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NYCFC beat Portland on penalties to win the title.
NYCFC won the MLS Cup for the first time after a 4-2 win on penalties. (1:45)
9:19 PM
Ronny Deila is a man of his word.
The coach of New York City FC stripped down to his underwear in front of the team's fans and did some pushups after the team won the MLS Cup.
The Deila had done such stunts before. He promised the Stromsgodset supporters that if they avoided the drop, he would take off his clothes. He kept his vow when his side avoided the drop.
When he took over NYCFC, he told the media that he would repeat his performance if his team won the MLS Cup. He seemed a bit reticent when he was reminded of his pledge.
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He said on Thursday that they would see. "As you get older, that isn't so enjoyable." A word is a word. We have to win first. That's the most important thing.
Deila kept his promise despite the fact that the team's first trophy was secured.
When your team wins a title or when you avoid the drop?
He said after the match that the last one was important, although he noted the win in 2009. It was a big victory today. I don't regret saying too much when I was hired. It was a big moment. If we keep winning trophies, I will do that again.
Deila is a coach who is known for his aggressive pressing and quick passing. The NYCFC side showed plenty of steel in their victory over the Timbers.
The Blues proved that they can take a punch. In this case, an elbow. New York was seconds away from winning the game in normal time, having ridden a first-half goal by Valentin Castellanos. In the final moments of the game, a goalmouth scramble ensued in which New York's Maxime Chanot appeared to foul Portland's Larrys Mabiala with an elbow as he tried to keep the play alive. Felipe Mora hit the ball home with virtually the last kick of the second half.
It was a goal that had the look of a crushing moment for the team from the Bronx. The home crowd at Providence Park exploded in joy after what had transpired. Chanot was angry at the non-call and begged the referee to use the VAR. It was not likely that New York would hang on. How could the Blues regain their composure? The Cityzens looked a bit shocked in the first half of the extra time.
"It's devastating in the first moment," said Alfredo. That's how it is. You have to get back up and do your job.
It helped that this wasn't the first time that NYCFC had conceded a late goal. In the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New England Revolution, the Blues surrendered a goal late only to prevail on penalties. New York drew on the experience of Saturday's scenario, and despite giving up some clear looks at goal in extra-time, NYCFC was able to get the match to the shootout.
Sean Johnson wanted to make sure that we stayed level. We've been there before. I told the guys that they have the experience not to panic, not to get down on themselves, because there's more of an opportunity to win the game.
New York City FC won the MLS Cup on penalties.
Johnson was the most composed man. The cup headed to the Bronx after Alexander Callens blasted home the winner in the penalty kicks, after the NYCFC keeper saved Portland's first two attempts.
"So many ups, so many downs," said Johnson as he reflected on the season. We talked before the game about how important it was to make it all worth it. These are the moments that we live for, to be the most valuable part of the finals. It means a lot to lift the cup for this club.
Many players stepped up. Chanot and Callens were close together. Castellanos returned to the lineup and scored a goal and converted in the shootout. James Sands was in the middle.
Johnson is one of the players who reflect Deila's steely mentality. This keeper has had many painful moments in his career, including a last-second goal that eliminated the U23 team from Olympic qualification. When he was traded to New York in the summer of 2017, it was not clear what his career would be like. Johnson has been given more responsibility. He won the Most Valuable Player award on Saturday.
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