For the second time this season, the Portland Timbers gave up a last minute goal to let much-needed points slip from their grasp. On Saturday, it happened in stoppage time as Robert Earnshaw struck a last gasp winner for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Portland Timbers
Vancouver Whitecaps
"We were the better team" is a line uttered by Timbers fans, and head coach Caleb Porter after a lot of their matches. The reality is, however, that the Portland Timbers are still winless this season no matter how well they've played. Although the Timbers dominated most statistical categories, the Vancouver Whitecaps topped the goals scored stat after 90 minutes by a two to one margin, giving the Canadian side their third straight victory. This victory also marks Vancouver's first home win against Portland in the MLS era.
The game started out fairly even as both teams tried to feel out the opposition. Both sides were tinkering with a different than normal lineup, and Vancouver trotted out a mix of new players due to suspensions and international absences. Erik Hurtado got his first start of the season in place of Kekuta Manneh, while Maxi Urruti paired with Fanendo Adi up top for the Timbers for the first time this season.
Nicolas Mezquida opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a curling free kick over the Portland wall which found its way past a diving Adam Kwarasey. The free kick was awarded to Vancouver after George Fochive was called for a late foul on a Whitecaps player.
The Timbers didn't seemed phased by conceding an early goal. Portland continued to enjoy the majority of possession as they pushed the Whitecaps defense deeper and deeper into their own box. Chances fell for the Portland attackers, but Whitecaps keeper David Ousted put in a man of the match performance to deny each attempt on goal.
During the early parts of the second half, both sides were unlucky to not get goals. Pedro Morales had a chance to bury the Timbers chances in the 57th minute when he fired a rocket of a shot at Kwarasey's goal, but the ball sailed just wide. Dairon Asprilla, a second half sub, tried a bicycle half-volley in the 75th minute, but unfortunately for the Timbers, Kendall Waston was in the right place at the right time to deflect the ball away.
Adi and the Timbers finally cracked Vancouver goalkeeper David Oustedin the 82nd minute. Darlington Nagbe fed Rodney Wallace, who was sprinting down the left side of the attack, and Wallace slipped a low cross into the six yard box. The ball bounced off Ousted and found Adi who calmly turned the ball into the back of the net.
Portland had a chance to go ahead just minutes later as a long cross into the box fell to Dairon Asprilla. Asprilla headed the bouncing ball down towards goal, but much to his surprise the ball traveled just over the crossbar. Adi had a wide open shot just moments later, but his curling shot was miraculously saved by Ousted to keep the score level.
After some nervous defending in the final minutes, Vancouver found a stroke of luck. Robert Earnshaw, previously in MLS with the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC, subbed on for his first appearance with the Whitecaps late in the game. With his first touches in the 91st minute, Earnshaw collected a pass from Morales and slotted the ball past a charging Kwarasey.
Time ran out on the Timbers as they handed two extra points to rivals Vancouver. The Whitecaps now have an early lead on their campaign to retain the Cascadia Cup.
Time continues to run out for Portland in the search for their first victory of the 2015 season. Last year the Timbers were winless through the first eight games, and ultimately missed the playoffs by one point. The tough start to 2015 continues next week when the Timbers host Western Conference leading FC Dallas. Portland currently sits one point out of last place in the conference, ahead of Real Salt Lake, who currently have two games in hand on the Timbers.
Orlando City FC Tie Montreal Impact 2-2
The short handed Orlando City FC tied the Montreal Impact at 2-2
Montreal
Orlando City
Orlando City FC was shorthanded cling into this game. The International transfers took a toll on the roster as players like Brek Shea weren't on the team as they had the most players leave at the transfer. Orlando City needed some players to play big roles. Tonight, Kaka, who has been outstanding, and Pedro Ribeiro took turns setting up goals for each other. As for the Montreal Impact, they took an early lead thanks to Ignacio Piatti and a later goal by Jack McInerney. Let's take a look at the highlights.
In the first half, the goals started coming in early. At the start, it looked like an offensive game with many goals being scored. Montreal started the scoring off early in the 14th minute. Ignacio Piatti scored on a penalty kick that was caused by a Sean St. Ledger handball against Orlando. Piatti got a yellow card as he pulled up his shirt which is not allowed in soccer. In the 24th minute Jack McInerney, kicked the ball high into the air and it just passed Orlando goal keeper Donovan Rickett's head. That would give Montreal a 2-0 lead. Orlando though would have an answer and get a goal in the 29th minute. Montreal would miss handle the ball and Kaka intercepted it. He passed it to Pedro Ribeiro who would put Orlando on the mark. Next, a few seconds later in the 30th minute Ribeiro returned the favor. He passed it to Kaka and Kaka scored the equalizer.
The second half, featured little action and attempts at scoring. One more important play occurred in the 78th minute. Donovan Ricketts made a spectacular save. That saved stopped the goal and kept the tie alive.
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