Portland Timbers win MLS Cup: Watch the highlights

Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter will return to OH this week to try and claim his first MLS Cup as a MLS coach when the Timbers play Columbus Crew SC this Sunday. “We couldn’t bring them that trophy, but they deserve it”.

The two clubs have already met once in the regular season when Portland beat Columbus 2-1 on September 26.

“Because it is a cup game and due to the occurrences that have happened throughout the world over the last couple of weeks, unfortunately tragic events, we will have enhanced security”, Courtemanche said. Portland is the 24th largest TV market playing in Columbus, the 31st largest US TV market.

But the Timbers never looked like tanking. They know how to win finals and they’ve attained success before.

Portland’s center backs, Liam Ridgewell and Nat Borchers, had a stellar game, as they have for the entirety of the playoffs, and left back Jorge Villafaña did a fantastic job shutting down Ethan Finlay. He shrugs off defenders and demands double-teams, freeing up other players.

Last season, the Crew loaned Schoenfeld to the Dayton Dutch Lions, a lower-division team where he flourished.

That isn’t easy in MLS, what with thin rosters, the travel and global call-ups. “And I think (Portland) managed it pretty well”.

“To succeed, you’re going to have to suffer some. You have to survive and you have to keep the guys together, and the locker room together”. The Timbers exploded for three goals in a 3-1 victory against Dallas in leg one, and battled Dallas to a 2-2 draw in leg two (with both Adi and Melano scoring goals), winning the round by an aggregate score of 5-3. Jeff Swinger, USA TODAY Sports Crew defender Michael Parkhurst (4) vies for possession against Timbers forward Fanendo Adi (9) during the second half.

A few months ago, no one really thought the Timbers would be here.

Porter had several more clubs at his disposal, in fact. And continuing the mistake-laden, if entertaining nature of the game, the Crew pulled level in the 18th minute, this time off a blunder from Portland’s goalkeeper. Against New York. They kind of sat back a little bit and let New York control the ball because of the way New York plays both of these teams like to have the ball quite a bit and. Portland’s Timber Joey traditionally saws off a piece of wood and presents it to the player of the game…. At the Portland Timbers tailgate, green is the color of choice. Adi capped a barnstorming Diego Chara run on the counter by provoking another block from Clark inside the final 10 minutes. Tony Tchani stopped, thinking play was dead which allowed Darlington Nagbe to take the ball and produce a great cross to set up Wallace. “He’s a very very good midfielder”.

Since the team with the better regular season MLS record was award hosting duties for the MLS Cup Final beginning in 2012, the home team has won all three MLS Cup Finals (LA Galaxy in 2012 and 2014; Sporting KC in 2013).

Portland got off to a flying start when Crew goalkeeper Clark dallied on a clearance and Valeri slid in to redirect the ball into the net to give the Timbers the fastest goal in MLS Cup final history. But that was no surprise to Porter, who said Villafana has been consistent all year and doesn’t get enough credit. Heath has been effusive in his praise for Gregg Berhalter’s side throughout this inaugural 2015 season and he loves the way the Crew plays the game.