to the league’s COVID-19 Protocols. Without six starters and being forced to dip into their academy for depth, the Union surprised NYCFC taking the early lead. Although NYCFC would end up with the 2-1 win, the Union earned the respect of their supporters and their opponents showing their grit and determination in a very di cult situation.
TOP 10 MLS MOMENTS
ANOTHER MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER SEASON IS IN THE BOOKS! THE 2021 MLS SEASON PROVED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE YET WITH SO MANY TWISTS AND TURNS AS WELL AS SOME PRETTY GOOD MATCHES. SOCCER 360 MAGAZINE’S SEAN MASLIN HAS THE TOP TEN MOMENTS FROM THE 2021 CAMPAIGN!
7.) MLS ALL-STARS UPEND LIGA MX MLS All-Star games are usually devoid of any sort of memorable moments, given that the speed and pace of the match is generally pedestrian. But this year’s match against the Liga MX All-Stars seemed to have a bit more spice to it. In front of an electric crowd in Los Angeles the two sides fought for 90 minutes to a 1-1 draw. In penalties, a big goal from Ricardo Pepi and two saves from Matt Turner pushed the home side over the top.
6.) THE KING OF THE EMERALD CITY It didn’t take long for Freddy Montero to make an impact in 2021. The 34 year old striker returned to Seattle after nine years away from the Sounders and there were some questions as to what he still had left in the tank. He answered that question rather quickly, blasting a volley in the club’s season opener over Minnesota United FC. With his goal, Montero became the club’s alltime leading goalscorer with 48 goals in league play.
5.) NO SHOTS, NO PROBLEM It is kind of hard to win a match when you don’t get a shot on target. Yet, that is just what happened with Real Salt Lake in their playo match against the Seattle Sounders. Despite being outshot 21-0, RSL shocked the Sounders, winning 6-5 in penalties with defender Justen Glad (who has just five goals in 157 MLS appearances) sealing the result.
4.) TIMBERS TAKE TURKEY DAY From the day that the MLS Cup Playo Schedule was announced there was one game that every American supporter had circled on their calendar: Thanksgiving Day. 2021 saw the firstever MLS match to be played on Thanksgiving, with the Timbers traveling to Colorado to take on the Rapids. The game didn’t disappoint with the two sides trading attacking chances for the full 90 minutes. Just before extratime though the Timbers would take the Turkey Day tussle, with Larrys Mabiala stu ng a shot past the Rapids defense to give his side the win. The match itself was a huge success with the game averaging close to two million viewers, becoming the second-highest rated MLS match ever. 3.) AUSTIN STUNS MLS When Austin FC was announced as the next MLS expansion side, there were a ton of questions as to what a team in Austin, Texas would look like. The footballing world received their answer in the club’s first home match, with over 20,000 packing the Q2 stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes. With the Anthem, Los Verde, Burnt Orange Brigade, and New Braunfels in the stands and owner Matthew McConaughey wearing a green jacket the expansion side pulled o a 0-0 draw. Although it was a tough first season, the young group clearly fed o the energy of their home supporters with seven of their nine wins coming at the Q2.
2.) THE WONDO WALK-OFF 2021 saw the end of the career of Chris Wondolowski, the league’s all-time leading goalscorer. While most goalscorers of Wondo’s pedigree would turn the situation into a full show, the longtime San Jose Earthquake chose to zag. In the lead-up to the team’s match of the season against FC Dallas, no announcement had been made. In the 34th minute, he scored his fifth goal of the season and 171st of all-time with a curling shot that brought the supporters behind the net to their feet. At the end of the match, he spoke to the supporters announcing his retirement after 14 seasons with the side.
1) THE REVS CLAIM THE SHIELD Despite being an MLS original, the New England Revolution do not have the deepest trophy case. Aside from a 2009 U.S. Open Cup, the Boston side entering the 2021 season did not have any major titles in their C/V. The team led by MLS MVP Carles Gil broke that streak with a record-breaking 73 points, earning the Supporters Shield.
FAR LEFT: Freddy Montero has had a great career, and has cherished his return to the Seattle Sounders
LEFT: Austin FC won 7 out of their 9 wins at the QT, impressing the MLS and their supporters
BELOW: Chris Wondo ends his career as the all time leading scorer of MLS
FIVE THINGS WE HOPE TO SEE IN MLS IN 2022
1. While they may just be rumours, it’s hard not be excited at the prospect of a star like Lorenzo Insigne playing his trade in MLS with Toronto FC arriving in similar fashion that Sebastian Giovinco did in 2015. The Atomic Ant took the league by storm, setting all kinds of individual records and winning the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award in his first season. He also helped the Reds qualify for the playo s for the first time ever during an incredible debut season. If Insigne does join, he has big shoes to fill. 2. This likely isn’t going to happen anytime soon, but it would be encouraging to see the league pause during all international breaks, like most other major leagues do in the world. While the league doesn’t comply with the FIFA calendar, it can be frustrating watching your favourite team play an important match with half their squad missing on international duty. 3. The league’s newest team, Charlotte FC begin play in 2022 and fans of the league are hopeful they can help bring some more excitement and talent into MLS. There is nothing worse than a new team that enters the league and does nothing to generate a buzz. 4. While it is great to see young talent like Tajon Buchanan garner interest from across the pond, it is tough for fans of the league to watch the brightest stars continually exit when they reach their prime. It would be fantastic if MLS were able to hold on to their best domestic talent.
5. With crowds back in attendance, a sold-out stadium and proper atmosphere is appreciated more so than ever. The league and its teams need to do a better job marketing and scheduling games to ensure they are well attended.
