Liam Ridgewell helps Portland Timbers lift their first MLS Cup as Columbus Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark's first-minute gaffe gifts Caleb Porter's side a famous victory in Ohio

Liam Ridgewell completed his American Dream as Columbus Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark's terrible error after 27 seconds helped Portland Timbers clinch the MLS Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at MAPFRE Stadium in Ohio. 

In an error-strewn clash, the Oregon franchise, who only played their first MLS game four years ago, raced into a two-goal lead after just seven minutes as Diego Valeri cashed in on goalkeeper Clark's mishap and then benefited from a glaring error from the officials in the build-up to Rodney Wallace's second.

Ex-Middlesbrough striker Kei Kamara pulled one back following a mad goalmouth scramble and although Portland hit the woodwork three times in the second half, their one-goal advantage proved to be enough.

Portland Timbers players hoist the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy for the first time in their history after beating Columbus Crew on Sunday

It was a firts MLS Cup for the team from the west coast and they were proud to be snapped below the 'champions' banner

The players were showered in ticker tape in team colours as they celebrated and posed for photos with the trophy

And they were still going strong back in the dressing room as the party continued

Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri celebrates handing his side the perfect start to Sunday's final in slightly bizarre circumstances

Costa Rica midfielder Rodney Wallace stoops to give the Timbers a 2-0 lead and an unbelievable start to the 20th final of the MLS 

Portland Timbers defender Nat Borchers posted a picture on social media alongside Liam Ridgewell with the caption: 'Champs!!!!!! #RCTID'

Ridgewell holds up the trophy with his dad Bob after securing the championship with his club on Sunday night

The former Aston Villa midfielder's father was at a tailgate ahead of the game, before seeing his son lift the trophy

Liam's brothers Clark (far left) and Gavin (far right) pose for a picture with friends and mascot Timber Joey (back centre) ahead of the game

Nat Borchers posted a selfie of him alongside Ridgewell, with the former cutting part of his beard after winning the cup, and who can blame him after ending their long wait for the trophy.

Less than 30 seconds were on the clock when Diego Valeri broke the deadlock by capitalising on Clark's lax attitude.

The goalkeeper's touch behind him from a Michael Parkhurst back-pass was loose and Valeri closed him down and slid in to divert the ball home as Clark attempted to clear.

Valeri said of his strike after the game: 'We knew the aggressiveness the first 20 minutes from us had to be there. We tried to be aggressive and pressure them.'

Portland smelt blood and were soon 2-0 up when Wallace headed home in controversial fashion.

Alvas Powell clearly received a pass that had gone out of play and Tony Tchani paused expecting a whistle when the ball came back on to the field.

However, that was not forthcoming and Darlington Nagbe robbed him and set up an attack which culminated in Wallace directing his diving header into the far corner from Lucas Melano's cross.

Portland Timbers midfielder Maximiliano Urruti celebrates with midfielder George Fochive after defeating the Columbus Crew on Sunday

Former Aston Villa, Birmingham and West Brom defender Ridgewell added the MLS Cup to the League Cup triumph over Arsenal in 2011

Valeri moves in to close the space after Michael Parkhurst's unkind back-pass and his efforts were rewarded within a minute of the contest

The 2,000 supporters crammed into the at MAPFRE Stadium were still taking their seats when Clark's terrible error resulted in the opener

Midfielder Valeri wheels away to celebrate scoring his side's opening goal at the MAPFRE Stadium in the 2015 MLS final on Sunday

The messy nature of the showpiece game continued when the Crew pulled one back in the 18th minute through Kamara.

Timbers keeper Adam Kwarasey flapped at a routine punch and, although neither Kamara or Federico Higuain were able to stab the ball home at first, the latter pivoted and drilled the ball between Powell's legs on the line.

Clark then turned Fanendo Adi's shot into the side netting as a barmy 45 minutes drew to a close.

It was Portland who created the better chances in the second period and a slice of fortune and the woodwork twice saved Columbus in quick succession.

Parkhurst originally stopped a corner on the line before Kamara shanked a clearance against the crossbar, with the ball coming down and hitting Parkhurst's arm, then the post, before the Crew's captain eventually removed the danger.

Portland would then strike the post again through Adi's header, with Clark almost fumbling the rebound into his own net in another gaffe.

Clark at least kept his team in it by using both of his legs to keep out Borchers' header on the line and then brilliantly pushing Adi's shot over, but it was his original error that led to his own team's downfall, and Portland's historic success.  

Portland coach Caleb Porte said: 'We were never in danger. We were comfortable, we were tight. We saw the game out and we shut it down. That's a part of winning.'

'All I could think about (at the final whistle) was sharing that moment with my players. We've been through a long season and shared the highs and lows.'

Wallace races away to celebrate his well-placed header from Lucas Melano's pinpoint cross after good work from Darlington Nagbe

The midfielder was pelted with bottles and other objects from the Columbus Crew fans in the corner where the Costa Rican celebrated

The 27-year-old former DC United winger didn't seem to care as he basked in his side's wonderful start inside the first seven minutes 

Portland were pegged back after 18 minutes however as Adam Kwarasey made a real hash of his cearance causing a melee to ensue

Columbus Crew forward Kei Kamara kept his composure to strike his 26th goal of the season with a firm low drive to halve the deficit

Former Norwich striker Kamara was on hand to drag his beleaguered side back into contention but it would ultimately prove to be in vain

Kamara looks to his fans behind the goal in an attempt to lift the noise at the MAPFRE Stadium in Ohio following his composed finish

Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi battles for the ball with Columbus Crew defender Gaston Sauro in a high-octane game in Ohio

Columbus midfielder Tony Tchani fends off the challenge from Valeri in the second half but it was the Timbers who recorded victory

Columbus Crew forward Justin Meram and Portland Timbers forward Lucas Melano fight for the ball in a typically frantic final on Sunday