Portland Timbers 2-Colorado Rapids 0
Saturday night was Jeremy Ebobisse’s night. The kid from Bethesda, Maryland made his first of the 2018 season and did not disappoint, nabbing the go-ahead goal in the Portland Timbers 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.
In spite of manager, Giovanni Savarese making another one of his bold moves in his starting lineup. By seeing Jebo in the Portland, starting eleven was a total surprise. However, with his trademark 4-3-2-1 formation in the field. The Rose City squad had all the elements to cruise to an easy win in this match.
The Portland Timbers after netting a valuable result on the road last weekend. Today they had the labels of all-around favorites to win this match. With the Colorado Rapids in town, the need to deliver for the Rose City was imperative. From here to the end of the campaign, every game and points will be of much importance for the Portland squad.
Still with the Rocky Mountain squad posting a not-so-positive campaign, the outlook of an easy win was within the local Timbers reach. As many state you do not underestimate your foes. As for the Rapids with nothing to lose or gain, a win would have been the ideal result.
After the initial whistle, the Portland squad went hard at work and taking the initiative on the attack. Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco pressed the Rapids backline making their first attempts to open up the score. In the tenth minute when Ebobisse nearly nabbed an early goal after he put the ball behind the net. However the goal was called off due to an offside.
With a marked dominance by the home side but the flag official was very keen in calling four off sides to the locals. The Colorado squad steep up their physical game and call for some hard plays.
In the end, the Portland dominance was evident with a Blanco assist to Ebobisse who put the first score of the match in the 45th minute. The Timbers at halftime had the lead and possibly with more to come as a squad that performs far better in the second half, seeing a boost in their game.
In the second half Portland were poised to wrap the game up quickly. With all the right moves the Portland squad came to this match, so did their good fortunes making an appearance. In the course of the second half in a play, that Colorado was in the Portland area.
There was a play when Colorado Jack Mc Bean got in the area and falling with goalkeeper Steve Clark. The game official awarded a penalty kick in favor of the Colorado squad, thinking of the Portland keeper committing a foul inside the area in the 56’ minute.
Thankfully, the game official’s call to VAR became the game savior for the Portland Timbers. After the official reviewed the video and his final, the call was reversed bringing the Timbers faithful to their. That uplifted the Portland squad. Less than ten minutes later, a Blanco pass was on target for Valeri who gave the Timbers their second goal of the match in the 64th minute. From then on, the Portland squad defense stood its ground to preserve for the win. As the Portland squad with great teamwork, and displaying a good game both defensively and offensively, to deliver a notable win.
Goals
Jeremy Ebobisse 45’ PTFC, Diego Valeri 65’ PTFC
Highlight of the Match
The man of the match, Jeremy Ebobisse, who could have had two goals but one disallowed by an offside call. For Savarese the gamble of adding him to the lineup paid off in the end, going with Jebo from the beginning. Adding to an inspired Sebastian Blanco 2 assists and substitute goalkeeper Steve Clark netting a clean sheet.
Overall, the Portland Timbers with Liam Ridgewell and Jorge Villafaña in the initial eleven have uplifted the sides defensive game for the better.
The night was also special for Diego Valeri, becoming just the the third player in MLS history to bag four seasons of double digit goals and assists. The other two were Preki and Jaime Moreno.
Next Match
(5) Portland Timbers (12-7-8, 44 points) vs (10) Houston Dynamo (7-13-7, 28 points) BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas 5:30 PM PST/ 8:30 PM EST
Colorado Rapids
Portland
