MIAMI, Florida – The 2021 Major League Soccer season and the 2021 Liga MX Apertura each came to a conclusion over the weekend in thrilling style, with penalty shootouts determining the champion of the two leagues.
On Saturday, New York City FC overcame second half stoppage time heartbreak to defeat the Portland Timbers, 4-2, in their penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in Portland, Oregon.
Valentin Castellanos steered home a header in the 41’ to hand NYCFC a 1-0 lead, and it looked like that goal would hold up until the final whistle. However, in the dying seconds, Portland’s Felipe Mora scored to bring the home side level 1-1, forcing 30 minutes of extra time.
No goals could be found in the additional period, so the teams went to a penalty shootout in which NYCFC GK Sean Johnson starred with two saves to help guide his side to victory, with Alexander Callens converting the decisive penalty.
With their win, NYCFC earned their first ever MLS Cup crown and have qualified for the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
The action was just as exciting and intense on Sunday night in the second leg of the Liga MX Apertura Liguilla Final between Atlas and Club Leon in Guadalajara.
After their midweek 3-2 win at home in the first leg, Club Leon looked to nail down the title on Atlas’ home turf, but a boisterous home crowd lifted Atlas to a goal via header from Aldo Rocha in the 55’ to tie the series on aggregate 3-3.
The scoreline remained that way through the final whistle after regular time and also the 30 minutes of extra time, resulting in a title-deciding penalty shootout.
Atlas GK Camilo Vargas would come through in a big way for his side with two penalty saves, paving the way for Julio Furch’s winning spot kick to give Atlas a 4-3 shootout win.
For Atlas, it was their first Mexican league crown in 70 years.
By virtue of reaching the 2021 Liga MX Apertura Final, both Atlas and Club Leon have qualified for the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. For Club Leon, it will be their fifth appearance in the tournament, while for Atlas it will mark their debut in the SCCL.
