Revenge rejected: Portland holds off Columbus in MLS Cup rematch

The Columbus Crew kicked off their 2016 MLS campaign against familiar foes from the 2015 MLS Cup final, the Portland Timbers, and Gregg Berhalter's men were looking to right a perceived wrong at Providence Park.

For the Timbers faithful, that MLS Cup final wasn't punishment enough for the Crew, as they not only reveled in their successes from the year prior, but also bore witness to the Timbers, led by Diego Valeri and Fanendo Adi, kicking their 2016 season off with a 2-1 win.

Valeri opened the scoring for his team in the 23rd minute with a knuckle-ball free kick that went right through a crowd of attackers and defenders and past goalkeeper Steve Clark.

That 1-0 scoreline held until well into the second half, when Federico Higuain pulled off the magnificent once again, flicking his own ball into the air before smacking home an equalizer with an exquisite bicycle kick in the 68th minute of play.

Unfortunately for the Crew, that draw didn't hold, as Adi's 79th-minute winner gave the Timbers a 2-1 win to celebrate at Providence Park.

The Crew will have to wait until the 2017 season for another crack at redemption, as this fixture was the only time these two teams meet in 2016 - barring another MLS Cup final matchup, of course.