Portland scored twice early, but Crew SC pulled within a goal at halftime of the MLS Cup final this afternoon in Mapfre Stadium.
After suffering a right-ankle injury in Saturday’s practice, forward Kei Kamara started and put the Crew on the board in the 18th minute. After Portland goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey failed to control a Harrison Afful cross, Kamara poked the ball loose inside the penalty area and right to Portland’s Diego Chara.
Chara’s attempt to clear the ball went right back to Kamara, who turned his back to goal, spun to the left and fired it past Kwarasey to make it 2-1.