PORTLAND
, Ore. –
Second-half goals by midfielder Ryan McMahen and defender Lyle Adams led the Austin Aztex to a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers Friday before 10,141 at PGE Park.
After scoring an own goal in the first half, the Aztex rallied behind McMahen’s first strike of the season and the game winner by Adams in the 82nd minute to secure their second road win of the season, and put Portland’s chances of capturing the USL First Division Commissioner’s Cup on hold.
Adams scored his third goal of the season, midfielder Mike Callahan recorded an assist and goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo recorded eight saves to help the Aztex (5-16-8, 21pts (-2)) end a three-game losing skid.
Forward Mandjou Keita logged a game-high six shots, goalkeeper Steve Cronin made seven saves of his own and defender David Hayes set up several chances for the Timbers (15-3-10, 55pts), who out-shot the Aztex, 23-12.
With a magic number of one point, the first-place Timbers can claim the Commissioner’s Cup as early as Saturday if the Puerto Rico Islanders take a loss or draw against the Carolina RailHawks. If the Islanders win Saturday, Portland must record a win or draw over the Cleveland City Stars on Sunday at PGE Park to win its second USL First Division regular-season title in modern-franchise history.
Portland gained a one-goal advantage in the 29th minute, when Aztex defender David Horst scored an own goal. Hayes served a 35-yard free kick into the box for defender Stephen Keel, who re-directed the ball across the box. As Horst attempted to clear Keel’s shot, he knocked it into the back of his own net, giving the Timbers a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
McMahan leveled the score in the 66th minute. With time and space, he unleashed a 30-yard shot along the right post that curled and bounced its way around a diving effort by Cronin and inside the near post.
With less than 10 minutes left in regulation, the Aztex received the go-ahead goal by Adams. On a set piece 35 yards from goal, Callahan sent the ball into box and Adams was able re-direct it inside the far post to seal the victory and hand Portland its second straight loss at home.
The Timbers attempted 17 of their 23 shots on the night in the second half, including four from Keita. Early in the second half, midfielder Brian Farber slashed his way through the box which drew Gallardo off his line. Farber hit a shot around the goalkeeper, but Keita got a touch on it to send it towards the far post. As the ball crept towards the goal line, an Austin defender was in position to clear if off the line.
In the 70th minute, Hayes sent a cross from the left side along the endline to Keita on the back post. From a tight angle, Keita chipped a shot that arced just over the crossbar.
Down 2-1, the Timbers had a flurry of opportunities, particularly in second-half stoppage time, to find the late equalizer. A series of corner and free kicks by Hayes found their way into the box and forward Takayuki Suzuki came off the bench and attempted five shots, with two nearly finding their mark. In the end, the Aztex returned the favor after the Timbers recorded a 1-0 win in Austin on Monday.
The Timbers play host to the Cleveland City Stars on Sunday at PGE Park at 5 p.m. as they close out a span of three games in seven days. Tickets start at $11 and are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Notes:
In the first half, forward George Josten pushed a header just wide of the right post and midfielder Keith Savage had a header denied on the goal line by an Aztex defender … Defender Takuro Nishimura made his sixth start of the season for the Timbers Friday … Midfielder Johan Claesson entered the match for Portland in the second half, making his first appearance in six matches due to injury.
Lineups:
POR: GK Cronin, D Hayes, D Keel, D Nishimura, D Danso, M Farber (Claesson, 63), M McManus, M Savage (Nimo, 71), M Pore, F Keita, F Josten (Suzuki, 78)
AUS: GK Gallardo, D Sakuda, D Adams, D Horst, D Bernard, M Silva (Brown, 80), M McMahen, M Callahan, M Dello-Russo, F Watson (Pope, 87), F Noel-Williams
Scoring Summary:
POR: Own goal, 29
AUS: McMahen, 66
AUS: Adams (Callahan), 82
