PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers lost 2-0 to visiting Orlando City SC at Providence Park on Sunday.
Both teams had their fair of chances in early action.
In the 11th minute, Rodney Wallace played a cross through traffic to Fanendo Adi in front of goal. But Adi’s side-footed attempted was skied over the bar.
Three minutes later, Orlando’s Brek Shea picked up a deflected ball and made a free run at goal before crossing to Kevin Molino, only for the Trinidad & Tobago international’s shot to be blocked.
In the 19th minute, Portland’s best chance of the first half came on a blistering counterattack run down the right wing by Darlington Nagbe. His right-footed blast from the corner of the area required a diving stop by Orlando goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who was making his return to the Rose City after playing the last two seasons with the Timbers.
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Orlando got out on a dangerous counter of their own down the right in the 23rd minute, putting Larin one-on-one with Portland ‘keeper Adam Kwarasey. But Cyle Larin’s attempt to the far post rolled just wide.
Orlando took advantage of space on the right again in the 30th minute when Portland failed to clear an over-the-top through ball by Kaká. It fell to Kevin Molino for a cross to Larin, who chested home at the near post to give the Lions the 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Portland turned the screws on their possession game – dominating the action in search of the equalizer. They had a number of chances, including in the 55th minute, when Nagbe got free down the middle and fired a shot from just beyond the box that sailed a notch high.
Two chances in the box for Adi and strike partner Maximiliano Urruti in the 65th minute went begging for more and were both cleared away by the Orlando defense. Three minutes later, Adi got his head to a nicely placed cross by Alvas Powell but again was unable to put the attempt on frame.
When Ricketts was called into action, he turned away a well-struck right-footed shot in the 72nd minute by second half substitute Dairon Asprilla from the right wing with another diving save.
Orlando City tacked on their second goal in the 85th minute. Kwarasey was called for a foul in the box on substitute forward Carlos Rivas, giving OCSC a penalty kick. Kaká’s initial attempt from the spot was saved, but Portland’s Diego Chara was whistled for encroachment, giving the Brazilian Designated Player another attempt. He made no mistake on the follow-up, burying the PK high and down the middle.
Powell nearly pulled one back in the 90th minute, making a dangerous run into the box. But his shot too was shepherded away by Ricketts.
Portland hit the road for their next match, Sunday at New York City FC. Orlando stay on the road and face Columbus Crew SC on Saturday.
Dan Itel covers the Timbers for MLSsoccer.com
Portland Timbers (1-2-3, 6pts) vs. Orlando City SC (2-2-2, 8pts)
April 12, 2015 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Orlando City SC 1 1 2
Portland Timbers 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
ORL: Larin (Molino), 30
ORL: Kaká (penalty kick), 85
Misconduct Summary
POR: Powell (Caution), 28
POR: Chara (Caution), 45
ORL: Okugo (Caution), 45+2
ORL: Shea (Caution), 82
POR: Urruti (Caution), 84
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Kwarasey, D Powell, D Borchers, D Ridgewell ©, D Villafaña (Fernández, 81), M Nagbe, M Chara, M Fochive (Jewsbury, 46), M Wallace (Asprilla, 55), F Urruti, F Adi
Substitutes Not Used: GK Weber, D Jeanderson, D Paparatto, M Yartey
TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Adi, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Four players tied, 1); FOULS: 13 (Adi, 4); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 1
ORL: GK Ricketts, D Shea, D Hines, D Ramos, D Collin, M Higuita (Avila, 70), M Okugo, M Ceren, F Molino, F Kaká ©, F Larin (Rivas, 82)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Edwards, D St. Ledger, D Turner, M Heath, F Rochez
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Three players tied, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Three players tied, 3); FOULS: 16 (Higuita, 4); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Chris Strickland, Eduardo Mariscal
4th Official: Baldomero Toledo
Attendance: 21,144
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 53 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
