Portland Takes Home The MLS Cup
It was an absolutely crazy way to end the season. The atmosphere at MAPFRE Stadium was electric as Columbus Crew SC and Portland Timbers squared off the the right to hoist the MLS Cup.
Just 27 seconds into the match an error by Columbus goalkeeper Steve Clark gave Portland the early lead. Only six minutes later a diving header from Rodney Wallace doubled that lead. Columbus would pull the game within reach in the 17th minute when Kei Kamara hammered home a loose ball in box.
It would be a back-and-forth affair for the remainder of the match, but Portland would hold on and hold the trophy high in front of thousands of their traveling fans. It’s the first MLS Cup for the Timbers who joined MLS in 2011.
Now 20. Soon to be 28.
On Saturday, the Major League Soccer Board of Governors met and delivered some big news. The league announced their support for future expansion to 28 clubs. With three expansion teams, Atlanta, Minnesota, and Los Angeles, already set to join the league in the next three years and Miami inching closer everyday, the league will have four spots left to fill.
Conversations are apparently already underway in multiple markets with potential owners. "There is no shortage of demand for MLS expansion teams, and we believe the opportunity exists to grow beyond our current plans," said Don Garber. "During the next few months, we will evaluate the possibility of growing the league to 28 teams and establish a process and timeline should we decide on further expansion."
See more notes from the meeting, including an update on Miami here.
Giovinco Takes Home MVP Honors
It was a fantastic first year in MLS for Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco and now he has the hardware to prove it. On Thursday, he was presented with the 2015 Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.
The 28 year old transfer from Juventus put up some historic numbers. 22 goals and 16 assists in 34 appearances made him almost a lock for the MVP honors.
“It was my best season, for sure,” said Giovinco during the press conference. “[But] soccer is a team sport. Too bad that [we] couldn't win as a team, but next year we will try to win the championship. [I] will be happy to share the trophy with the team.”
