The Portland Timbers would lead twice on the road at MLS Cup Champion Columbus, but the Crew fought back both times, and the result would be a 2-2 draw. Felipe Mora and Santiago Moreno would score for the Timbers, while Cucho Hernández and Steven Moreira would score for the hosts.
In the 10th minute, the Timbers would take the lead when Eryk Williamson played a pass into the box into the run of Felipe Mora, and though Mora only got a week shot on goal as he turned, it was perfectly placed and clear of the reach of Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte , and the Timbers had a 1-0 lead.
The home side appeared to have tied the score in the 27th minute, but the play was ruled offside, though the replay showed it was very, very close. Columbus also hit the post just before halftime, but Portland would hold a 1-0 lead at the break.
In the 51st minute, Columbus would tie it up when Diego Rossi‘s pass across the goal mouth was finished by Cucho Hernández, who beat James Pantemis easily with the finish, and the score was level at 1-1.
But just six minutes later, Portland would re-take the lead when Evander‘s short pass in the crew box was finished by Santiago Moreno, and the Timbers were leading again, by a 2-1 score.
Pantemis made a few very good saves to keep the Timbers in the lead, and Claudio Bravo cleared a shot headed for the goal off the line in the 71st minute, but the Crew finally leveled in the 74th minute seemingly out of nowhere, when Steven Moreira hit a beautiful blast from 30 yards out into the very upper left corner of the net, and the score was level again at 2-2.
Six minutes into stoppage time, the Crew came within inches of stealing the win when Hernández hit a free kick from 20 yards out that was off the right post, and rebounded across the goal mouth before a follow-up shot went wide. The whistle blew seconds later and the final was 2-2.
