Timbers and Crew are Favorites to Reach MLS Cup Final

In the first leg of the Conference Finals on Sunday, the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew put on dazzling performances in front of their home crowds, on their way to huge wins in the process.

For Columbus, they took the game to the New York Red Bulls early and often. The Crew were on the board after just 12 seconds when a long ball from the opening kick reached Justin Meram who put a shot past Luis Robles. It seemed like before the game even started, the Red Bulls found themselves down.

The Crew continued to dominate and pepper the New York goal, until finally taking a two goal advantage in the 85th minute. Kei Kamara finished a rebound that was initially saved by Robles, but the Columbus forward was wide open at the back post to knock it home. Columbus thoroughly deserved their two goal victory, leaving the Red Bulls with little to manage in front of goal.

For the Supporter’s Shield winners, the defense that Jesse Marsch prides his team on was not up to the same standard. Granted, Columbus are dynamic in the attack, and very physical. However, the Red Bulls will have to find a way to contain Columbus and create chances for themselves. Very little came way of New York in the first leg, not to discredit the defense of the Crew, but New York looked one dimensional going forward, even with Bradley Wright-Phillips’ near golazo.

The return leg of the series will take place Sunday at 7:30 pm ET from Red Bull Arena.

In the Western Conference, the Portland Timbers continued their blazing run of form with a 3-1 victory over the top seed FC Dallas. Portland came out on the attack and found themselves with a two goal lead just after halftime. The home side nearly had a goal under 30 seconds when Jesse Gonzalez had to stave off the first of many shots from the Timbers. Darlington Nagbe was once again the engine behind the attack, as it were his driving runs from midfield that set up many of the chances.

Liam Ridgewell netted the opening goal in the 23rd minute from a Darlington Nagbe corner that he tussled into goal. Portland added a second after the half with a stunning finish from Dairon Asprilla. The midfielder unleashed a 30 yard strike that flew into the top corner past Gonzalez. Dallas was looking at a disaster on their hands.

However, the away side added what could be a critical away goal in the 62nd minute from David Texeira. A simple tap-in from Je-Vaughn Watson’s service gave Dallas a goal back. The Timbers would add a third goal into stoppage time. Nat Borchers finished the job on a corner kick to make the scoreline 3-1 going to Dallas.

The second leg will take place on Sunday at 5 pm ET from Dallas.

With the explosive offenses that both Columbus and Portland possess, they are the favorites to advance the the MLS Cup Final. Portland are on an amazing run of form, and will have Rodney Wallace and Diego Valeri back for the second leg of the series, which will only make them more dynamic. However, FC Dallas are spectacular at home, and have a crucial away goal. If they can slow down the Timbers offense, especially on the counter, they will have a chance to score goals of their own.