The Portland Timbers certified for the Western Conference Semifinals after overcoming an early concession to defeat Minnesota United 3-1 at providence Park on Sunday night time. The victory secured the Timbers a Thanksgiving day matchup towards the Colorado Rapids.
Minnesota striker Franco Fragapane unfolded the scoring within the eleventh minute, setting up the tempo for the relaxation of the suit. The crew’s momentum didn't final lengthy, inspiring the Timbers to pounce on the attack.
Larrys Mabiala pulled one again for Portland, equalizing the fit at the 43 minute mark. The middle again skyrocketed to attain a Claudio Bravo short nook kick and launched his header beyond Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to discover the returned of the net.
The Timbers didn’t permit halftime prevent their rhythm, inspiring Sebastian Blanco to bag the cross-in advance intention rapidly after kick off. The Argentine player found a unfastened ball and placed himself to strike the unstoppable shot in the a ways put up.
Blanco then secured the lead with a second intention, the team’s 1/3, inside the 66th minute, pulling up to pressure the ball beyond a diving St. Clair.
Things heated up before the final whistle with a testy exchange following a tough foul by way of Fragapane on the Timbers’ Diego Chara. Mabiala came to Chara’s protection, putting off gamers on both sides to motel to pushing and shoving. Eight yellow playing cards were surpassed out at some point of the healthy, with six going to Minnesota.
The Timbers concluded the match outshooting their opponent 17 to 8. While Minnesota concluded the 2021 campaign one spot lower than their playoff opponent, they truely couldn't match up.
Portland completed the 2021 ordinary season in fourth on the Western Conference table with fifty five factors and a record of 17-four-13. They increase to the subsequent round against conference leaders Colorado Rapids, who concluded 2021 with sixty one points and a document of 17-10-7.
