Real Salt Lake (4-0-1, 12 points, 2nd in the Western Conference) took to the pitch at Jeld-Wen Field on Saturday looking to remove the bad taste in their mouth after a crushing loss in the CONCACAF Champion’s League final to Monterrey. Apparently someone forgot to send the memo to the Portland Timbers (3-3-1, 10 points, 6th in the Western Conference).
After a beating from the L.A. Galaxy the Timbers looked to defend their home in the first of a three game homestand that included two of the hottest teams in the league in RSL and Philadelphia. Coach John Spencer look to adjust to a team that was on the hunt after its 19 straight result which would tie the MLS record for Jason Kreis’ side. With the team beginning to get healthier and the addition of the team’s new Designated Player, midfielder Diego Chara, Spencer chose to sit right back Steve Purdy in favor of pushing midfielder Jeremy Hall to the backline which allowed Darlington Nagbe to make his first MLS start.
Things got off to a hot start as Jorge Perlaza’s shot went wide of Nick Rimando’s goal but would characterize the pressure that Portland would put on the Salt Lake goal keeper, early and often. The first half would close with six shots from the home team including the eventual match winner from Kenny Cooper in the 22nd minute.
Leading up to the goal, Kalif Alhassan drew a foul which on a quick restart was played back to the midfielder who sent a dangerous cross across the RSL net and found Kenny Cooper who put the volley home for his third goal of the season and Alhassan notched his fourth assist.
The Timbers defense who had been under scrutiny throughout much of the season was the real star of the game posting their first clean sheet of the season led by three saves from goalkeeper Troy Perkins in his first start in front of the home fans. As the game drew to a close RSL pressed for an equalizer to steal some points on the road and their best chance came as Nat Borchers put a header to the goal but Perkins came up big and held onto the ball to close out the win for Portland.
John Spencer on the win, “Tonight we did a job. We did a really professional job. We got one-nil up and we managed the game…Had you asked me before the game would I take a clean sheet and three points I would have snapped your hand off.”
Portland heads into the week with quick turnaround between games with a U.S. Open Cup play in game with visiting San Jose on Tuesday and hosting the Philadelphia Union in league play on Friday.
(image courtesy of Craig Mitchelldyer)
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