Photo Courtesy of Portland Timbers FC
The return to the starting lineup of Sebastian Blanco and Claudio Bravo uplifted the visiting Portland Timbers to a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. With this win, Portland clinched a top-four seed in the Western Conference and looking ready for the postseason.
In a game that Sebastian Blanco became the man of the match, scoring a brace in the 17th and later the 45th minute, the Andean became the leader of the Portland attack in the whole course of the match.
The first goal came from a corner taken by Yimmi Chara and Cristhian Paredes providing the assist with a flicked header by an unmarked Blanco and scoring the first goal of the game. Later in the 38th minute, when Blanco inside the opposite team area sent a cross and RSL defender Aaron Herrera knocked it in for an own goal.
Once again Blanco was to score a brace in the 45th minute, beating the RSL defense in a counterattack, with Niezgoda providing the assist with a simple cross that Blanco just pushed the ball to an open net.
Still, the Royals score in the final minutes of the game what we can say as the goal of the honor, breaking the Timbers’ clean sheet in the 88 minutes, when Claudio Bravo was called for a handball. Albert Rusnak converted the PK for Real to finish beating Steve Clark, putting the final score at 3-1.
Among the highlights of last night’s game was the defensive gem the Timbers displayed and stopping cold in its tracks RSL’s offensive momentum in both halves, but especially in the first half. The defensive game that Portland put last night showed that showed a lot of determination by keeping the locals’ strikers at bay.
In the stats department, RSL had more possession with 65.5% and more shots on goal with 20 and seven direct shots at goal. Yes, I do praise the defensive work the Timbers had all night long. In addition to seeing acting manager Carlos Llamosa in lieu of Giovanni Savarese, the man shone in the Timbers’ victory.
Just to mention how this team starting eleven shined immensely and looking ready for the postseason whomever they play.
Great win last night and now wait for Sunday’s game is their last game of the regular season against newcomer Austin FC at Providence Park a chance to shine and close the season with a win!
Goals
Sebastian Blanco 17’ PTFC, Aaron Herrera 38’ OG PTFC, Sebastian Blanco 45’ PTFC, Albert Rusnak 88’ PK RSL
Man of the Match
Sebastian Blanco
Photo Courtesy of Portland Timbers FC
Portland Timbers
