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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Fall 1-0 to Chivas USA on the Road

July 18, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA received a first-half goal from midfielder Miller Bolaños and a third straight shut-out performance from goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to defeat the Portland Timbers 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon in front of 13,827 at The Home Depot Center.

Bolaños struck for the game's lone goal in the 16th minute, converting a free ball in the box after Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins pushed away a dangerous ball played by Chivas USA midfielder Ryan Smith. The Timbers had the better of the scoring chances in the second half, but the Chivas USA defense held firm through Portland's 13 second-half shots to preserve the 1-0 win. Chivas USA played the final six minutes of the match with only 10 players due to a late injury to midfielder Peter Vagenas.

Bolaños scored his first career MLS goal and attempted a team-high five shots and Smith took four shots as Chivas USA (6-7-5, 23pts) extended its unbeaten streak to four matches. Kennedy, recently named a 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star, logged two saves to earn his third consecutive shutout and sixth overall on the campaign.

Midfielder Eric Alexander and defender Steven Smith combined for five shots to lead the second-half push for the Timbers (5-10-4, 19pts). Portland registered seven of its 13 second-half shots over the final nine minutes of the contest, but could not find the equalizer and was handed a fourth straight road loss.

Chivas USA claimed an early lead on the goal by Bolaños. Midfielder Nick LaBrocca initiated the play with a long ball from midfield to Smith on the right flank. Smith worked by a Timbers defender a put a threatening ball near the goal box. Perkins was able to push the ball off course with a diving effort, but the it fell on to the path of an open Bolaños on the back side, and Bolaños knocked it into an open net.

The Timbers had their chances at the equalizer in the second half, including an early opportunity by midfielder Darlington Nagbe on a header that missed just wide of the left post in the 52nd minute.

Alexander had two shots within a six minute span just after the hour mark. He and midfielder Jack Jewsbury had a one-two combo in the right side of the box that set Alexander up for a shot that narrowly missed wide of the near post. Alexander then forced Kennedy into a save in the 69th minute with an effort from the top of the box.

In the 85th minute, Smith served a ball over the top to lead striker Kris Boyd in behind the Chivas USA backline. Boyd's left-footed volley from 15 yards out was pushed just wide of the right post. Smith then had a curling shot from inside the box off a broken play miss wide of the right post in second-half stoppage time.

Portland's defense held Chivas USA to just two shots on goal during the match. Perkins made his only save in the second half on a header from Chivas USA forward Juan Pablo Angel at the top of the six-yard box in the 61st minute.

The Timbers continue a two-game road trip Saturday when they visit FC Dallas at FC Dallas Stadium at 6 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday's match will be televised live on KPTV, across Oregon on the Portland Timbers Television Network and in Spanish on Estrella TV. Radio broadcasts will be available on 750 AM The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

Notes:

* The match against Chivas USA was the second of five games in 15 days for the Timbers as they close out their July schedule. * The Timbers and Chivas USA met for the second of three regular-season meetings on Wednesday in the only matchup between the clubs in Southern California. The Timbers are 1-2-1 in the all-time MLS series against Chivas USA. * The Timbers and Chivas USA wrap up their regular-season series July 28 at JELD-WEN Field. * Portland played its first of three Wednesday matches this season. Since joining MLS in 2011, the Timbers are 2-2-2 in Wednesday games. * The Timbers defense held Chivas USA to only a pair of shots on goal Wednesday, matching a season-low by a Timbers opponent in 2012. * Portland's 13 shots in the second half matched a season-high for shots in a half, which was first set in the second half of the club's season-opening win over the Philadelphia Union on March 12. The Timbers' second-half shot totals marked the third time this season, and first on the road, in which the club recorded 10 or more shots in a half. The Timbers' MLS record for shots in a half is 17 set in the second half on Oct. 17, 2011, at D.C. United. * Against Chivas USA, the Timbers wore their green-green-green primary kits for the first time in 2012. The last time the club wore that kit combination was Aug. 17, 2011, on the road against Sporting Kansas City. * Goalkeeper Troy Perkins made his 48th consecutive league start for the Timbers, dating back April 23, 2011. Perkins is nearing the 150 games-played milestone, making his 147th MLS career appearance Wednesday against Chivas USA. * Captain Jack Jewsbury appeared in his 244th career MLS match on Wednesday. He's looking to become one of just 15 active MLS players with 250 or more career appearances. * Jewsbury was booked with his fourth caution of the season against Chivas USA. * Midfielder Franck Songo'o came on as a sub against Chivas USA - his first appearance since sustaining a knee injury in a 2-1 win over San Jose on July 3. * Portland midfielder Diego Chara returned to the starting lineup after missing the club's last match against the LA Galaxy due to a one-game, league-imposed suspension for a red card against Real Salt Lake on July 7. * Timbers midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe made his 17th consecutive start this season in Wednesday's match against Chivas USA. He currently holds the club's longest active starting streak among Portland field players.

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