Valeri Tallies Game-Winning Goal
Kicking off a three-game road swing, the Portland Timbers utilized a strong second-half performance, receiving the game-winning goal from midfielder Diego Valeri and the opening goal from defender Nat Borchers to earn a 2-1 win against the Montreal Impact in front of 13,020 fans at Stade Saputo on Saturday afternoon.
Following a scoreless first half, Portland (3-3-4, 13pts) attempted eight shots on goal during the final 45 minutes, while holding Montreal to five shots on frame in the entire match. Denying Montreal (0-3-2, 2pts) many clear-cut scoring chances, the Timbers contained Montreal’s offense while earning their second road victory of the season. Portland has conceded just two goals over the last 360 minutes of action (4 games), while earning a 2-1-1 record during the span.
Valeri, who made his first start of the 2015 season on Saturday, provided Portland with what would stand as the game-winning goal in the 70th minute. Finding space on the left edge of the penalty box, Valeri delivered a one-touch, curling effort inside the far right post following a pass from midfielder Rodney Wallace. The decisive goal was Valeri’s first of the season. Minutes before Valeri’s goal, Borchers opened the scoring for Portland in the 64th minute as the Impact failed to successfully clear a Timbers corner kick out of the attacking third. Midfielder Diego Chara chipped a pass into the penalty box that defender Liam Ridgewell nodded into the path of forward Fanendo Adi, who headed the ball on target. Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush parried the ball onto the crossbar and Borchers was there for the rebound, giving Portland a 1-0 lead.
With the win, Portland has earned consecutive road victories over the Impact, including a 3-2 win at Stade Saputo during the 2014 season in which Valeri also tallied the game-winning goal. The Timbers improved their road record to 2-2-1 so far this season with both victories coming against Eastern Conference clubs (New York City FC, Montreal). For the fifth consecutive match, the Timbers finished with a passing accuracy of 80 percent or better (80.2).
Shortly following Valeri’s goal, the Impact pulled a goal back as substitute forward Dominic Oduro slotted home a rebound following a save from Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey in the 71st minute. Montreal looked to have found the equalizer in the 78th minute, but forward Jack McInerney’s goal was waved off due to a foul in the box. Kwarasey finished the match with four saves, while the Timbers defense blocked six Montreal shots.
“I’m really proud of the guys. I thought their performance was really professional.” said Timbers head coach Caleb Porter. “In the first half, we managed the game extremely well, limited their chances and kept the game tight. We knew that in the second half, being that they were at home, we would find more chances because they would be eager to score.”
Playing the second of three consecutive road games, the Timbers travel to Texas for a match against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, May 16, at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston; kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match against Houston will be carried live on KPTV FOX 12 with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on La GranD 93.5 FM.
