PORTLAND, Ore. – With a brace from Dairon Asprilla and a game-winning goal from Sebastián Blanco, the Portland Timbers defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 at Providence Park on Saturday night. Asprilla recorded two goals in the first half and Blanco tallied the Timbers’ third goal in the 80th minute to seal the victory.
Goal Scorers
Dairon Asprilla tallied his first ever MLS brace in tonight’s match. He opened Portland’s account in the 28th minute and tallied the team’s second goal just two minutes later. The two goals were his third and fourth of the 2023 campaign, trailing Franck Boli (6) and Evander (5) for the team lead. Totaling 31 career goals, Asprilla became the fourth player in Timbers’ history to score 30 or more regular season goals (Diego Valeri – 86, Fanendo Adi - 54, Sebastián Blanco – 41). Sebastián Blanco registered his first goal of the season, becoming the 13th different Portland Timber to score in the 2023 campaign. It marked his first regular-season goal since Aug. 26, 2022. The Argentine winger now has 41 league goals for Portland, ranking third most in club history.
Valeri’s Ring of Honor Induction
The Timbers inducted club legend Diego Valeri into the Ring of Honor tonight, joining Clive Charles, John Bain, Jimmy Conway, Mick Hoban and Timber Jim as the sixth member. Acquired as a Designated Player by the Timbers via loan then transfer from Argentine-side Club Atlético Lanús in 2013, Valeri spent a stellar nine seasons (2013-2021) with the club. The Argentine midfielder is the club’s all-time leader in regular-season goals scored (86), assists (91) and points (263), while notching 100 goals and 104 assists in 306 appearances (265 starts) across all competitions for Portland. During his time with the club, Valeri helped the Timbers reach three MLS Cups (2015, 2018, 2021) and seven postseason appearances (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021). The most decorated player in club history, Valeri’s league honors include the Landon Donovan MLS MVP (2017), MLS Cup MVP (2015) and MLS Newcomer of the Year (2013). Notably, he is the only player in league history to win all three of those awards. A three-time MLS Best XI selection (2013, 2014, 2017) and five-time MLS All-Star honoree (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), Valeri was named to ‘The 25 Greatest’ MLS list in 2020, a recognition of the 25 brightest stars in league history.
History with the Crew
With tonight’s win, Portland leads the series with a mark of 6-3-3 and remains undefeated against the Crew at home (4-0-2). Timbers head coach Gio Savarese is also unbeaten against Columbus in his time at helm for Portland (3-0-1). Notably, the Timbers and Crew faced off in the 2015 MLS Cup at Mapfre Stadium, where Portland claimed its only league title to date with a 2-1 victory.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Dairon Asprilla (Dario Zuparic, Cristhian Paredes), 28th minute: Standing near the penalty kick spot, Dario Zuparic passed the ball to Dairon Asprilla, who on his first touch fired a right-footed shot into the upper-left corner of the goal.
POR – Dairon Asprilla (Franck Boli, Claudio Bravo), 30th minute: Franck Boli took possession of the ball from the midfield mark and slid a pass through two Columbus defenders and in front of Asprilla, who controlled the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and finished the play on his second touch sending the ball past the goalkeeper and into the lower-left corner of the goal.
CLB – Lucas Zelarayan (Jacen Russell-Rowe), 45+3 minute: Lucas Zelarayan started the play near the top of the 18-yard box, weaving the ball through two Timbers defenders for Jacen Russell-Rowe, who placed the ball near the six-yard box for Zelarayan to finish in the back of the net.
CLB – Lucas Zelarayan (Steven Moreira), 65th minute: Steven Moreira dribbled near the box before pulling the ball back to find Zelayaran, who fired a right-footed shot into the top-right corner of the goal.
POR – Sebastián Blanco, 80th minute: Yimmi Chara attempted to dribble in close range to the goal, but a Columbus defender poked the ball away and across the six-yard box. Sebastián Blanco pounced on the loose ball at the left post and fired a left-footed shot into the top-right corner of the goal.
Next Game
The Timbers will next enter Leagues Cup play in the group stage hosting San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, July 22, at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific) and will feature a national broadcast on FS1 and Univision with streaming available on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app in English and Spanish as well as local radio broadcasts, 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Notes
- With tonight’s win, Portland leads the series with a mark of 6-3-3 and remains undefeated against the Crew at home (4-0-2).
- Timbers head coach Gio Savarese is also unbeaten against Columbus in his time at helm for Portland (3-0-1).
- Notably, the Timbers and Crew faced off in the 2015 MLS Cup at Mapfre Stadium, where Portland claimed its only league title to date with a 2-1 victory.
- Dairon Asprilla tallied his first-ever career brace tonight.
- Asprilla opened the scoring in the 28th minute and tallied his second goal just two minutes after.
- The two goals were Asprilla’s third and fourth goals in 2023, totaling 31 career goals for Portland.
- He became the fourth player in Timbers history to score 30 or more goals (Fanendo Adi, Sebastián Blanco, Diego Valeri).
- Sebastián Blanco registered his first goal of the season and 41st career goal for the Timbers.
- Blanco’s goal was the game-winning goal for tonight, scoring in the 80th minute.
- Franck Boli recorded his first assist of the season, and is tied for a team-leading 13 points.
- Dario Zuparic tallied his first assist of the season.
- Diego Chara registered his 400th career appearance across all competitions with the Timbers.
- Felipe Mora registered his fourth appearance of the season tonight.
- Tonight’s win was the sixth of the season, putting Portland at a 6-3-3 record when playing at home in 2023.
Portland Timbers (6-9-8, 26pts) vs. Columbus Crew (10-6-6, 36pts)
July 15, 2023 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Asprilla (Zuparic), 28
POR: Asprilla (Boli), 30
CLB: Zelarayan (Russell-Rowe), 54
CLB: Zelarayan (Steven Moreira), 65
POR: Blanco, 80
Misconduct Summary:
POR: LorÃa (caution), 48
POR: D. Chara (caution), 54
POR: Blanco (excessive celebration), 81
Lineups:
POR: GK Bingham, D Mosquera, D Zuparic, D McGraw, D Bravo (Miller, 89), M D. Chara ©, M Paredes, M Evander (Mabiala, 84), F Asprilla (Blanco, 62), F Boli (Mora, 62), F LorÃa (Y. Chara, 62)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Ivacic, D Araujo, M Caliskan, F Niezgoda
TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Asprilla, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Asprilla, 3); FOULS: 18 (Paredes, 4); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4, SAVES: 2
CLB: GK Schulte, D Rosenberry, D Amundsen, D Zadawzki, D Moreira, D Yeboah (Arfsten, 78), M Nagbe ©, F Morris (Medranda, 89), F Farsi (Diaz, 78), M Zelarayan, F Russell-Rowe, F Ramirez
Substitutes Not Used: GK Bush, D Quinton, D Williams, D Vallecilla, M Parente, M Matan
TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Russell-Rowe, Zelarayan, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Russell-Rowe, Zelarayan, 2); FOULS: 7 (Yeboah, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 2
Referee: Tim Ford
Assistant Referees: Corey Parker, Walt Heatherly
Fourth Official: Mark Allatin
VAR: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Attendance: 24,181
