Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers advance to MLS final

HARRISON, New Jersey (AP) - The Columbus Crew earned only their second trip to final in the 20-year history of Major League Soccer and their first since 2008 on Sunday, losing 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls but advancing with a two-leg 2-1 aggregate victory.

The Crew will face Portland at home in the Dec. 6 final after the Timbers advanced to their first final with a 2-2 draw against Dallas in the second leg of the Western Conference finals.

Anatole Abang scored 3 minutes into second-half injury time and Bradley Wright-Phillips hit the post with a header 1 1/2 minutes later for the Red Bulls, who fell one step short of the MLS championship game for the second straight year.

The Crew will look to win their second MLS championship. They beat New York in Carson, California, seven years ago.

Fanendo Adi and Lucas Melano scored to help Portland advance.

Portland won the first leg 3-1 at home en route to a 5-3 aggregate victory in the two-game series.

Dallas rallied for a 2-1 lead with goals by Ryan Hollingshead and Blas Perez in a 5-minute span, but couldn't overcome the three-goal aggregate deficit created by Adi's goal in the 54th minute. Mauro Diaz assisted on both FC Dallas goals. Melano scored Portland's tying goal in stoppage time.