MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Open Preseason Tournament with 1-1 Draw

Published on February 28, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Behind an impressive goal from midfielder Kalif Alhassan, the Portland Timbers played the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw in a preseason match Monday night at JELD-WEN Field before 16,118 fans. Monday's match helped kick off a four-team preseason tournament in the Rose City.

Alhassan was on the receiving end of a pass from midfielder Diego Chara and provided the opening strike in the 15th minute. San Jose was able to knot the score at 1-1 in the 59th minute, benefitting from an own goal by Portland.

Timbers head coach John Spencer played seven players the full 90 minutes as the club builds towards the start of the 2012 MLS regular season, which begins in two weeks on Monday, March 12, against the Philadelphia Union at JELD-WEN Field.

With a well-placed shot, Alhassan tallied his first goal of the preseason to put the Timbers ahead 1-0 in the first half. He initially took a corner kick and played it short to Chara. Alhassan collected the return pass and curled a shot from the left side of the box by San Jose goalkeeper John Busch and inside the far post.

The Earthquakes equalized in the 59th minute. Tressor Moreno intercepted a pass in the Timbers defensive third and found striker Chris Wondolowski down the right side of the area. Wondolowski's cross in was deflected in by Portland defender Hanyer Mosquera for an own goal.

The own goal was the first goal conceded by the Timbers since their preseason match against the LA Galaxy on Feb. 7, in Carson, Calif. San Jose's equalizer ended a series of three consecutive shutouts and a run of 368 minutes without allowing a goal in preseason play.

The Timbers had a chance to take the lead in the 75th minute, but substitute Bright Dike's looping header hit off the crossbar and the Earthquakes were able to settle the ball.

Portland has out-scored its opponents 9-2 in its first five preseason matches of 2012.

The Timbers return to action Thursday as they play host to Chivas USA in a preseason match at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 p.m. as part of the preseason tournament. A live video webstream will be available at www.portlandtimbers.com, with a live radio broadcast on 750 AM The Game. Tickets are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office, area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 28, 2012


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