2021 MLS CUP: PORTLAND VS NEW YORK CITY

December 11, 2021

Sean Johnson

New York City FC

Postgame Press Conference

New York City 1, Portland 1

4-2 Penalties

THE MODERATOR: We are here with 2021 MLS Cup MVP, Sean Johnson, NYC FC club captain.

Q. Just talk about the game overall and talk about your mindset in the penalty shootout, what goes into that, and just your own personal feelings on it's 321 MLS matches in 12 seasons in the League to finally be able to call yourself a champion.

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, it feels unbelievable to be able to call ourselves champions. You know, what a ride so far. This journey was crazy this year. So many ups, so many downs, and we just -- we talked amongst ourselves before the game and said this is a massive opportunity to make it all worth it, and this is what we live for, these moments. To be the MVP of the finals means the world, but it means so much more to lift the Cup for this club.

Q. I wanted to ask you about getting sort of rocked by that injury-time goal after you found your balance after suffering that, and can you give us insight into the PKs now that it's done? What was scouting and what was reaction on your part in terms of the saves you made?

SEAN JOHNSON: I think credit to Portland. They made it a game the entire time, over the course of the 90 minutes, extra time, they were great to score right there at the end and make it a game. Just wanted to make sure that we stayed level. You know, we had been in that position before. I told the guys we had the experience, not to panic, not to get down on ourselves because there's more of an opportunity to go for it and win the game. And no one said it would be easy. It's been difficult, but that's how it should be to win a championship and to triumph in going through so much adversity.

Yeah, that's what it took to win this game. The penalty shootout, the only insider is that I was doing my best to make a save for the team. Happened to make two. The guys made two, and yeah, it feels good to be a champion.

Q. This team has kind of preached the fact that mentality and character and those kind of intangibles have been the difference this year. As captain, how impactful was it your first year as captain to be able to step up in a big moment in the game?

SEAN JOHNSON: You said those words. One you left out was family, and that's what we emphasized all year, the togetherness with this group. Our fans, our fans are incredible, traveling 2000-plus -- six hours across the country, we heard them in full force tonight. They spurred us on in extra time, PK shootout to go for it and win it.

Yeah, that's something that we can be proud of, showing up together and be proud of and ultimately that's what won us the Cup.

Q. Great performance in the PK shootout, but my question is going to be about the 19-year-old home-grown Tayvon Gray. He started just three games in the regular season and he started all four matches and played every single minute for NYC FC leading to this MLS Cup. How crucial has he been to this club? What are your thoughts on his performances and have you had any conversations with him about his performances and how he's been?

SEAN JOHNSON: Yeah, I'm so proud of Tayvon. He came in at a time in the season where we really needed him. Unfortunately players -- throughout the course of the season, we need different guys to step up. We don't want any injuries or anything to happen to guys, but, you know, Tayvon and so many others stepped up in a big way.

You know, New York native, you know, he came in, he was fearless. Just talked to him today. Just said, hey, go out and play your game, do your thing. He's got a quiet confidence about him, but he's also such a humble kid, so he works so hard all year. I'm really, really happy for him?

Yeah, being from New York, you can real say that New York is blue.