The celebration has been a dream of Columbus Crew fans since 2017, when the team’s former owner threatened to move their team to Texas. This is the party they have been creating since 2018, when the campaign to stop him gave new owners and new hope. This is the dream that endured them when this year the corona virus caused havoc with the schedule and locked them out of the arena. So when the party finally started and the crew blew the final whistle 3-0 against the Saunders Sounders, Columbus’ Mafre Stadium and Columbus won their second league title, the only tragedy was that there didn’t seem to be many crew fans to watch it live. “When I took the job, I had a dream to take the MLS trophy to those people. “That’s why I was so emotional.” As coach of the Portland Timbers five years ago, Porter refused such a celebration when he knocked down the crew at Mapfree Stadium and won his own MLS trophy. When he was hired by the team in January 2019, after a successful campaign in the city to save the team, he promised to provide something to re-energize Columbus fans. On Saturday, those admitted inside – where they were advised to stay away from health for all 90 minutes were instructed by the authorities and stadium signs to stay safe – thanks to Porter. Hugs come later when those kinds of things are safe again. The final match of the 25th season of MLS was all that happened and, in many respects, a win. This season started on February 29, which is the early start of league history and ended with the latest MLS trophy ever played. There is no other year in between: two weekly matches, followed by a four-month break due to infection; Five-week summer competition; Then weeks of careful return to empty – or empty – stadiums. Along the way, the league conducted more than 130,000 virus tests, with 20 percent of its players recording positive results, a players’ union official said. Dozens of games have been postponed, reviewed or simply not played. To get to the end of the season, the league repeatedly changed its health ethics, adjusted its rules and passed its joint fingers. The latter is not even immune. Columbus’ title hopes were dealt a significant blow on Friday when the team’s most important player, midfielder Darlington Knockby, and key member of its attack, Puntare Santos, were eliminated from the final for medical reasons. Both Knockby and Santos later confirmed the league’s worst fears: they too tested positive for the corona virus. “It simply came to our notice then. This is a big blow, ”Porter said Friday. But he expressed confidence that he could fix his players, and his team took the game from the opening whistle to the Sounders. The first goal came in the 25th minute: a cross driven by Kiazi Sardes from the right, and a powerful one-time finish from Argentina midfielder Lucas Gelaroyan from Mexico’s top league last winter, and – despite his low size – had a terrible balance throughout the first half. A few minutes later, it was 2-0, after Derrick Etienne Jr. – a substitute for Santos in the starting line – up on the left side of the penalty area after an open feed by Gelaroyan. Slipping behind his defender, Etienne rolled a right-footed shot around Seattle goalkeeper Stephen Free. Tried to adjust the seat, made two replacements in half, but speeded up within it – or was that the rule? – There was too much to overcome. In the 82nd minute, Columbus’ third goal, Jellaroyan’s second goal, dispelled all doubts. The Sounders, who are finalists for the fourth time in five years, have never had a chance to seek a second title in a row. “This will be our day,” Porter said. “Our time, our day and our trophy.” The next season is scheduled to begin in March. But in a half-hour interview Saturday night, Commissioner Dan Carber said he could not guarantee it because of the ongoing epidemic. Crew, at least for now, the wait is good. The title is theirs again, and they enjoy catching it as much as they can.
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