PORTLAND, Ore. - A brace from Gastón Fernández, two assists from Maxi Urruti and solid debuts from a trio of Timbers rookies were the highlights in a 3-0 win over the Orlando City U23s of the Premier Development League in the Fourth Round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In a round that left no guarantees for MLS clubs, the Timbers took the lead early and marched to victory. So the quest for the cup begins; on to the next.
Here's a look back on #PORvORL23 in #USOC2014 from fans near and far through the lens of social media.
The fourth-round match in the 2014 U.S. Open Cup was against a lower division team, but that didn't stop fans from treking across North America and around the globe to experience Soccer City, USA, in person.
There was buzz pregame from fans about the return and season debut of midfielder Rodney Wallace, who has been working hard on his return from injury sustained in the 2013 playoffs. Former teammates were happy to see him back as well.
Everyone has their pre-game routines, traditions. @tiffanynholmes was on her way to her first Timbers game this evening and apparently being carried like Timber Joey's log down to the park has become her's ... Well, it worked.
Inspired by their heroes, the fans were ready. The Timbers took the pitch knowing this game could steer them on the course to hardware. It was go time.
No sooner than fans had settled into their seats, La Gata got things rolling with an early goal.
There was more #GREENSMOKE to come. In fact, just 25 minutes later when Fernández converted a penalty kick with a cheeky touch. There's even a little name for that take (if you need to, Goolgle "Paneka").
With a 2-0 lead for the Timbers, game faces were in full effect.
Fandome will make you do crazy things. Who doesn't have a man crush on Darlington? This however, was a bold move.
Defender Taylor Peay (pronounced "pay") was the first of three rookies to sub in for the Timbers in the second half. Peay had quite the shift: 34 minutes in his Timbers debut and scoring his first professional goal.
It didn't take long for the puns to break out on Twitter.
Timber Joey was a busy man. When the whistle blew for full time, there were four log slabs to be distributed - three for goals and one for the clean sheet.
Cheers to another fun night at Providence Park, the three goals, a win and moving one step closer in pursuit of a trophy.
