MLS Cup: Portland Timbers Win 2015 MLS Cup

It wasn't pretty, but the Portland Timbers upset Columbus Crew SC to take home the 20th MLS Cup on Sunday. The Timbers took advantage of mistakes in the opening minutes en-route to a 2-1 victory in Columbus.

The Timbers scored the fastest goal in MLS Cup history, when midfielder Diego Valeri opened the scoring. Valeri took advantage of a poorly played ball by Columbus goal keeper Steve Clark and put the Timbers up 1-0.

Six minutes later, Timbers' defender Alvas Powell played a ball that was clearly out of bounds, according to @Offsidemodeling. The play was allowed to continue, and Darlington Nagbe stripped the ball from Columbus defender Tony Tchani, the Timbers advanced, and a Lucas Melano cross was finished off from a diving header by Rodney Wallace. 2-0 Timbers.

Columbus striker Kei Kamara was the benefactor of a misplay by Adam Kwarasey in the 17th minute. Kwarasey fumbled a routine cross, according to John Molinaro, right to the feet of Kamara who sent the ball past a sea of legs to bring Columbus to within one.

A 2-0 hole proved to be too deep for Columbus, who failed to score again over the next 78 minutes. The majority of chances came to the Timbers. Two goalposts and a brilliant save by Clark on a Nat Borchers header, suggest Columbus was lucky the score was only 2-1.

The missed call on the Timbers second goal, a missed hand ball on Michael Parkhurst, and a bundle of questionable contact calls, bring into the question the quality of the referees used for the match according to Simon Borg.

Valeri was named MVP of the match, socring in the first minute. Valeri and the Timbers never looked back winning the 20th MLS Cup. The win gives Portland its first championship since joining the league in 2011.

Tags

MLS, Soccer, U.s. soccer, Mls soccer, Portland, Columbus