Rodney Wallace (#22 green jersey) in MLS Cup action against host Columbus Crew SC on December 6, 2015. (Photo: Rick Osentoski /isiphotos.com)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rodney Wallace could not have asked for a better finish to the Major League Soccer season.
Not only was he a vital member of the newly crowned MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers, the Costa Rica international midfielder netted the second goal of his team's 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew SC on Sunday.
"It's the best feeling," said Wallace, who completed his fifth season with the Timbers. "It's putting all the pieces together. I've been trying to win a championship with this team from the first year. We've been through a lot of ups and downs, but we've never given up on what the mission was. This is an amazing moment for the club, this is an amazing moment for me and the city."
The native of San Jose, Costa Rica, moved to the United States with his family when he was nine. He has since established roots in the Pacific Northwest city, starting a family himself.
"It's a surreal moment," Wallace expressed. "Portland has given me a lot. I am just happy tonight that I'm able to give them something back. This is something what I worked for so long."
The 27-year-old scored one goal in 32 appearances during the regular season, doubling that tally Sunday as he converted Lucas Melano's right-wing cross with a diving header for a two-goal lead in the seventh minute.
"I just saw the ball coming from the right side and knew that the right back fell asleep a little bit and I was able to get to the back post and to finish," he finished. "It was an amazing feeling because I knew what position that was going to put us in. I knew we had a long way to go, but it gave us a little bit of room. It gave us more confidence. We weren't going to let this slip away."
As a result of capturing the MLS title, the Timbers earned a berth in the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
