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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Clinch Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoff Berth with 4-0 Win over D.C.

October 16, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


TIMBERS CLINCH AUDI 2017 MLS CUP PLAYOFF BERTH WITH 4-0 WIN OVER D.C. UNITED AT PROVIDENCE PARK

Midfielder Sebastián Blanco notches his first MLS brace to extend his season tally to eight goals; Midfielder Diego Valeri notches a goal and a two assists

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers defeated D.C. United 4-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park to clinch a berth in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday night. Midfielder Sebastián Blanco scored his first brace with the Timbers, extending his season tally to eight goals, while midfielder Diego Valeri tallied a goal and two assists and defender Alvas Powell added his second goal of the season. The Timbers also recorded their third clean-sheet win in their last five games played and their largest clean-sheet win since Sept. 7, 2013.

With the 4-0 win, the team's sixth clean sheet of the season, the Timbers (14-11-8, 50pts) moved into second place in the Western Conference standings, two points behind Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who will travel to face Portland at Providence Park in the final game of the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 22. Additionally, with his goal and two assists in the match, Valeri extended his season tally to 21 goals and 11 assists, becoming the second midfielder in league history to record at least 20 goals and 10 assists.

Attacking early and often in match against D.C. United (9-19-5, 32pts), the Timbers eventually broke through in the third minute of stoppage time in the first half when forward Darren Mattocks earned a penalty kick, his fourth earned penalty kick of the season, allowing Valeri to convert from the penalty spot and record his 21st goal in 2017.

Remaining on the front foot in the second half, Portland doubled its lead four minutes into final 45 when Powell scored his second goal of the season from a Valeri assist. Receiving Valeri's pass on the far right wing, Powell drifted inside toward goal, surging past two defenders, before curling a driven left-footed effort into the far corner in the 49th minute.

The Timbers added a third goal in the 60th minute when Valeri and Blanco played a quick combination play on the far right side of the field, creating space for Blanco on the edge of box. Firing from a tough angle, Blanco hit a well-struck attempt, curling his final effort into the far top corner to give the home side a 3-0 lead with 30 minutes remaining in the game.

With four minutes remaining in the game, the Timbers produced a fourth and final goal when Blanco scored his second of the game in the 86th minute of play. After a strong challenge from forward Jeremy Ebobisse forced a turnover in the final third, Blanco reacted quickly to pick up the ball, driving into the open space in the 18-yard box past several players, before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the back of the net for the team's final goal of the match.

The goal marked Blanco's third finish in the team's last two games played, as the midfielder extended his season tally to eight goals, which ranks as the third-most on the team.

With 17 shots in the match, Portland created numerous goal-scoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes. The Timbers produced a strong chance early in the first half when midfielder David Guzmán recovered the ball in D.C. United's defensive third, firing a long-range effort that went just high of the target in the sixth minute of play.

Five minutes later, Portland produced another chance when midfielder Darlington Nagbe threaded a pass through two defenders to find Mattocks inside the area, with the striker hitting a strong right-footed shot that forced D.C. United to clear it away from danger.

Moments before halftime, the Timbers created a frenzy of chances, producing several opportunities to break through and find a goal. In the 43rd minute of play, Blanco played a curling ball into the box, finding Mattocks for a volley from close-range, with the striker hitting it high of the target. One minute later, while running on to a through ball, Powell powered his way into the box, blasting a strong effort that forced a goal-line clearance. Pouncing on the rebound inside the area, Guzmán struck a low effort from inside the box that forced another goal-line clearance from D.C. United.

In the 57th minute, after holding possession for nearly three minutes, the Timbers came close to scoring again when a lengthy build-up play released Powell in behind on the right side for a chance that forced a strong save from goalkeeper Steve Clark. Continuing to push forward in the second half, Portland came close to scoring again in the 63rd minute when Powell played a driven first-time cross inside the box to Mattocks, who was unable to redirect his final effort on target.

Next up, the Timbers will close out the 2017 regular season when they play host to Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park on Sunday, Oct. 22. Beginning at 1 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Whitecaps FC will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Referee: Mark Geiger

Assistant Referees: Logan Brown, Jeffrey Greeson

4th Official: Ricardo Salazar

VAR: Fotis Bazakos

Attendance: 21,144

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