Timbers Stun Nashville With a 4-1 Win at Providence Park

Jonathan Rodriguez just a goal shy of a hat trick after Timbers 4-1 win over Nashville (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

The Portland Timbers turned the heat up on an already hot night at Providence Park with a 4-1 win over visiting Nashville SC. The new climate reality of heatwaves turned even hotter during the first half of the engagement with 11 minutes of hell where the Timbers stunned Nashville with four goals:  Felipe Mora in minute 18, Jonathan Rodriguez in 21, then again in 24, and Erik Williamson in 29. The game had been quite balanced before Mora’s opener, and the frustration of the visitors peaked when a dangerous tackle from Brian Anunga over David Ayala was ruled a straight red car in minute 35. Down by 4, ten-man Nashvilles tried their best to reset and play the second half and got an consolation goal in minute 82 by Sam Surridge.

The match was attended by over 20,000 spectators despite the heat advisory and the emergency declaration affecting the State of Oregon. The stunning victory left other anecdotes, like former playmaker and club legend Diego Valeri working the drums at the Timbers Army supporters group, and coach Phil Neville received the shout out from the fans as he had to watch the match from the suites as he was serving a match suspension for yellow card accumulations. Portland forward and designated player Jonathan Rodriguez earned Man of the Match and made the MLS team of the week for his performance in the match.

Those images and more in the following gallery. Photos by Diego G Diaz.