The Timbers Army TIFO, “The Timbers Show” Photo by Diego Diaz
It was a rainy decision day in the Rose City as the Portland Timbers hosted the Houston Dynamo for the last regular season match of the year. Portland had multiple routes to the playoffs that included a guaranteed spot with a win or draw against Houston. The Dynamo had already secured their spot and were playing for position and home field advantage.
The Timbers Army was out in force to support their boys in green with a Muppet themed, “The Timbers Show,” TIFO and two sticks with each player represented as a Muppet. The Army also awards its Timbers Army Supporter’s Player of the year at the end of the last match of the season. With the misty rain and sound of the Army thundering through Providence Park, it seemed like the perfect conditions for home field advantage for the Timbers.
Evander making a play.
Photo by Diego Diaz
The first half started with Portland attacking towards the Army and going up against Steve Clark, a former Timber, in goal for Houston. Portland starts out with two free kicks in the first five minutes. Evander’s second free kick was deflected slightly off of a Houston player and landed in the arms of Clark. A minute later, Timbers defender Zac McGraw’s header from a corner kick soared just over the goal.
Houston was quick to respond and in the 10th minute they were able to capitalize on some Portland mistakes to be the first to score. Griffin Dorsey hit a perfect header from a difficult angle at the corner of the box following a corner kick.
After Houston went up one, Clark started to have “problems” with his shoe laces and twice took off his gloves to tie his shoe in the first half. This blatant delay tactic was noticed by the official, who had words with him, and the Timbers Army. For the duration of the match, any time Clark touched the ball, a loud roaring, “Boo!” resounded throughout the stadium.
Santiago Moreno
Photo by Diego Diaz
Portland starting keeper, David Bingham, made a save in the 26th minute when Nelson Quiñónes sent a shot in from outside the box. In the 30th, Santiago Moreno’s shot was saved by Clark. He was assisted by Yimmi Chara with a beautiful cross.
Christian Paredes had another chance for the Timbers in the 37th minute with a rocket shot from outside the box that went just wide to the left. Santi followed up with a shot on goal in the 40th that was saved by Clark. The Timbers’ last attempt in the first half came in the 42nd minute when Evander, off of service from Santi, took a shot from the right side of the box that was saved.
Houston earned three yellow cards in the final minutes of the first half. The first came in the 41st minute when Micael stomped on Felipe Mora after the play, the second went to Franco Escobar in the 42nd, and the third went to Adalberto Carrasquilla in stoppage time.
Dorsey and Clark colide under a leaping Yimmi Chara
Photo by Diego Diaz
The second half got underway with Houston scoring in the 48th minute. Carrasquilla took a shot in a crowded box that was deflected right back to him and, on his second attempt, he found the back of the net.
Claudio Bravo created the next chance for the Timbers in the 56th when he took a right footed shot off of an assist from Yimmi Chara. Clark was able to collect in the bottom right corner of the goal. Houston followed with a shot by Nelson Quiñónes in the 57th minute that was saved by Bingham.
Portland was the first to make a substitution in the 59th minute when they brought on Sebastian Blanco for Paredes and Yimmi Chara came out replaced by Dairon Asprilla.
Diego Chara was the first Timber player to make his way into head referee Rubiel Vazquez’s book with a yellow card in the 66th minute, much to the knowing enjoyment of the Timbers Army. In the following minute, Chara was aggressively pushed to the ground by Héctor Herrera, who earned a yellow for the bad foul.
Houston made their first substitution in the 70th bringing on Ibrihim for homegrown midfielder Corey Baird.
Timbers interim coach Joseph Miles
Photo by Diego Diaz
They immediately followed up with a second goal by the defender, Griffin Dorsey in the 71st minute.
At the next pause in play, Portland coach, Joseph Miles, made his next substitution of the match bringing on Franck Boli for Juan Mosquara, who had been outrun on the left side by Nelson Quiñónes for most of the match. In the next minute, Zac McGraw was given the second Timbers yellow card for a rough foul.
In the 80th minute, Evander sent a long ball from the left side of the pitch minute to Felipe Mora right inside the box. Mora’s kick ended with a slide directly into Steve Clark and the first point of the night for the Timbers.
Felipe Mora taking on Houston
Photo by Diego Diaz
Antony came on for Claudio Bravo in the 82nd and did his best to make plays in what time remained. Houston made two more substitutions in the 84th. Houston’s Brad Smith’s attempt in the 87th was saved by Bingham.
Sebastian Blanco’s shot from the center of the box in the 88th minute was too high. He was assisted by Mora. Mora missed his second chance on goal in the 90+1 when his shot missed to the left.
The match ended with the Timbers down 3-1 and out of the playoffs. None of the other outcomes on decision day fell the Timbers way and they ended up in the exact same place as last year, one point out of playoff contention.
Christian Paredes going up for a header
Photo by Diego Diaz
There was a somber feeling in Providence Park as the team made their way around the field, giving their thanks to the fans who saw them through to the end. Christian Paredes was given the Supporters Belt by the Timbers Army for being voted Supporter’s Player of the Year, a title rightfully earned. There is still no decision as to who will lead this team next season but it is obvious that they will inherit a dedicated, talented, and beloved group of players.
