New York City FC has won its first Major League Soccer Cup title, defeating the Portland Timbers 4-2 in penalty kicks in the MLS Cup Final at Providence Park on Saturday. Penalties were needed when Felipe Mora of Portland scored a stunning late equalizer to send the game to extra time, canceling out NYCFC attacker Valentin Castellanos' first-half opening. In the penalty shootout, though, the visitors prevailed, as NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson made two stunning saves, with the Cityzens converting four of their five efforts.

For all of the first half, NYCFC dominated play and were rewarded with a goal by Castellanos on 41 minutes. He'd get on the end of a Maxi Moralez free-kick into the area, heading a header back across goal that rebounded off Timbers goalie Steve Clark and into the net. In the second half, NYCFC continued to have the better of the chances. NYCFC reached the closing moments of second-half stoppage time with a 1-0 lead thanks to a solid performance from their backline, anchored by the center back tandem of Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens.

On the final play of regulation time, Mora scored one of the most spectacular late goals in MLS Cup history, sending the game into overtime. Following a furious scramble, the Chilean international forward pounced on a loose ball in the area and tucked the finish past Johnson, sending the 25,218 spectators at Providence Park into a frenzy. In the shootout, NYCFC won thanks to a remarkable performance by Johnson. Each of Mora's and Diego Valeri's first two shots were saved by the seasoned keeper. While Clark made a stop on NYCFC's Alfredo Morales, Callens was the hero, converting the game-winning goal to give NYCFC their first-ever MLS Cup.

Even if Mora's late equalizer made it more dramatic than they would have liked, NYCFC put on a fantastic display as the road underdog in one of the most hostile stadiums in MLS. Since 2016, NYCFC has been one of the greatest regular-season teams in the league, and they have recently won their first league title after years of postseason disappointment. On the other hand, it's a heartbreaking way to finish Portland's season. Hosting a championship game is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and watching this one slip away will sting for years to come.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Scott Boldt]