Timbers Overcome Whitecaps on Hot Night in Portland

If the Portland Timbers are poised to make a playoff push, they took a big step towards that on Saturday night at Jeld-Wen field in front of 18,627 fans. Along with four other teams within striking distance of the final playoff spots in the MLS table, the boys in green earned a well-deserved 3 points by controlling the ball all match and starting things off right with a goal by diminutive midfielder Diego Chara in just the 2nd minute.

Chara’s strike from the top of the penalty box, on a nice assist from fellow Colombian Jorge Pelaza, got started by a giveaway in the center of the pitch to Captain Jack Jewsbury. Chara’s goal in the top right corner caught the defender flat-footed and put the home team ahead for good.

Portland kept a steady barrage of shots on goal without once gaining a corner kick all game. It didn’t matter though because the home side scored another goal on a shot from 10 yards away by Perlaza after Vancouver couldn’t clear the ball from the goalie box.

Whitecaps star forward Eric Hassli, he of a fantastic goal earlier this season, was kept in check all game with only two minor shots on goal that goalie Troy Perkins was easily able to handle. If the Timbers were worried about the talented striker, they didn’t show it as they played a man on him all game. Defenders Futty Danso and David Horst repeatedly put a body on Hassli in the box to keep him from any meaningful chances.

If the Whitecaps had any chance of getting back in this game it came in the last 20 minutes as Camilo Sanvezzo scored a goal, while seemingly offside, from about 15 yards out on an assist from Jordan Harvey. It’d be all for nought though as the Timbers played keep away for the last 5 minutes to secure the win.

Game notes:

• Timbers midfielder Khalif Alhassan was stymied again on a goal in the 50th minute when his shot hit the left post. Alhassan leads the MLS in shots on frame without a goal.
• Danso came out in the 75th minute with an apparent leg injury replaced by previous starter Eric Brunner.
• Forward Bright Dike also was substituted in for Kenny Cooper to get his most playing time this season outside of previous exhibition and reserve matches.
• Hassli headed to the locker room at the end of the match without shaking hands in apparent frustration of his teams play.
• Vancouver fans traveled well to the Rose City, with many taking over the section next to the normal visiting sides travel section.

(image courtesy of Steel Brooks)