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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Fall 3-2 on the Road against Toronto FC

September 27, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


TORONTO - The Portland Timbers tied an MLS club single-season record in goals (54) with a pair of markers in the opening 16 minutes, but could not overcome three consecutive second-half goals by host Toronto FC in a 3-2 loss in front of 22,591 fans at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's loss snapped a three-game, road-unbeaten streak for Portland (9-9-12, 39pts) and was the first loss away from home against Eastern Conference opposition in 2014. The setback also marked just the first loss for the Timbers in the last five regular-season matches.

Following a leg injury sustained by midfielder Will Johnson in the opening seconds of the match, the Timbers responded quickly by scoring the fastest two goals to begin a match in the team's MLS history as forward Fanendo Adi netted a goal in the 13th minute and midfielder Diego Valeri forced a Toronto FC own goal just three minutes later.

The two goals marked the 12th and 13th consecutive unanswered goals for the Timbers over the last four matches in all competitions, while Adi's goal was his third in the last two regular-season games. Adi has registered a goal or an assist in three consecutive league matches. Portland's two first-half goals gives the Timbers 54 total goals in 2014 regular-season play, tying the Timbers MLS-club single-season mark set during an impressive 2013 season.

Midfielder Diego Chara earned the assist on Portland's opening goal, pressuring a Toronto FC defender and blocking a pass directly into Adi's path. The forward controlled the ball before firing a low drive inside the far left post.

Playing a role in a Timbers goal in 10 of the last 13 regular-season games, Valeri found the ball with space on the right side of the box and delivered a sharp pass toward the center of the box that struck Toronto FC defender Steven Caldwell and redirected into the back of the net in the 16th minute.

Toronto FC's opening goal, a header from defender Nick Hagglund in the 62nd minute, was the first goal conceded by the Timbers in 288 minutes in all competitions, dating back to Sept. 16 in a CONCACAF Champions League group match against C.D. Olimpia at Providence Park.

Hagglund tallied the equalizer for Toronto FC (11-11-7, 40pts) on a header off a free kick in the 70th minute, while midfielder Michael Bradley netted the late game-winning goal in the 89th minute off a looping free kick that found its way over a crowd in front of the goal box and settled inside the far right post.

Notes:

- Portland's two goals in the opening 16 minutes of Saturday's match marked the quickest two goals to start a match in the team's MLS history.

- The Timbers tied their MLS-club single-season record in goals (54) with two goals on Saturday against Toronto FC. Portland is on pace to register 61 goals this season.

- Forward Fanendo Adi has tallied a goal in consecutive matches, netting three goals over the last two games for the Timbers. His 13th-minute goal on Saturday was his ninth of the season, tying him with midfielder Diego Valeri and forward Maximiliano Urruti for the team lead.

- Midfielder Diego Valeri has directly factored on a Timbers goal in 10 of the last 13 league games. On Saturday, Valeri forced a Toronto FC own goal in the 16th minute.

- Midfielder Diego Chara netted his fourth assist of the season on Saturday, tying a personal MLS career high in assists set in 2011.

- Chara also became the first Timbers MLS player to surpass the 10,000 minutes played milestone in his Timbers career.

- Midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe made the 123rd appearance of his Timbers MLS career, moving into sole possession of eighth place on the all-time list across all eras and one appearance shy of tying Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson (124) for seventh place on the list.

- Portland has tallied two goals or more in six straight league games (seven consecutive matches in all competitions).

- Over the last two seasons, the Timbers have earned a 4-2-4 overall record on the road against Eastern Conference teams.

- Saturday's match marked Portland's first match at BMO Field in 774 days, dating back to Aug. 15, 2012.

- Despite the loss, Portland (39pts) remained two points clear of the red line, ahead of Vancouver Whitecaps FC (37pts) in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. Vancouver is set to play host to Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.

- Midfielder Will Johnson sustained a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg in the opening seconds of Saturday's match at Toronto FC.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 27, 2014


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