After a rough and tumble first half that surprisingly saw only one card drawn, the Timbers found the only goal of the game in the 48th minute.
A cross-field pass from Timbers Captain Will Johnson found the foot of Diego Valeri who settled it and put it in front of the goal for Fanendo Adi to tuck past Chicago keeper Sean Johnson.
Portland’s tenth shut-out of the season moves them into fourth place in a very tight Western Conference race. Three points separate the Timbers from the first-place Vancouver Whitecaps. League-leadingDC United stands at 41 points to the Timbers’ 36.
“We talked about it before the game. Prior to this game, we had six home games left and our goal is to get 18 points,” Porter said. “Bite off three points at a time, we want to be ruthless at home, getting three points every time we take the field. If we do that and we steal some points on the road, we’re going to be in good shape.”
Green smoke goes up as the Timbers open the score with the only goal of the match.
Porter was optimistic about new signing Lucas Melano, who subbed in for Rodney Wallace in the 68th minute and had four chances at goal, but was held scoreless. “I think he showed what he’s going to bring to the table. He’s going to change games, he’s going to get behind the back four, he’s going to bring pace. He needs to clean some stuff up still, but that’s to be expected.”
Recent arrival Lucas Melano pushes the ball past Chicago’s Eric Gehrig (6). Melano played 22 minutes in his first appearance before the home crowd and had four chances at goal.
Portland will play Real Salt Lake on the road at Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday, August 15.
Scoring Summary
POR: Adi, 48
Misconduct Summary
CHI: Polster (Caution), 44
POR: Melano (Caution), 71
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Kwarasey, D Powell, D Borchers, D Ridgewell, D Villafaña, M Johnson ©, M Chara, M Nagbe, M Valeri (Jewsbury, 90), M Wallace (Melano, 68), F Adi (Asprilla, 86)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Weber, D Paparatto, D Peay, F Urruti
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Adi, Melano, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Adi, Villafaña, 1); FOULS: 15 (Chara, 3); OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 3
CHI: GK Johnson, D Palmer, D Larentowicz ©, D Gehrig, D Jones, M Shipp, M Cocis, M Polster, M Maloney, F Accam (Nyarko, 43), F Johnson (Igboananike, 68)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Busch, D Adaílton, D Cochrane, D Harden, M Stephens
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Shipp, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Three players tied, 1); FOULS: 9 (Polster, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 1
Referee: Armando Villarreal
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Paul Scott
4th Official: Alex Chilowicz
Attendance: 21,144
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Clear, 82 degrees
