Nabge of Portland Timbers (green & white outfit) originally from Liberia and Kei Kamara of Columbus Crew (black & yellow outfit) from Sierra Leone in photo above to headline the 2015 MLS Cup Finals
Columbus Crew SC and the Portland Timbers survived frenzied finishes in Sunday night’s Conference Championships to secure spots in the 2015 MLS Cup final and earn a chance to grab a 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League berth. The match heads to MAPFRE Stadium – Major League Soccer’s first soccer-specific stadium – for the second time, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 6 (ESPN, WatchESPN, UniMás, TSN, RDS2).
Columbus Crew SC and the Portland Timbers survived frenzied finishes in Sunday night’s Conference Championships to secure spots in the 2015 MLS Cup final and earn a chance to grab a 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League berth. The match heads to MAPFRE Stadium – Major League Soccer’s first soccer-specific stadium – for the second time, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 6 (ESPN, WatchESPN, UniMás, TSN, RDS2).
It’s a fitting finale for Major League Soccer’s 20th season. Crew SC, one of the league’s charter clubs, was long an embodiment of MLS 1.0. However, following Anthony Precourt’s purchase of the team in 2013, and the subsequent rebrand and infusion of young talent from both home and abroad, it has re-emerged as a model and modern franchise. This marks Columbus’ first appearance in MLS Cup since 2008, when it topped the New York Red Bulls in the championship match. The Timbers, meanwhile, define MLS 3.0. Backed by a world-class supporters group in the Timbers Army and energized by ambitious scouting abroad, Portland has set a new standard for American soccer clubs. In only its fifth MLS season, the Timbers are making their first MLS Cup appearance. Portland is the first Cascadia team to get a shot to take home the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.
In many ways, this is an old guard versus new guard matchup.
On the field: expect fireworks. Both clubs will likely employ an attacking mindset from the opening whistle. Columbus finished the regular season with 58 goals – 22 from Golden Boot runner-up Kei Kamara - second only to the New York Red Bulls (62). Since Caleb Porter made a pivotal formation adjustment - shifting Darlington Nagbe inside and moving one of his defensive midfielders - the Timbers attack has exploded with 18 goals in going unbeaten over their last eight games.
In many ways, this is an old guard versus new guard matchup.
On the field: expect fireworks. Both clubs will likely employ an attacking mindset from the opening whistle. Columbus finished the regular season with 58 goals – 22 from Golden Boot runner-up Kei Kamara - second only to the New York Red Bulls (62). Since Caleb Porter made a pivotal formation adjustment - shifting Darlington Nagbe inside and moving one of his defensive midfielders - the Timbers attack has exploded with 18 goals in going unbeaten over their last eight games.
By: Editor
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