SAN JOSE, CA – It was a quick turnaround for the Timbers coming off a painful 4-2 loss to LAFC on Sunday. The Timbers drew San Jose 1-1 Wednesday night, their first of two matchups with the Earthquakes this week. Wednesday’s match was a makeup match for the game originally scheduled on August 26th. MLS players and sports leagues across the country opted out of playing that day to protest continued police brutality and racial injustice.
Coach Savarese sent out a rotated squad against the Earthquakes with seven changes to the lineup he started Sunday against LAFC. Diego Valeri was available for the match but did not see the pitch.
Despite playing much of the first thirty minutes in their defensive half, the Timbers struck first in the 33rd minute. Yimmi Chara scored a goal Timbers’ fans have been begging for since he was signed as a Designated Player at the beginning of the year.
Brother Diego Chara provided the assist for Yimmi’s first MLS goal, springing the speedy winger at midfield. Yimmi went straight at the San Jose defense, catching defender Paul Marie off balance as he finished off his run with a well-placed left-footed shot past keeper James Marcinkowski.
The Timbers defense, although improved from last match, gave up another late goal to even the match in the 76th minute. Chris Wondolowski headed down a nice ball for teammate Valeri “Vako” Qazaishvili, who took a touch before slipping the ball past keeper Steve Clark. Portland defender Dario Zuparic appeared to clear the ball off the line initially, but VAR quickly confirmed the ball had passed the line to give San Jose the goal.
The Timbers offense struggled to create more chances after the Chara goal, managing just six shots after ninety minutes. On the other side of the ball, Steve Clark had a busy night in his 150th career match. Clark made five saves on the night, none bigger than denying a Chris Wondolowski header in the 89th minute.
After winning this summer’s MLS is Back Tournament, the Timbers have managed just one win, although they remain in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Portland continues to work through a compact schedule, in addition to facing less than ideal training conditions due to hazardous air quality brought on by recent, unprecedented Oregon wildfires.
“I’ve said it many times, it’s incredible the group that we have.” Coach Savarese credited the resiliency during this trying time.
“I’m so proud of the guys. They’ve faced so many different things. This week has been very tough. Not being able to have good and clean air to be able to have normal training… Hopefully soon we’re going to be able to train back again outdoors and be able to prepare even better than we did for today.”
Round two against the Earthquakes takes place Saturday, September 19th at 7:30 pm PST on FOX 12 PLUS (KPDX).
