2015 MLS End-of-Season Awards

As the 2015 MLS campaign comes to a close, it's time to hand out the end-of-season awards. There are 15 different categories from Best Player to Biggest Disappointment. Some awards had several candidates, so each one is accompanied by an honorable mention. Here are the MLS end-of-season awards for the 2015 campaign.Begin Slideshow

Portland Timbers Get Everything Right at Perfect Time to Win MLS Cup

Sunday marked the culmination of a nine-month quest to become champion of Major League Soccer.  During that period, we saw clubs attempt to claim the throne as the favorite to win MLS Cup, but many of them faded before the meaningful matches began.  When the postseason started, the clubs dubbed as the ones to beat failed to live up to the title. When the final whistle blew on MLS Cup at Mapfre Stadium on Sunday, the team that progressively picked up momentum near the end of the regular season and made a postseason drive in which it defeated three of the four best teams in the league came out on top.  The Portland Timbers didn't start the season strong like the New York Red Bulls or Vancouver Whitecaps. Nor did they peak at midseason like the LA Galaxy. They didn't even strike up a serious discussion about their MLS Cup credentials like rival Seattle, the Red Bulls or MLS Cup runner-up Columbus did at the conclusion of the regular season.  But one thing the Timbers excelled at over the nine-month journey to MLS Cup was adjusting and correcting their wrongs.  It took some time for the back four of Alvas Powell, Nat Borchers, Liam Ridgewell ...

Columbus Crew vs. Portland Timbers: Winners and Losers from MLS Cup Final

The Portland Timbers captured their first MLS Cup with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew at Mapfre Stadium on Sunday. Portland got off to a fast start as Diego Valeri and Rodney Wallace each found the back of the net within the first seven minutes of the contest. Columbus pulled one back in the 18th minute after Kei Kamara took advantage of a goalkeeping blunder, but that would be the only time the Crew would celebrate a goal in front of the home fans. The victory marked the end of a successful postseason run for the Timbers that saw the team earn positive results on the road on three occasions. Here's a look at our winners and losers from Portland's MLS Cup triumph.Begin Slideshow

MLS Cup Final 2015: Columbus Crew vs. Portland Timbers Score, Twitter Reaction

The Portland Timbers beat the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup Final, claiming a 2-1 victory at Mapfre Stadium in Ohio on Sunday. Goals from Diego Hernan Valeri and Rodney Wallace crowned the Timbers as league champions, while Kei Kamara gave the Crew a vital lifeline in the match.  Columbus was overpowered throughout the game, despite fighting hard to get itself an equalizer during rare spells of dominance, but the Timbers were clearly the superior team on the night. The Crew made the most catastrophic start possible, as goalkeeper Steve Clark took too long with his clearance and smashed his kick against the onrushing Valeri. The ball deflected over the line for the first goal of the game, with Columbus conceding after only 30 seconds of the match.  Clark held his head in his hands upon realizing his huge mistake, as Portland celebrated wildly in front of the Columbus fans. The Timbers celebrated the historic goal on Twitter: Fox Sports host Rob Stone could not believe what he saw from Clark: Unsavory scenes were captured as Columbus fans littered the pitch with bottles while the Portland players celebrated, via Timbers blog Stumptown Footy: The Crew endured further disaster six minutes later, as Rodney Wallace made it 2-0. Once again, the hosts were ...

Columbus Crew vs. Portland Timbers: Goals and Highlights from 2015 MLS Cup Final

Columbus Crew's MLS Cup final got off to the worst possible start on Sunday, when a moment of indecision from goalkeeper Steve Clark gifted Portland Timbers the lead after just 30 seconds. A howler from Clark and Valeri gives portland the lead in the first minute! https://t.co/g2SFsiW3NX — Total MLS (@TotalMLS) December 6, 2015 And things got worse just six minutes later, as Rodney Wallace stooped to head the Timbers two up within the first ten minutes. Milano to Wallace for the 2-0 #Timbers lead over #Crew in this exciting #MLSCup final! https://t.co/Ur8y6294wc — World Soccer Shop (@worldsoccershop) December 6, 2015 But Columbus responded positively, leading goalscorer Kei Kamara turning home to half the deficit: Kwarasey gives Columbus a life line. Kamara pulls one back. 2-1 Timbers. https://t.co/DGzfkcRQtK — Total MLS (@TotalMLS) December 6, 2015 Harrison Afful provided the other significant talking point of the first half, earning a yellow card for a heavy-handed foul on Liam Ridgewell. Columbus pushed for an equaliser in the second half, but Portland held on to claim their first ever MLS Cup win. It sparked scenes of jubilation for the Timbers: Euphoria at full-time from @timbersarmy! #RCTID #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/wvqEM0LoOo — Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 6, 2015 But was a devastating loss for Columbus—and particularly Kamara—to take: That lonely ...

