MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Defeat C.D. Dragon 2-1 in 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF

Published on September 28, 2016 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Playing their second match in four days, the Portland Timbers scored two second-half goals to defeat C.D. Dragon 2-1 in the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday night. Forward Fanendo Adi opened the scoring for the Timbers, while midfielder Darlington Nagbe scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute.

With the result, the Timbers (2-1-0, 6pts CCL) can advance out of the group stage and into the knockout round for the first time in team history with a win against Deportivo Saprissa in their final group-stage match on Oct. 19 at Providence Park.

Following C.D. Dragon's (0-3-1, 1pt CCL) opening goal in the 54th minute - a finish from midfielder Kevin Melara from inside the 18-yard box - Portland equalized the score with 11 minutes remaining in the match when Adi powered a left-footed strike into the back of the net from inside the box after collecting a poor clearance by Dragon. The goal marked Adi's 17th tally in all competitions this season.

Continuing to press forward, Portland took the lead in the final minute of the match when Nagbe scored his second free-kick finish in all competitions this season, curling a precise long-range effort past C.D. Dragon goalkeeper Henry Hernandez and into the top left corner. The goal signified Nagbe's first career finish in CONCACAF Champions League play.

Outshooting Dragon 12-2 in the match, including a 7-2 edge in shots on target, the Timbers created a number of scoring opportunities throughout the game, including midfielder Ned Grabaoy's chance, which forced a goal-line clearance in the 72nd minute of play. In the 88th minute, Adi headed the ball down to midfielder Diego Valeri with his back to goal, creating a clear chance for the midfielder, who forced a strong, point-blank save from Hernandez with two minutes remaining in the game.

Earlier in the match, Nagbe and midfielder Diego Chara combined in the middle of the field, leading to a well-placed through ball from Nagbe to forward Jack McInerney in the 28th minute. In a one-on-one situation with Hernandez, McInerney charged into the box, hitting his final effort just wide of the near post, while a powerful effort from Nagbe early in the second half forced a strong parry from Hernandez in the 55th minute of play.

Next up, the Timbers will return to league play on Saturday, Oct. 1, when it travels to face the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, beginning at 6 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday's match will feature a live broadcast on PDX TV (KPDX) with local radio broadcasts on KUFO 970AM and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Notes:

* Midfielder Diego Valeri recorded his 13th goal in MLS this season, which ranks tied for the sixth-most in the league in 2016.

* The Timbers have scored 21 goals in seven all-time CONCACAF Champions League matches.

* With the win, Portland's record in CONCACAF Champions League matches is 5-2-0, including a 2-2-0 away record.

* Midfielder Darlington Nagbe scored his first career goal in CONCACAF Champions League play.

* Nagbe is the 14th different player to score a CONCACAF Champions League goal for the club.

* Forward Fanendo Adi scored in CONCACAF Champions League play for the second time this season. The goal was Adi's fourth goal in the competition since joining Portland in 2014.

* Adi is the first player to score competitive goals in five different countries for the Timbers, having scored in the United States, Canada, Guyana, Costa Rica and El Salvador.

* Adi has scored 17 competitive goals in 2016, one shy of the club's all-time record for competitive goals scored in a single season.

* Adi is the only player to appear in all seven of the Timbers' CONCACAF Champions League matches, dating back to 2014.

Postgame Quote Sheet Quotes with reaction to the match from coaches and players from both clubs can be accessed when ready.

Postgame Sound Postgame sound can be accessed when ready.

Video Highlights Highlights of the match can be viewed.

Next Game The Timbers will return to league play on Saturday, Oct. 1, when it travels to face the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, beginning at 6 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday's match will feature a live broadcast on PDX TV (KPDX) with local radio broadcasts on KUFO 970AM and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Portland Timbers (1-1-0, 3pts CCL) vs. C.D. Dragon (0-2-1, 1pts CCL) Sept. 27, 2016 - Estadio Cuscatlan (San Salvador, El Salvador)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Timbers 0 2 2 C.D. Dragon 0 1 1

Scoring Summary: CD: Melara (Jack), 54 POR: Adi, 79 POR: Nagbe, 90

Misconduct Summary: CD: Rodriguez (Caution), 11 CD Jack (Caution), 31 POR: Ridgewell (Caution), 76 POR: McInerney (Caution), 89 POR: Adi (Caution), 90+5

Lineups & Stats: POR: GK Gleeson, D Powell, D S. Taylor, D Ridgewell (c), D Valentin, M Chara, M Zemanski (Adi, 60), M Nagbe, M Valeri (Okugo, 90), M Grabavoy (Barmby, 76), F McInerney

Substitutes Not Used: GK Konopka, D J. Taylor, D Peay, M Jewsbury, M Okugo

TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Valeri, McIneney, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Nagbe, Valeri, 2); FOULS: 17 (Ridgewell, 5); OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 1

CD: GK Hernandez, D Benitez, D Hernandez, D Polio, M Lopez (Lopez, 77), M Jack, M Lizama, M Melara (Posadas, 69), F Rodriguez (Valencia, 86), F Howell

Substitutes Not Used: GK Sanchez, M Bely, M Portillo, M Benitez

TOTAL SHOTS: 5 (Howell, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Melara, Howell, 1); FOULS: 21 (Rodriguez, 5); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 4

Referee: Jose Kellys Assistant Referees: Ronald Bruna, Gabriel Victoria 4th Official: Jafeh Perea Weather: Partly cloudy, 72 degrees

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 28, 2016


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