The Portland Timbers were short handed due to injuries and suspension coming into today’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, but they overwhelmed the visitors early before grinding out a 2-1 win.
The Timbers held the ball for much of the match, keeping the Whitecaps pinned back in their own end and working the ball from flank to flank. The high press of former Whitecap Darren Mattocks, given the start in the absence of suspended Fanendo Adi, and Dairon Asprilla, in for injured Sebastian Blanco, gave the Whitecaps’ back line fits.
It was during one of the Timbers’ long periods of possession that the opener came.