MLS Cup 2021: Sebastian Blanco says he is ready for the grand final

Sebastian Blanco says he is ready to play in MLS Cup 2021 today when the Portland Timbers and NYCFC meet for the MLS title. 

"I'm ready. I'm fine, I feel good, I've prepared for this game," Sebastian Blanco told Major League Soccer's official website. 

"So today I trained with my full team, of course I still have to have a conversation with Gio, but no matter what happened, the important thing is that we are ready for the game. He will decide later, but everything is fine," Blanco said. 

Although it´s not an official fact that the player will play in the final and it´s not known how many minutes he will be able to play, the media have said that the Argentine is considered for today's match. 

He has even appeared in the list of the probable lineup that coach Gio Savarese is expected to call for today's match against the Newyorkers.  

"After Colorado, I was almost out," Blanco said. "So we talked about how it's almost a miracle to make it to this game. So to be part of this team and to be part of this game is very important to me. But of course, no matter what happens on Saturday, whether I can play or not, the important thing is to be ready to be part of what we need to support our team."

Why is Sebastian Blanco so important for the Timbers in MLS Cup 2021?

At the age of 32, Blanco is in great form in his fourth season in Portland after a career in which, in addition to playing for Lanús and San Lorenzo (of the Argentine league), he also had spells in the English (West Bromwich) and Ukrainian (FC Metalist Kharkiv) leagues.

His numbers with the Timbers reflect that the Argentine has not resented reaching his third decade of life in a league like MLS, which year after year has a higher level of demand on players. 

So far, Blanco has played 24 games for his team, out of a possible 34. In addition, in the current tournament he has scored 7 goals and provided 6 assists. 

On the other hand, he and his team won the MLS is Back Tournament, a championship held during the 2020 season to mark the return of the league after the contingency due to Covid-19. 

This was the terrible injury that kept the Argentinean away from the fields

It was during the match against Colorado Rapids that Blanco suffered the injury that kept him away from the field during the Western Conference semifinals. 

It all happened in the 49th minute when Blanco broke free to go for a pass to the back of the penalty area to try to shoot at the goal. 

The player took the ball and with his left leg shot towards the opponent's goal, but from that moment on, he was injured. 

Immediately the player asked to be substituted but the damage was already done: the player suffered a muscle injury that kept him away from the field and that today, keeps in suspense the possibility of playing in the MLS Cup 2021.