New York City FC win MLS Cup - Beat Portland Timbers after penalties

New York City FC have won their first-ever MLS Cup trophy. The Citizens beat home team Portland Timbers in front of 25,218 fans at Providence Park. Several thousand fans had made the trip from New York to the West Coast to see the final.

The trip was worth it. The traveling support was rewarded by seeing a dramatic game that needed the full 120 minutes and then a penalty shootout to separate the two sides. New York City FC struck first in the 41st minute. A Maxi Moralez freekick found Valentín Castellanos and the Golden Boot winner was lucky that his header slipped past goalkeeper Steve Clark. 

NYCFC were now in the driver's seat and controlled the game sitting deep absorbing attack after attack by the Portland Timbers. In fact, the match was all but over when Portland finally equalized. Felipe Mora scored in the 94th minute with a low drive that left Sean Johnson without a chance sending the game into overtime. 

Sean Johnson the hero - New York City win 2-4 after penalties

Neither team could produce a winner in extra time, sending the game to the shootout. There NYCFC goalkeeper Johnson became the hero of the afternoon. The goalkeeper stopped two out of the four penalties he faced securing his club the trophy (all MLS Cup winners at a glance).