What is it about MLS Cup Playoff matches between the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City?
In 2015, there was the epic double-post, penalty kick thriller in the Knockout Round. In 2018, in the Western Conference Championship, the Timbers again faced off against Sporting – this time in a two-legged affair. The first match, in Portland, saw a nervy 0-0 draw to set up an exciting second leg in Kansas City.
On a frigid evening, the match became a true back-and-forth classic with Portland holding an away goal advantage for much of it. In front of a raucous crowd, Sebastián Blanco scored an other-worldly golazo while Diego Valeri added a brace in a 3-2 win for the team to clinch their second Western Conference title.