Kwarasey wins first-ever MLS Cup with Portland Timbers

The Timbers, whose first season was 2011, did not lose a match during their postseason run (three wins and three draws) and became the third expansion team in MLS history to win the championship. I dont think it has fully sunk in completely yet.”.

A first-minute goal by Portland that came when Diego Valeri pressured goalkeeper Steve Clark into clearing the ball off Valeri and into the goal.

The Timbers continued on the attack and quickly added to their lead in the seventh minute. Forward Lucas Melano and midfielder Darlington Nagbe were credited with assists. He could be an even bigger threat than Kamara given Columbus’ leaky defence: The Crew let in 53 strikes this season, compared to a mere 39 for the Timbers. “And that’s not what we’re supposed to give this city”.

There was some question that the ball was out of bounds before Wallace scored what proved to be the winning goal.

“I haven’t had a chance to assess it yet”, he said after training. But, from my viewpoint I couldnt see a thing.”.

“We knew that they take risks to play”, Valeri said. “Thats their way. We knew that the aggressiveness in the first 20 minutes from us had to be there.

In the 18th minute, another goalkeeping error occurred, this time by Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey.

Kamara, who is from Sierra Leone, followed up his stellar regular season with three goals in four playoff games. The injury didn’t turn out to be serious. For the most part, the two clubs are evenly matched coming into the MLS Cup, finishing with identical records (15-8-11).

“It’s a terrible start for us”, Crew defender Michael Parkhurst said. We could have been better on the counter as we had some good moments to put the game away. Nigerian Fanendo Adi paced Portland with 16 goals. In the 82 minute, Clark stopped a point-blank header from Nat Borchers. But the Crew had no answer. And while the Timbers certainly rode its luck for the second goal in particular, any fortune certainly balanced itself out in the second half.

Before the 2015 MLS Cup final, Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter wrestled with the question of whether he believed in destiny, ultimately deciding that hard work begets success.

In the second half, both teams struggled to create opportunities, but eventually Portland came to life and started to find chances. They both were joined by Federico Higuain in the MLS Best XI for 2015.

Columbus, who last won the Cup in 2008, will be approaching the game as any other.

NOTES: F Kei Kamara is the first player to reach the MLS Cup Final after leading the league in goals since Taylor Twellman in 2005….

At last check the Victory Log was making its way through Nebraska. Portland won their only meeting this season 2-1 at Columbus in September.

Meanwhile, another former Revolution player tasted the Cup spoils at the expense of Parkhurst and the Crew. Careless balls played caused many turnovers which Portland thrived on.