Portland Timbers 0-Sporting Kansas City 0
After one leg it is all even in the MLS Western Conference Finals. Despite facing some difficult chances and a vociferous Cascadian crowd, Sporting Kansas City escaped Providence Park with a 0-0 draw on Sunday against the Portland Timbers.
Of the two sides the Timbers had the best chances at goal. With the home crowd behind him, defender Jorge Villafana appeared to have the go-ahead goal early in the first half. However, his shot went off the far post and was cleared away by the Kansas City defense to avoid further danger. They nearly went ahead in the 70th minute when David Guzman slotted his shot into the back off of the net via a set piece. However, the referee ruled the goal dead after an offsides call. Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia made six stops on the night while his counterpart, Jeff Attinella, was forced to make just one.
With the draw both teams enter Thursday’s second leg in Kansas City with everything to play for. While Sporting have proven themselves to be an excellent home side (10-2-5, 35 points) Portland should feel optimistic about their chances, especially given the road goal advantage. The two team’s will square off at Children’s Mercy Park at 9:30 PM EST/8:30 PM CST/6:30 PM PST on ESPN.
You can check out Fern McOstigan’s recap of the match below. But in the meantime please enjoy some of our photos from the match courtesy of Diego Diaz (who you can find on Twitter @dhondiego and on Instagram @dhondiego), Mark Hoffman, and Jeff Wong.
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 25: Portland Timbers tie 0-0 with Sporting Kansas City on the first leg of the Western Finals (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
