Adam Kwarasey Wins Save of the Year

In the run up to the Portland Timbers' appearance in the 2015 MLS Cup Final against the Columbus Crew, Adam Kwarasey has been recognized for his part in a pivotal moment of the season, being awarded the 2015 MLS Save of the Year for his efforts.

With the score tied at zero, Kwarasey found himself under pressure from the Real Salt Lake attack, making a series of saves to preserve the shutout before Nat Borchers grabbed the game winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time. It was Kwarasey's diving 30th minute save on a laser volley from RSL midfielder Luke Mulholland, however, that stood above the rest.

As the ball was desperately cleared out of the Timbers' box, Mulholland found himself with the space to line up a side-volley that flew on a flat trajectory toward the upper ninety of the Timbers' net. The shot looked destined to open the scoring only for Kwarasey to lay out across the face of the goal and, with just his outstretched fingers, tipped it wide.

The save was one of eighty made by the Timbers' keeper during the 2015 regular season and contributed to one of Kwarasey's thirteen regular season shutouts.

Of course, the stop was not the only miraculous game-saver that Kwarasey made against RSL this year. Check out this save on a deflected shot from Javier Morales later in the year.

And, in case you want to revisit that late game-winner from Borchers, here are the highlight's from the SotY winning match.

What other Adam Kwarasey saves come to mind from this year? Share your favorites in the comments; there are plenty to choose from.