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Chivas USA Fall 2-0 on the Road against Portland

August 10, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Chivas USA fell, 2-0, to the Portland Timbers in the series finale Saturday night at Providence Park. The Timbers were led by a pair of first-half scores by Diego Valeri and Rodney Wallace to secure three points in the Western Conference showdown.

The home side took the early advantage in the 10th minute when Valeri worked the ball down the middle of the pitch and created space for himself to fire from behind the arc and past goalkeeper Dan Kennedy's right.

Looking to pull even in the contest, the Red-and-White got into the attacking third and sent in crosses from both flanks. Left back Donald Toia played the first cross into the box in the 23rd minute from the left sideline, but the entry was cleared away near the penalty spot. Seven minutes later, Mauro Rosales took a free kick from deep along the left sideline. The midfielder's pass, however, did not manage to link up with his teammates inside the mixer.

Instead, the Timbers pushed their lead to 2-0 in the 39th minute when Valeri connected with Fanendo Adi inside the box with a pass from the right wing. The forward then laid off a short pass to Wallace, who found the inside of the left post with a tap-in from eight yards out.

Chivas began applying better pressure on Portland keeper Donovan Ricketts early in the second half in search of getting on the score sheet and had a promising look at cutting the deficit in the 52nd minute. Midfielder Leandro Barrera - who came on to start the second part of the match - whipped a cross into the box from the left side that was poorly cleared by the defense. The ball was then recovered by Rosales behind the penalty spot, who sent his shot wide of the left post.

The Rojiblancos continued to generate opportunities and took five corner kicks in the half. Despite getting deep into Portland territory, the Goats could not capitalize on their set piece chances. In the 83rd minute, Barrera took on his marker on the right wing and pushed the ball to his left along the edge of the 18-yard box to get off a striker on frame. The shot was momentarily bobbled by Ricketts but eventually secured in time before forward Erick Torres could get to the ball for a follow-up strike, as the Timbers would hold on for the 2-0 result.

Chivas USA now return home to begin preparations to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the third and final leg of the season series at the StubHub Center next Saturday. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and will be televised on Time Warner Cable Deportes and can also be heard on ESPN Deportes Radio KWKW 1330 AM. For more information follow the club on Twitter and Facebook.

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