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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Earn 1-0 Shutout on the Road against New York City FC

April 20, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


NEW YORK - The Portland Timbers registered a 1-0 shutout victory against MLS-expansion side New York City FC as winger Dairon Asprilla tallied the game-winning goal in the second half and goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey made five saves to earn the clean sheet in front of 21,891 fans at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night.

The Timbers (2-2-3, 9pts) turned in a strong second-half performance to collect the full three points against NYCFC (1-3-3, 6pts) and improved their record on the road against teams from the Eastern Conference to 5-2-4 over the last two-plus seasons. With the clean sheet, Portland has logged a shutout in three of its last four road games, dating back to the 2014 season. The win also marked Portland's first road victory this season (1-1-1) and helped the Timbers improve their record immediate following a loss to 9-2-5 overall since 2013.

Portland (2-2-3, 9pts) attempted 12 shots, including nine in the second half, and Asprilla netted the game-winning goal in the 79th minute with a powerful strike from the top of the penalty box. Midfielder Darlington Nagbe set up Asprilla's effort with a mazy run into the box, holding off several defenders before tapping a pass to second-half substitute Gastón Fernández. Asprilla entered the play just as a NYCFC defender touched the ball into his path and his volley from the top of the box glanced off another defender before settling in the back of the net.

Kwarasey registered his third clean sheet in seven appearances this season, collecting five saves, including back-to-back stops on NYCFC forward Khiry Shelton in the 88th and 89th minute.

For the second straight match, the Timbers compiled a passing accuracy above 80 percent (81.2), while also holding their opponent to five or fewer shots on goal for the 10th straight game, dating back to the 2014 season.

Continuing its road swing, Portland squares off against Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, April 26, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle; kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific). Sunday's match will be carried live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on La GranD 93.5 FM.

Notes:

- With the win, Portland improved its record to 9-2-5 overall immediately following a loss since the 2013 season.

- The Timbers compiled a passing accuracy above 80 percent (81.2) for the second straight match.

- Portland improved its record on the road against teams from the Eastern Conference to 5-2-4 since 2013.

- Winger Ishmael Yartey, who is on loan from FC Sion in Switzerland, made his first start and appearance for Portland on Sunday, playing 74 minutes.

- Defender Liam Ridgewell made his 22nd consecutive start since joining Portland on June 25, 2014, the longest current streak for the Timbers.

- Winger Dairon Asprilla tallied his first goal for the Timbers (and in MLS) on Sunday night. Asprilla's goal was the game-winner for Portland in the 79th minute.

- Sunday's match marked Portland's first-ever meeting with New York City FC and just the second-ever time the Timbers have played a match in New York City. Portland's only previous game in the Big Apple came on July 16, 1975, in a 2-1 win over the New York Cosmos during the NASL era.

- Portland has lost just 11 road matches (11-11-15) since 2013, three fewer than any other team in MLS over that span of time.

- Defender Nat Borchers made the 295th appearance of his MLS career on Sunday night.

- Midfielder Jack Jewsbury marked his 250th career MLS start on Sunday against NYCFC.

- Portland has registered a clean sheet in three of its last four road games, dating back to the 2014 season.

Next Game

Portland squares off against Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, April 26, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle; kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific). Sunday's match will be carried live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on La GranD 93.5 FM.

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