After a difficult time recently, the Portland Timbers completed a fine result over the Vancouver Whitecaps, sealing a solid 3-0 away win for the Oregon outfit. After a first half of little interest, the second half exploded into the life and goals from some of the most important members of the Timbers squad keeps them on track for a successful season.

The first half had really nothing of any note to speak about, with little chances or excitement to talk about. The best chance fell to the home side, when new boy Mauro Rosales hit a beautiful cross to the on-rushing Pedro Morales.

Thankfully, he was unable to contribute as the Chilean headed over from close in. However, the 2nd half more than made up for it with an Alvas Powell header at the near-post via a Valeri cross just after the break on the 51st minute marking the beginning of a controlled, mature second half performance from the Timbers.

Vancouver struggled to break down the narrow, deep Timbers away side and failed to get any head of steam or rhythm going. This allowed the Timbers to stay in position and look for opportunities on the break. The game followed this similar pattern until the 75th minute. Michael Harrington and Maxi Urutti both came on as subs, and great player from Harrington just after arriving on the field allowed him to get the ball away to the little Argentine.

He spun on the edge of the box, and turned to face goal before unleashing a venomous dig that hit the bar before going on, to give the Timbers a probable away victory. Darlington Nagbe had recently made his return to the team after a stretch out of due to injury, and his return was a cause for celebration for the away side. With two goals up and plenty of space to play into, the Timbers finished the game off when Nagba slipped in Costa Rican international Rodney Wallace.

He banged the shot home low beyond the helpless David Ousted, and sealed the three points for the Timbers. Portland take on the Earthquakes in an all-Western clash, and this dictate the season for both sides with not long left in the overall season. It’s been a good weekend for the Timbers, now it’s up to them to keep that going.

This moves the Timbers back into the playoff positions, albeit with the caveat that the Whitecaps have a game in hand still.