MLS Cup Playoffs: Timbers are the kings of Cascadia after crushing the Sounders

Before each game in the MLS Cup Playoffs, we ask five questions. Here’s how the game answered them.

1. How much is home field worth?

Portland entered the second leg as heavy favorites after taking the first leg 2-1 in Seattle. That they were also the league’s best home side in the regular season only increased the belief that Thursday’s contest was nothing more than a coronation for the Timbers and the end of an era for the Sounders, who look set to fire Sigi Schmid after a horrendous end to their season.

As time ticked down, the Timbers Army only sang louder. They had camped out for tickets, sat in the rain and chanted for their team an hour before the kick. This was their night and when the final whistle went, Cascadia and a spot in the Western Conference final was theirs too.

On matchdays, the Timbers Army lines up outside JELD-WEN Field to get wristbands that will let them into the stadium early to get the best seats. The endline is general admission so for the best seats, you need to get there early and get one of the first wristbands.

For their first ever home MLS playoff match, it becomes a multi-day affair.