PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers closed out their Timbers Preseason Tournament, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky, with a commanding 3-0 win over visiting Real Salt Lake Saturday evening at Providence Park.
Cristhian Paredes opened the scoring for the Timbers in the second half, Jaroslaw Niezgoda converted a penalty and defender Bill Tuiloma scored a spectacular free-kick deep into stoppage time to help deliver the victory for Portland.
The Timbers now turn to the start of the MLS regular season as they play host to the New England Revolution at Providence Park on Feb. 26, (4:30pm PT, TICKETS, FOX).
Match Moments
21' - CHANCE (POR) - Defender Bill Tuiloma served a ball over the top that found Dairon Asprilla in the box but the forward's attempt went high over the goal.
29' - SAVE (POR) - A dangerous cross from out right found its way to goal but goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic quickly sprang to his right to collect the attempt.
42' - CHANCE (POR) - Midfielder Santiago Moreno rocketed up the middle of the pitch through the RSL midfield before deftly rolling a ball out left to Jaroslaw Niezgoda. Niezgoda rifled a left-footed shot on frame that RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa tipped to his left and off the far post.
51' - CHANCE (POR) - A throughball took Yimmi Chara to the endline. He chipped a ball back into the mixer that was knocked down with Cristhian Paredes volleying a shot just over the crossbar.
72' - GOAL (POR) - Portland took a 1-0 lead in the 72nd minute. Following a Portland corner kick, the initial ball in was cleared out wide. Moreno fed Y. Chara into the box who hit a low shot that RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath – who had just subbed in seconds earlier for an injured Ochoa – made the save. However, the rebound fell to an open Paredes who smashed his shot into the top netting.
74' - PK GOAL (POR) - Portland doubled their lead two minutes later as Jaroslaw Niezgoda converted a penalty attempt to make it 2-0 for the Timbers. Niezgoda earned the penalty moments before after breaking in on goal only to be cut down just atop the six-yard box which referee Calin Radosav immediately awarded a penalty for Portland.
90+2' - GOAL (POR) - Portland defender Bill Tuiloma iced the win with a spectacular free kick golazo from just outside the RSL 18-yard box to make it 3-0.
2022 Preseason, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake (MLS Preseason
Feb. 19, 2022 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Paredes, 72
POR: Niezgoda (penalty kick), 74
POR: Tuiloma, 90+2
Misconduct Summary:
RSL: Ruiz (caution), 16
RSL: Meram (caution), 36
POR: D. Chara (caution), 37
RSL: Silva (caution), 53
RSL: Holt (caution), 55
Portland Lineup:
POR: Asprilla, Bravo, D. Chara ©, Y. Chara (Anor #, 87), Ivacic, McGraw, Moreno (Bodily, 86), Niezgoda (Gutierrez %, 87), Paredes (Fochive, 86), Tuiloma, Van Rankin
Unused Subs: Bahachille #, Bingham, Duran ^, Ferguson ^, Haugli %, McCartney %, Rasmussen, Shaul ^, Sulte, Vom Steeg, Wray ^
% draftee
^ academy player
# non-roster invitee
Attendance: 10,123
