BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Portland Timbers battled the Chicago Fire to a 1-1 draw before 14,729 fans at Toyota Park on Saturday evening. Midfielder Diego Valeri recorded his fifth goal of the season for the Timbers, who improved to 4-0-3 all-time against Chicago in remaining undefeated against the Fire since joining MLS in 2011.
- VOTE: Man of the Match
- MATCHCENTER: Stats
- MATCHCENTER: Boxscore and Opta Chalkboard
Attacking early in the game, Portland (4-6-4, 16pts) opened the scoring in the 18th minute of play after the Fire’s defense struggled to clear the ball away on the edge of their 18-yard box, with Valeri fighting to win possession before curling his effort past Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson from the end line.
With the finish, the Timbers have scored in all 14 of their league games this season, marking the longest streak in club history across all eras (since 1975) and the longest active streak among MLS teams. Dating back to the 2015 season, the Timbers have scored in 17 consecutive regular-season games.
Two minutes later, Chicago (2-5-5, 11pts) managed to level the score when a deep cross into the box found forward Kennedy Igboananike, who played the ball across the face of goal to forward David Accam for a close-range finish.Portland came close to taking the lead in the 29th minute of play when Valeri nearly recorded a brace, bending a precise shot that narrowly missed the far post from the edge of the box.
Remaining on the attack in the first half, the Timbers created another goal-scoring opportunity eight minutes later when forward Jack McInerney was brought down on the edge of the box, resulting in a dangerous free-kick opportunity for Portland. Valeri, who has scored twice from direct free kicks this season, struck a curling effort toward the far corner. McInerney latched on to Valeri’s effort and attempted a redirect header, flicking the ball just wide of the target.
In the second half, the Timbers continued to search for the game-winning goal when midfielder Jack Barmby sent a threatening cross into the box in the 88th minute, just missing Adi on the back post.
Next up, the Timbers will face the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, June 1, at Providence Park, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match against San Jose will feature a live broadcast on KPTV FOX 12 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Portland Timbers (4-6-4, 16pts) vs. Chicago Fire (2-5-5, 11pts)
May 28, 2016 – Toyota Park (Bridgeview, Ill.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Chicago Fire 1 0 1
Portland Timbers 1 0 1
Scoring Summary:
POR: Valeri, 18
CHI: Accam (Igboananike, Meira), 20
Misconduct Summary:
CHI: Kappelhof (Caution), 38
POR: Ridgewell (Caution), 69
CHI: Ramos (Caution), 77
POR: Klute (Caution), 90
Lineups & Stats:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Valentin, D Borchers, D Ridgewell ©, D Klute, M Chara, M Zemanski, M Melano (Barmby, 69), M Valeri, M Asprilla, F McInerney (Adi, 61)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Hamilton, D Peay, D Okugo, M Grabavoy, M Jewsbury
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Valeri, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Two players tied, 1); FOULS: 11 (Ridgewell, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 5
CHI: GK Johnson, D Ramos (Gehrig, 81), D Kappelhof, D Campbell, D Vincent, M Polster, M Cocis, M Meira (Callistri, 75), F Alvarez (Thiam, 65), F Igboananike, F Accam
Substitutes Not Used: GK Lampson, M LaBrocca, M Stephens, F Morrell
TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Accam, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Igboananike, 3); FOULS: 11 (Three players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 1
Referee: Mathieu Bourdeau
Assistant Referees:Phil Briere, Peter Balciunas
4th Official: Silviu Petrescu
Attendance: 14,729
Weather: Clear, 72 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
