MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Extend Unbeaten Run to Seven After Draw with Revolution

Published on May 3, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers extended their MLS-club record unbeaten streak to seven games, playing the New England Revolution to a scoreless draw before a sellout crowd of 20,674 at JELD-WEN Field on Thursday night.

The Timbers (3-1-5, 14pts) controlled the run of play against the Revolution, maintaining 67.4 percent of the possession, attempting a season-high nine corner kicks and holding a 22-12 edge in shots with nine shots on goal. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts recorded four saves, including two key saves in the final minutes of the match to preserve Portland's third shutout in the last five games in a 0-0 draw.

Ricketts recorded his 35th MLS career shutout, forward Darlington Nagbe attempted a team-high five shots and midfielder Diego Valeri recorded four shots in the draw for the Timbers, who move into a tie for second place with the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference. The Timbers' seven-game unbeaten streak is tied for the longest in MLS this season.

Portland has recorded three straight shutouts at JELD-WEN Field, and has held opponents scoreless for 300 consecutive minutes dating back to March 9. Ricketts made a diving save in the 85th minute, getting an out-stretched hand to a shot from Revolution forward Saer Sene aimed at the bottom right corner to help preserve the shutout.

Goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth made a career-high nine saves to earn his third shutout of the season and midfielder Kelyn Rowe recorded a team-best five shots for the Revolution (2-3-3, 9pts).

The Timbers generated 12 shots and seven corner kicks in the first half - a season-high for corner kick attempts in a half. Nagbe had two of the Timbers quality looks on goal in the opening half, forcing Shuttleworth into a save on a breakaway in the 15th minute and put a deflected corner kick just over the goal at the half hour mark.

Forward Ryan Johnson nearly converted a cross from forward Rodney Wallace in the 52nd minute as the Timbers continued to put pressure on the Revolution defense in the second half. Portland attempted seven shots over the final 20 minutes of the match, putting five of those attempts on goal.

Second-half sub Frederic Piquionne's header off a free-kick play was saved in the top left corner in the 70th minute. Shuttleworth also recorded saves on each of the Timbers final four shots of the night, including efforts by Valeri and midfielder Diego Chara inside the final 10 minutes and stoppage time attempts from midfielder Kalif Alhassan and defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste.

The Timbers visit Western Conference leader FC Dallas in their next match Wednesday, May 8, at FC Dallas Stadium; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific). The matchup will be broadcast on ROOT SPORTS, with radio broadcasts available on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.

Notes:

* The capacity crowd of 20,674 on Thursday marked the Timbers 39th consecutive sellout at JELD-WEN Field since joining MLS in 2011. * Eight-year-old Atticus, who starred in the Timbers Make-A-Wish match on Wednesday at JELD-WEN Field scoring four goals, enjoyed a one-of-a-kind match day experience on Thursday as part of his Make-A-Wish experience. Among the highlights, Atticus helped capo the Timbers Army, joined the team for its post-game walk around the field to thank the fans and participated in the post-game log ceremony with the players and mascot Timber Joey. * With the draw, the Timbers extend their MLS-club record unbeaten streak to seven games. The Timbers are tied with FC Dallas for the longest unbeaten run in MLS this season. * The Timbers and Revolution met for the lone time during the 2013 regular season. The two sides have split the all-time MLS series at 1-1-2, and Portland remains unbeaten (1-0-1) against New England at JELD-WEN Field. * Portland matched its MLS club record for shots in a game (22), first set Oct. 19, 2011, at D.C. United. * The club's seven first-half corner kicks marked a season-high for corner kicks in a single half, and the nine total corner kicks Thursday was also a season-high. * The Timbers' 12 shots in the first half were the most shot attempts the club has taken in the first half of a match this season. The total was one shy of the club's season-high for shots in a half - 13 in the second half against New York on March 3. * In the draw against New England, the Timbers recorded a third straight shutout at home. The club has held opponents at JELD-WEN Field scoreless for 300 consecutive minutes dating back to March 9 against Montreal. * Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts recorded his third shutout in six career matches against the Revolution and his clean sheet on Thursday marked the 35th shutout of his MLS career. * The nine saves by Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth equaled an all-time high for an opponent against the MLS Timbers. Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei also recorded nine saves against Portland on July 30, 2011. * Thursday's scoreless draw marked the first time in nine games this season in which the Timbers were held scoreless. The Timbers entered the match as one of two clubs in MLS yet to be shutout this season. * Darlington Nagbe's five shots against the Revolution were one short of the season-high by a Timbers player this season. Diego Valeri holds the mark for most shots in a single game this season at six - done twice. * Defender Mikael Silvestre left the match early in the second half with a knee injury and will be further evaluated. * Defender Jack Jewsbury made the 265th regular-season appearance of his MLS career, making his second consecutive start at left back for the Timbers this season in the match against the Revolution.

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