Ryan Pore equalizer out done by late Rhino goal in 2-1 loss
September 4, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - A pair of goals from forward Errol McFarlane helped the Rochester Rhinos end the Portland Timbers USL First Division-record unbeaten streak with a 2-1 win in front of 11,683 at PGE Park on Thursday.
Scoreless at halftime, McFarlane put away the go-ahead goal in early in the second half and then delivered the game-winning strike in the 90th minute to halt the Timbers record-setting 24-game unbeaten streak.
McFarlane's goals were his first of the season and defender Steve Kindel recorded an assist for the Rhinos (10-8-8, 38pts), who handed Portland its first league loss since April 25 and became the first USL First Division opponent to tally two goals in a single game against the Timbers in 2009.
Midfielder Ryan Pore leveled the score in the 81st minute with his seventh goal in the last eight games, goalkeeper Steve Cronin turned in five saves and defender Mamadou Danso took a team-high three shots for the Timbers (14-2-10, 52pts).
Portland remains in first place in the USL First Division, with a three-point lead and a game in hand over the Carolina RailHawks in second place.
After nearly putting away a header from 15 yards out in the first half, McFarlane capitalized on his first attempt of the second half in the 52nd minute. Off a ball played into the box by Kindel, McFarlane bounced a header around the out-stretched arms of Cronin and across the goal mouth, dodging two Timbers defenders, before finding the back of the net to give Rochester a 1-0 lead.
Pore pulled the Timbers even in the 81st minute, finishing a loose ball past Rochester goalkeeper Scott Vallow inside the near post. Second-half sub Rodrigo Lopez played the ball into the box before it was deflected out to Pore stationed at the top left side of the area. He blasted a low drive through a crowded box for his 10th strike of the season.
Portland, which had recorded two previous come-from-behind draws on the campaign, saw its chance at continuing the unbeaten streak fade as McFarlane capped his brace in second-half stoppage time. Fighting for a loose ball inside the box, he was able gain possession before the Timbers could clear it from danger. McFarlane slotted a shot into the back of the net to seal the 2-1 win and end the Rhinos four-game winless stretch.
The two sides played out a physical first half, with both the Timbers and Rhinos seeing their share of chances to take the lead. Portland and Rochester finished even in shots, 7-7.
Defender Scot Thompson had the best chance of the first half for the Timbers, but his blast from 25 yards out from along the right side just missed the top left corner of the frame. Midfielder Brian Farber had a similar attempt in the second half from right side that also sailed high.
The Timbers embark on their final road trip of the regular season to face the Austin Aztex on Monday, Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. (Pacific). It will be the first of two games between the two sides next week as Austin visits PGE Park on Thursday, Sept. 11. A live broadcast of the Timbers road match will be available on 95.5 The Game and online at www.portlandtimbers.com, with a live video webcast through USL Live - now a free service at www.usllive.com.
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