MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Fall 1-0 to Minnesota United FC at Providence Park

May 21, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Playing their third match in eight days, the Portland Timbers fell 1-0 to Minnesota United FC at Providence Park on Saturday night. After a scoreless 90 minutes, Minnesota broke through in the fifth minute of stoppage time to snap Portland's unbeaten streak.

Recent Form

Tonight's result snapped a four-game unbeaten streak for the Timbers, dating back to April 29. In that four-match span, Portland earned wins against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5/13) and St. Louis CITY (4/29) and draws against Austin FC (5/6) and Real Salt Lake (5/17). It marked the first time this season Portland had gone unbeaten in four straight games. The loss to Minnesota also broke a four-game unbeaten run at home for Portland, dating back to March 25. In that stretch, The Timbers collected wins against Vancouver (5/13) and Seattle (4/15) and draws against Austin FC (5/6) and LA Galaxy (3/25) at home, outscoring their opponents 9-4.

The Blanco Comeback

Sebastián Blanco made his first regular-season appearance for the Timbers since Sept. 10, 2022, after battling a knee injury toward the end of the 2022 regular season. He logged 11 minutes in tonight's match as a second-half substitute and contributed a shot, a cross and four passes into the final third. Blanco made his 2023 debut in Portland's U.S. Open Cup match on April 26 (Orange County SC) and made a second consecutive appearance in the tournament on May 10 (Real Salt Lake), earning starts and the captain's armband in both matches and scoring the opening goal in the fourth minute against RSL. In the 2022 season, Blanco started in 20 of 32 appearances, registering seven goals (tied for third-best in the team) and eight assists (tied for second-best in the team), and was tied for a team-high 22 points with Dairon Asprilla and Santiago Moreno.

Goal-Scoring Plays

MIN - Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Kervin Arriaga), 90+5 minute: Kervin Arriaga played the ball towards the top of the box for Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who took a touch and slotted a right-footed shot inside of the far post.

Notes

The Timbers played their third match in an eight-day span and eighth match in just under a month (April 22 - May 20).

Tonight's result snapped a four-game unbeaten streak for the Timbers, dating back to April 29.

The loss to Minnesota broke a four-game unbeaten run at home for Portland, dating back to March 25.

Portland attempted 18 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the 2023 campaign.

The Timbers attempted 449 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match this season.

After playing the same lineup for the first time this year on matchday 12 (vs. VAN - May 13) and 13 (at RSL - May 17), Portland started its 13th different lineup in 14 matchdays this season.

Sebastián Blanco made his first regular-season appearance for the Timbers since Sept. 10, 2022.

Evander led the match with seven chances created - five more than any other player on the field.

Evander's seven chances created in tonight's match is in a four-way tie for the most by a single MLS player in a game this season (Mateusz Klich, Thiago Almada, Ryan Gauld, Evander).

Aljaz Ivacic tallied four saves for a second straight match.

Ivacic has tallied four or more saves in six of his nine appearances this season.

Diego Chara is the only player who has played every minute for the Timbers this season (1,260).

Dario Zuparic will miss the next Timbers match due to yellow card accumulation.

Next Game

The Timbers will travel to face Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park on Sunday, May 28. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (Pacific) and will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app in English and Spanish as well as local radio broadcasts, 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Portland Timbers (4-6-4, 16pts) vs. Minnesota United FC (5-5-3, 18pts)

May 20, 2023 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Timbers 0 0 0

Minnesota United FC 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

MIN: Hlongwane (Arriaga), 90+5

Misconduct Summary:

POR: McGraw (caution), 63

POR: Bravo (caution), 67

MIN: Boxall (caution), 82

POR: Zuparic (caution), 84

MIN: Hlongwane (caution), 90+5

Lineups:

POR: GK Ivacic, D Bravo, D Zuparic, D McGraw, D Mosquera, M D. Chara ©, M Paredes, M Moreno (Y. Chara, 64), M Evander, M Asprilla (Blanco, 79), F Boli (Niezgoda, 64)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Bingham, D Mabiala, D Miller, M Caliskan, M Loría, F Fogaça

TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (McGraw, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (three players tied, 1); FOULS: 13 (Bravo, 5); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 4

MIN: GK St. Clair, D Tapias, D Boxall, D Lawrence, M Fragapane (Garcia, 79), M Rosales (Arriaga, 72), M Trapp ©, M Taylor, M Dotson, F Amarilla (Bin Jeong, 70), F Hlongwane

Substitutes Not Used: GK Irwin, D Kallman, D Valentin, F Dunbar

TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Fragapane, Rosales, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Rosales, 2); FOULS: 13 (Rosales, 3); OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4

Referee: Armando Villarreal

Assistant Referees: Mike Rottersman, Jeremy Smith

Fourth Official: Tori Penso

VAR: Kevin Broadley

Attendance: 22,137

Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from May 21, 2023


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