PORTLAND, Ore. – In their opening match of the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) tournament, the Portland Timbers defeated C.D. Dragon 2-1 before 16,268 fans at Providence Park on Wednesday night, moving atop of Group B. Forward Jack McInerney and midfielder Diego Valeri both tallied goals for Portland, with Valeri scoring the game-winning goal in the 90th minute.
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With the win, the Timbers extended their all-time CCL record to 4-1-0 since joining MLS, including an unbeaten record at Providence Park (3-0-0).
The Timbers (1-0-0, 3pts CCL) opened the scoring midway through the first half when McInerney scored his seventh goal in all competitions this season, finishing Valeri’s pass inside the six-yard box in the 21st minute of play. The goal took place after clever combination play from the Timbers on the right side of the box, with forward Fanendo Adi holding the ball up before laying it off to Valeri, who played a first-time cross into the box for McInerney’s finish.
Following an equalizer from C.D. Dragon (0-1-0, 0pts CCL) against the run of play in the 76th minute, Portland found the game-winning goal in the 90th minute as Valeri notched his 10th goal in all competitions. The midfielder was able to score after midfielder Lucas Melano crossed the ball into the box, connecting with Valeri whose initial header rattled off the crossbar. After quickly pouncing on his own rebound, Valeri managed to slip his strike under C.D. Dragon goalkeeper Henry Hernandez, giving the Timbers the advantage.
Producing an 18-8 edge in shots, Portland started the match on the strong foot, creating multiple chances to score in both halves. In the seventh minute of play, Adi struck a powerful effort from inside the 18-yard box, hitting his strike off the crossbar, while midfielder Jack Jewsbury’s corner found defender Amobi Okugo inside the box 10 minutes later, resulting in a header that went just high of the target.
Continuing to build momentum in the second half, the Timbers created another chance to score when McInerney laid the ball off for Jewsbury at the top of the box, with the midfielder hitting his one-time strike just wide of the near post in the 52nd minute of play. Portland came close to extending its tally in the 78th minute when Valeri rifled a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target, while midfielder Darlington Nagbe’s effort two minutes later went just high of the crossbar. With the Timbers continuing to push forward late in the game, Adi’s hold-up play deep inside the box created space for Nagbe, whose final effort forced a difficult save from Hernandez in the 81st minute.
Next up, the Timbers will return to league play on Sunday, Aug. 7, against Sporting Kansas City at Providence Park. Sunday’s match will feature a national broadcast on ESPN with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). The Timbers will resume CONCACAF Champions League play against Club Deportivo Saprissa at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Sept. 14, before traveling to face C.D. Dragon at Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Sept. 27. Portland will conclude group play against Saprissa at Providence Park on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
CONCACAF Champions League – Group B
Portland Timbers (1-0-0, 3pts) vs. C.D. Dragon (0-1-0, 0pts)
Aug. 3, 2016 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 1 1 2
C.D. Dragon 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
POR: McInerney (Valeri), 21
CD: Howell (Jack), 76
Misconduct Summary
CD: Polio (Caution), 55
CD: Osorio (Caution), 57
CD: Monteagudo (Caution), 68
CD: Hernandez (Caution), 84
CD: Cruz (Caution), 90
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Gleeson, D Powell, D Taylor, D Okugo, D Vytas, M Valeri ©, M Chara, M Jewsbury, M Grabavoy (Nagbe, 66), F Adi, F McInerney (Melano, 73)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Konopka, D Peay, D Klute, M Barmby
TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Valeri, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Four players tied, 1); FOULS: 7 (Powell, 4); OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 4
CD: GK Hernandez, D Osorio, D Monteagudo, D Lizama (Posadas, 85), D Gonzalez, D Jack, D Hernandez ©, M Bely, M Polio (Cruz, 63), F Valencia, F Howell (Lopez, 80)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Sanchez, D Lemus, M Lopez, D Sevilla,
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Howell, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Four players tied, 1); FOULS: 18 (Valencia, 4); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 4
Referee: Jafeth Amador
Assistant Referees: Gabriel Camarena, Ronald Miranda
4th Official: Jose Marquez
Attendance: 16,268
Weather: Clear, 78 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
