MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Remain Undefeated in CONCACAF Champions League Group 5

Published on September 24, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers garnered goals from five different players and moved into sole possession of first place in CONCACAF Champions League Group 5 with an impressive 6-0 shutout against Alpha United FC of Guyana at Providence Park on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Michael Nanchoff tallied a goal and two assists, defender Norberto Paparatto headed in his first two career goals for the Timbers, midfielder Jack Jewsbury tallied his first goal of the 2014 campaign in all competitions and forwards GastÃ"n Fernández and Fanendo Adi each scored to help guide the Timbers (3-0-0, 9pts) to their third consecutive win in the group stage.

With the victory, Portland claims the outright lead in Group 5 ahead of C.D. Olimpia (2-1-0, 6pts) with one match remaining on the schedule. The Timbers travel to face Olimpia on Oct. 21 at Estadio Tiburcio Carias Andino in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in their final group-stage match.

Portland's 14 goals through three CCL matches ranks second among all 24 teams participating in the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, behind only Mexican side Club América (17), while 10 different players have scored for the Timbers in the tournament.

Making his CONCACAF Champions League debut and appearing in his first competitive match for the Timbers in 2014, goalkeeper Jake Gleeson made three saves to help the Timbers earn their first shutout in Champions League play.

Jewsbury opened the scoring for Portland in the 11th minute, settling a short cross from defender Michael Harrington before slotting a low, left-footed shot across the face of the goal and inside the far right post. Fernández doubled the Timbers advantage in the 36th minute, finishing a cross from forward Maximiliano Urruti on the right flank with a one-time strike from close range. The goal was Fernández's 12th in all competitions for the Timbers, tying him with Urruti for the team lead.

Kicking off a four-goal second half, Nanchoff netted his first career CCL goal following a passing combination between Fernández and midfielder Ben Zemanski on a short corner kick. Taking a feed from Zemanski on his left foot, Nanchoff unleashed a blistering strike from outside the penalty box that settled inside the far left post in the 49th minute.

Nanchoff went on to garner assists on both of Paparatto's goals, delivering corner kicks that found the defender's head in the 61st and 88th minutes. The goals were the first two of the season for Paparatto.

Coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, Adi quickly added his name to the score sheet, taking a pass from midfielder Rodney Wallace inside the penalty box and shielding an Alpha United defender before turning and scoring from close range in the 75th minute.

Notes:

- The Timbers rank second among all 24 teams in CONCACAF Champions League group play with 14 goals, trailing only Club América (17).

- Portland has scored 11 unanswered goals across their last three games in all competitions dating back to a 4-2 win over C.D. Olimpia on Sept. 16, recording consecutive shutouts.

- The Timbers are unbeaten in six consecutive matches in all competitions, dating back to Aug. 30.

- Portland has tallied two or more goals in eight consecutive games in all competitions and seven consecutive home matches in all competitions.

- Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson made his CONCACAF Champions League debut for the Timbers on Tuesday against Alpha United FC, making three saves. The match also marked Gleeson's first competitive match for the Timbers in all competitions in 2014.

- Portland registered its first-ever shutout in CONCACAF Champions League play on Tuesday.

- Defender Taylor Peay made his first career CONCACAF Champions League start on Tuesday. Peay appeared as a late sub on Aug. 19 against Alpha United to make his CCL debut.

- Midfielder George Fochive made his Timbers debut on Tuesday, entering the match as a substitute in the 79th minute.

- Midfielder Jack Jewsbury tallied his first career CONCACAF Champions League goal, opening the scoring for Portland in the 11th minute. The goal also was Jewsbury's first of the year for Portland in all competitions.

- Forward GastÃ"n Fernández netted his first career goal in CONCACAF Champions League play on Tuesday night. In his professional career, Fernández has tallied a goal in the Copa Sudamericana, Copa Libertadores, U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League.

- Midfielder Michael Nanchoff registered his first career CONCACAF Champions League goal in the second half of Tuesday night's match.

- Defender Norberto Paparatto tallied his first two career goals as a member of the Timbers, netting a pair of headers off corner kicks in the 61st and 88th minutes.

- Portland has received 14 goals from 10 players in three CONCACAF Champions League matches.

- The Timbers are 2-0-0 at Providence Park in CONCACAF Champions League play and 3-0-0 at home in competitions outside of regular-season play (CCL and U.S. Open Cup).

- Portland has registered 10 goals, conceding just two, in two CONCACAF Champions League matches at Providence Park.

- Tuesday's result marked the second time in CONCACAF Champions League play the Timbers have seen four or more players tally goals against Alpha United FC.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 24, 2014


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