Reports on Sunday from RDS.ca stated that the Impact were on the verge of signing 33-year-old left back Siaka Tiene. When contacted by MLSsoccer.com, the club denied the report, stating that they've had no contact with the player. Tiene, an Ivory Coast international who boasts World Cup and African Cup of Nations experience, most recently played with Ligue 1 club Montpellier and has been out of contract since the summer.
Tiene, who will turn 34 in February, has spent the majority of his career in France, playing for clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Valenciennes and Saint-Étienne.
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads: Five things to know about the Portland Timbers heading into MLS Cup
For the first time in club history, the Portland Timbers are headed to MLS Cup. Here are five of the club's biggest stories from 2015:
1. TACTICAL ADJUSTMENT
The Timbers were on the cusp of falling out of the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs picture, but they have thrived ever since Caleb Porter changed the club's formation to a 4-3-3 at the start of October.
2. ANOTHER WEAPON FOR THE ARSENAL
While the focal points of Portland's attack are Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe, and Fanendo Adi,there is another dangerous option now that Dairon Asprilla has begun "settling in". He even has a recent wonder-goal to prove that.
3. POSITION SWITCH PAYS OFF
Darlington Nagbe has shown plenty of potential during his years in Portland, but he has also frustrated plenty of fans with his inability to come up with a good end product. That has changed a bit in recent weeks, however, following a positional change that better utilizes his strengths.
4. NO STAR POWER? NO PROBLEM
The Timbers might not have big international names on their roster, but they have a strong group of talented players that still boasts plenty of quality. Putting together this squad required a patient and selective approach, and sticking with it, especially during hard times, has clearly paid off.
5. FEAR THE BEARD
A big reason for the Timbers' success throughout 2015 is center back Nat Borchers, who was picked up in the offseason from Real Salt Lake. The bearded veteran has impressed for much of the year with his steadiness at the back and ability to come up with big plays, none bigger than his insane block on Blas Perez to cinch up the Western Conference Championship against FC Dallas on Sunday.
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads: Five things to know about Columbus Crew SC heading into MLS Cup
Columbus Crew SC are headed to the MLS Cup. Here are five of the club's biggest stories from 2015:
1. REBRAND REJUVENATION
The Columbus Crew evolved into Columbus Crew SC last year, and the rebrand has paid immediate dividends on and off the field. Not only are Crew SC playing a more attractive and effective brand of soccer, but the fanbase has been reinvigorated, too, with the club setting new marks at the box office this year and announcing on Monday afternoon that they've already sold out MAPFRE Stadium for MLS Cup on Sunday.
2. SELFLESS, NOT SELFISH
Kei Kamara is no stranger to finding success in the MLS regular season, but it took him until this year to have the same kind of impact in the playoffs. Kamara accomplished that only after outgrowing a "selfish" mentality, with Crew SC reaping the benefits.
3. RECORD-BREAKING
Crew SC have had a number of memorable moments in this run to the championship game, but the one that might stick out the most is Justin Meram's record-breaking goal against the New York Red Bulls. Meram scored nine seconds into first leg of the Eastern Conference Finals on a memorable, designed play off of the game opening kickoff.
4. SUPER SUB
Teams that usually enjoy the most success in the playoffs are ones that have all types of players that can contribute. Crew SC have proven that they have that quality, especially with the play of substitute sparkplug Cedrick Mabwati.
5. DEFENSIVE BOOST
Attackers Kei Kamara, Federico Higuain and Ethan Finlay may garner most of the headlines, but midseason acquisition center back Gaston Sauro has played just as big a role as his more offensive-minded teammates in getting Crew SC to Cup. Since signing with Columbus, Sauro has stablized the club's defense by being the type of enforcer that it had been missing. It's been a perfect fit for both he and Crew SC, even if the move has been a bit overlooked because of what the club has accomplished on the other end of the field.
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