The City Football Group Limited (CFG) has started reciprocating the achievements Manchester City have been enjoying in the Premier League in the Major League Soccer (MLS) as New York City FC won their first MLS Cup on Saturday, December 11.
Recall that the City Football Group got its name from Manchester City after acquiring the Premier League club through Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi in 2008.
The group consists of three organizations – Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) (78 percent stake), Chinese firms China Media Capital and CITIC Capital (12 percent stake), and an American firm Silver Lake (10 percent stake).
In less than three years after the group bought Manchester City, the club has become one of the most consistent teams in the Premier League and one of the fiercest teams in Europe.
So far, the City Football Group under the chairmanship of Mansour bin Zayed has helped Manchester City to win over 14 major titles including five Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
Now, the priority of the group is to win the prestigious UEFA Champions League using Manchester City. The closest City had come in their effort to win the title was in the 2020-2021 season when they lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the final of the tournament.
The City Football Group that has a stake in clubs in the United States, Australia, India, Japan, Spain, Uruguay, China, Belgium, and France acquired an 80 percent stake in New York City FC in 2013.
The club which is the 20th MLS club is also owned by Yankee Global Enterprises (20 percent stake), the parent company of the New York Yankees baseball club.
Since the New York City FC became an MLS franchise in 2013, they have not been able to win any major title until December 11, 2021, when the club faced Portland Timbers in an MLS Cup final.
The soccer game ended in a 1-1 draw in regular time at Portland’s Providence Park. Hence, the game was decided by a penalty shootout.
Despite being their first final in their seven years history in the MLS, New York City FC were able to compose themselves well enough to the extent they only failed to convert one of their spot-kicks.
Drama for the #MLSCup
— For Future Considerations (@PodcastFFC) December 12, 2021
New York City FC earns their first #MLS championship, beating Portland on penalties. #ForTheCity 🗽 pic.twitter.com/VgkkwAVkat
At the end of the thrilling encounter, Portland Timbers failed to covert three of their spot-kicks which forced the game to end 4-2 in favor of New York City FC.
City definitely not sleeping tonight 🏆🥳 pic.twitter.com/ME2sIIymdP
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) December 12, 2021
