The Columbus Crew SC, which is one of the MLS originals, are about to embark on a quest to grab their second MLS title after winning it in 2008. Because of this, teams often have been reluctant to challenge Columbus on the flanks, even though on several occasions – including multiple meetings with the Montreal Impact – it’s been the Crew’s Achilles’ heel.
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“He has a lovely house on the lake and we take his boat to go to eat out at restaurants”. No word from Timber Joey on what’s going to happen once it gets there.
A few months ago, no one really thought the Timbers would be here. “When you go through every single position I’m not sure I trade a guy in any single position”.
It was, ironically, a mid-season injury that helped them. Much of the game plan is simple – drive the ball into the box, and let Kamara find a way to score. They pelted the celebrating Timbers players with beer cans.
Marrufo said no whistle was blown on the field and that the assistant referee did not say anything to him about the play at halftime. “Good teams, when they make a run like this, they’re so locked in, laser focused”.
Who is the Columbus Crew? Is this team ready to win another one?
“(The Crew) is a team that has, in the past year and a half, tried to rebrand themselves. Most of its core is returning, and as Gregg Berhalter prepares to enter his third year as a coach, expectations will only increase.
Kamara, 31, briefly played at Norwich City in England’s Premier League. It’s all about attack, fly the bodies forward.
Portland’s success is a testament to how MLS’s best clubs are getting deeper, no longer just solid with its Designated Player core but getting stronger throughout the starting lineup and off the bench. He left no doubt who was going to win.
It’s hard to say. Portland won their only meeting this season 2-1 at Columbus in September. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article. Named to the MLS Best XI-first all-star team. “We were dominant in a lot of games this year and I kept saying it and probably bothering people but it was because it was real”. This allowed Kei Kamara to put the ball between Alas Powell’s legs and the Crew back in the game. He’s a Sierra Leon refugee. “I wouldn’t put a player at risk”.
“Has been with the Timbers his entire career”. The Timbers are the ideal example of the league’s pivot; they have a history dating to the 1970s, a light-rail-connected downtown stadium, and a young, urbanized and absolutely rabid fan base.
What could it mean for the Timbers if they win?
Portland head coach Caleb Porter hailed the application of his side during the play-offs.
Sportsnet soccer commentator Paul Dolan calls Sunday’s contest a matchup between “the two hottest teams” in MLS.
How can I watch/listen to it?
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Sunday will mark the MLS Cup’s 20th anniversary-D.C. United defeated the LA Galaxy in the inaugural MLS Cup in 1996. You can catch it on TV on ESPN, online at WatchESPN (TV provider log-in required), and on the radio at 750/102.9 The Game (in Portland).
