Portland Timbers Earn Victory Over Cascadia Rival Vancouver Whitecaps

Timber Joey cutting a log slap after a Timbers goal. Photo by Diego Diaz

Providence Park was full of Cascadia Cup energy as the Portland Timbers played host to the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Timbers Army hoisted up a TIFO featuring Mr. October himself, Dairon Asprilla, in black and white holding crossed battle axes with the text, “Lock, Stock, and Burn the Lot,” with RCTID green smoke popped along the left side.

Santiago Moreno up against Giuseppe Bovalina. Photo by Diego Diaz

It took the Timbers a short time to warm up and find their rhythm in the first 15 minutes of the match. Vancouver did not look any better and made some cheap unnecessary fouls early on. The TA’s first round of “Build a Bonfire” came in the 9th minute and was the most entertaining part of the match to that point.

The Whitecaps had the first two shots on goal within the first 15 but neither shot by Bovalina or Picault was a threat to the Timbers. Evander had a shot towards goal in the 21st minute that was blocked by the Whitecaps defense. On the next possession, Jonathan Rodriguez’s shot on goal was caught by Vancouver keeper Yohei Takaoka.

Jonathan Rodriguez sending the ball past Yohei Takaoka. Photo by Diego Diaz

Portland built on that momentum and started looking sharp. Their passes were crisp and direct and it was obvious that they were communicating more than earlier in the match. In the 26th minute Evander connected with Rodriguez just outside of the goal and after a quick two touches, Jonathan put the ball in the back of the net for the first goal of the match.

Rodriguez’s goal celebration. Photo by Diego Diaz

The first yellow card given out by head referee Ted Unkle was to Vancouver midfielder Alessandro Schöpf for a late tackle against Diego Chara. Five minutes later the Whitecaps had their second yellow for a foul by Tristan Blackmon.

Santiago Moreno had a shot on goal in the 37th minute that was saved by Takaoka. Vancouver had a shot on goal shortly after with the same results. Timbers Felipe Mora was hungry for a goal and almost scored off a header in the 43rd but it was saved by Takaoka.

Mora’s strike for goal. Photo by Diego Diaz

Mora was persistent and got his goal in the 45th minute with a quick strike from the center of the box with Santi on the assist. The Timbers were up 2-0 at the end of the first half with 3+ minutes of stoppage time added.

Vancouver started the second half with a double substitution bringing on forward Brian White for Fafà Picault, who had the loose touch that resulted in Mora’s goal, and replaced defender Guisepe Bovalina with midfielder Ryan Raposo.

Mora’s celebration after his goal. Photo by Diego Diaz

The Whitecaps were forced to make another roster change when Scöph received his second yellow card for pulling Moreno down from around the waist when Santi got by him. He was ejected in the 51st minute leaving Vancouver a man down for the majority of the second half.

Goal celebration between Mora and Moreno. Photo by Diego Diaz

Portland’s David Ayala had a great game and has continued to show improvement with each match. He was given a yellow card in the 55th minute then had a near miss shot on goal three minutes later. He was substituted out in the 64th for Christian Paredes.

Evander vs Vancouver. Photo by Diego Diaz

Head coach Phil Neville said in the post match interview, “I think Ayala is a brilliant young player…He was on a yellow card and that’s why I brought him off…David is getting better and better every game. His decision making is getting better. I think with him and Diego (Chara).. you are seeing a development of a partnership in the midfield where almost Diego is in there as sort of like the experienced head and he’s allowing the young guys to press the ball, go and get the ball and he is just dovetailing around them. I’m really super pleased with his (Ayala) performances.”

James Pantemis keeping the sheet clean. Photo by Diego Diaz

Vancouver collected another yellow card in the 60th and used the break in play to make a substitution bringing on Luís Martins for Javain Brown.

Portland defeder Cladio Bravo. Photo by Diego Diaz

The rest of the second half was full of substitutions, petty fouls, and unremarkable corner kicks. Portland could not find another goal despite being a man up for 45 minutes. Antony, Williamson, Asprilla, and Fogaça were all brought into the match with little result.

Timbers Army in full force. Photo by Diego Diaz

There were 7 minutes of stoppage time added. Williamson had the last play of the game with a free kick just outside of the 18 yard line after he was pushed down from behind just outside of the penalty line. His free kick cleared the wall but did not drop low enough to find the goal. Final score 2-0 Portland.