MLS Cup Playoff Takeaways: Round 3

Photo from the Portland Timbers

Remember before the playoffs started when I said the Western Conference participant couldn’t possibly be Seattle or Portland again?

Well…

Portland Timbers defeat Real Salt Lake 2-0

Whoops!

RSL had a good run, but the amazing return from injury for Sebastian Blanco, which I don’t think anybody saw coming considering how he left versus Colorado, helped spur the Timbers on to an easy 2-0 victory at home.

The Timbers will host MLS Cup, and ABC has to be salivating over the Timbers Army at Providence Park playing for a Cup Final.

If you want to see an incredible soccer atmosphere, watch ABC on Saturday at 3:00 P.M.

You’re going to get one.

New York City FC defeat Philadelphia Union 2-1

Man, the Union did such a good job under incredibly difficult circumstances against a very good team.

The Union had 11 players, including their entire backline and 2020 goalkeeper of the year winner, in health & safety protocols due to an outbreak.

NYCFC was missing Taty Castellanos, but that’s much less difficult to get over than losing your entire backline.

But the Union fought incredibly hard, and even took the lead on an own goal midway through the 2nd half.

Sadly, playing a lot of backups and young players eventually caught up to them, as NYCFC took their chances for a 2-1 win.

NYCFC finally are in a Cup Final, even if it was an underwhelming performance.

But they do get Castellanos back for the final, and that’s huge.

MLS Cup Final Prediction

It’s not even worth discussing NYCFC, and I’ll explain why by showing you the last 7 winners of the Western Conference and their results in MLS Cup Final.

2021: Portland Timbers (TBD)

2020: Seattle Sounders (Loss)

2019: Seattle Sounders (Win)

2018: Portland Timbers (Loss)

2017: Seattle Sounders (Loss)

2016: Seattle Sounders (Win)

2015: Portland Timbers (Win)

Any fans of patterns notice something?

There’s only one possible winner.

So congratulations to the Portland Timbers on their 2-1 win over NYCFC!

And a preemptive congratulations to the Seattle Sounders on winning MLS Cup in 2022!