The defensive blues are back again for the Portland Timbers. As a resilient Whitecaps team overcame a two-goal deficit and stunned the Portland Timbers with a 3-2 comeback at Providence Park.
Yimmi Chara scored the first goal in the 15th minute on an assist from Cristhian Paredes. Dairon Aspirilla with an assist from Yimmi Chara doubled the Timbers lead in the 42nd minute.
Vancouver started their comeback in the 63rd minute when the Caps Deiber Caicedo pulled one back. Caicedo began his run in his own area and no Timber players was able to stop him as visitors got a much-needed lift.
Brian White who has been responsible for last ten Caps goals made it 2-2 as Bruno Gaspar put it for White to push the ball and even the score on 75 minutes. Not even seven minutes passed by when Vancouver again was looking for the third goal.
They found it courtesy of another error from Josecarlos Van Rankin repeating last week’s miscue of conceding an untimely penalty. He did it again against Cristian Dajome fouling him inside the area. Dajome scored the third and game winning goal by sending Timber’s keeper Steve Clark the opposite way.
As the adage states defense wins games, not for these Portland Timbers as their efforts dwindle with back-to-back losses and now prepare to face off against a tough Colorado Rapids on the road.
Four matches left in the season and somehow the thrill of victory was suddenly snapped against a determined LA Galaxy and now against the spirited determination of an inspired and insistent Whitecaps.
In the end, another defensive meltdown and the Timbers endured a second consecutive loss. Once again, the lack of ambition has caused the Timbers to miss out on a third Cascadia Cup which will likely go to Seattle on November 7th.
Yes, what if Sebastian Blanco would score that goal that hit the woodwork, what if the defensive game would stand its ground. Many what ifs and with four matches left, this team must do a quick turnaround.
Goals
Yimmi Chara 15’ PTFC, Dairon Aspirilla 42’ PTFC, Deiber Caicedo 63’ VW, Brian White 75’ VW, Cristian Dajome 82’ PK VW
Men of the Match
Yimmi Chara and Dairon Aspirilla
Portland Timbers
