MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Register 2-1 Comeback Win over San Jose Earthquakes

Published on July 24, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers rallied from a first-half deficit, scoring a pair of unanswered goals in the second half to earn a 2-1 come-from-behind win over the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park on Saturday night. Jaroslaw Niezgoda recorded his team-leading eighth goal of the season to level the match before Dairon Asprilla notched the game-winning goal to extend Portland's unbeaten streak to seven matches with the victory.

Unbeaten Run

Portland extended its unbeaten run to seven consecutive matches, posting a record of 4-0-3 during that span. The Timbers are also unbeaten in their last four matches at Providence Park with a record of 3-0-1. During the unbeaten run, Portland has outscored its opponents 14-6, scoring multiple goals in five of those seven matches. Niezgoda has scored a team-best six goals during this run for the Timbers. Santiago Moreno has three goals and three assists.

Second-Half Surge

The last eight goals Portland has scored have all come in the second half. The Timbers have scored a total of 26 second-half goals this season, which is tied for the second-most this season in MLS. Portland has scored 10 of those 26 goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, which is the most goals by a team in the league in that span.

Against San Jose

With the win, the Timbers are now unbeaten in 16 straight meetings at Providence Park against the Earthquakes with a record of 12-0-4. The most home games played by one team against another without losing in league history. Portland has outscored its Western Conference opponent by a margin of 31-11 at home, and 52-33 in the all-time series. The Timbers have six wins in their last seven matches (6-0-1) against San Jose at Providence Park, scoring two or more goals in each of those wins.

Goal-Scoring Plays

SJ - Benji Kikanovic, 42nd minute: Off a free kick from the far right wing, Cristian Espinoza received a pass inside the box and delivered a curling strike that was initially saved by Timbers goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic. Portland attempted to clear the ball, but Benji Kikanovic pounced on the rebound and converted at the goal line.

POR - Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson), 53rd minute: Eryk Williamson laid the ball off for Diego Chara, making a run toward the top of the box. Chara unleashed a powerful shot that took a deflection off the leg of Jaroslaw Niezgoda and bounced into the back of the goal.

POR - Dairon Asprilla (Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara), 71st minute: After receiving a pass from Yimmi Chara down the right side of the box, Santiago Moreno floated a cross toward the back post for Dairon Asprilla, who sent a well-weighted header back across the face of goal and into the back of the net.

Notes

Diego Chara tallied his second assist of the 2022 season.

D. Chara is the seventh player to record multiple assists for Portland this campaign.

Jaroslaw Niezgoda recorded his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Niezgoda's eight goals this season are a career-best, surpassing his previous season high of seven goals scored during the 2020 season.

Niezgoda has scored six goals in his last seven matches, including three goals in his last four games.

Dairon Asprilla tallied his fifth goal of the season.

Asprilla has scored a goal in each of the last three matches in which he has featured for Portland.

Asprilla is one of three players with five or more goals this season, joining Niezgoda and Bill Tuiloma (5).

Portland is among seven teams (FC Cincinnati, LAFC, Minnesota, NYCFC, Philadelphia, Seattle) in MLS with three or more players with at least five goals this season.

Santiago Moreno registered his fifth assist of the 2022 campaign

Moreno is one of four players with five or more assists this season along with Sebastián Blanco (7), Yimmi Chara (7) and Eryk Williamson (6).

Moreno has scored three goals and tallied three assists during the Timbers seven-game unbeaten run.

Yimmi Chara recorded his seventh assist of the season, tying him for the team lead with Blanco.

Y. Chara has tallied at least seven assists in each of his first three seasons with Portland.

Williamson increased his season total to six assists, setting a new career best in a single season.

Portland has scored 26 goals in the second half of matches this season, which is tied for the second-most in MLS.

The Timbers are one of three teams (LAFC, Austin FC) with 25 or more goals in the second half of matches in 2022.

Portland has scored 10 goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in MLS.

The Timbers have recorded 35 goals scored in 2022, which is the fifth-most in the league.

Portland is the third-highest scoring team in the Western Conference as only LAFC and Austin FC have scored more goals (42).

The Timbers have scored in eight consecutive matches, including four consecutive games at Providence Park.

Portland is unbeaten in 16 home matches against San Jose. The most home games played by one team against another without losing in league history.

Next Game

The Timbers travel for a road match against Minnesota United FC on Saturday, July 30, at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn. The July 30 match kicks off at 12 noon (Pacific) with a national broadcast on ABC and local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from July 24, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central