MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Claim Three Points on the Road against Montreal Impact

July 28, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


MONTREAL - Controlling the run of play for the majority of the match, the Portland Timbers registered 20 shots - including nine on goal - while earning a 3-2 win against the Montreal Impact before 14,715 fans at Stade Saputo in Montreal on Sunday night.

Midfielder Diego Valeri tallied the game-winning goal for a second straight match, collecting a deflected cross from Rodney Wallace and depositing a strong right-footed effort into the back of the net in the 82nd minute. Forward Maximiliano Urruti tallied his team-leading eighth goal of the season and midfielder Will Johnson delivered from the penalty spot as Portland has registered back-to-back wins, moving one point shy of fifth place in the Western Conference standings. The Timbers have earned at least one point in six of their last seven regular-season road games this year and 11 of their last 14 regular-season matches overall.

Portland (6-6-9, 27pts), which earned its first MLS road win in Montreal on Sunday, conceded the opening goal against the run of play to Impact midfielder Andrés Romero in the 13th minute, but responded well, taking a 2-1 lead as halftime approached.

The Timbers leveled the score at 1-1 in the 34th minute as midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe held off a pair of defenders near the top of the penalty box before slipping a pass to Urruti. Urruti was able to turn and put a shot in off the near left post, beating goalkeeper Evan Bush.

Just six minutes later, Portland grabbed its first lead as Johnson converted from the penalty spot after Valeri was taken down by Montreal defender Hassoun Camara in the 40th minute. Collecting a loose rebound, Valeri did well to keep Bush off balance in front of goal before Camara committed a foul with a sliding tackle near the end line.

Montreal (3-12-5, 14pts), however, knotted the score at 2-2 right before halftime as midfielder Felipe Martins found Patrice Bernier with a through ball into the left edge of the box. Bernier cut a pass back to midfielder Maxim Tissot near the top of the box and Tissot was able to fire past Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

Entering the match in the 79th minute, Wallace had an immediate impact, surging down the left flank and sending a cross into the box that was deflected into Valeri's path for the game-winning goal.

Portland's win at Stade Saputo was its fourth road win of the season, setting a new Timbers MLS single-season club record for road wins.

Notes:

- Defender Jack Jewsbury made his 300th career MLS appearance on Sunday, joining an elite list of just 25 other players (including goalkeepers) in MLS history to reach the milestone.

- Portland's 20 shots on Sunday night at Stade Saputo marked the most shots on the road this season for the Timbers and the third-most in a road match in Timbers MLS history.

- Midfielder Ben Zemanski made his first appearance since May 24, entering the match as a substitute in the 87th minute.

- With the win, Portland improved its overall road record against the Impact across all eras to 5-2-2, including 1-1-0 in MLS play.

- Portland has earned a positive result in six of its last seven regular-season away matches and 11 of 14 regular-season matches overall.

- The victory set a new Timbers MLS club record for most road wins in a single season (4).

- Portland suffered 20 fouls on Sunday, marking the third time this season the Timbers have been fouled 20 or more times in a single match.

- Midfielder Diego Valeri netted the game-winning goal for the second straight game. Valeri has tallied at least one point in six of the team's last nine regular-season matches.

- Valeri's game-winning goal on Sunday moved the midfielder into first place on the Timbers MLS all-time career list for game-winning goals (4).

- Valeri has registered a goal in three of Portland's last four regular-season matches.

- Forward Maximiliano Urruti tallied his team-leading eighth goal of the season on Sunday.

- Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts registered his 60th career regular-season appearance for the Timbers on Sunday.

- Midfielder Diego Chara notched his 105th career MLS appearance for the Timbers.

- Coming on as a substitute and helping set up the game-winning goal, midfielder Rodney Wallace made his 115th career MLS appearance on Sunday.

- Portland's 35 goals are tied for most in the league.

- The Timbers have battled back to earn at least a share of the points in 10 matches, earning a 3-5-7 record in 2014 when allowing the first goal.

Next Game

The Portland Timbers conclude a two-game road stretch as they travel to face Western Conference foe LA Galaxy on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Saturday's match against the Galaxy will be broadcast nationally on NBC with a local radio broadcast on 750 The Game; kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. (Pacific).

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