The man has the Midas touch, after a scoring drought in a few games, Brian Fernandez became the game hero with a late strike in the 88′ minute to uplift the Timbers to three golden points and back to back wins.
The Chicago Fire in town and playing Hump Day football, this Wednesday the Timbers made their home field advantage count with a win that in the end, the Men in Red almost played the role of spoilers.
With a totally first half in favor of the home side, and going into halftime with the lead of two goals with scores from Jorge Moreira on the 11′ minute with a chip after taking a rebound from Marvin Loria and putting the hosts up 1-0.
In the 30′ minute after a violent play that Fire Aleksandar Katai elboing Julio Cascante, the game official prompted a review in VAR, and referee Silviu Petrescu giving the red card to Katai for violent conduct.
That left the Men in Red with ten men and losing to two goals to none, after the Timbers coring their second goal of the night from Brian Fernandez in the 21′ minute and almost wrapping this one up with remaining 45 minutes on the clock.
However, the major mistake the Timbers did was to be a too complacent and casual in its game that easily could ended with a goal rout over the visiting Chicago Fire that its manager putting on the field his B team.
As in the first half the Fire starting eleven was struggling and showing up high levels of frustration, after the Timbers put on a strong defensive lock and not allowing them any liberties.
Still with a second half that anything could happen, the Fire fought back and started being more organized in its attack and game, contrary to more passive first half, for Bilic and company suddenly these were in the game.
In the 74′ minute a close play in the Timbers area, on a ball that Steve Clark tried to clear but fell into Nemanja Nikolic feet to just push the ball and in spite both Cristhian Paredes and Zarek Valentin efforts.
That play opened the door for the Fire and within striking distance of the home side, as this pay brought somehow a reaction for the Windy City side, not making it clear of not going down that easily.
It was not over for the Timbers, as a counter attack that culminated with Tomas Conechny getting the assist with a nicely practiced pass to a wide open Brian Fernande and the men from that distance does not miss.
This goal proved to be the game winner and cushion after the Fire pressure increased and saw its efforts paying off with their second goal of the night in the 90+2 by a header from C J Sapong that this score came a little too late.
As time ran out and the Timbers surviving the surge from Slavan Belic side that almost costed them three golden points if Fernandez wouldn’t score that goal in the 88′.
Goals
Jorge Moreira 11′ PT, Brian Fernandez 21′ PT, Nemanja Nikolic 74′ CH, Brian Fernandez 88′ PT, CJ Sapong 90+2 CH
Highlights
Jorge Moreira pedigree for sure is becoming vital in the Timbers defensive backfield
Brian Fernandez on the double, reaching ten goals in the season
Bill Tuiloma coming as a substitute and delivering a defensive gem
Tomas Conechny slowly but surely getting his second assist that became the go ahead goal
Second game the Timbers score three goals and net their second consecutive win
Portland Timbers 63% possession and out shooting the Fire 15 to 5
Giovanni Savarese putting another amazing lineup
Man of the Match
Brian Fernandez on the double and last goal in the 88′ minute proving to be the game winner
