5 Matchups To Watch During the MLS Cup Final

Thursday, December 03, 2015

GoLocalPDX Sports Team

Portland's star striker Fernando Adi celebrates a goal.

The matchup in the year's MLS Cup final should prove to be a thrilling game. Both the Portland Timbers and their opponents, the Colombus Crew, enter the contest feeling confident in their chances to take home the trophy.

There are no shortage of pairings to keep your eyes on in this one. With both teams sporting explosive strikers and acrobatic keepers, plus very strong play in the middle, it should be one of the all-time classics.

To get you ready for all of the action, GoLocalPDX picked out the top five matchups to keep an eye out for during Sunday' game. Before the title bout gets underway on Sunday at 1 PM on ESPN, take a look below to see who you should be on the lookout for, and let us know what matchups you're excited to watch play out during the game.

SEE SLIDES BELOW: 5 Matchups To Watch During the MLS Cup Final

Steve Clark (GK-Columbus) vs Adam Kwarasey (GK-Portland)

They may have more than 100 yards separating them, but make no mistake, these goalkeepers will try their best to outdo their counterpart during Sunday’s game.

That will be a tall order for both men. Columbus’ Clark enters the game with the second-most saves in the MLS, while Kwarasey led the league in shutouts during this year’s campaign. Goals will not be easy to come by in this one.

Photo: Adam Kwarasey via Wikimedia Commons

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Timbers Defense v Crew Offense

In fact, it will probably take more than just a standout performance from Kwarasey if Portland plans to lift the cup on Sunday afternoon.

The Crew were tied for second in goals scored this year and bring a high-powered offense onto the pitch. The Timbers should be ready for them, however, as only two teams in the league allowed fewer goals than Portland. Liam Ridgewell, Alvas Powell and the rest of the Portland backline will need to be at their best in this one

Photo: Liam Ridgewell stands at the ready

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Gregg Berhalter (Head Coach-Columbus) vs. Caleb Porter (Head Coach-Portland)

These coaches surely have spent some late hours game planning in the past few days, and one can assume there will be plenty more time spent making adjustments in the coming days.

Both coaches will have their handful in planning for the unending possibilities and scenarios that may play out during the game. Hopefully, they manage to find some time for sleep as well.

Photo: Caleb Porter via Wikimedia Commons

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Timbers vs the Home Crowd

If the Timbers raise the trophy on Sunday, they will do it with most of the Timbers Army watching on TV.

Unfortunately, the road has not been kind to Portland this year. They finished the season 7-8-2 record when playing away from Providence Park this season. The good news? Portland won their lone game in Columbus this year.

Photo: Columbus Crew supporters make some noise via Wikimedia Commons

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Kei Kamara (Forward-Columbus) vs Fernando Adi (Forward-Portland)

This one is explosive. Kamara is one of the league’s best finishers, and proved it this year, pouring in a league-high 22 goals. Adi was the engine to the Timbers’ offense, scoring 16 goals, 11 more than the team’s second-leading scorer, Darlington Nagbe.

Adi got the better of Kamara in the first contest, however. He put in both the Timbers’ goals in a victory. Expect Kamara to be out for a revenge, and a title, on Sunday. Adi will have to find a way to best him once again.

Photo: Fernando Adi moves into the box