Timbers bringing trademark log and lumberjack mascot to Columbus

The Portland Timbers players, coaches, and fans may be flying to Columbus, Ohio for the MLS Cup final, but one important part of the team is travelling on the back of a semi-trailer.

The Timbers are hauling a log across the country, one that holds significant symbolic and traditional meaning for the club and its supporters. The team's mascot, Timber Joey, will use a chainsaw to cut through a slice of a felled tree log to commemorate each goal scored by one of their players.

And, since Portland is the away team in the MLS Cup final against the Columbus Crew, the Timbers are looking to keep that tradition going all the way through to the end of the 2015 season.

But, not so fast, say the Columbus Crew, who, in response, updated the list of prohibited items at MAPFRE Stadium, with two oddly specific items right at the top.

Still, Portland isn't folding. They're shipping the log anyway, and will use it outside the stadium ceremonially.

"The victory log is part of the family," Timber Joey said, "and it is important that it is with us in Columbus."

Any way you slice it, that log is heading to Ohio for Sunday's final show.