No Matter What, the 2015 MLS Cup Final Will Not Be in Providence Park

In today's early matches both of the top seeded teams in the Eastern Conference moved on, eliminating any hope of the Portland Timbers hosting the MLS Cup Final at Providence Park this year. The New York Red Bulls beat D.C. United 1-0 to advance 2-0 on aggregate and the Columbus Crew beat the Montreal Impact 3-1 in extra time to advance 4-3 on aggregate.

The Red Bulls and the Crew were the only two Eastern Conference teams to finish the regular season higher on the table than the Timbers, so, since the MLS Cup Final is hosted by the team to finish higher in the standings during the regular season, the Timbers now have no chance to host the Final this year.

The Red Bulls, who won the Supporters' Shield in 2015, finished the season with 60 points, while the Crew finished even on points with the Timbers, but edged them out on goal differential.

The Timbers, of course, still have some ways to go before worrying where the Final will be played, starting with tonight's match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Check out the match thread for Timbers at Whitecaps here.