Finally, the day came when the Portland Timbers pulled an important if not valuable win at home, in what Major League Soccer in its Sunday schedule, dubbed as Decision Day.
With Diego Valeri out with an injury and Brian Fernandez suspended, for manager Giovanni Savarese it was time to work and make his all right moves to put on a strong starting eleven on the field.
Leave it to Larry’s Mabiala being on the right place when that cross the man in an unorthodox way pushed the ball way out of reach of the Quakes keeper Daniel Vega to put the Timbers ahead.
After some near goal plays executed by the Timbers and a couple from Jorge Moreira beautiful shoot going wide and Sebastian Blanco miss, the Rose City side meant business since the get go of this match.
However, after that first goal by their center back Larry’s Mabiala in the 29’ minute and with the lead, somehow the Quakes Talisman and top scorer Chris Wondolowski equal the score in the 40’ minute.
As the match tied at a goal apiece, after halftime we were ready to see a display of might from both sides looking at any cost not for the draw but the win to earn their pass into the postseason in a comfortably.
Furthermore, came the Dairon Aspirilla show, as mister October still has that magic from 2015 that helped the Timbers go all the way to win the league shield, as a result of that controversial snub over Gio a few games back.
The man came in the clutch and this time scoring what became the go-ahead goal in the 59’ minute after Aspirilla on a well-executed pass from Jeremy Ebobisse to set up what became a game changer.
With Dairon Aspirilla taking the ball and going one on one with Quakes defender Florian Jungwith and his shoot rebounded on keeper Daniel Vega hand but Aspirilla with his own rebound scoring the goal ahead goal.
This was not to be over as a result of that amazing play from Aspirilla came another opportunity at goal well taken by Sebastian Blanco on a free shoot that went through for the third goal in the 75’.
That amazing goal for Sebastian Blanco not even blinking when his shoot it and putting it out of the Quakes keeper reach for the third and definitive goal that put the Portland Timbers in playoff’s paradise.
Now to Salt Lake City colossus on October 19 to play their pass into semifinals against Real Salt Lake, will we see the Timbers mastery of RSL in a third and important game.
Goals
Larry’s Mabiala 29’ PT, Chris Wondolowski 40’ SJQ, Dairon Aspirilla 59’ PT, Sebastian Blanco 75’ PT
Highlights
Since the start of the game the Portland Timbers starting eleven showed determination and hunger
Sebastian Blanco played like a true leader and scoring a beauty of a goal
Dairon Aspirilla efforts rewarded with a rebound of his own to score the go-ahead goal
Larry’s Mabiala opening goal inspired and fueled the Timbers attack
Moreira, Mabiala, Tuiloma and Villafaña doing a superb job keeping the Quakes attack on hold
Steve Clark kudos to another amazing performance and registering 3 important saves
Cristhian Paredes another good performance
Giovanni Savarese is a proven genius when it comes to games seen as nail bitters
Gio’s 4-3-2-1 formation proved lethal to San Jose backfield as well its offensive game
Overall a great game these Timbers put on at home with a much-needed win
Now Rio Tinto bound to face off Real Salt Lake, can the Timbers make it three straights
Men of the Match
Larry’s Mabiala, Dairon Aspirilla and Sebastian Blanco
Portland Timbers
San Jose Earthquakes
