The Portland Timbers outlasted a persistent Toronto FC 2-1 on Sunday, former Timbers captain Will Johnson scoring his first in a red shirt for his native city, but goals from Fanendo Adi and Diego Valeri gave the home side the victory.
Toronto came to town for its 8th road contest of the season as they await complete BMO Field renovation, the match marking Johnson’s return to the Rose City for the first time since his offseason departure.
For Portland Liam Ridgewell was back on the pitch for the first time since injuring himself in training early in the season, the Timbers hopeful his return would bring more consistency to the back four.
Early in the match Adi muscled past Damien Perquis to prevent the ball rolling over the touchline, but his subsequent through ball was hit weakly by Lucas Melano.
TFC countered minutes later with a far post header from Drew Moor, but Jake Gleeson was able to pounce on the attempt.
Adi walks away as a sprawling Clint Irwin looks hopelessly on. Photo: Mark G. Murray
Portland were first on the board when a short corner was played to Valeri, the Argentine finding time and space in the box to pick out Adi for a close range finish in the 17th minute.
Shortly after Johnson won the ball off Valeri, and the South American was slow to get up after being on the receiving end of the hard nosed tackling his former skipper was known for when playing for Portland. A fan favorite in Portland, but the Timbers Army was not shy in booing Johnson for scything down the man known as the maestro.
The Timbers were having the better of things as the match marched toward halftime, although when Moor handled the ball at the edge of the area the home fans felt aggrieved that a penalty wasn’t given.
Moments later the concern over a missed call was compounded when Johnson stepped into a loose ball that spilled away from Sebastian Giovinco at the opposite end of the field, the Canadian slotting past Gleeson at the far post to equalize in the 40th minute. Cue more booing from the home crowd.
Former Timbers captain Will Johnson is congratulated for equalizing, his first goal for Toronto. Photo credit: Mark Hoffman
After the interval TFC were on the front foot early, but somehow Moor conspired to put a free header inside the box off the crossbar to save Portland’s blushes. Melano made a game effort to score at the other end shortly after, but his header went high as he battled two defenders.
Melano’s next contribution looked far more dangerous as he squared a pass to Adi, but the Nigerian chose right foot over left and saw a golden opportunity to regain the lead miss narrowly wide at the far post.
Portland manager Caleb Porter then made the first substitution of the match, bringing on Ben Zemanski for Darren Mattocks in the 56th minute.
Jozy Altidore nearly put the visitors ahead shortly after the hour mark when he got on the end of a Michael Bradley free kick delivery, but Gleeson was there to deny the chance.
Portland eventually took back the advantage when Bradley fouled Valeri outside the box, and Valeri was clinical in his finishing as he beat Clint Irwin with an upper V strike in the 74th minute. Not a bad gift to give yourself on your 30th birthday, his earlier assist mere icing on the proverbial cake.
Bradley came close to drawing TFC level again with a blast minutes later, but again Gleeson was there outstretched to parry the ball away for a corner kick.
TFC manager Greg Vanney made his first change in the 78th minute with Mo Babouli on for Tsubasa Endoh, while Porter made his second change of the match in the 81st minute, Melano off for Dairon Asprilla. Vanney then countered with Daniel Lovitz on for Justin Morrow in the 82nd.
The 90th minute had just ticked by when a sustained attack on Portland’s goal led to an open header for Johnson who looked to have equalized again, but to no one’s surprise Gleeson was there to push the shot wide.
The final whistle blew and Portland took all three points, a valiant effort from Johnson notwithstanding.
