It all comes down to this. The Portland Timbers take on Columbus Crew SC Sunday in the 2015 MLS Cup (1pm PT, ESPN). After training sessions, an official MLS Cup Press Conference and more, both teams take to MAPFRE Stadium to decide who gets to take home The Cup.
We reached out to MLSsoccer.com Crew SC beat writer Andrew King to get a look into the Columbus side.
Q: Two teams with similar records, strong strikers, Argentine playmakers and more. What’s the feeling inside the Columbus team right now heading into this MLS Cup?
Andrew King: "After last year's disappointing exit at the hands of the New England Revolution, this team is hungry. They have yet to acknowledge that it's been a successful season, and have constantly reminded us that they have higher goals than just making it to this game. Whether it was after a 5-0 thrashing of D.C. United to end the regular season or after the dramatic winner to beat Montreal, the refrain has always been "we're not done yet." They're a confident bunch heading into the final."
Q: What are some of the players of note that helped get Crew SC to this point to look out for?
AK: "Like Portland, Columbus has gotten solid contribution from nearly everywhere on the pitch. Even casual MLS fans know names like Kei Kamara, Ethan Finlay or Federico Higuain, but those less familiar with the team will want to watch their fullbacks Sunday. Harrison Afful on the right and Waylon Francis on the left are in the conversation for best in the league at their position, and in Gregg Berhalter's attack-minded system, they'll be bombing up the flanks as much as some wingers around the league. They'll be key in getting the ball on the head of Kamara, which is what Portland will hope to avoid."
Q: What are you most looking forward to in this MLS Cup?
AK: "I'm looking forward to a fun match. I hope (and expect) that neither of these teams comes into this one with the mentality of sitting back. Caleb Porter and Gregg Berhalter have two very different styles of play, but I appreciate both aesthetically. Obviously there's always room for the grind-it-out types in MLS, but when the most eyes are on the game this season, it will be exciting to watch a match that features two teams who will really want to play."
