San Jose and Portland shared the spoils with both goals of the game scored in the first half. San Jose’s Javier Chofis Lopez scoring in the 24th minute’ and Felipe Mora in stoppage time before the end of the first half.
Giovanni Savarese switched his formation to a 4-3-3 with Yimmi Chara, Felipe Mora and Dairon Aspirilla spearheading the Timbers attack. In the sixth minute of first half stoppage time, Mora scored the equalizer.
This will be seen as a point won for the Timbers, despite lingering frustrations in the end. The Rose City side gets an A for its effort on the field. Today, the team showed off a lot of intensity and initiative and number of close opportunities being so close but no game winning goal.
As injuries continue to plague the Timbers, Steve Clark had to be substituted in the 38th minute by Aljaz Ivacic and he delivered a wondrous game by denying the Quakes with three amazing saves.
Still, the night should belong to the Timbers with Yimmy Chara and Bill Tuiloma who came close to scoring in the 26th minute as well in the 36th.
Aljaz Ivacic came big and denied the Quakes’ Cristian Espinoza and Jackson Yueill in quick succession.
In the end, a very frustrating result for the Portland Timbers despite the point, still below the postseason spots and with Diego Chara to miss next game against RSL due to a red card.
Goals
Javier Chofis Lopez 24’ SJ
Felipe Mora 45+6′ POR
Men of the Match
Felipe Mora and Aljaz Ivacic
Portland Timbers
San Jose Earthquakes
