By Matt Hoffman
The Timbers dreams of continuing its US Open Cup run came to a crashing halt on Wednesday by means of a 2-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake.
Despite winning their first ever meeting between the two teams, RSL has managed to vex the Timbers and Wednesday was no different.
Throughout the match, the Timbers managed a meager six total shots–only one of which was on target. Conversely, RSL got fourteen shots of, three of which were on target.
The first half was a seesaw battle with each side having their share of decent chances and grimacing about the decisions of individual defenders.
The Timbers had a good chance to take the lead in the 52nd minute when a Jack Jewsbury missed the top left corner of the net by inches. It would take only two minutes for Sebastian Jaime to stake RSL the lead.
RSL would double their lead in the 71st minute following a foul called on George Fochive in the box. Javier Morales was able to convert the penalty to double the deficit.
The remainder of the game witnessed RSL–not Portland–being the aggressor.
It’s a disappointing end to what has been an unworldly US Open Cup run for the Timbers. Playing the Sounders in Tukwila immediately (instead of facing an opponent for a lower tier), the Timbers won in a match that will be remembered for the inexperienced, first-time referee and an absolute meltdown by Clint Dempsey.
The Timbers return to league play on Sunday against San Jose who are also out of the US Open Cup having lost to the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night as well.
