The Portland Timbers welcomed Chivas USA to Jeld-Wen Field on Mother’s Day for a sold-out MLS Western Conference bout. The Timbers were hungry for a win after being held to draws in their last two matches. Portland’s frontline was back to normal with Ryan Johnson and Rodney Wallace in the starting lineup, while Chivas USA was playing without 2012 MLS all-star goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and midfielder Carlos Alvarez. The Timbers Army seemed to be on their best behavior when the Chivas USA squad came out onto the field, perhaps partly out of respect for the mothers in attendance.
Timber’s offense comes alive in win over Chivas USA
The Portland Timbers welcomed Chivas USA to Jeld-Wen Field on Mother’s Day for a sold-out MLS Western Conference bout. The Timbers were hungry for a win after being held to draws in their last two matches. Portland’s frontline was back to normal with Ryan Johnson and Rodney Wallace in the starting lineup, while Chivas USA was playing without 2012 MLS all-star goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and midfielder Carlos Alvarez. The Timbers Army seemed to be on their best behavior when the Chivas USA squad came out onto the field, perhaps partly out of respect for the mothers in attendance.
The referees called the game fairly tight, whistling several fouls in the early going. Portland maintained their focus, however, and were rewarded in the 34th minute. Donovan Ricketts fired a long counter that was collected by Ryan Johnson, who sent a pass over to a streaking Wallace. The midfielder netted a goal that was greeted by celebratory green smoke at Jeld-Wen.
Wallace gave much of the credit for his goal to head coach Caleb Porter. “Caleb gives you the confidence to go out there and express yourself as a player,” Wallace said. “He tells you not to hold back and [to] do the dirty work as well, and just play free.”
The Timbers held possession for 67.4 percent of the first half and benefitted from an impressive 84.3 percent passing accuracy. Portland also attempted 12 shots compared to just two by Chivas.
The opening stages of the second half were generally uneventful, until the 70th minute when Diego Valeri found himself unmarked and scored Portland’s second of the night off an assist from Wallace. The Timbers then began to bring in their backup players, substituting Kalif Alhassan and Ben Zemanski for Darlington Nagbe and Jack Jewsbury, respectively.
In the 92nd minute, Will Johnson, still angry after Chivas’ Mario De Luna shoved Wallace and then a ball boy on the sideline just a few minutes earlier, caught a pass from Alhassan and scored on a screamer to the left corner to provide the
final score.
With the win, Portland improved to 4-1-6 and jumped up into the second spot in the Western Conference standings. Coach Porter was businesslike after the win.
“We continue to be on a very good path towards our ultimate goal—nothing more, nothing less,” Porter said. “If we continue to have good work and training like we have been, it’ll show up in the game. It’s been a good third of the season and we have made a lot of progress, and we’re in good position, points-wise, but it’s a very tight race in this conference.
“We’re not where we want to be yet,” Porter added. “We could be even better.”
The Timbers now head north for a Saturday matchup with the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. The official viewing party will be held at the Thirsty Lion Pub and Grill on Southwest Second venue.
