The audience figure marks the league’s highest rated postseason match of all time, with the Timbers’ 1-0 win against the Rapids also ranking as the most-watched MLS match ever on Fox.
The audience figures for the playoff clash also marked MLS’ largest viewership for a game since 2004, when then 14-year old Freddy Adu made his debut for DC United against the San Jose Earthquakes. It was also the second most-viewed MLS game ever, with the exception of MLS Cup finals and All-Star matches.
In addition, Portland’s win drew in the largest US audience for any soccer match broadcast in English in 2021, and was the third most-viewed across all languages.
The MLS’ eight year multi-platform deal with US broadcaster Fox, which is worth a reported US$90 million per year, is set to expire in 2022.
The Timbers face Real Salt Lake on 4th November in the Western Conference Final, with the winner set to progress to the MLS Cup on 11th December.
