Timbers shut out Miami FC 4-0
Published on September 4, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Portland, September 4, 2008 - Miami FC traveled to the northwest on Thursday to try to take down the Portland Timbers. Miami was led into this duel by USL-1 points leader and scoring leader Alex Afonso. After a difficult home stand against the Minnesota Thunder that saw the Blues lose the first and draw the second, Miami aimed to continue on their mission to the playoffs. The Timbers sat tied on points going into Thursday's clash but they took all 3 points after a 4-0 win against Miami. The Blues, who began with an attack minded lineup, looked to put some firepower on the field and steer their way to the playoffs. Yet pair of penalties and two headers were able to put Miami FC away.
It was Portland who would strike first with a goal in the 3rd minute. After a quick change of play down the right flank a cross was sent in and an unmarked Byron Alvarez was at the six yard box all alone. His well placed header shot down to the bottom right side of goal leaving no chance for USL-1 shutouts leader Josh Saunders.
The first 15 minutes had some good back and forth action yet there were no real quality chances at goal for each team besides the early goal.
The always active Ansu Toure was one of the Blues who saw a lot of time on the ball while trying to orchestrate from his midfield position and link up with Alex Afonso in the first 20 minutes.
Miami was put in good position in the 23rd minute from a foul suffered by Sean Fraser. From about 20 yards out a free kick was guided toward the goal but the ball struck the Timbers' wall.
Josh Saunders had a great save in the 30th minute from a free kick played in from the right flank by the Timbers. The ball drifted into the area and a Portland player was able to get a foot to it but Saunders did well to grab it firmly without any problems.
In the 35th minute Miami had its most dangerous attack of the first half when Ansu Toure slid his way through the Portland defense at the edge of the area then a good pass to Sean Fraser was reciprocated by Fraser who flicked a nice ball over the Timber defenders and right to Toure. With his weaker right foot he played in a pass but it did not have the pace to connect with a teammate.
In the 41st minute a nice shot by Griffin Leonard was blocked away by a diving Josh Saunders. Unfortunately that save led to a corner which the Timbers were able to convert into another goal.
In the 42nd minute a corner from the left side found the head of defender Cameron Dunn who beat his marker and powered in a header past Josh Saunders.
The Blues headed into the break down 2-0.
Miami got off to a rough start in the second half by conceding a penalty in the 46th minute. A corner from the right accidentally struck the hand of Eric Vasquez as he was going up for a header. Timbers forward Chris Brown stepped up to the spot and shot low to the left. Saunders guessed correctly and blocked his kick but Brown was able to put the rebound into the back of the net.
The 61st minute contained some nifty footwork by Ansu Toure on the left flank. Always one of the more skilled players he dribbled his man on the end line and gave a good cross into Alex Afonso but it was cleared out by the Timbers.
The Blues fortunes did not get better in the 70th when another penalty was awarded for the Timbers after Cauê da Mata tripped a Timbers player while he was driving into the area with the ball. Chris Brown put the ball away on the first try this time as he fooled Josh Saunders who dived to the right and Brown put the ball to the left.
The end of the game could not have come soon enough with the Blues now looking forward to their game on Saturday against the Seattle Sounders. The final whistle was blown and the Blues suffered the 4-0 defeat.
Miami's next home game at Tropical Park is on September 17th against the Rochester Rhinos. Group tickets are currently on sale by visiting our ticket page by calling 305-728-2612. Single game tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-866-57-MIAMI. Watch all of Miami's away games and all other USL games live on USL Live!
USL First Division Stories from September 4, 2008
- Brown Scores Two Goals In Timbers' 4-0 Win Over Miami - Portland Timbers
- Timbers shut out Miami FC 4-0 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- 1994 World Cup Champion coach Carlos Alberto Parreira joins TRAFFIC Sports - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Impact Reveals Champions League Calendar - Montreal Impact
- Miguel Guante Honored As Timbers Community Player Of The Year - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps loan Kambere to Toronto FC - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Faces Minnesota Thunder Friday At Saputo Stadium - Montreal Impact
- Help Bring Major League Soccer To Vancouver - Vancouver Whitecaps
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