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SBI MLS Cup Final Man of the Match: Jorge Villafana

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Photo by Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports

Throughout the 2015 season, Jorge Villafana was targeted as the weak link of the Portland Timbers back line. Yet, in Sunday’s MLS Cup Final, Villafana proved dominant yet again to help lead his side to the league’s ultimate crown.

Matching up with MLS Best XI winger Ethan Finlay, Villafana proved to be the best player on the pitch, looking both calm and composed on the attacking and defensive ends to earn honors as SBI MLS Cup Final Man of the Match.

Throughout the 65 minutes in which they matched up, Villafana all but took Finlay out of the game while limiting the Crew winger to a game-low 16 first half touches. Meanwhile, Villafana’s composure on the ball proved vital in the Timbers’ ability to control the tempo. Helping the Timbers work the ball from the back, Villafana was among the Timbers’ most consistent passers throughout the 90 minutes to establish dominance on the entire left side of the field.

The Timbers fullback’s performance was more than enough to earn recognition as SBI MLS Cup Final Man of the Match, beating out teammates Nat Borchers, Darlington Nagbe and Diego Chara for Sunday’s honors.

What did you think of Villafana’s performance in Sunday’s MLS Cup Final? Which player stood out to you?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Thoughts? How about we honor him by spelling his name right? Villafaña. One rhymes with banana and the other get on ya.
    If that’s too much just call him Sueño.

    He wasn’t targeted throughout the season, Alvas Powell was and he played on Porters U-23 team. Ives put this one in your lap – at least attempt to get the facts and his name.
    He’s getting called into camp in January so you have a few weeks to figure it out.

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  2. “Throughout the 2015 season, Jorge Villafana was targeted as the weak link of the Portland Timbers back line”
    Not true at all. Those of us who watched the Timbers all season know that Powell has been the weak link. For most of the season, Villafaña has been the one indispensable player on the back line, shutting down the opponent’s best winger and also dangerous on crosses.

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  3. Villafana is kind of a Cinderella story. If my memory is correct, he originally came into the league as a result of open tryouts held by Chivas USA some years back. He was still in high school when they offered him a pro contract and had basically been under the radar of US Soccer. He was Jorge Flores then and changed his name a couple of years ago in honor of his mother. He did okay with Chivas, but kind of kicked around for a couple of years before Chivas went under. He always impressed me as a hard worker, so it’s good to seem him have this success with Portland.

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  4. Going into this match I was intrigued to see Finlay considering all the accolades he has gotten recently. Villafana locked him and and take the ball off his feet. Or Chara and Nagbe would come pressure and dispossess him routinely. On both sides Columbus got minimal service into the box and eventually Kamara started to drift looking for the ball as far as midfield?
    When the Timbers need to hold possession and be dangerous the left side is often where the tight combo passes occur. With inter changing play with Villafana, Wallace, Valeri, Nagbe, Chara, and often Adi as the target.
    Villafana has a great story and this year he really started to toughen up and get stronger on both sides of the field

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