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MLS Conference Finals preview

By Angelo Zarra

Valentin Castellanos #11 of New York City FC holds his hands in the air in celebration of winning the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoff match against Atlanta United at Yankee Stadium on November 21, 2021 in New York, New York. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
Valentin Castellanos #11 of New York City FC holds his hands in the air in celebration of winning the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoff match against Atlanta United at Yankee Stadium on November 21, 2021 in New York, New York. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images) /
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Damir Kreilach of Real Salt Lake (on ground) can expect to see plenty of Portland’s Diego Chara (#21)  during Saturday’s Western Conference Final as the two sides battle for a spot in the MLS Cup. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Damir Kreilach of Real Salt Lake (on ground) can expect to see plenty of Portland’s Diego Chara (#21)  during Saturday’s Western Conference Final as the two sides battle for a spot in the MLS Cup. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

Four teams chasing two spots for the MLS Cup final

Well into the hunt for the MLS Cup, we are down to the Final Four. This weekend will see the MLS Conference Finals: New York FC visiting Philadelphia for the Eastern crown and Real Salt Lake taking on Portland at Providence Park for bragging rights out West.

Real Salt Lake at Portland

These two clubs will kick off the Western Conference final on Saturday in Portland. Head-to-head in the last five fixtures, Portland has won four of the last five games. Real Salt Lake’s last win in Portland came in 2017. In eight previous meetings, there has only been one clean sheet. Both clubs have been to the MLS Cup twice so whoever wins Saturday will make their third appearance with both looking for a second title.

Portland come into Saturday’s game riding a five-game win streak, dating back to the regular season.  The Timbers look to make their first MLS cup appearance since 2018 and add another trophy to their cabinet with the 2015 title being a franchise first.

Real Salt Lake snuck into the playoffs in very dramatic fashion, claiming a 95th-minute goal by Damir  Kreilach against Sporting KC to get into the playoffs. Real Salt Lake then eliminated the two-time MLS Cup winners Seattle Sounders 6-5 in penalties. RSL faced Sporting KC in the next round and the game came down to a very late goal yet again, this time by Bobby Wood in minute 91. That set up a date in the conference final. Real Salt Lake are in fight mode and will scrap to the very last second. So far, it’s clearly paying off.

NYCFC at Philadelphia

Sunday’s game features a battle between the second- and fourth-place finishers in the Eastern Conference. Both finished level on wins with 14. Philadelphia tied for the league lead in clean sheets with 13 but NYCFC was just one behind with 12. The Union and NYCFC are heading into this game on hot streaks boasting six- and seven-game unbeaten streaks, respectively.

NYCFC have only managed to record four wins away from Yankee Stadium , but in beating New England on penalty, they eliminated the club with the best regular season home record. MLS regular season scoring leader Valentin Castellanos found the back of the net 19 times in 2021 but will be suspended after picking up his second yellow card versus the Revolution.

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The Union hope to make their first MLS Cup appearance, as does NYCFC. Philadelphia boasts the second best home record in MLS winning 11 times in 17 home dates. Their defensive play at home has been spectacular, only allowing 10 goals in the regular season. They allowed a one goal by Nashville in their last match.

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