PORTLAND, Ore. - That was wild. A 10-man Timbers side showed character, overcoming deficits on two occasions to register a 3-3 draw with the visiting Columbus Crew at Providence Park. The emotional roller coaster started in the fifth minute after Timbers forward Maximiliano Urruti tallied the opening goal. The Crew benefitted from a red card to Alvas Powell and penalty-kick goal towards the end of the first half to own a 2-1 lead at the break. If you tuned in at halftime, you wouldn't have known the Timbers were down a man in the second half. The first of two Portland game-tying goals arrived in the 80th minute, coming off the foot of the captain, Will Johnson, a goal would start a heart-pounding ride for the final 10 minutes. Columbus re-gained the lead one minute later, but it wouldn't take long for the pendulum of emotion to swing back the other direction. As he had done before, La Gata found the equalizer in the 85th minute, pouncing on a ball in the box and sending the Timbers faithful on a wave of emotion. Portland secured a point in a six-goal thriller, fighting for nearly 60 minutes a man down.
Let's take a look back on the match through the eyes of social media:
It was another comfortable night in the Rose City, and the Timbers' 58th consecutive sellout crowd included several Portland Thorns FC players, Portland Trail Blazers forward Victor Claver and Hillsboro Hops GM K.L. Wombacher in the house.
And before some could even find their seats, the Timbers staked a 1-0 lead on Maxi's third goal of the season just five minutes into the match. Claver enjoyed the moment, right in the thick of it all.
The game took a turn just after the half hour when the Timbers were reduced to 10 players, and not too long after, the Crew converted a PK to grab a hold of the lead. #RCTID had its opinions on the events at the end of the half, we just couldn't share them all here, you know, family platform and all . . .
So we move on to the second half, where Donovan Ricketts made four of his five saves and the shorthanded Timbers rallied.
Even with 10 players, Portland out-shot the Crew, 16-15, on the night, putting together a gutsy second-half performance that had fans all over the park on their feet and clinging to the edge of their seats.
The Timbers pulled level at 2-2 in the 80th minute on Johnson's goal. Defender Jack Jewsbury fought off two Crew defenders to poke the ball to Johnson for the strike, but a hat tip goes to The Maestro from midfield on the play.
What would take place over the next five minutes of the match would leave fans even with the strongest of hearts looking for something to help hold them up. Buckle up.
One minute ticked after Johnson's goal and the Timbers took a punch to the gut as the Crew re-gained the lead.
In that moment, that said it all, Mike. But the Timbers continued to show their heart and fight and earned a free kick in a dangerous position with time running out. When it's late in the game and the Timbers need a goal, that's when:
Indeed, Sean, indeed. And of Fernández's five goals on the season, four have been equalizers. In fact, all three of his game-tying goals at home this seaseon have come after the 75th minute mark. Some exhaled, others roared at Providence Park.
After four minutes of second-half stoppage time, the final whistle blew. The Timbers, down a man for two thirds of the match, had secured a point, and the fans appreciated the heart and fight on display.
As did Thorns FC defender and U.S. Women's National Team veteran Rachel Van Hollebeke.
Three goals by the Timbers meant Timber Joey was a busy man.
But when it comes to helping a Timbers fan in need, he always has a little bit left in the tank.
And a wild night against the Crew wrapped up an event-filled, three-game home stretch for the Timbers, who are now unbeaten in their last 22 regular-season home matches at Providence Park.
