Following the difficult result in LA last time out, the Portland Timbers were determined to bounce back against one of the worst sides in the country at the moment in Chivas USA. The US version of the Mexican giants put on a very meek performance, while the Timbers were back in front of their loyal and passionate fans at Providence Park to make up for last week’s difficult result.
Timbers didn’t waste Time
Diego Valeri didn’t waste much time in putting the Timbers in front. The little Argentine is quickly becoming the star player in the team, and his incredible finish yet again put the Timbers in the driving seat. The Timbers love a Valeri goal, and his run of form at the moment is beginning to really make the Argentine stand out here in MLS.
Rodney Wallace, the Costa Rican wide man, scored not too far later in the first-half to effectively wrap up the game before the interval. Despite boasting Erick Torres, a member of the All-Stars team recently, Chivas never looked up for the game and their season continues to go from bad to worse. The Timbers are back in winning ways and despite missing the chance to go three in a row last week, a professional performance at home to Chivas will do the Timbers a world of good.
With Darlington Nagbe missing an unprecedented second game, it was up to Valeri to provide the main spark in the team and his destruction of Nathan Sturgis on the build-up to his goal was outstanding. His right-foot is quickly becoming one of the best in the country, and his stunning right-footed curler was all it took to open up the game and put the Timbers in a commanding position.
Timbers second Look
The Timbers thought they made it two in the 25th-minute when Liam Ridgewell tapped home for what looked to be his first goal in MLS. However, it was ruled out for an offside following an audacious dig from Will Johnson. The Canadian has been in fine form and his goal-bound shot hit the post before Ridgewell tapped home.
It only took until the 39th to finish the game off, when Fanendo Adi produced a lovely piece of play, dismissing the Chivas defender before rolling the ball on for the oncoming Wallace. The Costa Rican finished like a top forward and charged away to celebrate his first goal post knee injury.
Chivas rarely threatened the Timbers goal, an unlikely miss from Torres aside, and in the end it was a more than comfortable win for the Timbers. Not every game will be as easy for this, we wish, but with a trip to the Revolution coming up there will be plenty to play for in the coming weekend.
Image © Portland Timbers
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