The title game in any league is supposed to be the showcase game. It is supposed to show off the two hottest teams that have risen above the quality in the rest of the league to battle for a crown. Unfortunately for MLS, Sunday’s clash of Columbus Crew SC and the Portland Timbers was full of errors and ugly play. A league that is still trying to win over fans needed more. As the league enters the offseason, the title game will leave MLS looking for redemption.

The game started off with a horrible mistake by Crew SC keeper Steve Clark. The Timbers were up a goal in under a minute because one of the better keepers in the league was too nonchalant with a back pass. To not be mentally ready to play on your home field in the championship game is inexcusable.

Although Clark’s howler was more shocking, his counterpart also made a mess of an easy play. Adam Kwarasey should have claimed the cross that led to the Columbus goal.

Another angle of the pass that went out of bounds before Portland’s 2nd goal. AR takes his eye off the play. #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/yraue2OMaO

— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) December 6, 2015

It was not just the players who failed on Sunday. The referees missed a clear handball on the goal line, and they also managed to miss a ball going out of bounds. The non-call led to Portland’s second goal. When that goal went in, fans started throwing things from the stands which was the sour icing on top of a foul cake.

There are happy fans out there this morning because their team won the 2015 MLS Cup, but the championship game did nothing for the league. It was poorly played and officiated. It was staged against the NFL, so television ratings are sure to be dismal. This is a case when the negatives outweigh the positives for MLS.

Douglas Smith is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.