Portland drew 2-2 with FC Dallas on Sunday but protected the two-goal lead it built in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference finals last week to secure its first appearance in the MLS Cup.
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The Timbers won the first leg against Dallas 3-1 to take a two-goal cushion into Sunday’s match.
Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey run out of words to explain his emotions after helping Portland Timbers through to their first ever MLS Cup final on Sunday night. Late goals from Ryan Hollingshead and Blas Perez had FC Dallas looking at an upset, but it proved to be too little, too late.
But in extra time, the Timbers even the game score at 2-2 on a handsome dribble by Lucas Maleno past the defenders. But a three-game winning streak with lopsided results at the end of the season carried Portland through the playoffs and now the Timbers head to MLS Cup on an eight-game unbeaten streak. Dairon Asprilla intercepted the ball and fed it to an on-running Valeri, who threaded a pass toward Adi in the box.
The five-year-old Portland franchise is in the playoffs for just the second season.
The match started a bit dry but various chances were made by both sides evenly throughout the first 45 minutes of the match at Toyota Stadium. For the historic underachievers – NY has reached just one MLS Cup final in its 20 seasons, losing to the Crew in 2008 – a second Supporters’ Shield in three seasons is a real sign of progress.
“In the second half, I thought it was ours”, FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja said. He’s had an incredible season for FC Dallas.
They threw men forward in search of that all-important but elusive goals as they benefited from five minutes of time added on.
In the final minutes, Dallas was on a relentless attack to tie the series, but Portland held strong.
David Texeira almost punished lax Paparatto defending in the 32nd minute. A lot of teams would have given up the next goal and we didn’t.
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In the 38th minute, Kamara was able to turn on Miazga to volley a ball at Robles, who had to dive to his right to knock away. He was able to take his time, but Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez was able to make a good save just in time.
