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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Earn 1-0 Shutout Win over Nashville SC at Providence Park

March 8, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers registered an early first-half goal to secure a 1-0 win against Nashville SC, earning their first clean sheet of the 2020 campaign in front of 25,218 fans at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Diego Valeri tallied his second goal of the season, notching the game-winner in the 12th minute, while Andy Polo recorded his first assist of 2020 in the team's first victory of the campaign.

Against Expansion Sides

Overall, the Timbers are 6-4-2 against expansion teams in their first league campaign. With the win, Portland improved to 4-1-1 all-time at home against MLS expansion teams in their first season. When playing an expansion team for the first time, Portland has posted a record of 5-3-1.

Duvall Debut, Polo Assist

Chris Duvall and Polo earned their first starts of the 2020 season. Sunday's match also marked Duvall's debut with the Timbers in MLS regular-season play. Polo recorded his first assist of the season and the fourth of his Timbers career.

Valeri's Second Tally

With his goal against Nashville, Valeri has now scored against 22 different MLS teams in his Timbers career. The goal was his second of the season and the 78th of his MLS career. He needs two more goals to reach 80-plus goals and 80-plus assists for his career, which would make him the third player in MLS history to reach this milestone.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Diego Valeri (Andy Polo), 12th minute: After controlling a spell of possession early in the match, Polo delivered a header from the edge of the box to Valeri, who sent a dipping strike from inside the box into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Notes:

Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese recorded his 30th regular-season victory as an MLS coach in the match.

Nashville SC is the 108th club that Portland has faced since their original 1975 season.

Diego Valeri is the second Timbers player in the club's MLS era and the fifth in all eras of the club to score in each of the club's first two games of the season.

Nashville is the 22nd different MLS team that Valeri has scored against in his career with Portland.

Valeri is one of eight MLS players to have scored in multiple games this season.

Chris Duvall made his Timbers debut in the match, starting and playing 90 minutes.

Andy Polo delivered his first assist of the season and the fourth of his Timbers career.

Steve Clark registered the ninth shutout of his career with Portland, which is tied for the 10th most clean sheets in team history.

Jeremy Ebobisse has played in 55 consecutive matches in all competitions, dating back to the 2017 season.

Next Game

The Timbers play their first road match of the season on Sunday, March 15, against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. (Pacific), the match features a regional television broadcast on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Portland Timbers (1-1-0, 3pts) vs. Nashville SC (0-2-0, 0pts)

March 8, 2020 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Nashville SC 0 0 0

Portland Timbers 1 0 1

Scoring Summary:

POR: Valeri (Polo), 12

Misconduct Summary:

POR: Mabiala (caution), 5

NSH: Lovitz (caution), 29

POR: Chara (caution), 84

POR: Duvall (caution), 90+1

Lineups:

POR: GK Clark, D Duvall, D Mabiala, D Zuparic, D Villafaña, M Polo, M Chara, M Y Chara (Ebobisse, 74), M Valeri © (Paredes, 63), M Blanco, F Mora

Substitutes Not Used: GK Ivacic, D Cascante, D Farfan, M Williamson, M Asprilla

TOTAL SHOTS: 3 (Three players tied, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Valeri, Mora, 1); FOULS: 9 (Chara, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 4

NSH: GK Willis, D Miller, D Zimmerman, D Romney, D Lovitz, M McCarty ©, M Godoy, M Accam (Danladi, 61 (Medranda, 82)), M Mukhtar, M Leal, F Badji (Ríos, 71)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Zendejas, D Anibaba, D Beckeles, M Jones

TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Leal, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Four players tied, 1); FOULS: 13 (McCarty, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 1

Referee: Armando Villarreal

Assistant Referees: Jose Da Silva, Chris Elliott

4th Official: Guido Gonzales Jr.

VAR: Ricardo Salazar

Attendance: 25,218

Weather: Clear, 50 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

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