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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Fall 1-0 on the Road to Minnesota United FC

August 4, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. - Beginning a stretch of three games in an seven-day span, the Portland Timbers conceded a late goal on a penalty kick, falling 1-0 on the road to Minnesota United FC in front of 19,726 fans at Allianz Field on Sunday afternoon. The two teams will square off again on Wednesday, Aug. 7, in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Recent form

The 1-0 result against Minnesota marked the Timbers' first loss in all competitions since June 26, snapping a seven-game unbeaten run (5-0-2). During the seven-game span, Portland recorded four shutout wins, outscoring its opponents, 12-4. Notably, the Timbers (9-9-4, 31pts) recorded three consecutive road wins during that span, with victories at New York City FC (July 7), Los Angeles FC (July 10) and Seattle Sounders FC (July 21).

Key plays

The Timbers nearly grabbed an early lead in the third minute of the match. Brian Fernandez put pressure on Romain Métanire and created a turnover, surging forward and slotting a pass to Sebastián Blanco making a late run down the left side of the box. Blanco received the pass and fired a low, hard shot toward the right post that just missed the target.

Pushing for the opening goal, Blanco picked up the ball just outside the box and unleashed a long-range strike in the 16th minute, forcing a finger-tip save by Minnesota goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

Portland generated consecutive chances in the 30th minute. Fernandez again created a turnover and played the ball down the right side of the box with several players making a run toward goal. Jorge Moreira fired a shot from close range and Mannone made the save. Blanco pounced on the rebound, but again Mannone made the stop.

The Timbers nearly grabbed the lead in the 78th minute. Jeremy Ebobisse received the ball inside the box and laid it off for Fernandez, who hit a one-time shot from the edge of the box that rattled the inside of the right post.

In the 81st minute, Portland quickly switched the point of attack, playing the ball out wide on the left side to Jorge Villafaña, who sent a cross to the center of the box. Julio Cascante jumped and sent a header toward goal, but Mannone pushed the ball over the crossbar.

Minnesota was awarded a penalty kick in the 90th minute after VAR judged that the Timbers committed a handball on a header inside the box from Ike Opara. In second-half stoppage time, Ethan Finlay stepped to the spot and Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark dove to his right to get a touch to the attempt, but Finlay converted to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.

Notes:

Diego Chara played in his 250th regular-season match for the Timbers.

Chara is the seventh player in MLS history to play 250 or more games, while playing his entire career with one MLS club.

Jeremy Ebobisse has now played in 39 consecutive matches for Portland in all competitions, which ranks as the fourth-longest active streak among MLS field players.

Jorge Moreira won all five of his duels. He is the first Timbers player in the 2019 season to have five or more duels and win them all.

Allianz Field is the 107th different away stadium Portland has played a league match in since the club's founding in 1975. It is the fifth different stadium the Timbers have played at in Minnesota, joining the NSC Stadium, Metropolitan Stadium, the Metrodome and TCF Bank Stadium.

Next game

The Timbers square off against Minnesota United FC for the second time in four days in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn. Beginning at 5 p.m. (Pacific), the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Portland Timbers (9-9-4, 31pts) vs. Minnesota United FC (11-7-5, 38pts)

Aug. 4, 2019 - Allianz Field (St. Paul, Minn.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Minnesota United FC 0 1 1

Portland Timbers 0 0 0

Scoring Summary:

MIN: Finlay (penalty kick), 90+2

Misconduct Summary:

POR: Mabiala (caution), 39

POR: Clark (caution), 50

POR: Chara (caution), 53

POR: Cascante (caution), 58

MIN: Boxall (caution), 75

Lineups:

POR: GK Clark, D Moreira, D Mabiala, D Cascante, D Villafaña, M Paredes (Conechny, 90+2), M Chara, M Loría (Ebobisse, 70), M Valeri ©, M Blanco, F Fernandez

Substitutes Not Used: GK McIntosh, D Dielna, D Valentin, M Zambrano, M Polo

TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Fernandez, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Fernandez, 2); FOULS: 15 (Mabiala, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 3

MIN: GK Mannone, D Métanire, D Opara, D Boxall, D Gasper, M Gregus, M Alonso ©, M Finlay, M Molino (Danladi, 77), M Ibarra (Lod, 65), F Rodríguez (Toye, 65)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Shuttleworth, D Kallman, M Dotson, M Olum

TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Gregus, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Four players tied, 1); FOULS: 7 (Gasper, 4); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 5

Referee: Chris Penso

Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Cory Richardson

4th Official: Ted Unkel

VAR: Jorge Gonzalez

Attendance: 19,726

Weather: Partly cloudy, 87 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

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