Columbus, Portland set for unlikely MLS Cup clash

And then there were two.

The Columbus Crew star man’s goal wasn’t enough to complete a comeback as Portland won the 2015 MLS Cup Final by a 2-1 scoreline in OH, becoming the first team to lift the trophy on the road since the home advantage rule was introduced. I don’t care much about either team and found it much harder to watch any MLS game this past season that didn’t involve FC Dallas.

Not surprisingly, Columbus pushed up from the second-half kickoff, but could not find the range early on as the visitors defended well with Nat Borchers clearing several crosses and passes into the box.

The Portland Timbers were out of the playoffs spots in early October when manager Caleb Porter switched to a 4-3-3 and since then they have been enjoying a splendid run of form.

It was just 13 months ago that Valeri went down with a torn ACL in the 2014 season finale as the Timbers fell one point short of a playoff berth. It joined the 2002 New England Revolution as the only MLS teams that have lost a final at home.

“A lot has been made of it not being smooth”, Porter said of the Timbers’ season, “but that is MLS”. However, it is rare that a player sits out of a championship game due to a slight injury, and a player of Kamara’s quality could still be effective despite an injury, according to Taylor Twellman. The Crew later announced Kamara was a game-time decision.

The Crew, which has come so far, so fast in two years under new coach Gregg Berhalter and new owner Anthony Precourt, could only wonder what might have been.

The Crew, which had allowed only three goals in four prior playoff matches, answered in the 18th minute thanks to Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara, who had been questionable for the match after an ankle injury in Saturday’s final practice. We’d have to regroup, come up with another idea, another plan and try to execute it within, how many hours do we got guys? The Sounders have never tasted that bile after any of their seven seasons in MLS. Also named to MLS Best XI. He has been sensational, scoring 25 goals in 33 career matches for Columbus. But the 20th MLS Cup was soon to descend back to the absurd. Instead, the team with the better overall record during the regular season gets to host the game. If he is not on his game, Columbus will struggle on offense.

That gives the Crew a decided edge, according to Dolan. Players were introduced, fireworks filled the sky over MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio and the game kicked off.

It’s dead even, with each club earning two wins and a pair of draws in six all-time league meetings. At times the passing was not sharp, but the three of them played fantastic on both sides of the ball and won the midfield battle. Fanendo Adi had both goals for the Timbers. This will be the Portland Timbers’ maiden trip to the championship since officially becoming a club in 2011.

Portland goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey is confident his side can make history as they seek to win a first MLS Cup in the final against Columbus at the MAPFRE Stadium.