Portland Timbers are unbeaten in 14 straight MLS matches, but only once have they secured a victory by more than one goal. Every winning streak comes with a bit of luck, and the Timbers got some last weekend when they snuck by Houston Dynamo 2-1.
After Sebastian Blanco opened the scoring with a wonderful first-time, in-stride finish of Alvas Powell’s lofted back post cross, Romell Quioto evened the score by tapping in Alberth Elis’ mishit ball that fooled Portland goalie Jeff Attinella and rolled untouched across the box. In the 20th minute, Diego Valeri played in Dairon Asprilla, but the striker’s shot met Joe Willis’ incredibly strong glove and the big chance went wanting. Asprilla also had a bicycle kick from the center of the box on which he connected well but, once again, Willis was well prepared.
And after that… the match — as, admittedly, many Portland matches do this season — became a slog. The teams combined for a single shot on frame between the 21st and 71st minutes, and Houston only took two total during that entire 50 minute stretch.
But Portland was clearly the ascendant team, and it was Blanco once again at the center of things in the 80th minute when the home side broke the deadlock. Slipping behind the defense on the left, Blanco produced a nifty cutback to free himself and played the ball into the center where Portland had four players crashing the box. A series of pinball bounces ended with the ball on Fanendo Adi’s foot, and in his last match as a Timber the big striker pushed it over the line for the winner. Adi has found minutes difficult to come by this season and was sent to FC Cincinnati — a USL club that will make the leap to Major League Soccer in 2019 — later in the week.
Although Blanco was influential in the result, he also assured that he will not make an impact on this weekend’s match. The Argentine stamped on Eric Alexander’s foot in the 39th minute and receiving a caution that will see him suspended for Saturday’s visit from Philly.
The Union travel to Portland to face the Timbers this Saturday at 11PM EST on PHL17.
