Portland Timbers 2015 MLS Cup Winners,
after beating the Columbus Crew 2-1
in an exciting end to end battle for the cup.
The Timbers almost didn’t make the playoffs
this year, but an end of year push put their
15-11-8 record into the top 6 of the West
and into a head on collision course with the Columbus Crew who also finished 15-11-8. Only difference,
goal differential, Crew had a plus 5 and the Timbers only had a plus 2. The Crew have second highest
MLS goal scorer in Kei Kamara, but the Timbers have Diego Valeri, who put in the fastest MLS cup
goal at only 27 seconds into the match. Stage set, Timber dominate the first 15 minutes. At the 6:30
minute mark Lucas Melano picks out Rodney Wallace for a diving header to put Timbers up 2-0 with
less than 7 minutes gone by. Crew shell shocked, gather themselves by the 17th minute, when
pressure on the Timbers Goalie Adam Kwarasey puts the defense into a bad spot and the top
goal scorer for the Crew steps up and pulls one back with a turn around goal putting the match
at 2-1 now. From 18th minute till the 95th minute it was back and forth defensive battle with
Nat Borchers, Adam Ridgewell, Alvas Powell, and Jorge Villafana holding the Crew scoreless
in front of Kwarasey. Coach Caleb Porter had them all playing at top notch championship level
for the last 11 matches, hats off to da coach.
The Timbers pressed all game, 60th minute, corner kick to Wallace, almost goal, 70th minute,
Adi header, almost goal, 80th minute Borchers header, almost goal within inches. The 3D midfielders
Darlington, and the two Diego’s (Chara and Valeri) for the Timbers moved the ball from box to box
setting up the consent pressure on the Crew. What a great year for Will Johnson, Jack Jewsbury,
Fanendo Adi, Max Urruti, and the whole Timbers players and staff for a huge first time MLS Cup win.
The Crew had a great year knocking off the Supporter Sheild winners NY Red Bulls to advance to the
final, so heads high great footballers Ethan Finlay, Federico Higuain, Jack McInerney, Will Trapp,
Tony Tchani, Justin Meram and the whole Crew team, next year can be your year.
Catch Kei Kamara and Nat Borchers phone interview on Men in Blazers podcast Dec 3rd by Roger Bennett 3 days before the Final
Portland Timbers 2015 MLS Cup Winners
