The Portland Timbers closed the preseason tournament with a 3-0 win over Real Salt Lake on the evening of Saturday February 19,2022, at Providence Park. The only preseason atmosphere was in the stands as they were well at half capacity, and in the name of the tournament, this match looked like most of the midfield battles Timbers and Real has us accustomed to watch. While the stands felt cold and the atmosphere did not look like what the Timbers Army bring in intensity and support, in the pitch things were much hotter, the time for try outs and test was gone.
Saturday was the last dress rehearsal for both teams ahead of the start of the 2022 MLS season, and while both teams are waiting on players new signings and/or the infirmary clearance, this was it for the moment for both teams. They match was played for the invisible points, in what looked like a “clásico”, with RSL frustrating the Timbers in aim to get a favorable away result, just like you do in mid may during regular season.
The strategy seemed to pay off for Real, they were allowing few chances, and they were making Portland offense work really hard, Yimmi Chara and Santiago Moreno both were very active, but just couldn’t get to that extra step against Real Salt Lake’s keeper David Ochoa. Portland’s forward Jaroslaw Niezgoda, got real close in one of the few clear chances when his shot from the left of the box hit the woodwork after Ochoa managed to get a hand on it (minute 42).
Portland had the possession with RSL making occasional runs, and that was also the story of the second half. In the 70th minute, David Ochoa had to be sub after getting hurt in an unfortunate play as he was defending a long pass aimed at Timbers defender Zach McGraw, as it was heading for a goal kick. Substitute goal keeper Zac MacMath took on the goal, amidst the whistles of fans accusing Ochoa of time wasting.
From the last 20 of the match, the entrenched RSL plan started to fall apart, now, the dominance started to translate into goal chances.
The first goal came in minute 72, after a skillful play by Timbers midfielder Santiago Moreno approaching Real’s defense from the right side of the attack found a through ball on the right wing to Yimmi Chará. Yimmi’s cross got deflected to the center of the box, and Christian Paredes did not waste the opportunity. With the match completely changed in the Portland Timbers favor.
The second goal came two minutes later when Timbers forward Jaroslaw Niezgoda was felled in the box by Real defender Marcelo Silva as he headed towards a one on one with Real keeper MacMath, the referee did not doubt it and called the penalty. Niezgoda did not turn the gift away. In two minutes Portland was up 2-0.
The last minutes allowed a myriad of changes on both teams, and a sort of preseason mindset, Portland let in their upcoming youngsters, and the game turned completely one sided. One of them youngsters, Diego Gutiérrez, was brought down by the Real Salt Lake defense as he was dribbling his way into danger in front of the Real’s area. The resulting free kick was masterfully executed by Timbers defender Bill Tuiloma in injury time, bringing the final result to an exaggerated 3-0.
In the earlier match of the day, Viking FK and Minnesota United closed their preseason tournament participation with a 2-2 draw. The Norwegian champions, with a record of two victories, 4-1 against Real Salt Lake, 3-1 over the Portland Timbers, and this draw, rendered them the virtual champs of this years invitational. Portland Timbers ended as the runner-up with two wins, last night’s 3-0 over Salt Lake, the opener 1-0 over Minnesota, and a 3-1 loss with Viking FK. Minnesota as a third, with two draws and loss, and closing with Real Salt Lake with just one scoreless draw with Minnesota, and two losses with Viking FK and Portland.
Next week is show time for the MLS teams, with all three teams starting their 2022 season. Portland stays at home to host New England Revolution on Saturday 26 at 4:30 PST, while Real Salt Lake will travel to Houston to face the Houston Dynamo at PNC Stadium just half an hour earlier at 4:00 PST. Minnesota United opens in Philadelphia Union’s home, Subaru Park, at 10:00 AM also PST.
Viking FK celebrating their second goal against Minnesota United, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, and Viking is 2022 Preseason Tournament Champs (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
