MLS Cup: Power ranking the last five finals
By Drew Hubbard
3. 2018 – Atlanta United Vs Portland Timbers
Atlanta United capped off an incredible 2018 with their first MLS Cup in only the club’s second season, defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0 in front of a record-setting 73, 019 attendance in Mercedes Benz Stadium.
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Josef Martinez started the goalscoring in the 39th minute after Atlanta captain Michael Parkhurst put in a superb a challenge on Jeremy Ebobisse that forced the ball straight to the MLS MVP’s feet. Portland’s best chance of the night came in the 43rd minute, but Ebobisee’s headed attempt was miraculously saved by Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan to keep it 1-0 for the hosts.
The Five Stripes then doubled the lead when defender Franco Escobar scored from a perfectly executed set-piece in the 54th minute to send the Atlanta crowd into raptures and Atlanta to their first trophy in their existence.
A record-setting crowd deserves its credit for the spectacle of MLS Cup. Plus, this was Atlanta United making their name as one of the elite MLS teams, a theme that is surely set to run and run. While Portland were never really in the match, diminishing the drama of the match, this was Atlanta’s night.