PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers concluded play in their sixth-annual preseason tournament against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday night, recording a 2-1 win at Providence Park.
During the contest, eight Portland players logged 90 minutes for the first time during the 2017 preseason, as forward Fanendo Adi and midfielder Diego Valeri each scored during a two-minute stretch in the first half. Additionally, midfielder Darlington Nagbe and defender Vytas each recorded an assist on both goals for Portland.
Portland opened the scoring in the 26th minute after completing 15 consecutive passes on both sides of the field. The 15-pass sequence ended with a quick one-two combination play in Vancouver’s half between Nagbe and midfielder Diego Chara, with Nagbe releasing Vytas down the left flank. Hitting a first-time cross, Vytas found Valeri in the middle of the 18-yard box for a quick redirect header into the bottom corner.
Two minutes later, Portland doubled its lead as the Timbers created a near copy of their first goal, with Nagbe playing the ball wide for Vytas, who played a well-placed cross into the box to Adi. Catching the ball on the bounce, Adi blasted a left-footed strike just inside the near post to give Portland a 2-0 lead.
Outshooting Vancouver 16-2, including a 9-1 edge in shots on target, Portland created a number of scoring opportunities throughout the match, including Adi’s header that went just high of the target in the 13th minute of play. Seven minutes later, Portland created another strong chance when Nagbe drove deep into Vancouver’s half, before firing a strong effort just wide of the target.
In the second half, Portland continued to put Vancouver under pressure when a curling free kick from Valeri skipped just wide of the post in the 52nd minute of play. Less than 15 minutes later, defender Alvas Powell’s cross into the box found Nagbe, whose header forced a strong save from Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted.
The Timbers came close to adding a third goal in the 70th minute when a quick one-two combination from Nagbe and Valeri in the box created a first-time effort from Valeri, with Ousted making a strong diving save. Pouncing on the rebound, forward Darren Mattocks fired on target from close range, forcing another diving save from Ousted, who was forced to make seven saves in the match.
Two minutes later, Mattocks saw another strong chance on goal after midfielder David Guzmán and Valeri cleverly connected in the box, allowing Valeri to play a driven pass across the area to Mattocks, who struck his first-time effort just high of the crossbar.
Shortly afterward, Vancouver managed to find the back of the net when midfielder Cristian Techera converted a free kick from just outside the box in the 79th minute, resulting in a 2-1 final score.
Portland will close out its preseason schedule with a match against the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center on Saturday, Feb. 25; kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS Preseason)
Feb. 15, 2017 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 1 1
Portland Timbers 2 0 2
Scoring Summary:
POR: Valeri (Nagbe, Vytas), 26
POR: Adi (Nagbe, Vytas), 28
VAN: Techera, 79
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Ridgewell (Caution), 49
VAN: Laba (Caution), 63
VAN: Williams (Caution), 85
Lineups & Stats:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Powell, D Olum, D Ridgewell (Clarke, 60), D Vytas, M Guzmán, M Chara, M Asprilla (Arboleda, 60), M Valeri (Barmby, 76), M Nagbe, F Adi (Mattocks, 60)
Substitutes not used: GK Attinella, D Myers, D Valentin, D Farfan, M Zemanski, M Okugo, M Barmby, F McInerney
TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 0
VAN: GK Ousted, D Nerwinski (Williams, 62), D Waston, D Parker (Dean, 77), D Harvey, M Laba, M Teibert (Jacobson, 46), M Davies (Manneh, 62), M de Jong (Reyna, 46), F Barnes (Greig, 77), F Hurtado (Techera, 62)
Substitutes not used: GK Tornaghi
TOTAL SHOTS: 2; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 7
Attendance: 10,286
Weather: Light showers, 46 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
