SCORELESS DRAW IN PROVIDENCE PARK SETS UP TIMBERS-SPORTING KC SHOWDOWN

The Portland Timber’s second consecutive appearance in the MLS Cup playoffs has been exciting.

  • Photo by: Fletcher Wold

 

After finishing fifth in the Western Conference standings, the Timbers had to go against FC Dallas in an away, knock-out round game to continue moving on. Being away from home was no challenge for Portland as it slipped away with a 2-1 win, as the Timbers’ own Diego Valeri netted a brace.

With little rest, the Timbers then hosted the second-seeded Seattle Sounders four days later to begin a two-leg Western Conference semi-final round. Portland won 2-1 at home despite trailing after an early goal from Seattle’s Raul Ruidiaz.

What followed on Nov. 8 was arguably one of the most dramatic games in MLS playoff history as Seattle and Portland ended up tied 4-4 in total goals (after a 2-1 Seattle “win” in 90 minutes, then another goal from each side in extra time). But the Timbers survived and advanced by defeating the Sounders in a 4-2 penalty kick shootout.

Leg 1 of the Western Conference championship was played at Providence Park this past Sunday, Nov. 25.

The Timbers and Sporting Kansas City played to a 0-0 draw, in front of another sellout crowd. Fans were out waiting hours before kickoff, enjoying time with friends and reminiscing over that epic, glorious win against those arch-rival Sounders.

My Advocate colleague Fletcher Wold and I had the privilege to be at the game and witness the Timbers Army chant their hearts out to their beloved team. Standing up in the press box and looking down towards the field watching all these fans finding their seats was nothing short of amazing. Despite there being a Portland Trail Blazers game that same early evening, having Providence Park sold out showed why Portland is known as Soccer City, USA.

Right from the start, the Timbers were pushing forward. Sebastian Blanco had an early chance at goal denied. Then, in the 6th minute, Jorge Villafaña had a shot at goal from outside the 18-yard box that banged into the back post and went out.

These two early plays had the crowd going and had them feeling Portland was bound to get that first goal. Most of the first half was possession from Sporting Kansas City, and the Timbers sat back a bit and went forward for the counterattack, something they’ve been good at this whole season. Portland was able to hold SKC to only one shot on goal, as the Timbers’ defense really had its game on, coming up clutch in crucial times in the second half to block multiple shots.

The Timbers also saw a goal disallowed due to an offside call in the 70th minute as David Guzman headed home a rebound of a shot originally by Liam Ridgewell. SKC’s Daniel Salloi had a chance inside the box in stoppage time, but Ridgewell had a crucial block to deny SKC a massive away goal (teams scored by the road team serve as a crucial tiebreaker in the MLS two-game playoff format).

Neither team was able to gain an advantage heading to Leg 2, on the scoreboard.

But, Villafaña said on Sunday night, “I think it’s a great result,” with that away-goal rule in mind.

Personally, I do think it is a great result. Yes, scoring a goal would have been nice but the fact the Timbers were able to deny SKC a score and hold them to only one shot on goal is huge.

SKC is known to be giant at home but have struggled defensively. Many times during their Western Conference semi-final matches against Real Salt Lake, they left many open gaps that RSL did take advantage of. If the Timbers can score the first goal it will complicate SKC’s game plan, having them push up more and leaving those gaps out back. And what have the Timbers been good at this season…? Counterattacks. And it’s a game SKC has to win: any tied scenario, except another 0-0 score, sees the Timbers advancing to the grand stage of the MLS Cup Final. (Only a scoreless tie would force extra time, where away goals are not relevant anymore.)

The Timbers are now in the other side of the equation, as just last year in the 2017 playoffs, they had flown to Houston for a two-legged Western Conference semi-final match against the Houston Dynamo, which also ended in a scoreless game.

The second leg was played at Providence Park and while fans were optimistic, the Dynamo won in Portland, 2-1. Houston scored the first goal that day, which totally disrupted the Timbers and created more pressure, making it a must-win game where a draw meant a series loss.

On Thursday night (after Advocate press deadline), the Timbers were set to play SKC at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, with the potential advantage of the away goal.

We will know as you read this if it worked out in their favor – and if they made the MLS Cup Final, set for Saturday, Dec. 8 (against either Atlanta United or the New York Red Bulls).

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*