Make it three in a row for the streaking Portland Timbers, netting successive back-to-back games with a clean sheet. The Rose City side is tied at 24 points with the Seattle Sounders in the top spot.
It was another epic Cascadia clash and win for the visiting Portland Timbers in Providence Park last night. In both halves, the Green and Gold showed a resolute defense for the entire 93 minutes.
Felipe Mora found himself in the right place at the right time, with a free kick from Eryk Williamson. He became the game hero with the lone score of the night and a marked dominance against an indifferent Whitecaps.
The “hosts” had a few opportunities, as shots from Lucas Cavallini, Freddy Montero, and Andy Rose came close to goal, but were denied by Steve Clark.
The Timbers brought the cavalry in the second half with Diego Valeri, Yimmi Chara, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, and Jeremy Ebobisse, despite the defensive fence put on by the Whitecaps. In the dying minutes of the game, the Timbers almost scored a second goal via Diego Valeri and Jeremy Ebobisse.
The Portland Timbers’ manager Giovanni has made all the right moves so far, by starting without his stellar eleven and sending Andy Polo and Marvin Loria on the outside and Eryk Williamson along with Diego Chara in the middle.
His 4-4-2 formation worked wonders with Cristhian Paredes and Felipe Mora in the frontal attack, but one issue they had was the firmness and determination put in by the Timbers defensive backfield with Larrys Mabiala and Dario Zuparic as fullbacks, nicely complemented with Pablo Bonilla and Marco Farfan playing outside.
The Timbers showed a defensive gem by not allowing the Caps’ big guns to display their game as well seeing a lack of initiative from the Canadian side to the dismay and frustration of their manager, Marc Dos Santos from the sidelines.
Gio’s team rotations have been paying off lately, go ing some of his players opportunities to stand out, such as the case of the unmovable Pablo Bonilla in the defensive backfield.
Kudos to the Timbers starting eleven for playing like a well-oiled unit and stepping up their defensive game lately. That has brought them a valuable sense of confidence, which is seen with their recent results.
Goals
Felipe Mora 5’ PTFC
Highlights
Felipe Mora opening the scoring with his fourth goal of the season.
Eryk Williamson defending and with an assist for the only goal
Pablo Bonilla, Dario Zuparic, Lary’s Mabiala, and Marco absolute unyielding.
Pablo Bonilla has another magnificent defensive performance making him unmovable in his spot
Marco Farfan becoming a player to watch, but in need to become more physical in his game
Steve Clark huge again with 3 saves preserving the clean sheet his second consecutive
The moves in the starting lineup paid off again for Gio Savarese
Andy Polo looking for an opening and making his efforts shown
Marvin Loria in need of stepping up his game
My conclusion the Timbers dictated the tempo for a second consecutive time
Man, of the Match
Felipe Mora
Portland Timbers
