Three golden points were today’s result at the colossus of Goose Hollow when the Portland Timbers pulled a close one after being ahead and RSL staging a rally and felling short.
After the referee went to consult VAR and awarded a penalty in favor of the Timbers after a disputed handball by RSL defender Toni Datkovic, Darion Aspirilla converted the penalty in the 10th minute to put the Timbers ahead.
Yimmi Chara doubled the lead in the 29th minute with an assist from Asprilla. RSL pulled one back courtesy of Albert Rusnak in the 40th minute to make it 2-1.
With another half to go, we were sure of seeing a lot of fireworks between these two sides, and that came to be when Sebastian Blanco, coming on as a halftime sub, delivered a ball over the top and found an unmarked Felipe Mora to make it 3-1 to the hosts.
Damir Kreilach made it 3-2 and pulled RSL within one, and in the ending minutes went looking for an equalizer. However, goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic as well the defense was crucial for the Rose City side and come up big tonight.
The Timbers endured the pressure in the final minutes and with Ivacic denying Rusnak what could be an equalizer and deny the Timbers two of the three points at least.
However, today’s match saw a very determined Portland side, looking forward to delivering to its fan base and these brought, in the end, three golden points and moving the postseason spots with 23 points.
Goals
Dairon Aspirilla 10’ PK PTFC, Yimmi Chara 29’ PTFC, Albert Rusnak 40’ RSL,
Felipe Mora 62’ PTFC, Damir Kreilach 82’ RSL
Men of the Match
Dairon Aspirilla, Yimmi Chara, Felipe Mora
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
