Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter says draw with Vancouver was a ‘fair

Portland, coming off a 3-0 loss at Philadelphia last weekend, was jockeying with the Whitecaps for position in the Western Conference. I’m so proud of them today. We’ve got to try to get back to that. That didnt mean, however, that they weren’t creating chances. We missed four or five chances but it happens sometimes.

Inevitably, there are games in Major League Soccer when a squad’s depth is tested. With the heat, both clubs seemed to be playing much slower.

Portland got on the scoreboard first with a goal from Diego Valeri in the 34th minute. The ball went inside the left post, and the score was knotted 1-1.

Kekuta Manneh was lively all over the pitch in the first half.

Vancouver took advantage of the pace, scoring the equalizer on a firecracker of a goal.

ON DEFENSE: Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey made several key saves in the first half to keep Portland in the lead.

The Gambian winger later rounded Kwarasey after a terrific through ball from Mauro Rosales. He sent the ball toward goal, but just before it crossed the line, Timbers defender Nat Borchers raced in and cleared it. Another inch and Vancouver would have gone up a goal.

The second half calmed down a bit as play resumed after intermission. “Fair result, maybe could have gone the other way”.

The Whitecaps battled back and tied the game in the 58th minute. With Parker and Dean covering Adi, Valeri was free to cut in on goal.

Vancouver Whitecaps ended a run of two successive defeats by drawing 1-1 away to Portland Timbers this morning. In one play, he worked his way into a breakaway with some fine dribbling, only to see his left footed effort denied by Adam Kwarasey, who did well to come off his line quickly and cut down the angle.

It was Laba’s first goal of the season, and he celebrated by rushing to the opposite end of the field for the contingent of Whitecaps’ supporters who made the trip south of the border to Providence Park. Laba’s previous MLS marker came in a Toronto FC kit on August 4, 2013 at New England. I shot the ball with confidence and it was nice to score. “I got lucky too”.

The fiery finish was in contrast to a first half that saw both teams attacking with zeal. With temperatures reaching 35 Celsius during the match.

So if that trio is still out on Saturday, the Whitecaps should be able to control the midfield. Maxi Urruti, Norberto Paparatto, and Gaston Fernandez are the other three. Carl Robinson countered with Russell Teibert who was asked to man mark Will Johnson. Caps’ fullback Jordan Harvey was red-carded in the 92nd minute for a rash challenge on Valeri. The Whitecaps left-back was late and delivered a two-footed tackle from behind on Diego Valeri.

Tempers continued to boil over after the final whistle.

Referee Juan Guzman then gave Timbers midfielder Will Johnson a yellow card for unsporting behavior, followed by a red card for fighting.

Up next: The Timbers play their next two games on the road, at Dallas on July 25 and at San Jose on August 2. Caleb Porter was none to happy with his skipper earning a suspension for next week. It was tough. You don’t usually see that (a red card after the match). A lot of times guys are frustrated at the end of a game. “So it’s disappointing obviously because Will will be out for the next game”.

They won on the front foot in Portland however, so let’s hope they can finally do the same in Vancouver! The match is part of the Timbers season-ticket package.