How to watch the 2021 MLS Cup Final: Portland Timbers vs. NYCFC on Saturday, Dec. 11

Topics: Sebastian Blanco, Valentin Castellanos, Portland Timbers, NYCFC, MLS Cup, Providence Park, ABC, UniMas, TUDN

The Portland Timbers host New York City FC in the 2021 MLS Cup Final on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. ET. The final will be broadcast live on ABC, UniMas and TUDN in the USA. Learn how you can watch the game in 100+ countries.

This year's MLS Cup Final will be held at Providence Park, home of the Portland Timbers, for the first time in MLS history.

Despite having the honor to host the final, the Timbers endured a season filled with hardships. Head coach Giovanni Savarese's side suffered a plethora of absences, including star attacking midfielder Sebastian Blanco. On top of that, the team never seemed to keep consistency during the regular season. However, the Timbers secured a playoff spot and took down Minnesota United, the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake, and have not tasted defeat since October.

On the other hand, New York City FC arrives at the final with plenty of momentum going their way. Like Portland, New York has not lost a game since October and upset the No. 1 seed of their conference.

NYCFC's highlight was a penalty shootout win against Supporters' Shield winners New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Despite beating the MLS Cup favorites, the Boys in Blue had to play the Eastern Conference Final against the Philadelphia Union without their talismanic striker Valentin Castellanos, who served a red card suspension.

Fortunately for each team and the viewers, both Blanco and Castellanos will feature in Saturday's final. Blanco recovered from a hamstring injury he picked up during the Western Conference semifinals. He watched his team defeat RSL from the bench, and now he is ready to give it his all in the final.