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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Battle Real Salt Lake on the Road But Fall, 1-0

April 20, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


SANDY, Utah - The Portland Timbers produced a number of dangerous chances and maintained the majority of possession, but Real Salt Lake was able to claim all three points at home as a result of a second-half goal by midfielder Ned Grabavoy in a 1-0 victory at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday.

The Timbers (0-3-4, 4pts) forced Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando into making four saves throughout the match. Real Salt Lake (3-0-4, 13pts) was able to take a lead in the 78th minute on Grabavoy's first goal of the season. Portland pushed for the equalizer and nearly found it late in the match only to have Rimando turn in two key saves to help the home side to victory.

On the road, the Timbers held the advantage in shots on goal, corner kicks and possession against Real Salt Lake, which remains the lone unbeaten club in MLS. Portland allowed Real Salt Lake just two shots on goal over the first 66 minutes of the match, and conceded just two corner kicks in the second half.

In a tightly contested match, Real Salt Lake broke the deadlock in the 78th minute. Midfielder Sebastian Velasquez played the ball across the midfield to Grabavoy, who then worked his way to the top left side of the box. In a small pocket of space, Grabavoy slipped a shot just under the reach of Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and tucked the ball inside the right post for a 1-0 lead.

Forward Maximiliano Urruti created two good looks on goal early in the second half for the Timbers, including a shot from the top of the box that rattled the crossbar in the 58th minute. Two minutes later, a turnover in the defensive third by Real Salt Lake set up Urruti for a one-on-one with Rimando, but Urruti pushed his shot just wide.

Portland pushed for the equalizer and nearly found it twice over the final minutes of regulation. Defender Alvas Powell, a second-half substitute, was played in behind the Real Salt Lake backline, and Powell's rolling shot from inside the box was turned away by the outstretched foot of Rimando. In the 88th minute, GastÃ"n Fernández drove a shot from the top of the box destined for the top left corner, but Rimando just steered the ball off course with a diving save.

Five minutes before Grabavoy's goal, Real Salt Lake had a shot from midfielder Javier Morales strike the right post.

The Timbers visit the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, April 27, at BBVA Compass Stadium; kickoff is set for 12 noon (Pacific). The match will be televised live on KPTV FOX 12 and in Spanish on EstrellaTV, with live radio broadcasts available on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.

Notes:.

- Saturday's match was the first of three regular-season meetings with Real Salt Lake in 2014. The Timbers visit Real Salt Lake once again June 7 before playing host to their conference rival at Providence Park on Oct. 17. RSL leads the all-time MLS series against Portland.

- The Timbers held the advantage in shots on goal (4-3), corner kicks (7-5) and possession (50.5 percent) against Real Salt Lake.

- The Timbers attempted 403 passes against Real Salt Lake, the third-most by the club in a single game this season. The club's 323 successful passes on Saturday marked the most by Portland in a single game on the road in 2014.

- The club's passing accuracy against Real Salt Lake was above 80 percent. At 80.16 percent, Saturday's passing accuracy was the second-best in a game for the Timbers in 2014.

- Portland's shooting accuracy of 50 percent against Real Salt Lake is the second-highest this season, and the club's best shooting accuracy on the road in 2014. The Timbers had eight different players attempt a shot against Real Salt Lake.

- Forward Maximiliano Urruti had a shot in the 58th minute hit the crossbar. It was the seventh time this season in which a Timbers player had found the woodwork, which leads MLS.

- Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts surpassed 4,000 minutes played for the Timbers during Saturday's match against Real Salt Lake, which also marked his 140th career MLS appearance and start.

- Midfielder Will Johnson played in his 155th career MLS match.

- Midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe made his 55th consecutive league start for the Timbers dating back to the 2012 season.

- Midfielder Michael Nanchoff played 13 minutes as a substitute for the Timbers against Real Salt Lake in his season debut.

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