MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Play to 1-1 Draw against Chivas USA

April 13, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Midfielder Will Johnson scored his first goal of the season, finishing with a team-high five shots, and the Portland Timbers extended their MLS-club record regular-season, home unbeaten streak to 19 consecutive matches with a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA before a sellout crown of 20,814 at Providence Park on Saturday night.

Johnson provided the Timbers (0-2-4, 4pts) with a 1-0 lead early in the match, converting a well-placed low shot inside the far left post following a pinpoint through pass at the top of the penalty box from midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe in the seventh minute. Portland maintained the lead until the 79th minute when Chivas USA (1-2-3, 6pts) netted the equalizer off the foot of forward Erick Torres, who finished a Leandro Barrera pass from close range.

With the draw, Portland extended its regular-season, home unbeaten streak to 19 consecutive matches at Providence Park, moving the Timbers into sole possession of fourth place all-time in the MLS record book. The result also improved Portland's regular-season home unbeaten streak against Western Conference opponents to 19 straight matches. The Timbers last suffered a regular-season home defeat to a Western Conference foe on July 28, 2012.

Looking to double the lead in the first half, forward Maximiliano Urruti saw a shot destined for the left corner of the goal parried away by a diving save from Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy in the 25th minute. Just 10 minutes later, Johnson delivered a strong effort from the right side of the penalty box barely wide of the upper right corner of the goal and into the side netting. Late in the match, Johnson fired a free kick off the right post in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.

Portland earned its fourth consecutive result over Chivas USA with the draw, moving its record against the Southern California club to 2-0-2 since the start of the 2013 season. Portland has outscored Chivas USA 10-2 over the last four meetings between the two teams.

The Timbers held Chivas USA to just one shot in the first 42 minutes of the match, dictating much of the run of play during the opening half. Defending 10 corner kicks and absorbing 16 fouls, Portland contained the Chivas USA attack much of the night - conceding just one shot on goal before allowing the equalizer with 11 minutes remaining in regulation.

Portland takes to the road for its next two matches, beginning with a rematch of the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Finals against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, April 19, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) and the match will be broadcast on KPTV FOX 12 and in Spanish on estrellaTV. The match will be carried live on the radio at 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.

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