ISI Photos
Last night at Earthquake Stadium, the visiting Portland Timbers showed what damage can be done when the opportunity arises. The Rose City delivered a six-goal landslide win over the troubled San Jose Quakes, with Diego Valeri back in his stride.
The Timbers sentenced the match with a handball by Nick Lima that opened the door for a penalty kick, with none other than Diego Valeri opening the score.
Not even two minutes passed before Jorge Villafaña made a show of his skills, passing to a well-placed Jeremy Ebobisse. With the nod of his head, he pushed the ball for the game’s second goal.
In the remaining minutes, the Quakes suddenly aroused, seeing how complacent the Timbers were playing. It was an opportunity to rally and Aljaz Ivacevic rose to the occasion with several spectacular saves.
The only play worth seeing from the home side came in the 44’ minute, with a beauty shot from Carlos Fierro. Now the Quakes were within one goal, and it was thanks to the defensive rally from the Timbers’ backfield that they couldn’t take it further.
Portland exposed their potential in the second half, flaunting their resolve to wrap up a game, and we saw the team’s depth from Gio’s rotations in his lineup.
The Quakes showed some dominance statistically in both halves, but this game belonged to the Portland Timbers, who outsmarted their hosts and took advantage of any open opportunity they came across.
As Diego Valeri stated in the press conference, they had a far better aggressive attack and they took advantage of the number of opportunities that were created. He brought honor to his moniker El Maestro last night.
With six goals, Diego Valeri contributing two, followed by Jeremy Ebobisse, Yimmi Chara, Julio Cascante, and Jaroslaw Niezgoda, a new record was set for the Green and Gold.
Last night’s win will undoubtedly uplift the team’s confidence in their game next week against their archrivals, the Seattle Sounders at home at Providence Park.
As they dominated the Quakes’ tempo, passing and scoring, and a lineup made off several substitutes that delivered a solid game. There’s no doubt that manager Savarese has some important decisions to make come next game time.
The Timbers’ confidence levels will rise and with the rotations made by Gio in the past two games, we have a picture of this team’s depth and how can they will perform when they play more aggressively and with resolve.
Many improvements were seen this game, but there is still a need to step up the game and a determination to win is a must for the rest of the season. In the upcoming games, we will see their efforts getting a much-needed reward, clenching a spot to the post-season.
Goals
Diego Valeri 25’ PK PTFC, Jeremy Ebobisse 27’ PTFC, Carlos Fierro 44’ SJQ, Diego Valeri 57’ PTFC, Yimmi Chara 70’ PTFC, Julio Cascante 85’ PTFC, Jaroslaw Niezgoda 87’ PTFC
Highlights
The moves paid off for Giovanni Savarese in the end
Diego Valeri scoring his 5th and 6th goals of the season, as El Maestro delivered with a brace and assist
Jeremy Ebobisse scoring his 5th goal of the season, just two minutes after the Timbers’ first goal
Yimmi Chara scoring his second consecutive MLS goal
Jorge Villafaña, Andy Polo, and Yimmi Chara on the books with goal-scoring assists
Aljaz Ivacic rising high in his debut, keeping the Quakes strikers at bay and making important saves
Marcos Farfan second consecutive start the lad making the best of his opportunity needs a little tune
Marvin Loria and Tomas Conechny shined along with Diego Valeri keeping the Quakes game at bay
Diego Chara and Cristhian Paredes delivering a full containment against the Quakes’ offensive game
Kudos to Jorge Villafaña, Julio Cascante, Bill Tuiloma and Marcos Farfan delivering a good defensive game
Gio’s all-around moves in his starting eleven in the past two games, somehow expose some potential in some of his young players
Julio Cascante scoring his first goal as a Portland Timbers in the finishing minutes
Jaroslaw Niezgoda scoring his third goal of the season
Men of the Match
Diego Valeri
Portland Timbers
San Jose Earthquakes
