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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Complete Six-Point Road Trip with 2-0 Shutout over Chivas

May 29, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


CARSON, Calif. - The Portland Timbers registered their first clean sheet of the season, tallying two goals in the second half to complete a six-point road trip with a 2-0 shutout against Chivas USA on Wednesday night at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Controlling nearly 60 percent of the possession with a patient approach and holding Chivas USA to a season-low one shot on goal, Portland (3-3-7, 16pts) extended its unbeaten streak to six consecutive matches (3-0-3), while earning consecutive road wins for the first time in the team's MLS history. The Timbers have earned at least a point in eight of their last nine regular-season matches, moving into sixth place in the Western Conference standings with the win, their second in five days after a 2-1 victory at New York on Saturday.

For the second consecutive match, a Timbers player registered a brace as recently added forward Fanendo Adi tallied two goals in a six-minute span in the second half. Making his first career MLS start, Adi finished with a team-high four shots, including three on goal. Giving Portland a 1-0 lead in the 65th minute, substitute midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe played a ball out wide to defender Jorge Villafaña on the left flank. Finding space to deliver a cross, Villafaña sent a bending ball behind the Chivas USA defense, connecting with Adi in front of goal for the one-touch finish.

Adi doubled Portland's lead in the 71st minute collecting a pinpoint through ball from midfielder Diego Valeri behind Chivas USA's high defensive line, sparking a one-on-one with goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Adi dribbled around Kennedy, calming slotting a shot into the open net for a 2-0 lead. Adi became the 10th Timbers MLS player to register two goals in a match and the second in as many games following forward Maximiliano Urruti's brace against New York.

Managing a schedule containing three matches in nine days that began with the victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, the Timbers started just three of the same players who were named to the starting lineup against the Red Bulls, inserting eight different starters into the lineup. Adi, midfielder Michael Nanchoff and newly signed defender Danny O'Rourke each earned their first start of the season on Wednesday. Displaying depth, Portland contained Chivas USA-leading scorer Erick Torres to just one shot, while maintaining nearly 66 percent of possession in the final 45 minutes of the match.

Holding Chivas USA (2-6-4, 10pts) without a shot until the 35th minute, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and the Timbers registered their first shutout of the season. Ricketts was called into action late into second-half stoppage time, making a leaping save on a free kick from Torres in the final minute of stoppage time. The chance was Chivas USA's only shot on goal as Portland registered its fifth consecutive result over Chivas USA (3-0-2) since 2013.

The Timbers return to the Rose City for a match against Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday at Providence Park; kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (Pacific) with a live broadcast on ROOT SPORTS and a local radio broadcast on 750 The Game.

Notes:

* Following road wins against Chivas USA on Wednesday night and New York Red Bulls on Saturday, the Timbers have registered consecutive road wins for the first time in the team's MLS history.

* Forward Fanendo Adi, who made his first MLS start on Wednesday, became the 10th Timbers MLS player to tally a brace, scoring two goals in the second half against Chivas USA.

* Portland's Adi and forward Maximiliano Urruti, who scored a brace on Saturday against New York, became the second pair of Timbers players to net braces in consecutive matches in the team's MLS history.

* Midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe saw his Timbers MLS club-record streak end at 60 consecutive starts on Wednesday. Nagbe, who entered the match in the 58th minute as a substitute, has appeared in 80 of Portland's 81 matches since the start of the 2012 MLS season.

* Defender Jorge Villafaña registered his first career assist and point as a member of the Timbers on Wednesday against Chivas USA, his former club. Villafaña has made consecutive starts and three straight appearances for Portland.

- Adi, midfielder Michael Nanchoff and defender Danny O'Rourke each made their first starts of the season on Wednesday.

* Portland improved its record against Chivas USA to 4-4-2 all-time in MLS regular-season matches, including a 2-2-1 mark at the StubHub Center.

* The Timbers are unbeaten in six consecutive matches (3-0-3), which ranks as the third-longest active streak in MLS behind Real Salt Lake (12) and New England (7).

* Portland has tallied at least a point in eight of the team's last nine matches.

* Midfielder Rodney Wallace made his first appearance on the gameday roster this season Wednesday night after recovering from offseason knee surgery.

- Rookie defender Taylor Peay made his first appearance on the gameday roster Wednesday.

* Portland's 20 goals ranks tied for fifth in MLS, while the team's 12 second-half goals also rank tied for fifth.

* The Timbers are 2-0-2 when scoring first this season.

* Midfielder Diego Valeri has recorded a point in four of the team's last five matches. Valeri is one of several players tied for third in MLS with four assists.

* Midfielder Diego Chara returned to the lineup after missing two matches following surgery to stabilize a fractured third metacarpal in his left hand sustained against LA Galaxy on May 11.

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