MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Defeat Minnesota United FC 5-1 in 2017 MLS Opener

Published on March 4, 2017 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers defeated Minnesota United FC 5-1 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Friday night, marking the Timbers' largest victory in a season-opening match during the team's MLS era.

Three different players scored for Portland in the win, with forward Fanendo Adi and midfielder Diego Valeri each recording a brace and defender Lawrence Olum scoring his first MLS goal for the club, as the Timbers recorded five goals at home in a regular-season match for the first time in MLS. Additionally, defender Vytas and midfielder Darlington Nagbe recorded their first assists of the season, while midfielder Sebastián Blanco notched his first MLS assist in his regular-season debut, as Portland converted five of its six shots on target.

Attacking early in the game, the Timbers (1-0-0, 3pts) opened the scoring less than 15 minutes into the match when a well-placed free kick from Valeri created the scoring chance for Olum in the 14th minute of play. Valeri's set piece found defender Vytas at the near post, who flicked the ball across the face of goal to Olum for a close-range finish.

Two minutes into the second half, Portland doubled its lead when Valeri scored a whipping header from Blanco's curling cross into the box. The finish occurred after an effective combination play from the Timbers, with Adi receiving defender Alvas Powell's driven pass with his back to goal, before playing the ball out wide for Blanco, who found Valeri at the back post for the header.

Following a finish from United (0-1-0, 0pts) striker Christian Ramirez in the 79th minute, the Timbers scored three goals in the final 11 minutes of the match to extend their lead late in the second half. Just three minutes after Ramirez's goal, Portland struck for its third finish of the game when Adi was brought down by defender Vadim Demidov inside the box, allowing Valeri to score his second goal of the game, with the midfielder burying his effort from the penalty spot into the far left corner.

With Portland continuing to push numbers forward, Adi managed to record his brace in the final three minutes of the game, scoring in the 91st and 93rd minutes, respectively. After surging forward on the counter attack, Nagbe played the ball inside the box to Adi, who cut past Demidov and goalkeeper John Alvbage, before calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net. Two minutes later, Adi picked up the ball inside Minnesota's half, powerfully driving into the box, before blasting a strong left-footed effort into the far corner from the left side of the area.

Next up, the Timbers will hit the road for the first time in 2017, traveling to face the LA Galaxy on Sunday, March 12, at the StubHub Center. The March 12 match will be broadcast live on FS1 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish); kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Pacific). Notes:

- Friday's game marked the 108th consecutive sellout for the Timbers at Providence Park.

- The Timbers are the fourth team in MLS history to score five goals in their season opener, joining the Houston Dynamo (2006), the Tampa Bay Mutiny (2000) and D.C. United (1999).

- For the first time in 103 home MLS regular-season matches, the Timbers scored five goals. Portland's four second-half goals were also the most the club has ever scored in the second half of a home MLS match. Prior to MLS, the last time the Timbers scored five goals at Providence Park was June 19, 2009, against the Minnesota Thunder.

- The five goals scored are the most goals scored by the Timbers in a season opener since 1982, a 5-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

- Portland is undefeated in its last 14 home openers, dating back to the USL era, with a record of 9-0-5.

- Lawrence Olum scored his first MLS goal for the Portland Timbers and the first goal of the 2017 MLS regular season.

- Olum scored seven goals in his first stint with the Timbers in the USL era from 2007-2008. Olum's goal was his first with the club since Aug. 22, 2008.

- Diego Valeri scored for the second consecutive home opener for the Timbers. Valeri is the first Timbers player to score in consecutive home or season openers in MLS play.

- For the fifth time in his Portland career, Valeri scored two goals in a single match.

- Fanendo Adi notched a brace for the 12th time in his Portland Timbers career, which is the most in the club's MLS history.

- Since making his debut on May 17, 2014, Adi's 12 multi-goal games are the second-most in MLS play in that timespan behind only New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (14).

- Adi now has the second-most goals across all eras in Timbers history with 43, ranking just two goals behind John Bain (45). Valeri's 39 goals move him into fourth place on the team's all-time scoring list.

- Dating back to last season, Adi has scored in six consecutive home matches for the Timbers. Portland has won all six of those matches.

- Friday's match was the first time the Timbers have had multiple players score two goals in a single MLS match.

- Friday's match was the 44th time a team from Minnesota has faced off against the Portland Timbers since 1976.

- Sebastián Blanco and David Guzmán made their regular-season debuts for the Timbers, with Blanco recording his first MLS assist.

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 Portland will hit the road for the first time in 2017, traveling to face the LA Galaxy on Sunday, March 12, at the StubHub Center. The March 12 match will be broadcast live on FS1 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish); kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Pacific).

Portland Timbers (1-0-0, 3pts) vs. Minnesota United FC (0-1-0, 0pts) March 3, 2017 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F Minnesota United FC 0 1 1 Portland Timbers 1 4 5

Scoring Summary: POR: Olum (Vytas, Valeri), 14 POR: Valeri (Blanco), 47 MIN: Ramirez (Venegas), 79 POR: Valeri (Penalty kick), 82 POR: Adi (Nagbe), 90+1 POR: Adi, 90+3

Misconduct Summary: POR: Chara (Caution), 24 MIN: Venegas (Caution), 81

Lineups & Stats: POR: GK Gleeson, D Powell, D Olum, D Ridgewell ©, D Vytas, M Guzmán, M Chara, M Blanco (Asprilla, 75), M Valeri (Mattocks, 85), M Nagbe, F Adi

Substitutes Not Used: GK Attinella, D Myers, D Okugo, D Farfan, M Barmby

TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Valeri, Adi 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Adi, 3); FOULS: 11 (Guzmán, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 1

MIN: GK Alvbage, D Calvo, D Demidov ©, D Davis, D Taylor, M Schuller (Ramirez, 68), M Saeid, M Warner, F Venegas, F Kadrii (Ibarra, 87), F Molino

Substitutes Not Used: GK McLain, D Brent Kallman, D Venegas, M Ibson, M Martin

TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Molino, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Molino, Ramirez 1); FOULS: 12 (Venegas, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 1

Referee: Chris Penso Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Cameron Blanchard 4th Official: Baboucarr Jallow Attendance: 21,144 Weather: Rain, 48 degrees

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