(Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika)
An early goal on the second minute of the match by the French attacking midfield Adrien Hunou was enough for Minnesota United to bring back home the three points from Portland Timbers feared stronghold of Providence Park. It was a physical and tactical battle in a very disputed and entertaining match that could have seen a lot more goals on both sides have they capitalized on their scoring chances.
The Portland Timbers are still immersed in a roster crisis, with more than half of their attacking players out due to injuries or international duty. As for today’s match, the home side was two men short of the 20 full match day roster allowed by Major League Soccer rules. Sebastián Blanco, Marvin Loría and Jaroslaw Niezgoda out for injuries, Yimmi Chará and Felipe Mora out for international duty for Colombia and Chile for Copa America tournament being disputed in Brazil.
The score does not reflect the intensity of the game, specially in the second half, when after a poor first half, had the Timbers corner Minnesota looking for the equalizer. Minnesota United, countered with danger, and tested Timbers goal keeper Steve Clark and at times, made it look like the game was closer to a 0-2 than to a 1-1 tie.
The last 20 minutes saw an all out siege on the visiting side’s goal, with a special mention to the hard work from Portland Timbers Argentinian defender Claudio Bravo, that found him all over the field, defending and pushing the team forward on the attack. Bravo and all Timbers left it all in the field.
On a somber note, the game was stopped when Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chará, was a victim of a racial slur. In the post game press conference, Portland’s head coach Giovani Savaresse, expressed his disappointment at the action and at the reaction of the referee “should have handled this situation a lot better”, in the words of the Portland boss.
Next for the Portland Timbers is a trip to Texas, where Austin FC is waiting at the Q2 Stadium on July 1st. Minnesota United will host the San José Earthquakes at the Allianz Field on July 3rd.
Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika
Referee has the game on pause while he is talking to Portland Timbers midfielders Diego Valeri (8) and Diego Chará (21), also with Minnesota United midfielder Will Trapp (20) during the second half of the Minnesota United 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on June 26, at Providence Park (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
