Two hundred and thirty-eight days ago, 27 teams had visions of lifting MLS Cup. That dream has long been extinguished for all but the Portland Timbers and New York City FC, who contest the league's showpiece event on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, stream live on ABC).
For the first time, the Rose City hosts the final, the atmospheric Providence Park the backdrop for the Timbers' third MLS Cup appearance in seven years. It's a dream locale for the league, and a matchup that will see either dancing in the streets in one of its most fervent markets, or a long-awaited payoff for a glamour club in NYCFC who have shifted strategy from star power to growth potential.