NYCFC - 2021 MLS Eastern Conference Champions

Warren Rosenberg - MetroSports Magazine December 6, 2021

On September 19th, 2019, the New York Yankees won their 19th Major League Baseball American League Eastern Championship Title bringing that honor home to New York City and Yankee Stadium. On December 5th, 2021, the feat was repeated when Yankee Stadium’s other home team, the New York City Football Club (NYCFC), won the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Championship. This is their first Conference Championship since joining Major League Soccer in 2015.

Photo Courtesy of NYCFC

Unfortunately, many of the published reviews of the NYCFC’s 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union team have been less than flattering with repeated references to the many Philadelphia players who were sidelined because of Covid protocols. While it may true that Philadelphia took to the field absent several starting players, such has been the case throughout professional sports over the past year. Almost every team, in every sport, has competed with one or more starting players sidelined, be it from injury, suspension, contract negotiation – or Covid. Every team recruits, trains and fields back-up players for every position and, as compensated professionals, they are expected to perform.

Photo Courtesy of NYCFC

The Eastern Conference Championship game between the NYCFC and the Philadelphia Union was a hard-fought and close contest with athletes on both sides playing well representing their teams honorably. The game could have gone either way but it was NYCFC’s Talles Magno goal with just minutes remaining that but NYCFC on top. There is no shame in the performance of the Philadelphia squad and nothing to be taken away from New York.

Photo Courtesy of NYCFC

On this coming Saturday, December 11th, the NYCFC will travel to Portland, Oregon, to take on the Western Conference Champion Portland Timbers for the 2021 Major League Soccer National Championship Cup. Let’s see if they can put their first Championship Cup on the shelf at the Stadium next to the 27 of their Stadium partner New York Yankees.

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