The Portland Timbers staged a brilliant game against St Louis at CITYPARK, returning the favor against City SC on the road as well getting their first win away against an unbeaten at home St. Louis side.
Evander scored his second goal of the year via a penalty, along with Yimmi Chara who became the game hero by scoring the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute for the much-needed win.
City SC tied the game in the 79th minute with Brazilian midfielder Celio Pompeo shot was unstoppable by the Timbers defense as well keeper Ivacic couldn’t stop.
My conclusion is that Yimmi Chara’s goal became the icing in the cake the Timbers needed to go ahead in Saturday’s match after the locals equalized.
Still, the Timbers got another setback when David Ayala came out of the game with an injury not disclosed by the Rose City Team adding to another important injury in Dairon Aspirilla out with a knee injury.
However, if one thing Portland showed off its might was in its defensive game and not allowing and not letting City SC any liberties inside the area until the 79th minute when Pompeo put the equalizer on back of the net.
Adding to another highlight of the game is the moves performed by Gio Savarese in the second half when Niezgoda came for Boli and Chara for Loria in the 64th minute.
The defensive moves in the closing minutes of the match when Mabiala came for Moreno and Bravo for Miller and what a game both players gave in the end to preserve the one goal lead.
With an interesting datum of City SC just trailing at home for about just 28 minutes in a total of more than 450 minutes, it was the Timbers’ backfield that set the tone in the whole match and didn’t allow any free spaces to the locals.
That goal gave St. Louis a bit of momentum but in the end fell short of drawing after Chara goal in the 82nd minute leaving CITYPARK in silence and not able to rally to at least rescue a point.
Overall, the Portland Timbers outshot St. Louis City with 15 shots to 7 and with seven shoots at goal for just one of City SC in the end, despite both sides sharing the dominance of possession but in the end, Portland persevered for the win.
The best news are that Evander is becoming an important piece in the Timbers attack as well finding his way and becoming the player the Timbers definitely needed.
In the 85th minute, a beautiful pass of Moreno to Niezgoda went off wide. Kudos to Santiago Moreno finally finding his game as well seeing the majority of the players in the IL back in the roster, now back at Providence Park to play Austin FC.
Goals
Evander 63’ PTFC, Celio Pompeo 79’ STCSC, Yimmi Chara 82’ PTFC
Men of the Match
Yimmi Chara, Evander and Santiago Moreno
Next Match
Saturday May 6, 2023 KO 7:30 PM against Austin FC
