Late Keel goal lifts Timbers to victory in Austin, 1-0
September 7, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
AUSTIN, Texas - Goalkeeper Steve Cronin turned in his 10th shutout of the season and defender Stephen Keel scored late to lift the Portland Timbers to a 1-0 win over the Austin Aztex Monday at Nelson Field.
Keel scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute to help the first-place Timbers (15-2-10, 55pts) secure the road victory and stretch their lead over the second-place Carolina RailHawks to six points in the USL First Division standings.
Cronin logged four saves on the way to his league-leading 14th win of the season and midfielders Brian Farber and Ryan Pore each totaled four shots to lead Portland, which has now recorded six wins over its last eight games.
Forward Gifton Noel-Williams paced the team with two shots, goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo recorded six saves and second-half sub Jamie Watson provided a spark off the bench for the Aztex (4-16-8, 18pts (-2)), who played their final home match of the 2009 regular season Monday.
The Timbers controlled the tempo of the match from the early going and maintained possession for a majority of the contest. Portland held an 18-6 edge in shots over Austin.
Portland took the lead five minutes from time as Keel put away a rebound from inside the box. Pressuring late, the Timbers forced Gallardo to make a key save that deflected the ball back into play. Unmarked, Keel charged the loose ball and struck go-ahead tally into an open net.
Defender David Hayes led the Timbers to a pair of quality chances in the first half. In the 23rd minute, he sent a long cross from the left side to Farber on the back post. Farber found forward Jason McLaughlin alone at the top of the six-yard box and McLaughlin headed a shot just wide of the right post.
Ten minutes later Hayes sent in a corner kick from the right side that landed in the box. A Portland player was able to put a shot on frame that got past Gallardo, but Austin defender Ryan McMahen was in position to clear the shot off the line and maintain the 0-0 deadlock into halftime.
Midfielder Keith Savage helped the Timbers open the second half with a pair of shots early in the period that floated over the crossbar. The Timbers continued to pressure the Aztex after the break, taking 11 of their 18 shots in the second half.
The Aztex generated several of their scoring chances down the flanks, and received their best opportunity of the night in the 63rd minute from forward Eddie Johnson. Splitting two Timbers defenders, Johnson pulled the trigger on a shot from 12 yards out, forcing Cronin to make a diving stop on the near post.
Near the 70th minute mark, Noel-Williams got on the end of a corner kick to put Cronin under pressure. Off a corner kick from the right side, Noel-Williams worked his way to the back post and headed a shot on target, but Cronin was in position to deny the attempt with another diving stop.
USL First Division Stories from September 7, 2009
- Austin plays strong against Portland, but gives up late goal in 1-0 defeat - Austin Aztex
- Late Keel goal lifts Timbers to victory in Austin, 1-0 - Portland Timbers
- Miami FC more than ready to host Rochester - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Timbers Face Aztex In Home-And-Home Set This Week - Portland Timbers
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