Columbus Crew vs. Portland Timbers: Live Score, Highlights from MLS Cup Final

MLS Cup—Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio Columbus Crew 1-2 Portland Timbers  Goals: Diego Valeri (POR) 1'; Rodney Wallace (POR) 7'; Kei Kamara (CLB) 18'  Columbus Crew: Clark, Afful, Parkhurst, Sauro, Francis, Trapp, Tchani (McInerney 72'), Finlay (Mabwati 63'), Higuain, Meram (Saeid 79'), Kamara Portland Timbers: Kwarasey, Powell, Borchers, Ridgewell, Villafana, Chara, Nagbe, Valeri, Melano (Asprilla 59'), Adi, Wallace    Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

MLS Cup 2015: Columbus Crew v Portland Timbers Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info

The Columbus Crew will host the Portland Timbers in the 2015 MLS Cup on Sunday, as the visitors seek their first MLS Cup win and the hosts will try to win the trophy for the first time since 2008. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. ET, and ESPN will carry full TV coverage of the event, with live streams available via the WatchESPN app. Columbus have the experience and raw firepower to blow the Timbers out of the water, but the visitors have momentum on their side after a dominant showing against FC Dallas. Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's final.   Date: Sunday, December 6 Time: 4 p.m. ET/ 9 p.m. GMT Venue: Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio Tickets: Check with ScoreBig.com TV, Live Stream Info: ESPN, WatchESPN   Preview Columbus and Portland were both underdogs entering the play-offs, but after strong showings in the conference finals, few neutral fans will be upset to see the two sides clash in the MLS Cup. The Crew have been among the top attacking teams all season long, while Portland's balance and crisp passing game should make for an exciting matchup. The Timbers managed to get past FC Dallas without the services of star defender Liam Ridgewell in the return leg, but the captain ...

Columbus Crew vs. Portland Timbers: Team News, Preview, TV for MLS Cup Final

Major League Soccer's 20th season concludes on Sunday with the MLS Cup at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.  The Columbus Crew, who entered the playoffs as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, will host the Portland Timbers, who advanced to the final as the third seed from the Western Conference.  Although it isn't the matchup many predicted for the championship match at the start of the year—or even at the beginning of the postseason—Sunday's showdown in Columbus should produce a thrilling 90 minutes or more of soccer.  Below is all the information you need to know heading into the 2015 MLS Cup Final.   Date: Sunday, December 6 Time: 4 p.m. ET TV: ESPN Live Stream: WatchESPN   Recent Form and MLS Cup History Columbus enters the final contest of the MLS season off two hard-fought series victories over the Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls. The Crew downed the Didier Drogba-led Impact 4-3 on aggregate, and they defeated the Supporters' Shield winners 2-1 on aggregate in the Eastern Conference Final. During the regular season, Columbus posted a 9-4-4 record at home.  Sunday marks the second time Columbus will appear in the MLS Cup. The Crew won the title in 2008 over the New York Red Bulls 3-1. Alejandro Moreno, Chad Marshall and Frankie Hejduk scored ...

MLS Boss Don Garber Talks Historic 20th Season, David Beckham and More with B/R

From the second the first whistle blew on the Major League Soccer regular season up until MLS Cup on Sunday, the American soccer league has enjoyed its best season to date.  In the nine months of play across the United States and Canada, fans have been treated to the fantastic individual talents of international stars such as Sebastian Giovinco, Giovani Dos Santos, Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard as well as American stars like Ethan Finlay, Dax McCarty, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and others.  However, the 20th season almost didn't start on time as collective bargaining negotiations lasted until the final week of the offseason. Reflecting on the historic campaign as a whole, commissioner Don Garber realizes just how close the league and the players' union came to hitting the deadline.  "It seems like the CBA negotiations were a lifetime ago," Garber told Bleacher Report. "They were less than a year ago, and anytime you go through difficult labor negotiations, it’s traumatic and it gets everybody focused on ensuring you get a deal that makes sense for everybody, and I believe we’ve been able to do that. "Here we are almost a year later, and it has been, without a doubt, the most successive ...

10 Players to Watch in the 2015 MLS Cup Final

The 2015 MLS Cup final between the Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers is a great matchup for neutral fans. Both teams have incredibly quick attackers which should lead to plenty of excitement. Both of these sides also have strong squads, and there are a few players that are worth the price of admission. Five players from each club will be highlighted in this slideshow. Whether it's someone who is dealing with an injury or a standout striker like Kei Kamara, several names will be recognized. Here are 10 players to watch in Sunday's MLS Cup final. Begin Slideshow