Portland Timbers Quotes
Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter
On his side’s performance…
“I’m really proud of the guys. I thought their performance was really professional. In the first half, we managed the game extremely well, limited their chances and kept the game tight. We knew that in the second half, being that they were at home, we would find more chances because they would be eager to score.”
On the team’s defensive work…
“When we did have to defend and absorb at times, I thought we did a good job at that. Obviously it was disappointing to give up a goal right after our second goal which made it a little tougher for us and put more pressure on us at the end. But, unlike a couple games in the past, we were able to see the game out, which is a good sign – being able to manage a lead to get the result.”
Thoughts on the attacking performance…
“It was good to have [Diego] Valeri back on the pitch and to get that front four group back together again. That was the attacking group that we went with at the end of the year when we won three out of our last four games and finished so strong. I thought in the second half we took the game over and created a lot of chances. Obviously Valeri showed a bit of class with his goal; it’s great to have him back and he’ll keep pulling off plays like that. I’m confident that we’ll continue to gel in the attack, more and more, and it was great to score another goal off a set piece. We need to find goals like that, too.”
Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri
On the result…
“I’m happy about the goal and the win. We wanted to get three points and we did it. Now we have another hard game in Houston. We will enjoy this, rest up and train next week.”
On the team’s performance…
“We knew that we would find spaces. We tried to win the middle and we did a good job. In the second half, we found more space and we did a great second half.”
Portland Timbers midfielder Jack Jewsbury
On the team’s offensive performance…
“It felt good. Obviously, we’ve been frustrated on the offensive side not getting goals. To be able to score two goals on the road was very important, especially since this month we’re pretty much on the road.”
On the team’s second-half approach…
“Second halves in this league open up a bit more, so we were able to find some spaces. The reality is that we made the most of our chances.”
Montreal Impact Quotes
Montreal Impact head coach Frank Klopas
On his team’s performance…
“I felt we kept things tight. The only dangerous part was when we lost the ball a couple of times in transition and they caught us a little bit stretched. Other than that, we were under control. ”
On accountability…
“We need to play better. With more intensity, we have to push the games and there has got to be more accountability. At the end of the day, the accountability is on me as I’m the head coach. I make the decisions, but, I need to see more from my players.”
On his tactical approach…
“In the second half, we talked about moving the ball a little bit quicker instead of getting in situations where we are running 30-40 yards with the ball at our feet. I knew we would get opportunities, but unfortunately we gave up that first goal and second goal which changes all your plans.”
Montreal Impact defender Nigel Reo-Coker
On the team’s performance...
“I felt we had a good first half. I think if we pushed a bit in the second half, were more aggressive and were a more positive team, we would win the game. I think they were more impressive than us, they were more positive and they played more like a team than we did.”
Montreal Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush
On not scoring early...
“I think that when you don’t score early and don’t put away chances, it puts pressure on the team to continue to defend the right way. When you don’t go up a goal, especially at home you’re putting yourself in jeopardy.”
On losing at home...
“It’s unacceptable when you’re at home. It was hot here during the first half, so maybe some guys were a little bit tired, but at the same time, the other team is playing in the same conditions. It’s no excuse for us and we have to figure out a way to come out stronger.”
Notes:
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Midfielder Diego Valeri made his first start of the 2015 season on Saturday, playing 72 minutes and scoring the game-winning goal. Valeri made his first appearance in a scoreless draw on May 2 against Vancouver, his first minutes since recovering from a torn ACL sustained on Oct. 25, 2014.
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With the win, Portland has registered consecutive road wins against the Montreal Impact, including a 3-2 win at Stade Saputo in 2014.
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Defender Liam Ridgewell made his 25th consecutive start for the Timbers on Saturday, which is currently the longest active streak on the team.
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Midfielder Diego Chara recorded his 127th career appearance for Portland, moving into a tie for seventh place all-time with USL Timbers midfielder/defender Brian Winters (2001-05).
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Midfielder Rodney Wallace surpassed the 10,000 career-minutes played mark in MLS in the 39th minute on Saturday. Wallace has made 96 appearances for Portland since 2011, following two seasons with D.C. United (2009-10). Saturday marked Wallace’s 135th career MLS match.
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Defender Nat Borchers, who scored his second goal of the season on Saturday, made his 298th career MLS appearance – moving just two games shy of 300 career MLS matches.
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Borchers’ goal on Saturday marked the fourth time in his 11-year MLS career in which he has tallied two goals in a season. His career high is three goals (2011).
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Defender Jorge Villafaña made his 90th career MLS start on Saturday.
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Borchers and fellow defenders Ridgewell and Alvas Powell along with goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and midfielder Darlington Nagbe each played the full 90 minutes for the 10th straight game (900 minutes) this season.
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Portland has a road goal differential of plus-6 since the beginning of the 2013 season, which is the highest differential of any MLS team during that span.
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Portland has won half of its matches at Eastern Conference opponents since 2013, improving its road record in the Eastern Conference to 6-2-4 in that span.
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Defender Alvas Powell recorded eight tackles in the match, bringing his season total to 58, which is 17 more than any other MLS player.
- Portland's nine shots on goal against Montreal was a season high.
