Nigerian attacker Fanendo Adi represented Africa with pride over the weekend as his Portland Timbers side beat Columbus Crew 2-1 in the final to secure the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup 2015 title.

The win ensured that the Portland Timbers become the first Pacific Northwest team to win the MLS Cup, entering the feat into the record books.

The Nigerian striker did not manage to get on the scoresheet in the encounter, but he had two excellent opportunities saved by Columbus Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark in the 70th and 90th minutes.

Thankfully, however, his contribution was an important one, and his team-mates capitalised on their chances. A first minute strike from Diego Valeri was followed up by a goal from Rodney Wallace in the seventh minute, ensuring that the Timbers enjoyed a 2-0 lead early on.

Columbus Crew would find a first half goal to put pressure on the Timbers, as Sierra Leone talent Kai Kamara scored in the 18th minute, but it would prove nothing more than a consolation goal for Kamara’s side, as the Timbers lifted the cup.

Adi is not a well-known striker in his homeland, but excellent performances at his MLS club ensure that this fact will no doubt change over the course of the next year, with the physically imposing 25-year-old already making a name for himself in the American top flight.