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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Earn Comeback Win at New York

May 25, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


HARRISON, N.J. - The Portland Timbers overcame an early deficit to earn their first road victory of the season with a 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls, extending their unbeaten streak to five consecutive matches in front of 19,513 fans at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night.

Despite conceding the opening goal on a first-half penalty kick, Portland responded with two unanswered goals while earning its first road win of the 2014 season, and its first-ever win at Red Bull Arena. Forward Maximiliano Urruti, who became the ninth Timbers MLS player - and second this season - to register a brace, netted the game-winning goal with a low drive inside the far left post following a deflected cross from defender Jorge Villafaña in the 74th minute.

Portland (2-3-7, 13pts) has come from behind to register a result in four of five matches during its unbeaten streak. With the win, the Timbers have earned a result in seven of their last eight matches.

Holding a dangerous New York attacking corps without a goal from the run of play, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made five saves, including a critical stop in the 49th minute on forward Bradley Wright-Phillips. Finding room inside the penalty box, the English forward couldn't lift his shot over Ricketts as the goalkeeper went to ground and got a hand to the effort. Just minutes later, Ricketts made another stop, this time on forward Thierry Henry.

With the victory, the Timbers are unbeaten in back-to-back matches against the Red Bulls dating back to the 2013 season and have yet to lose a match against an Eastern Conference opponent this season (2-0-4).

Entering the match with consecutive losses, New York (3-5-5, 14pts) pressured the Timbers early and grabbed the lead in the 36th minute as the referee determined that Portland committed a foul in the penalty box. Wright-Phillips converted the penalty kick for his 10th goal of the season, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. The Timbers have been called for a league-high six penalty kicks in 12 matches this season.

Urruti knotted the score at 1-1 moments before halftime with a quick shot from just outside the penalty box that deflected off defender Armando and caught New York goalkeeper Luis Robles off balance. Steve Zakuani, who has registered an assist in consecutive matches, threaded a pass to Urruti on the left side of the box following good pressure from Portland that forced a Red Bulls turnover on the flank. With the goal, Urruti has scored in consecutive matches and has logged a goal in three of the last four games for the Timbers.

Searching for the go-ahead goal in the second half, midfielder Will Johnson saw a low drive off a free kick in the 69th minute saved by Robles as the rebound fell just out of the reach of midfielder Ben Zemanski in front of the goal. Just minutes later, Johnson drove another free kick just over the crossbar with a strong effort.

With Portland holding a 2-1 lead late in the match, substitute defender Norberto Paparatto blocked back-to-back shots from Henry in the 85th minute, including blocking the French striker's initial effort off the goal line.

Urruti and Zakuani each finished with three shots in the match, while Portland and New York ended the game with 36 fouls and eight yellow cards combined.

Portland faces a quick turnaround with a midweek match against Chivas USA on Wednesday at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Wednesday's match will be broadcast on KPDX, instead of the originally scheduled KPTV FOX 12. A local radio broadcast will be available on 750 The Game.

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