Defense win games and once again the Portland Timbers backfield delivered another clean sheet and kept the Vancouver Whitecaps strikers at bay despite many close calls and persevering for the win.
Sunday’s match in Providence Park became a difficult one for both sides, with a first-half shared by both sides and with close calls in each other’s goalposts, but with no damage in the end.
However, in the second half, everything changed in favor of the Timbers, as its defensive backfield shined all game long and not allowing any openings for the visitors to put on their offensive might.
By shutting down the like of Lucas Cavallini and Freddy Montero, both with near goals but denied by Steve Clark, the Timbers’ goal came in the 61st minute when Timbers midfielder Yimmi Chara became the game hero scoring on the volley.
As a play started outside the area by an alert Diego Valeri passing to a wide-open Yimmi Chara and him passing the ball to Jorge Villafaña on the left side and despite a Caps defender putting on the pressure on Jorge.
Still, Jorge Villafaña managed to pass the ball back to Yimmi Chara who did not hesitate to shoot on the volley and beating Evan Bush for what became the game’s only score.
That score remained during the whole game and the Timbers defensive backfield stepped up their game and made sure that this time they were going to finish the game and avoid any slip-ups in the end.
By putting on a tight defensive game and not leaving any open spaces to the Caps, and not allowing strikers Lucas Cavallini and Freddy Montero any liberties, the Timbers maintained that clean sheet.
Lucas Cavallini in the 80th minute with a cross pass from Ali Adnan almost scored the equalizer, but an opportune stop from Timbers keeper Steve Clark that made a game-saving play to see his team stick for the win.
Not all was a celebration for the Timbers, Jaroslaw Niezgoda got carried off of the field in a stretcher after colliding with a Caps player. As Giovanni Savarese stated in the postgame press conference, the outcome does not look positive for the former Legionnaire.
To conclude Sunday’s win, that finally catapulted the Portland Timbers to the top of the Western Conference with 38 points, thanks to Yimmi Chara heroics after scoring the game’s only goal.
Goals
Yimmi Chara 61’ PTFC
Highlights
Yimmi Chara becoming an opportune player for the Timbers scoring the game only goal
Jorge Villafaña with another opportune assist for the game-winning goal
Kudos to Bonilla, Mabiala, Zuparic, and Villafaña for being amazing in the defensive backfield
Steve Clark earning his fifth clean sheet of the season and two saves
Giovanni Savarese 4-4-2 formation paid off in the end with a valuable win
Felipe Mora despite not scoring, I praise him for his efforts all game long
Andy Polo needs to be a creative and hands-on defense and become a difference-maker
Bravissimo for Diego Chara and Eryk Williamson in the defensive midfield
Hurrah for El Maestro Diego Valeri, initiating the play that leads the game only score
The only negative of the game was the injury Jaroslaw Niezgoda sustained and out indefinitely
Congratulations in place for the Portland Timbers with a sweep on the Caps in the 2020 season
Hail to the Portland Timbers in sole possession of the first place in the West
Man, of the Match
Yimmi Chara
Portland Timbers
