FC Cincinnati 3- Portland Timbers 0
Cincinnati, OH-Before the match, Portland Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese envisioned some bold moves in his starting lineup. However, he did not foresee the way things were going to turn out in the end at Nippert Stadium showing a sold out attendance of 32,200.
For the expansion side FC Cincinnati this match had all the elements of an easy win against the Portland Timbers. The debutantes proved to be far more ready for the big match than their Western Conference counterparts.
With a goal rout accompanied by a clean sheet Cincinnati coach Alan Koch and company these delivered a wondrous and spectacular performance in front of their faithful. As the Blue and Orange had all the right moves and in ninety minutes these proved a handful for the feeble Portland defense and the starting eleven as a whole.
Once again poor defending and little effort seen by the Rose City backfield exposed a number of problems for its manager to resolve immediately. Not even with five moves in the starting lineup were to impact in the Timbers game today in Queen City.
Still the team showed a certain revival by breaking the local’s dominance and making a few plays that almost became favorable. With a number of clear plays at goal, the Rose City squad almost netted a couple of scores in their favor. For the Blue and Orange, this was to be their day and match delivering for them their first win of the season.
As the first goal of the match came on a free kick by FCC Leonardo Bertone finding an opportune Kendall Waston for the game first score and the FCC first goal at home. No later in the second half the dominance of the locals too visible in the 61 minute the goal done by a back heel Allan Cruz to put the score 2-0.
No later than two minutes passed when Mathieu Deplagne with an assist by Darren Mattocks he scored the cushion goal for FCC in the 63’ minute. In the end for the Portland Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese back to work as well-being benefited with a bye. This much-needed rest for sure came in the right time before the Timbers match against the LA Galaxy.
Goals
Kendall Waston 15’ FCC, Allan Cruz 61’ FCC, Mathieu Deplagne 63’ FCC
Photo Credit: Craig Foster
Highlight of the Match
For the Portland Timbers the only positive came in the 32’ minute forcing FCC goalkeeper Spencer Richey to work extra to keep his clean sheet. In addition, of seeing Bill Tuiloma long distance shoot and later Dairon Aspirilla denied in the goalmouth.
A not so positive outlook the Portland Timbers have shown is that in back to back games they have two players exit and suspended with red cards. Last week in L.A., it was Diego Chara who was sent off and against Cincinnati another starter, Larrys Mabiala, netted a red card.
Next Match: Portland Timbers (0, 2, 1, 1 point) vs LA Galaxy (2, 1, 0, 6 points)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California Sunday March 31, 2019 6:00 PM PST/ 9:00 PM EST
MLS Western
Portland
