MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Edged on Stoppage-Time Goal in 2-1 Loss against Vancouver

Published on March 28, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


VANCOUVER, B.C. - The Portland Timbers dominated possession, logged an MLS season-high in passing accuracy and battled back from a halftime deficit with a goal in the 82nd minute to level the match, but a game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time lifted Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a 2-1 victory in front of 22,500 fans at BC Place on Saturday night.

Portland (0-1-3, 3pts) maintained 66 percent of possession throughout the match and finished with an MLS season-best 88-percent passing accuracy - completing 448 of 510 total passes - but Cascadia-rival Vancouver took a first-half lead in the 15th minute. Midfielder Nicolás Mezquida curled a free kick over Portland's defensive wall and just inside the near left post for an early advantage.

Applying constant pressure against a defensive-minded Vancouver (3-1-0, 9pts) side, the Timbers found the game-tying goal in the 82nd minute. Midfielder Darlington Nagbe unlocked the Whitecaps FC defense with a through ball into the penalty box for midfielder Rodney Wallace, whose short cross in front of goal was tipped by Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted into the path of forward Fanendo Adi. The forward netted his third goal in four matches this season, finishing from close range.

Portland saw two chances to grab a late lead as substitute midfielder Dairon Asprilla saw a close-range header bounce just over the crossbar in the 89th minute. Moments later, Adi was played into the penalty box, took a touch and unleashed a right-footed effort, but Ousted made a point-blank stop. Following the save, Whitecaps FC captured the game-winning goal as midfielder Pedro Morales threaded a pass through the Timbers defense to substitute forward Robert Earnshaw. In a one-on-one situation, Earnshaw slotted a shot past Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey, giving the home side its second straight stoppage-time win.

With the loss, Portland saw its 11-match unbeaten streak against Western Conference sides snapped. The result also marked the Timbers first-ever loss at BC Place in the team's MLS era (3-1-2). For the second time in four matches to start the season, Portland held an opponent without a corner kick.

According to Opta, Portland's 66-percent possession against Vancouver on Saturday marked the highest margin earned by an MLS team thus far during the 2015 season, while the Timbers passing accuracy in the attacking third of the field (77 percent) also ranks as a 2015 MLS season high.

The Timbers saw several close chances to tie the match before Adi's equalizer. Defender Liam Ridgewell flicked a header off a corner kick just wide of the right post in the 33rd minute, while Wallace had a close-range shot blocked by midfielder Gershon Koffie in the 67th minute and Asprilla delivered a side volley from near the penalty spot that also was blocked in the 75th minute. Nagbe unleashed a shot from distance that forced Ousted into a diving save in the 70th minute.

The Timbers return home to face off against FC Dallas on Saturday, April 4, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday's match will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on La GranD 93.5 FM.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 28, 2015


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