Columbus Crew 1, Portland Timbers 3
Coming to Mapfre Stadium the Portland Timbers were to face off perfection ridden Crew. As the Black and Gold with an unbeaten run at home as well in the season under their new manager and the way these are playing one amazing football.
Still this match leveled from the get go between both sides and with a Crew hungry for goals, all of a sudden we saw a Timbers defensive and offensive game stepping up for the better.
As the man with boldest of moves, Giovanni Savarese the man risk it all today with a different formation and a possible lineup that for sure will be his presentation card in the remainder of the season.
Today he did not put in the field that effective 5-3-2 formation that showed off a defensive game that almost netted him a couple of positive results.
Not today as he put on his best moves with a 4-4-2 formation that reinforce the defensive game and boost the offensive attack visible with three goals scored and finally deliver that most coveted first win of this 2019.
In spite of just a single game improvement, and with a number of more games to play, the Rose City squad today showed off a much-needed teamwork and plenty of confidence in its initial eleven.
However, the need to correct some details in the Timbers game is necessary.
Starting the rally for the visiting Timbers side were Larry’s Mabiala opening the score in the 31’ via a pass from Diego Valeri. Not even four minutes passed when Jeremy Ebobisse via Sebastian Blanco in the 35’ put the visitors ahead in halftime.
An error that Jeff Attinella on a counter plays cost him the clean sheet with a gem of a goal by Crew Pedro Santos in the 69’ minute. In the end the Crew in spite of the pressure, these came short of their objective.
To conclude the final goal of the Portland squad was from a valuable assist from Cristhian Paredes responding with a second start and serving a valuable assist to Jorge Moreira that seal the deal on injury time.
Goals
Larrys Mabiala 31’ PTFC, Jeremy Ebobisse 35’ PTFC, Pedro Santos 69’ CC, Jorge Moreira 90+1 PTFC
Highlight of the Match
Jorge Moreira the man put the icing on the cake by scoring the cushion goal on injury time and displaying a marvelous defensive game.
Cristhian Paredes second start and the lad is delivering for manager Savarese, no wonder the kid discovered and brought by former Mexico National Team manager Ricardo Lavolpe to club America.
In addition of the whole Portland Timbers initial eleven and top playmakers displaying total focus, serenity, and delivering in the end but with some corrections in the mistakes.
Andres Flores nothing spectacular but the man is one amazing fighter.
Jeremy Ebobisse with his third goal of the season and almost scoring the second minutes later the lad is in need of a guide that needs for his final formation in the frontal attack.
A highlight was the Portland Timbers defense, getting better lately and not committing costly mistakes that today almost delivered a clean sheet for their goalkeeper.
Next Match Portland Timbers (1, 5, 1, 4 points) vs Toronto FC (4, 1, 1, 13 points)
BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 12:00 PM PST/ 3:00 PM EST
Columbus Crew
Portland
