Portland Timbers set new division record with win in Miami

NOTE: The following is an adapted press release received by KATU.com from the Portland Timbers.

MIAMI - With a 3-0 win over the Miami FC Blues at Florida International University Stadium, the Portland Timbers set a new USL First Division record for the longest, single-season unbeaten streak at 16 matches. The previous record was 15 games, set in 2005.

Sunday's win lifts the Timbers into a two-way tie with the Puerto Rico Islanders at 34 points. This sets up a showdown for sole possession of first place when the Islanders play in PGE Park at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 23.

The Timbers have assembled a 9-0-7 record since sustaining a loss in their season-opening match on April 25, to claim the USL First Division’s longest, single-season unbeaten streak. Portland broke the previous record of 15 games set by the Montreal Impact, who opened the 2005 campaign with a 10-0-5 record.

Timbers' forward George Josten and midfielder Keith Savage each scored six minutes apart in the second half, forward Antouman Jallow tallied his first goal of the year and goalkeeper Steve Cronin recorded his fifth shutout of the season to lead the Timbers past the Blues (6-7-3, 21points).

Timbers defender Scot Thompson reached a modern-franchise milestone Sunday, appearing in his 132nd career regular-season match as a member of the club. He joins former midfielder Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar as the Timbers’ modern franchise all-time career leader in games played.

Despite facing its second match in three days, Portland steadily gained momentum in the early going and was able to carry it throughout the entire match, out-shooting the Blues 13-8.

The Timbers had two chances in the first half that nearly found their mark to capture the lead. In the 26th minute, a build up down the right side by midfielder Brian Farber allowed forward Mandjou Keita to unleash a shot from the top of the box on target that forced Miami goalkeeper Patrick Hannigan to make a diving save.

In the 40th minute, a free kick by defender David Hayes almost found its way into the back of the net from 35 yards out. He aimed a shot at the top left corner of the frame that slipped through the hands of Hannigan, but the goalkeeper got just enough of the ball to send it over the crossbar.

The Timbers broke the stalemate early in the second half on Josten’s third strike of the season. Along the right side, Josten blasted a low shot from 25 yards out that skipped under Hannigan and into the back of the net just inside the right post in the 50th minute to give Portland a 1-0 advantage.

Six minutes later, Savage doubled the Timbers lead 2-0. A hard-working run down the right side by forward Takayuki Suzuki around two Miami defenders set up a shot for Savage at the top of the box. On his second touch, Savage, a native of Gulf Breeze, Fla., drilled a shot past Hannigan for his second goal of the season. 

Down by two goals late in the match, Miami threw numbers forward, looking to pull one back, but it left the home side vulnerable on the backline and led to multiple scoring chances for the Timbers on the counter attack.

Portland was able to capitalize on a counter in the 77th minute, as a quick outlet pass to Farber down the left side led to its third goal of the night. With only one man to beat, Farber charged towards the box from 25 yards out and slipped a pass into space at the top of the box for Jallow, making a late run. Jallow then one-timed a low drive into the left side of the goal for a 3-0 Timbers lead.

Other noteable occurrances of Sunday's Miami game are that midfielder Brian Farber logged his fourth assist of the season on forward Antou Jallow’s strike and Jallow played in his first league match for Portland since May 2. Midfielder Johan Claesson left the match in the first half after a hard challenge with Miami’s Zach Kirby on a ball in the air; Kirby also left the game.

After four consecutive road matches, the Timbers return home to play host to a pair of premier matches, starting Thursday against Puerto Rico, followed by an international exhibition match against English Premier League club Burnley FC on Saturday at PGE Park. Tickets for both games are available through the PGE Park box office or online at ticketmaster.com.