The MLS Is Back tournament in Orlando has come to an end.
For the surprise of many, the final hosted Portland Timbers and Orlando City SC.
The Timbres, who have beaten the Philadelphia Union in the semis thanks to goals by Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastian Blanco, wasn't expected to make it this far in the tournament.
Orlando City, Led by former Manchester United winger and Euro 2016 winner Luis Nani, is the surprise package of the tournament. The Portuguese 'stole' the show in the semifinal against Minnesota United, the obvious favourite side. A brilliant brace and originating the counter-attack which brought the third goal in a 3-1 victory, marked the continuation of Orlando's Cinderella story for one more match.
MLS Is Back Final
The Timbers, one of the three Cascadian teams in the league, had won the MLS Cup in 2015 and reached the final in 2018. For Orlando City SC, this was the first real chance at tasting success. In the 27th minute, Diego Valeri sent in a delicious cross from a free-kick which was headed home by Larrys Mabiala to give the Timbers the 1-0 lead. Orlando managed to equalize before half-time; Luis Nani set up Mauricio Pereyra, who scored his second goal of the tournament. But in the end, it was the Timbers and their set-piece brilliance which prevailed. Another excellent delivery from the corner by Diego Valeri, landed perfectly for Eryk Williamson whose shot was deflected in by Dario Zuparic. Portland held on for the victory and won the MLS is Back tournament giving them their second major trophy since joining MLS in 2011.
Gio Saverese's squad always seems to be a nuisance in the tournaments and are consistently underrated. A mix of new signings, some youth, and club legends gave the Timbers the edge in this tournament.
Overall the MLS Is Back Tournament was a success. The beginning was quite tricky due to COVID-19 issues and sending FC Dallas and Nashville SC home. However, once all the dust settled, it was incredibly entertaining. From last-minute winners to penalty shootout drama, the MLS is Back Tournament had it all.
The Disappointment: Atlanta United
Atlanta United were the most notable disappointment by far, not winning any match and crashing out in a relatively easy group. They failed to score a single goal proving that they rely heavily on Josef Martinez, who is still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered back in March. The failed campaign led the club to terminate Frank de Boer’s contract. With all the star power and money that the Five Stripes have, it seems to be a matter of time until they find their way back to the top.
The Surprise: Orlando City SC
Since joining the MLS in 2015, Orlando City SC had been dreadful. They frequently changed managers and couldn't find the right formula on or off the pitch. Oscar Pareja's return to MLS seems to have fixed the problem. For the first time, the Lions seem to be playing with a sense of identity. Add the experience and talent of players like Luis Nani, they are hopefully on the right path to maintain their powerhouse status.
The Best Young Player of the Tournament
Several young players left their mark on the tournament. Brenden Aaronson came out of his shell for the Union as they made a run to the semifinals. His ability to read the game caught the eye of scouts in Europe with Frankfurt and Borussia Monchengladbach announcing their interest in the 19-year-old playmaker. Fellow teammate Mark McKenzie's defensive ability and calmness on the ball also drew some attention from Celtic.
Despite their outstanding performance, it was clearly Diego Rossi's time to shine. He had been a vital player for LAFC in both 2018 and 2019, but this was his first opportunity out of Carlos Vela's shadow. Rossi took home the Golden Boot for his seven goals, including four against cross-town rivals LA Galaxy. He was LAFC's best player and showed he could be their main man when needed.
MLS Is Back MVP
Lastly, the MLS is Back Tournament's best player. Andre Blake deserves a shout for making some ridiculous saves to keep the Union in the picture, and so does Luis Nani, whose performances spearheaded Orlando City’s successful campaign. But there can only be one winner, and this one goes to Sebastian Blanco. The Argentine has been a consistent pillar for the Timbers over the years. His three goals and five assists carried the Timbers through the tournament all the way to the title. He scored vital goals in both the quarter and semi finals, along with an outstanding performance on the wings, especially on counter-attacks.
The MLS action continues on Wednesday with FC Dallas vs Nashville SC. The season is back on track with teans travelling to stadiums rather than a bubble. All the matches from the MLS are Back Tournament count towards the regular season, so it should be fascinating to see how the momentum from this one intensive month in Florida will evolve.
Photo via Portland Timbers official Twitter account.
