Photo by Diego Diaz
Saturday July 23rd, 2022
It was a beautiful, mild summer day in the Rose City as the Portland Timbers in their heritage rose kits hosted the San Jose Earthquakes. San Jose has never won a match in Providence Park in their MLS history and the results tonight add to the Timbers seven-game unbeaten streak. Portland was without their star midfielder, Sebastian Blanco, due to yellow card accumulation with Erylk Williamson starting in his place.
The Timbers brought a lot of energy to the pitch as the match got underway. Timbers’ #44 Marvin Loria took the first shot of the match in the 1st minute followed two shots by #27 Dairon Asprilla both into the side of the net. San Jose quickly responded to the Timbers’ energy and earned the first corner kick of the night in the 21st minute. Asprilla had a header soar just over the goal from a set piece in the 22nd minute after he was fouled by #10 Cristian Espinoza.
The Timbers keeper, #31 Aljaz Ivacic, made a jumping save in the 27th minute when San Jose’s #27 Marcos López sent a header towards the box. Ivacic stopped the Earthquakes’ next attempt in the 36th minute. The Timbers’ #2 Josecarlos Van Rankin, #23 Yimmi Chara, #5 Claudio Bravo were shown consecutive yellow cards in the 39th, 40th, and 41st minute, respectively. San Jose capitalized on the moment and scored the in the 42nd minute on a set piece finished by #28 Benjamin Kikanović.
Portland came out of the locker room ready to take control of the second half and San Jose responded with chippy play that earned them two yellow cards in the 49th and 53rd minute given to #13 Nathan and #5 Eric Remedi. Diego Chara #21 was awarded an assist when his shot in the 53rd minute was reflected off of #11 Jaroslaw Niezgoda and found its way into the back of the net. The Timbers continued their attack with attempts by Diego Chara and Josecarlos Van Rankin in the 53rd and 56th minute.
Dairon Asprilla was given the Timbers’ forth yellow card in the 67th minute for a debatable foul then assisted Niezgoda in an shot that was saved by San Jose Keeper, #1 JT Marcinkowsk in the 69th minute. Asprilla found his moment in the 71st minute with a header goal assisted by Santiago Moreno, who came in for Williamson in the 59th minute.
In the 78th minute Jackson Yueill earned the Earthquakes third yellow card. San Jose had their best chance to equalized in the 86th minute when a shot by #44 Cade Cowell caught the finger of Aljaz Ivacic’s glove and hit the far post. The final whistle blew after 8 minutes of stoppage time with the Portland Timbers beating the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1.
