[ad_1]
KANSAS CITY, Kansas – The Portland Timbers are heading to the MLS Cup for the second time in four years.
Three years after knocking out Sporting Kansas City in an epic playoff game to win the 2015 MLS Cup, the Timbers last Thursday resisted Kansas City to make up for their deficit to secure their place in the 2018 MLS Cup. .
Sebastian Blanco scored one goal and Diego Valeri scored twice as the Timbers defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-2 in the Western Conference Championship series in front of 20 091 spectators at Children & # 39; s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas Thursday.
The win came after the Timbers played in Kansas City for a scoreless draw in the first leg of the series. Portland won the series 3-2 on the total score.
"It's a credit for a group that has worked hard, a group that has always believed we could achieve something big," said Timbers coach, Giovanni Savarese. "Now, this success puts us where we want to be, in the final."
The Timbers will now face Atlanta United in the 2018 MLS Cup. The match will take place on Saturday, December 8 at 5pm. PST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
After being the aggressor in Portland in the first leg of the series, the Timbers were on the defensive for much of the first half of Thursday as they struggled to contain Kansas City on a cold night at Children's Mercy Park. It was 35 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of sending.
Kansas City found what seemed to be the goal of the series in the 20th minute.
The game began when Kansas City striker, Johnny Russell, sent the ball back to the Timbers center, Liam Ridgewell, while he was trying to score. The ball fell on striker Diego Rubio, who scored the goal of striker Daniel Salloi. Salloi shot Timber defender Zarek Valentin's legs and into the net to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead.
Kansas City continued to pressure the Timbers throughout the first half, but could not extend their lead. This has turned out to be huge for Portland.
Salloi appeared to score again in the 24th minute, but the goal was recalled as Kansas City defenseman Ike Opara, in offside, embarrassed goalkeeper Jeff Attinella in the game. Rubio then placed the ball in the opposing goal in stoppage time in the first half, but was declared offside.
"Gio was very honest (in the locker room at half-time)," said Attinella. "We went out and it was not good enough, I think we had a bit of luck in less than a goal in the first half, but at the same time we took their best shots and we only managed one, and we knew we could play better. "
After struggling for much of the first half, Portland took revenge in the second half.
"I thought it was a very difficult first half," Savarese said. "I thought they were very good and we were lucky to have only one less goal, but then the character came out in the second half and I thought we were really very good."
Blanco knocked out Kansas City with his golazo just seven minutes into the second half. The Argentinian midfielder conceded a pass from Jorge Villafana in the 52nd minute and made a few touches before shooting an incredible shot from over 30 meters in the top corner of the goal. With the 1-1 draw, the Timbers regained control of the lead due to the tiebreaker on the outside.
"I can not believe it," said Blanco. "I have tried, of course, to shoot, but not at this place.It's beautiful because for us it was amazing for our trust.I am very happy for the purpose , For victory."
Valeri then gave Portland a 2-1 lead in the 61st minute. Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia was able to keep Timbers striker Jeremy Ebobisse out of the box, but Valeri was there to lead the goal. Kansas City fans threw beer cans at the field following the goal, forcing both teams to leave the field.
"Sebastian's goal changed the game," said Valeri. "It gave us a lot of energy and confidence to find the second one, then we defended ourselves against a good team and we were efficient, it's a great feeling in a very difficult stadium."
Kansas City pushed the numbers towards the end of the match as they struggled to return to the series. Kansas City striker Gerso Fernandes scored at the end of one center and scored the tying goal in the 81st minute.
But it was the Timbers who found the next goal.
Valeri scored in a late counterattack late in the game to put the series away as Portland's magical race continued.
"It's amazing," Valeri said. "It's for the pleasure of this group, this club, our supporters."
– Jamie Goldberg | [email protected]
503-853-3761 | @Jamiebgoldberg
[ad_2]
Source link
