History was made on Sunday. Dubious history.
Both 2015 MLS Cup finalists -- the defending champion Portland Timbers and runner-up Columbus Crew SC -- have officially been eliminated from qualifying for the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs. It is the first time in league history that neither MLS Cup finalist from the previous season qualified for the postseason.
Columbus, already eliminated before Sunday's Decision Day showdown with New York City FC, lost their season finale 4-1. The Timbers, meanwhile, were still alive on Sunday, needing a win over the Vancouver Whitecaps to clinch, but lost 4-1, going the entire season without winning a road game and were officially knocked out of the playoffs.
The Timbers and Crew SC are just the sixth and seventh teams in league history to fail to make the playoffs the year after reaching the MLS Cup final. Previously, two champions (D.C. United in 2000 and LA Galaxy in 2006) have missed the playoffs the following year, while three other runners-up (Chicago Fire in 2004, Kansas City in 2005 and New York Red Bulls in 2009) have failed to qualify the ensuing season.
