Columbus Crew SC and Portland Timbers were not preseason MLS Cup favorites, or even strong darkhorses. But they’ve made the final off the back of strong regular season performances and even stronger playoff runs, beating the top seeds in their respective conferences in the last round. On Sunday, the Crew will try to lift their second MLS Cup, while the Timbers attempt to win their first trophy of any time.
Crew vs. Timbers, MLS Cup 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
The Portland Timbers are in their first ever MLS Cup Final, where they’ll be underdogs on the road agains the Columbus Crew.
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The Crew had to sweat out one of the most dramatic finishes in MLS playoff history last week, barely holding off the New York Red Bulls, who hit the post late in stoppage time with a shot that would have sent their playoff series to extra time. The Timbers beat FC Dallas a bit more comfortably, with a stoppage time goal that extended their lead and sent them to the final in style.
Portland and Columbus met just once this season, in the stadium they’ll play in on Sunday. The Timbers grabbed the away win on that day in a battle between the two teams’ top strikers. Kei Kamara scored in the 43rd minute, but Fanendo Adi found the back of the net twice. Both teams have made changes since that game, but it’s certainly relevant to the final -- they had all of their top stars healthy and available to play in that match.
Key player -- Federico Higuain
The Crew’s Designated Player and No. 10 doesn’t rack up the big stats like Kamara and Ethan Finlay, but he’s just as important. He provides the assist before the assist on most of Columbus’ best attacking moves and will be their key orchestrator in the center on Sunday.
Key matchup -- Tony Tchani and Wil Trapp vs. Diego Valeri and Darlington Nagbe
Portland are going to want to be patient in the final third and use their possession as both a way to wear down Columbus’ defenses slowly and a way to defend themselves. It’ll be up to the Crew’s midfield duo to restrict the areas that Nagbe and Valeri want to operate in.
Columbus Crew SC injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Kristinn Steindorsson (knee), Romain Gall (hip).
Portland Timbers injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Ben Zemanski (knee), Liam Ridgewell (calf).
Whether they’re actually getting players back or just playing mind games remains to be seen, but each side has an important injury update this week. None of Steindorsson, Gall or Zemanski has been available throughout the playoffs, but they’re listed as questionable for the final. They could provide big boosts for their respective teams in midfield as late-game subs.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN (U.S. -- English), UniMas (U.S. -- Spanish), TSN1 (Canada), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.)
Online: Watch ESPN (U.S. -- English), Univision Deportes en vivo (U.S. -- Spanish), TSN Go (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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