It is appropriate that Major League Soccer, generally wild and unpredictable, presents a definitive tournament that no one could have foreseen.
In the bubble of the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, local club Orlando City SC has enjoyed its biggest fortune since joining Major League Soccer in 2015.
Orlando City never qualified for the MLS playoffs. He finished 22 of 24 in the Supporters’ Shield race last season. Freshman coach Oscar Pareja made this perpetual loser one of the league’s top thrillers in no time.
Orlando’s opponent in Tuesday’s MLS Back Tournament championship game (8:30 p.m. ET at ESPN/ESPN Sports) will be the Portland Timbers, a team accustomed to good fortune with two MLS Cup appearances and a league championship.
However, Portland’s path to name game is not easy. He entered the “Death Group” of the tournament. This is basically due to the presence of Los Angeles FC. The fan shield’s protective winners are such a deep team with promising young skill that even with the Carlos Vela goalscorer record outside the tournament, many still predicted that LAFC would emerge victorious.
But it’s Portland, under the direction of his colorful coach, Giovanni Savarese, who won the group. And it was Orlando who eliminated LAFC in the quarterfi finals.
A venue at the 2021 Concacaf Champions League festival and a large portion of the $1.1 million cash prize is also at stake on Tuesday night.
Portland Timbers – Sebastian Blanco: A player with a penchant for breaking absolute goals, White an offensive force for the Timbers, scoring the purpose of the team semi-final win against the Philadelphia Union. With 3 purposes and five assists in the most sensible of the tournament, Blanco is a strong CONTENDEDOR for the tournament alongside the orlando leader.
Orlando City – Nani: Manchester United star and Euro 2016 winner with Portugal has gone back in time thanks to its European brilliance. In arguably the most important game in Orlando City’s brief MLS history to date, Nani dominated, scoring two goals in the 3–1 win over Minnesota United in Thursday’s semi-finals.
Portland Timbers – Jeremy Ebobisse: A key voice in the league’s new coalition of black players, Ebobisse has been a tough force both on and off the field. Ebobisse, 23, is the Timbers’ most sensible scorer in this tournament. Another U.S. national team contender, Eryk Williamson (23), has been a major cog in the Portland midfield.
Orlando City – Chris Mueller: The 23-year-old University of Wisconsin product may have become the symbol of usmNT with impressive 3-goal functionality at the MLS is Back tournament.
Surprisingly, despite Orlando’s difficulties since entering the league in 2015, he has an all-time credit to Portland with a 3-1-1 record.
That said, Portland was the most impressive team of this tournament. Historically, the Timbers are notoriously a relentless troublemaker who opposes any opponent and are no strangers to the big games. This intangible makes Portland the selection to win what will be an entertaining final.
Portland Timbers – Goalkeeper: Steve Clark. Defenders: Chris Duvall, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Jorge Villafana. Midfielders: Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson, Marvin Lora, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco. Forward: Jeremy Ebobisse.
Orlando City – Goalkeeper: Pedro Gallese. Defenders: Rouen, Antonio Carlos, Robin Jansson, Joao Moutinho. Midfielders: Jhegson Méndez, Oriol Rosell, Chris Mueller, Mauricio Pereyra, Nani. Forward: Tesho Akindele.