MLS Portland Timbers

Strong Second Half Guides Timbers to 2-1 Win over Colorado Rapids

July 19, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Midfielder Diego Valeri and forward Maximiliano Urruti registered consecutive goals in a five-minute span in the second half and the Portland Timbers overcame an early deficit to earn a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids before a sellout crowd of 20,814 at Providence Park on Friday night.

The Timbers (5-6-9, 24pts) earned nearly 62 percent of possession against the Rapids (7-6-6, 27pts) on Friday, holding the visitors to just one shot in the second half while surmounting a 1-0 halftime deficit. With the result, Portland gains ground in the postseason race, moving just two points shy of fifth place in the Western Conference.

On Friday, Portland earned its fourth straight home win over the Rapids at Providence Park, dating back to the 2012 season.

Valeri grabbed the game-winning goal with a well-struck shot from long distance in the 77th minute. Midfielder Diego Chara slipped a pass to Valeri toward the right side of the field and Valeri unleashed a strong effort that beat Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin to the upper right corner.

Urruti scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season, leveling the score in the 72nd minute for the Timbers. Following a well-placed through ball from midfielder Will Johnson, defender Jack Jewsbury struck a one-time pass from the right edge of the penalty box that connected with Urruti from close range.

The Rapids gained the lead in the 16th minute following a scramble in the goal box in which goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts blocked the initial header from Colorado defender Drew Moor off a corner kick, but the rebound from forward Deshorn Brown was judged to have crossed the line despite being blocked by Ricketts.

Ricketts made seven saves in the match, while defender Liam Ridgewell made his Timbers MLS debut, starting and playing 90 minutes.




Major League Soccer Stories from July 19, 2014


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