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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Draw Chicago Fire in Preseason Match

February 26, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers continued preseason play in the 2015 Simple Invitational with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire in front of 10,417 fans at Providence Park on Wednesday night.

Wednesday's match marked the second of three matches for the Timbers in the team's annual preseason tournament and Portland's penultimate preseason game before kicking off the MLS regular-season schedule on Saturday, March 7, against Western Conference foe Real Salt Lake at Providence Park.

After Portland (1-1-3 in preseason) saw consecutive attempts saved in the 16th and 17th minutes as midfielder Dairon Asprilla turned a well-struck header on goal and midfielder George Fochive put a long-range shot on target - the Timbers grabbed a 1-0 lead off a free kick from midfielder Michael Nanchoff.

Forward GastÃ"n Fernández set up the free kick by drawing a foul at the right edge of the penalty box in the 22nd minute. Nanchoff stepped up and his left-footed effort glanced off Chicago midfielder Alex before beating goalkeeper Sean Johnson inside the upper left corner.

Eighteen players saw action for the Timbers on Wednesday night as Portland has earned a positive result in four of the team's five preseason matches in 2015. Defensively, the Timbers have conceded just three goals in five matches.

Chicago (1-0-3 in preseason) knotted the score at 1-1 moments before halftime when Timbers defender Norberto Paparatto redirected a Fire corner kick into Portland's net for an own goal in the 44th minute. The Fire also deployed 18 different players throughout Wednesday night's match.

Portland outshot Chicago 12-11 in the match, as the teams finished tied with four shots on goal apiece.

Substitute midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe saw a chance for a stoppage-time winner, but his low shot from the top of the penalty box was smothered by Johnson in the final minute of second-half stoppage time.

Portland concludes preseason play on Saturday, Feb. 28, against Norwegian Tippeligaen side Stabæk at Providence Park in the final match of the 2015 Simple Invitational; kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be streamed live on www.timbers.com. The Chicago Fire square off against Vancouver in Saturday's first match; kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Notes:

- Portland head coach Caleb Porter utilized a starting lineup on Wednesday night that featured 10 different players from Sunday's 2015 Simple Invitational opener against Vancouver.

- Forward GastÃ"n Fernández was the only Portland player to start both Sunday and Wednesday night's matches.

- Defender Norberto Paparatto wore the captain's armband for Portland on Wednesday night against the Fire.

- Midfielder Michael Nanchoff's first-half goal marked the team's 40th preseason goal in its five MLS seasons.

Next Game

The Timbers conclude preseason play in the 2015 Simple Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 28, against Stabæk at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday's match will be streamed live on www.timbers.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 26, 2015


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