Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. TIMBERS TAKE THE TITLE
The Portland Timbers won their first MLS Cup on Sunday with a tense 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew SC (HIGHLIGHTS). Diego Valeri, who scored the earliest goal in MLS Cup history, was named MLS Cup MVP.
2. HOW PORTLAND GOT IT DONE
Key to the Timbers' success was setting the tone early, says MLSsoccer.com pundit Matt Doyle. Liam Ridgewell had a big role in that, and winning the Cup is a dream come true for the English defender. His fellow defender Jorge Villfaña received high marks on the night, helping the side limit Crew SC to only one shot on goal.
3. PAULSON'S FAITH
For Timbers owner Merritt Paulson, the victory repaid his belief in his team that they would become the first team from the Pacific Northwest to win the MLS Cup.
4. THE BEARD IS HERE TO STAY
Fear not, Timbers fans: Despite reports, Nat Borchers is not going to shave his beard , but the famous red beard did get a trim.
5. CREW SC REACT TO HEART-BREAKING HOME LOSS
Crew SC admit they had an off day on Sunday. Goalkeeper Steve Clark took responsibility for the first goal, head coach Gregg Berhalter apologized to the people of Columbus, many of whom stayed long after the final whistle to console star striker Kei Kamara.
6. CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING WINNING GOAL
Crew SC were unhappy about the Timbers' second goal, which developed after the the ball appeared to go out of bounds at the start of the move. That play is one of several big refereeing decisions looked at in the MLS Cup edition of Instant Replay.
7. FUTURE EXPANSION
Over the weekend, several of the league's founders reflected on 20 seasons of MLS, and news emerged about the future of the league. MLS revealed plans to expand to 28 teams, along with some scheduling details for the 2016 season.
8. LANDON "LARRY KING" DONOVAN
Prior to the Cup final, former LA Galaxy and US international star Landon Donovan sat down with MLS Commissioner Don Garber for a wide-ranging interview. In another interview, with the Toronto Sun, Garber talked about Canadian expansion and internationals.
9. NYCFC ROSTER MOVES
New York City FC announced a few roster moves over the weekend, including the news that former Chicago Fire defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado will trial with the club for their friendly against the Puerto Rican national team this week.
10. MORE MIAMI STADIUM NEWS
Have David Beckham & Co. finally found their Miami stadium location? According to reports, Beckham and his group of investors have secured a contract to purchase a large plot of land in the city's Overtown area.
11. ORLANDO CITY MAKING STADIUM PROGRESS
As for Florida’s existing MLS team, Orlando City are closing in on a naming-rights partner for their new stadium.
12. FALCAO TO MLS?
Crew SC's Federico HiguaÃn and Portland Timbers' Diego Valeri would love to their former teammate, out-of-favor Chelsea forward Radamel Falcao, make a move to MLS.
13. IMPACT KEEPER TRAINING IN EUROPE
Montreal Impact goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau is heading off to Europe for a training stint with Italian side Bologna.
14. ARE UNION LINING UP A TRADE?
As Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin discusses his off-season plans, rumors claim the Union will trade Cristian Maidana to the Houston Dynamo.
15. LOOKING BACK TO THE BEGINNING
There’s been a lot of talk this past week about how far MLS has come since its founding in 1996. With Sunday’s epic showdown bringing the league's 20th season to an close, let's take a minute to look back at the very first MLS Cup and see for ourselves.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Watch the MLS Cup 2015 postgame press conferences
Behind on your MLS Cup history? These infographics should help you catch up
Blood, sweat and tifo: Crew SC’s tifo culture
