PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Saturday night, as Portland celebrated its 100th consecutive regular-season sellout since joining MLS in 2011. Forward Fanendo Adi scored Portland’s lone goal in the first half, recording his 14th goal in league play this season.
- VOTE: Man of the Match
- MATCHCENTER: Stats
- MATCHCENTER: Boxscore and Chalkboard
With the win, Portland is unbeaten in eight consecutive regular-season games against Real Salt Lake, dating back to June 7, 2014, including three straight games this season (1-0-2). Additionally, the win marked Portland’s fifth shutout and 10th home win of the 2016 campaign. The Timbers’ 10 home wins are tied for the most home wins in MLS this season, along with FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls.
The Timbers (10-11-8, 38pts) opened the scoring early in the first half when Adi produced a composed finish from just outside the six-yard box in the 12th minute of play, marking his third goal at home in his last three games. The Timbers broke through after midfielder Darlington Nagbe made a sharp cut to beat Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman before blasting a hard shot that was deflected to Adi, who skillfully eluded his defender before calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Portland created several additional chances to score throughout the match, including a chance from midfielder Diego Valeri that skipped just wide of the far post in the 18th minute of play. Three minutes later, defender Alvas Powell ran at Real Salt Lake (12-8-8, 44pts) defender Demar Phillips and cut inside the box, hitting a powerful left-footed effort just past the near post.
Less than 10 minutes before the end of the first half, Portland came close to doubling its lead when midfielder Jack Jewsbury played a low corner kick to the near post to defender Vytas, whose redirect effort narrowly missed the target.
Remaining on the attack in the second half, Adi produced another chance on goal for the Timbers in the 70th minute when he ran on to Vytas’ driven cross into the box, taking a touch before hitting a strong shot on target and forcing a firm save from Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Shortly afterward, the Timbers created their strongest chance of the half when Adi played a square ball across the box to an unmarked Valeri, who forced a difficult fingertip save from Rimando.
On the defensive end, the Timbers produced 13 tackles, while goalkeeper Jake Gleeson recorded five saves as Portland held Real Salt Lake scoreless for the first time since Aug. 3.
Next up, the Timbers will travel to face Deportivo Saprissa at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa on Wednesday, Sept. 14, in CONCACAF Champions League play; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland Timbers (10-11-8, 38pts) vs. Real Salt Lake (12-8-8, 44pts)
Sept. 10, 2016 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 1 0 1
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
POR: Adi, 12
Misconduct Summary:
RSL: Sunny (Caution), 40
POR: Ridgewell (Caution), 50
RSL: Morales (Caution), 54
RSL: Phillips (Caution), 75
POR: Gleeson (Caution), 86
RSL: Plata (Caution), 90
Lineups & Stats:
POR: GK Gleeson, Powell (J.Taylor, 88), S. Taylor, Ridgewell ©, Vytas, M Chara, M Jewsbury, M Nagbe, M Valeri (Zemanski, 90), M Mattocks (Grabavoy, 70), F Adi
Substitutes Not Used: GK Konopka, M Barmby, M Melano, F McInerney
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Nagbe, Adi, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Adi, 2); FOULS: 21 (Chara, Vytas, 4); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 5
RSL: GK Rimando, D Wingert, D Schuler, D Glad, D Phillips, M Beckerman ©, M Sunny (Garcia, 76), M Allen (Morales, 46, Mulholland, 76), F Martinez, F Plata, F Movsisyan
Substitutes Not Used: GK Fernandez, D Beltran, D Kavita, M Stertzer
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Beckerman, Morales, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Morales, 2); FOULS: 21 (Phillips, Martinez, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 2
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Phil Briere
4th Official: Dave Gantar
Attendance: 21,144
Weather: Clear, 64 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
