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Portland Timbers’ MLS Cup 2015: Where are they now?

By Matt Coles

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 04: Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri celebrates the first goal of the night during the Portland Timbers victory over the Philadelphia Union On August 4, 2018, at Providence Park, Portland, OR (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 04: Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri celebrates the first goal of the night during the Portland Timbers victory over the Philadelphia Union On August 4, 2018, at Providence Park, Portland, OR (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). /
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ATLANTA, GA MARCH 13: Atlanta’s Darlington Nagbe (6) looks to pass the ball during the Concacaf Champions League match between CF Monterrey and Atlanta United FC on March 13th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA MARCH 13: Atlanta’s Darlington Nagbe (6) looks to pass the ball during the Concacaf Champions League match between CF Monterrey and Atlanta United FC on March 13th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

CM – Darlington Nagbe – Atlanta United (MLS)

One of the best homegrown midfielders to ever play in MLS is Darlington Nagbe, and the two-time MLS Cup winner first tasted success with the Portland Timbers in 2015. In that glory season, Nagbe played 39 times for the Timbers, scoring five goals and assisting seven others from the heart of the midfield core.

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Born in Liberia, he moved over to the States at the age of 11 and began his career with the Cleveland Internationals in 2007. He signed for Portland ahead of the 2011 season, after being selected second overall in the MLS SuperDraft. His first-ever MLS goal was voted as MLS Goal of the Year for the 2011 season, a splendid volley against Sporting KC.

He helped the Timbers reach the playoffs for the first time in their history in 2013, and also score his first post-season goal that year, along with receiving the MLS Fair Play Award, something he also achieved a couple of years later. Nagbe was influential in bringing the MLS Cup to Portland for the first time, as he played all bar one game across the season, spending every minute on the pitch during the post-season.

After another playoff appearance with Portland in 2017, he signed for Atlanta, and was also influential in guiding them to a first MLS Cup in 2018. Nagbe remains a key part of the Five Stripes midfield through the 2019 campaign.

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