Portland Timbers 3- Minnesota United 2
Indeed, there is no place like home. After the Portland Timbers finally have delivered their first win of this 2018. What a difference maker hearing the roar of the crowd when it is your own. The chants and the amazing Tifo the Timbers Army unveiled before the start of the match, of “Singing in the Rain”.
Still the game started and the visiting Boys from the North tried to be dominant. This until the Portland Timbers initial eleven started taking action of this match and dominance of the first half. Despite improvements to implement to this squad, one of the positives was the teamwork and the confidence the Timbers initial eleven displayed all game long.
Among one of them was a play that culminated with a goal in the 21st minute by Alvas Powell. The Jamaican defender seemed to have a bit of a flashback from his time as a forward. This time he deliver a one of kind play when he took with him a couple of Minnesota defenders and made a move that lead to Portland first goal. Two minutes later it was Powell pulling the strings of the Timbers attack this time with an assist on a goal by Diego Valeri in the 23rd minute
As manager, Giovanni Savarese aware of the importance of this match considered as a homecoming for his side. He sends a defensive minded 4-3-2-1 formation with three defensive midfielders lead by Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes and Andy Polo. Savarese knew of the effectiveness this would create against an improved and determined Minnesota squad. The first half ended with a 2-0 lead after the referee using VAR annuled a Minnesota goal due to an offside.
The second half started with the locals being dominant and with some breaks from the visitors. Still the Rose City squad held its ground and stopped the United rhythm and intentions with superb plays. Not until the 64 minute when Darwin Quintero using his signature moves taking with him Chara and Valentin and hitting a shot that beat goalkeeper Jake Gleeson and put the game at 2-1.
Still do not call the Rose City Boys quitters, as in the 74 minute with a play started by Sebastian Blanco. Blanco’s wizardry in the midfield gave Minnesota fits all match and his little passes would help open play for Portland. During this sequence his cross into open space would find Valeri who would head it into Paredes. Paredes’ shot would be on frame but it would be Adi’s goal after a simple flick of the head would send the ball in the opposite direction of goalkeeper Matt Lampson.
As the Timbers momentum once again was showing off, Diego Valeri passed to Adi who shoot and beating Lampson for their fourth on the night. Unfortunately, this time VAR was not on the side of the Timbers and the call was overturned. An own goal by Bill Tuiloma in the 84th minute would cut Portland’s lead to one but it was too little, too late for the Loons.
At the end kudos to Portland defense, despite Tuiloma’s own goal, as all of Portland initial eleven, survived a late Minnesota to be rally and stood its ground, delivering their first win of the campaign.
