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Portland Timbers

Timbers Extend Unbeaten Streak with 3-0 Win Over Revolution

September 17, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - First-half goals by midfielder Diego Chara and forward Kenny Cooper led the way as the Portland Timbers defeated the New England Revolution 3-0 on Friday night at JELD-WEN Field. The 20,323 fans on hand set a new Timbers' MLS record for attendance as the club recorded its 15th consecutive league sellout.

With the win, the Timbers (10-12-6, 36pts) moved into the Wildcard playoff picture, taking over the 10th and final playoff spot. Portland and the Houston Dynamo, who currently occupy the ninth spot, are even on 36 points, but Houston holds the edge on tiebreakers.

After Chara's opening goal in the 9th minute, the Timbers claimed a 2-0 lead in the 32nd minute on a strike by Cooper - his 45th career MLS goal. Rookie midfielder Darlington Nagbe headed in his second goal of the season in the 66th minute to help Portland secure the win and extend its unbeaten run to four games.

Anchored by goalkeeper Troy Perkins' two saves, the Timbers set a franchise record with their third straight shutout and also set a new franchise mark for consecutive minutes played without allowing a goal at 272 minutes, surpassing the old record of 255 minutes set back in May.

Perkins logged his eighth shutout of the season, Cooper scored his fifth goal, midfielder Kalif Alhassan recorded his sixth assist, Chara netted his second goal on the campaign and defenders Mike Chabala and Lovel Palmer each notched assists for the Timbers as they recorded their fourth straight win at home.

Forward Milton Caraglio and midfielder Shalrie Joseph combined for seven shots and goalkeeper Matt Reis made two saves for the Revolution (5-12-12, 27pts) as their four-game unbeaten streak came to an end in the loss.

An early goal by Chara staked the Timbers to a 1-0 lead. A hard-working effort by midfielder Sal Zizzo saved a long cross from going over the endline and the ball was gathered by Palmer on the right wing. Palmer found Chara in the box along the far post. On Chara's second touch, he snuck a shot by Reis, who was charging off his line, just inside the right post for his second goal in four games.

The Timbers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 32nd minute. Inside the box, Chabala collected a long pass in on the left side and worked his way to the left edge of the six-yard box before chipping the ball across the goal mouth. Cooper had the advantage on this marker as he crashed into the box and, with his knee, knocked the ball into the back of the net.

In the second half, a build-up down the left side connected Alhassan even at the top of the box. With time on the ball, Alhassan delivered a cross in to Nagbe near the spot. Nagbe headed in an uncontested look into the top right corner of the goal in the 66th minute to lift the Timbers to a 3-0 lead.

Facing a second home match in a six-day span, the Timbers play host to the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. live on ROOT SPORTS.

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