MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Blank Austin FC 3-0 in Regular-Season Finale

Published on November 7, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers defeated Austin FC 3-0 in their regular-season finale at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Cristhian Paredes, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, and Sebastián Blanco tallied a goal each. Portland will square off against Minnesota United FC in the first round of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs at Providence Park.

Playoffs Bound

The Timbers clinched a playoff berth and the No. 4 seed in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs after earning a 3-1 win on the road against Real Salt Lake on Nov. 3. It marks Portland's fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs, and the seventh time (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) in the club's MLS history. The Timbers have made two MLS Cup appearances (2015, 2018). Notably, head coach Giovanni Savarese has gone to the playoffs in each of his four seasons with the club and is the only head coach in Portland history to record consecutive postseason appearances.

Season Superlatives

Felipe Mora finished the season as Portland's leading goal scorer (11), followed closely by Dairon Asprilla (10). Asprilla was named the Supporters' Player of the Year. Sebastián Blanco and Yimmi Chara each tallied a team-best seven assists. Steve Clark registered seven shutouts, recording a new career best since joining Portland. Dario Zuparic led the team in minutes played (2,700) this season.

Making Club History

Portland capped the regular season with its 17th victory of the 2021 campaign, setting a single-season club record in the MLS era. Previously, the Timbers recorded 15 wins in the 2018, 2017, and 2015 campaigns.

Comeback Campaign

In his 24th appearance (12th start) this season, Sebastián Blanco registered a goal and an assist to help the Timbers close out their regular season with a win. Since returning from his ACL injury on June 19, Blanco has tallied seven goals and seven assists for Portland. Notably, he has recorded a goal and an assist in eight MLS matches in his career with the Timbers.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Cristhian Paredes (Sebastián Blanco, Santiago Moreno), 17th minute: From just outside the box, Santiago Moreno chipped a diagonal ball to Sebastián Blanco on the corner of the six-yard area. Blanco played a one-time pass back across the face of the goal and Cristhian Paredes drilled it into the corner of the goal.

POR - Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Yimmi Chara), 45th minute: Yimmi Chara won the ball from an Austin FC defender on the right wing and sent a curving cross into the box for Jaroslaw Niezgoda to redirect into the goal with his chest.

POR - Sebastián Blanco, 53rd minute: Niezgoda chipped a pass that deflected off of Austin FC toward the back post, and Blanco volleyed it into the side netting.

Notes

The Timbers finished the season with a record of 17-13-4 (55 pts).

Portland's 17 wins this season set a new club record.

The Timbers 55 points at the conclusion of the regular season is second-most in club history, behind the 57 they recorded in 2013.

Portland recorded its ninth shutout of the season.

The Timbers recorded their 11th home win of the campaign. It is tied for the second-most home wins (2018, 2017, 2013) in club history.

Portland's 11 home wins ranks first in the Western Conference and is tied for second in MLS this season.

In their third ever matchup, the Timbers earned their first win over Austin FC.

Cristhian Paredes scored his third goal of the 2021 campaign, and eighth overall for Portland.

Jaroslaw Niezgoda recorded his third goal this year, and 10th in his career with the Timbers.

Sebastián Blanco scored the third goal of the game, marking his seventh of the year.

Blanco added his seventh assist this season.

Santiago Moreno tallied his fourth career assist.

Yimmi Chara registered his seventh assist of the campaign, and 15th in his two seasons with the Timbers.

Steve Clark recorded his seventh shutout of the season, a career best for him in Portland.

Dairon Asprilla was named the Supporters' Player of the Year.

Next Game

The Timbers will host Minnesota United FC in the first round of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs at Providence Park. Date, time, and broadcast info are TBC.

Portland Timbers (17-13-4, 55pts) vs. Austin FC (9-21-4, 31pts)

Nov. 7, 2021 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Austin FC 0 0 0

Portland Timbers 2 1 3

Scoring Summary:

POR: Paredes (Blanco, Moreno),17

POR: Niezgoda (Y. Chara), 45

POR: Blanco, 53

Misconduct Summary:

ATX: Berhalter (caution), 47

Lineups:

POR: GK Clark, D Van Rankin, D Mabiala (McGraw, 45), D Zuparic, D Bonilla, M D. Chara ©, M Paredes (Zambrano, 87), M Y. Chara (Loría, 82), M Blanco, M Moreno (Valeri, 68), F Niezgoda (Asprilla, 68)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Ivacic, GK Sulte, M Fochive

TOTAL SHOTS: 23 (Blanco, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 10 (Blanco, Niezgoda, 3); FOULS: 9 (D. Chara, Zuparic, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4

ATX: GK Stuver, D Jimenez, D Cascante, D Kolmanic (Stanley, 87), M Berhalter (Kleeman, 63), M Pochettino (Manneh, 63), M Ring ©, M Fagundez, M Stroud (Wolff, 83), F Driussi, F Djitte (Dominguez, 45)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Tarbell, GK Pulisic, F Gaines

TOTAL SHOTS: 6 (Fagundez, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Fagundez, 2); FOULS: 9 (Berhalter, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 6

Referee: Rosendo Mendoza

Assistant Referees: Chris Elliott, Brooke Mayo

Fourth Official: Elijio Arreguin

VAR: Malik Badawi

Attendance: 23,127

Weather: Rainy, 50 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from November 7, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central