The NYCFC celebrates winning the Major League Soccer Cup by beating the Portland Timbers in Oregon last December.
By Raycon Raj Khan Wick
For many residents of New York City, one thing they love is their hometown sporting events. They also take pride in their teams, cheering and going to every game, whether it’s a basketball game to see the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets, a football match featuring the New York Jets or Giants, or a baseball game with the New York Yankees or Mets. However, one thing they universally hate, is that a lot of these teams don’t win championships.
The last time a New York team won a championship was in 2012. That was when the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI (or 46.) However after a 9 year drought, another NY team finally made it to the National finals. And this time it was a soccer team! Although professional soccer in New York hasn’t gotten all the high profile media hype already enjoyed by local basketball or football, that may be about to change.
The NYCFC—or New York City Football Club—were the surprising underdogs when they won the Eastern Conference final by beating Philadelphia Union. On December 11th they played against the Portland Timbers. In the 40th minute Valentin Castellanos, the leading goalscorer in the 2021 MLS cup, made it 1-0 with NYCFC leading the match. Then at the last moment Felipe More tied the game, making it 1-1. The game was taken into penalties. Portland were allowed to kick first, but NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson saved two penalties, which helped NYCFC win the 2021 MAjor League Soccer Cup. He also earned the Most Valuable Player award as well.
NYCFC’s win is New York City’s first pro sports title since 2012. As a resident of New York City who watched the game from start to finish, I was so delighted to see NYCFC become champions, that I couldn’t have been happier to be a NYC resident.
At the time, then-mayor Bill DeBlasio held a ceremony at City Hall to honor the champions’ victory. Some devoted fans began chanting “We want a stadium!” during the celebration, which led to future mayor-elect ( and current mayor) Eric Adams to saying he will consider bringing a new and permanent soccer stadium to New York for the players. Fans were delighted, and we all hope that the team who “did the impossible for the city” (despite the global pandemic) will soon have a new home stadium for their games.