The Portland Timbers were given no chance to win the 2018 MLS Cup Final and, in the end, they didn’t.
But the Timbers fought hard and, outclassed by the highest spending team in MLS history, stayed in the match until an errant back pass and a class finish gave Atlanta United the winner. After a hard-fought ninety minutes, the Timbers had lost 2-0 and the second star for their crest would have to wait.
After an opening fifteen minutes that saw the ball held primarily in the Timbers’ half, Atlanta thought they should have been awarded a penalty only for referee Alan Kelly to wave away their protestations.