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Timbers have their chances, all come up empty in 0-0 draw

Whitecaps play solid defense, Portland misses PK

By , Columbian Soccer, hockey and Community Sports Reporter
Published:
5 Photos
Portland Timbers forward Rodney Wallace, left, battles for the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, May 2, 2015.
Portland Timbers forward Rodney Wallace, left, battles for the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, May 2, 2015. Photo Gallery

PORTLAND — Their star returned for the second act of Saturday’s battle with the Vancouver Whitecaps. But the script looked all too familiar for the Portland Timbers and their fans at Providence Park.

Despite dominating possession and creating chances — including a penalty kick – the Timbers couldn’t find the finishing piece in a scoreless draw with their Cascadia Cup rivals. It was the fifth time in nine matches this season that the Timbers have not scored — and the second consecutive home match without a goal.

“The toughest thing to do is to find a goal when a team sits back and is as organized (as Vancouver),” Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. “But somehow we’ve got to find a goal. Whether it’s individual quality or collective quality, we’ve got to find a goal.”

Not even the return of Diego Valeri — who entered the match in the 52nd minute to loud applause, and had a couple of difficult chances miss their mark — could bring a winning moment. The Argentine midfielder missed the first eight matches this season recovering from the knee injury he suffered in last season’s final match.

As has been the case in most of Portland’s matches this season, the lack of scoring wasn’t because of a lack of effort, or opportunities. But the Whitecaps were solid defensively and a missed penalty kick cost the Timbers a chance for a first-half lead that might have changed the game’s dynamic.

Portland had eight corner kicks, a number of free kicks from dangerous spots, and that first-half penalty kick chance. The Timbers finished with 65 percent of possession and tried 31 open-play crosses, but Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted only needed to make one save.

A half hour into the match, former Timbers defender Pa Modou Kah was called for a handball when he blocked an Alvas Powell cross. But Darlington Nagbe’s penalty kick slammed off the right post.

Porter said he thought Jack Jewsbury would take the penalty kick, but was proud of Nagbe for taking it despite the miss.

“I’ve known the kid since he was 14 years old and he never wants to take penalty kicks. Ever,” Porter said. “So while I was disappointed that he missed the penalty kick, he took responsibility to step up and take it. That’s a good sign.”

Moments after that miss, a Rodney Wallace cross from the left wing connected with Maximiliano Urruti in front of goal. But Urruti’s header flashed over the crossbar as he and Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted went crashing into the net.

On the positive side for the Timbers, their defense posted its fourth shutout of the season, and kept the Whitecaps from any dangerous chances.

“I think it’s a really hard game to defend in,” Porter said. “Sometimes when you have the ball and you’re up the field you’re most vulnerable. I thought our discipline in the back was outstanding.”

On the pitch

The records: The Timbers are 2-3-4 with 10 points (one of five Western teams with 10 points). The Whitecaps are 5-3-2 with 17 points (tied with FC Dallas atop the West).

Cascadia Cup standings: Timbers 0-2-1. Whitecaps 1-0-1. Sounders 1-0-0.

Lineup notes: Valeri replaced Ishmael Yartey, who made his first home appearance for the Timbers on the right wing. … For the second consecutive game, Urruti started at forward and Fanendo Adi came off the bench in the 66th minute. … Rodney Wallace returned to the starting lineup after missing two games with a knee problem, playing 78 minutes before Gaston Fernandez came on. Dairon Asprilla (hand) was not among the 18 players available to play.

Urruti or Adi: Caleb Porter said one reason he chose to start Maxi Urruti instead of Fanendo Adi was the hope that Urruti’s work rate and high pressure could force Vancouver central defenders Kendall Waston and PaModou Kah into mistakes. He noted that both defenders thrive in physical play, which is a big part of Adi’s game.

“We felt with Maxi we could turn Waston and Kah over a little bit, maybe create off of that. Use Maxi’s movement to bring Darlington (Nagbe) into the game and create combinations. (Urruti) also seems to lengthen the field a little bit more,” Porter said. “It’s not that one’s better than the other. They’re different. But I’m looking for a hot hand.

“I don’t call my players out in press conferences. But the attackers know that over 90 minutes they have to find a goal. We’re at home. We have the ball 65 percent of the time.”

That Kah handball: Kah protested his innocence on what appeared to be an obvious handball that gave Portland the first-half penalty kick that Nagbe missed. Kah stuck both a leg and his arm out, and the ball might have hit his leg first, but his arm was clearly extended from his body and blocked the ball.

Up next: The Timbers are on the road for their next three matches, with trips to Montreal, Houston and Toronto. Their only other May home game is a midweek match against D.C. United on May 27.

T2 to feature first-team Timbers: Timbers 2 hosts Orange County Blues at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Providence Park. Caleb Porter said that first-team players who have had little playing time — and who did not play on Saturday — will play for T2 on Sunday. The list includes the recuperating Will Johnson, along with central defender Norberto Paparatto, fullback Jeanderson, goalkeeper Andrew Weber, and perhaps midfielders Gaston Fernandez and George Fochive. … Fans with tickets stubs from Saturday’s match can purchase two tickets for the price of one for Sunday’s T2 match.

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Columbian Soccer, hockey and Community Sports Reporter