MLS Portland Timbers

Zizzo, Umony Lead Timbers to 2-0 Win Over Independiente

Published on July 27, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - First-half goals from midfielders Sal Zizzo and Brian Umony guided the Portland Timbers to a 2-0 win over Argentina's Club Atlético Independiente in an international exhibition match before a sold-out crowd of 18,627 at JELD-WEN Field on Tuesday.

Scoring just three minutes apart in the 36th and 39th minutes, respectively, Zizzo and Umony staked the Timbers to a 2-0 lead heading into halftime. Goalkeepers Adin Brown and Jake Gleeson combined for three saves in the shutout as Portland's defense held Independiente, which recently competed in the 2011 Copa Libertadores, to just three attempts on goal.

Zizzo and Umony scored their first goals of the season, forward Eddie Johnson and defender Mike Chabala each logged an assist and Gleeson recorded two saves to help the Timbers to their first win at JELD-WEN Field across all competitions since a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew on May 21.

Nearly finished with its preseason preparation for the upcoming 2011 Apertura campaign in Argentina's Primera Division, Independiente saw forwards Facundo Parra and Leonel Nunez and defender Ivan Velez combine for six of the team's 10 shots on the night.

Securing his first goal as a member of the Timbers, Zizzo put the home side ahead 1-0 six minutes past the half-hour mark. From the middle of the park, Johnson played Zizzo down the right side. The midfielder out-raced his marker to earn a one-on-one with Independiente goalkeeper Hilario Navarro. From a tight angle, Zizzo unloaded a hard, rolling shot inside the far post.

In the 39th minute, Umony scored off a restart by Chabala to give the Timbers a two-goal lead heading into halftime. From the right side 40 yards out, Chabala dropped a free kick in to Umony just inside the box. Umony out-jumped his defender and floated a header just over the reach of Navarro and into the back of the net for a 2-0 Portland advantage.

Independiente captain Eduard Tuzzio had the first scoring opportunity of the match in the seventh minute, but put his on-rushing shot wide of the near post. As the match settled in, the Timbers had the better share of scoring chances in the opening period, including a 25-yard free kick by forward Kenny Cooper tipped over the bar by Navarro in the 24th minute; Portland held an 8-5 advantage in shots in the first half.

Joining the Timbers last week from a trade with the Houston Dynamo, Chabala set up Umony for a chance at the opening goal in the 31st minute. From deep in the right corner, Chabala's free kick was headed back across the face of the goal by defender Steve Purdy. Near the top of the six-yard box, Umony headed a shot that bounced off the right post and Navarro was able to smother the rebound.

The Timbers backline limited Independiente to just five shots in the second half, and Gleeson was called upon to make one of his two saves in the period in the 71st minute on a shot by Independiente midfielder Hernan Fredes from inside of 15 yards. Two minutes earlier, Independiente had an opportunity to pull a goal back, but Velez skied his one-on-one opportunity with Gleeson well over the target.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Johnson nearly tacked on to the Timbers' lead, but his volley off a ball played over the top was turned away by the out-stretched hand of Navarro as he left his line to challenge the play; Navarro finished the match with two saves.

The Timbers close out their July schedule Saturday as they play host to Toronto FC for the first time at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Portland then finishes a three-game homestand Aug. 3 as it faces the LA Galaxy at JELD-WEN Field on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m.

Notes:

During halftime of the exhibition against Independiente, the Timbers and Coca-Cola presented a $50,000 donation to the Portland Bureau of Transportation's Safe Routes to School program. The donation is a part of Coca-Cola's and the Timbers' continued efforts to promote a cleaner environment and encourage kids in our communities to become more active.

In effort to build breast cancer awareness, the Timbers and Providence teamed up to lead the sellout crowd at JELD-WEN Field in a performance of the "Pink Glove Dance" at halftime. Pink gloves were disturbed to fans on their way into the match and the performance will be submitted to Guinness World Records for consideration as "most soccer fans wearing pink gloves."

Defender Mike Chabala started and went the distance, playing all 90 minutes, in his first Timbers appearance since being acquired in a trade from Houston on July 21. For Chabala, who played in eight games for the second-division Timbers during his 2006 rookie season, it was his first return to JELD-WEN Field and appearance in a Timbers uniform since Sept. 7, 2006.

Wearing the captain's armband for the first time this season, defender David Horst made his first start for the Timbers since sustaining a hip injury against New York on June 19.

For a second straight exhibition match, the Timbers scored a pair of first-half goals just three minutes apart. Against the EPL's West Bromwich Albion on July 20, Johnson and midfielder Peter Lowry also scored three minutes apart.

The friendly against Independiente marked the Timbers' fourth international exhibition opponent of the season. Portland has welcomed Dutch side AFC Ajax, Mexico's Club America, West Bromwich Albion and Independiente to the Rose City for friendlies in 2011, and finished with a 1-3-0 record in exhibition contests.

Independiente defender Ivan Velez was reunited with Timbers players Diego Chara and Jorge Perlaza following the friendly at JELD-WEN Field. The three players, all native Colombians, were teammates from 2004-07 with Colombian first-division side Deportes Quindio.

Forward Facundo Parra was Independiente's leading scorer during the 2011 Clausura campaign with seven goals in 18 appearances; he ranked among Argentina's Primera Division leading scorers.

The winner of 14 first division championships, Independiente is one of the most successful clubs in Argentina and ranks third behind notable clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate in the number of total domestic titles won. Its 16 international titles rival the accomplishments of some of the top clubs in the world, including Italy's AC Milan, Boca Juniors and Spain's Real Madrid.

Independiente has yet to be relegated from the first division in its 80-year professional era. Independiente is one of just two Argentine clubs to boast this distinction; the other is Boca Juniors.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 27, 2011


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