Portland Timbers vs San Jose Earthquakes - Instant Reaction

At last. At long last, the Timbers win a game again.

The Portland Timbers lost 2-0 at home to the San Jose Earthquakes after another stale attacking performance and two more defensive mistakes… Is what I was prepared to write before an 74th minute Earthquakes red card flipped the game on its head. But for the first time since March 9, the Portland Timbers won a game of football in their typical drunken fashion — a much-needed four goal explosion in the final 15+ minutes of the match.

After the loss to Seattle (not mentioning that any more than I have to), Phil Neville made a big change to the starting lineup — opting for a back three of Kamal Miller, Larrys Mabiala, and Dario Zuparic, with Dairon Asprilla and Juan Mosquera as fullbacks. Evander and Diego Chara operated in a double pivot in midfield, and Antony and Santi Moreno supported Felipe Mora in the attack. DP Jonathan Rodriguez was left on the bench for the first time as a Portland Timber.

The first half was a “same stuff different day” performance that we’ve seen time and time again this year — Conceding a set-piece goal to go down 1-0 in the 31st minute, before an absolute howler from Larrys Mabiala allowed new Quakes DP Hernan Lopez to chip Max Crepeau from 40 yards out. For all of the Timbers possession, they once again looked disjointed in attack and were staring down the barrel of a 10th consecutive game without a win.

Boos from the Timbers Army rained down on Phil Neville and his squad as they went down the tunnel at the break.

What followed was one of the magical moments that this club, players, and fans are all capable of creating when they’re aligned in their beliefs. The Timbers showed a little fight.

After a scramble in the box Felipe Mora sent a shot on goal that was blocked by San Jose defender Bruno Wilson on the line. Initially I just thought it was a miraculous save, so the red card that was brandished to him was a complete shock. The ball struck his arm, yes, but it was an extremely fortunate decision from the Timbers’ perspective. His arm was in a natural position, and the ball would have hit his body had it not been there. But in a Timbers season that has seen multiple decisions go against them, the water found its level. Evander stepped up and dispatched the penalty. 2-1, game on.

Six minutes later Portland’s DPs, who Phil Neville said won them the game, combined in brilliant fashion to equalize. Kamal Miller played a ball into Evander’s feet, and all the Brazilian had to do was lay the ball into Rodriguez’s path for a precise finish into the bottom corner. 2-2. Perhaps his best goal of the season, Rodriguez showed all of the attributes that enticed Portland to acquire his services in the goal, but that was far from the last of his involvements.

In the dying moments of regulation Evander spotted another glorious run from Rodriguez darting into the box, Rodriguez got to the ball before Yarbrough collided with him, and after a lengthy VAR review the referee finally pointed to the penalty spot. Felipe Mora stepped up, and with the weight of an entire stadium on his back, thumped the ball into the back of the net to complete the comeback. 3-2 in front of a raucous Providence Park.

Rodriguez put the nail in the coffin in the 10th minute of stoppage time after a goal-line clearance from Eric Miller set Santi Moreno off to the races. All he had to do was square the ball to Rodriguez and it was game, set, match.

Were the Timbers fortunate to win? Unequivocally yes. Before the penalty San Jose was cruising. But at this point in the season, at their position in the table, it does not matter one bit. The team needs points, and points they earned. Whether that continues into their next match is a major question, but tonight felt like the pressure release valve was turned for the time being. Sometimes one moment is all it takes for the tides of a grueling MLS season to turn.

Final from Providence Park: Timbers 4 - Earthquakes 2

Scoring Summary

Portland: Evander (74’, penalty), Rodriguez (80’, 90+10’), Mora (90’, penalty)

San Jose: Pellegrino (31’), Lopez (34’)

Next Up:

The Timbers travel to Minnesota United for another testing Western Conference clash, kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, May 18.