The Portland Timbers netted three goals in the second half vs. Real Salt Lake to secure a 3-0 win on Saturday night. Cristhian Paredes, Jarosław Niezgoda, and Bill Tuiloma all scored for the Timbers, while Aljaž Ivačič earned the shutout in goal.
The match started out very slow, with neither team having an early scoring chance. The first good chance for either team was in the 21st minute when Bill Tuiloma played a high pass into the run of Dairon Asprilla, who one-timed a hard shot that was over the crossbar.
In the 42nd minute, the Timbers had another good chance when Santiago Moreno‘s pass had Jarosław Niezgoda making a deep run into the box. and his shot was tipped by Real Salt Lake goalkeeper David Ochoa, but hit the right post. The score was 0-0 at the break.
In the 51st minute, the Timbers were threatening again when Yimmi Chará played a pass back to Cristhian Paredes from inside the RSL box, but Paredes’ blast was high.
In the 72nd minute, the Timbers finally broke through when after a corner kick was played back into the box, Yimmi Chará’s shot was saved by Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath, but Paredes was able to control the rebound and blasted a high shot into the net from just eight yards out, and the Timbers had a 1-0 lead.
Just two minutes later, the Timbers doubled their lead when Niezgoda was fouled inside the RSL box and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Niezgoda converted with a high shot on the penalty kick, and the Timbers had a 2-0 lead.
During second-half stoppage time, the Timbers were awarded a free kick just outside the RSL box. Tuiloma stepped up and converted the free kick nicely into the upper left corner of the goal, and the Timbers lead was 3-0, which would be the final score.
PRESEASON RECAP | Timbers best RSL 3-0 to close out preseason tournament | Timbers website
