Two second half goals from Cucho Hernandez in the 51st minute and Steven Moreira in the 74th, delivered a share of spoils between the visiting Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. It is the third consecutive draw for the Timbers.
Moreira scored his second goal in 81 MLS matches with a shot from 30 yards in the left corner of the Timbers net as the Crew (3-1-5, 14 points) currently are winless in their last five matches with one loss and four draws.
The first goal was scored by Timbers (2-3-4, 10 points) forward Felipe Mora on the 10th minute and With the Portland side hitting first and getting on the scoreboard in the first half with a series of passes from Santiago Moreno and then to Eryk Williamson to give the Timbers the lead with just ten minutes on the clock. As Mora carefully sent the ball past Patrick Schulte leaning in the direction of the first post and seeing the ball past sliding defender Rudy Camacho for the first goal of the game.
Timbers keeper James Pantemis got lucky with a close call from the outside from a would-be goal from Cucho Hernandez in the 35th minute and later with a shot of Mohamed Farsi in the 39th with a ball hitting the post and reaching Pantemis’s hand.
Moreno scored his second goal of the season with an assist from Mora and Evander in the 51st minute to put the Rose City side ahead 2-1, a way to celebrate his 24th birthday
Timbers manager Phil Neville made accurate moves in his starting eleven, with James Pantemis being in goal after Maxime Crepeau was serving a red card suspension. Pantemis in the end, made four saves and preventing what could have become opposition goals.
With another milestone reached, Diego Chara played his 376th match for the Portland Timbers after his debut back on April 23, 2011, and tying former San Jose Earthquakes great Chris Wondolowski. So far, Diego Chara has a total of 369 starts in his career and the man still is going strong.
Another game on the road coming up for the Timbers. This time, against the Black and Gold of the LAFC at BMO Field and in a game that as always looks a bit challenging for the Rose City side in Tinsel Town, in a game scheduled for 7:30 PM (PT). For next Saturday April 27, 2024.
Goals
Felipe Mora 10’ POR, Cucho Hernandez 51’ CLB, Santiago Moreno 57’ POR, Steven Moreira 74’ CLB
Man of the Match
Felipe Mora and Santiago Moreno
Portland Timbers
Columbus Crew
