AUSTIN, Texas
– A solid defensive performance paved the way for goalkeeper Steve Cronin’s third shutout of the season as the Portland Timbers earned a point on the road with a 0-0 draw against the Austin Aztex Wednesday at House Park.
Portland held first-place Austin, which leads the USSF Division-2 Pro League with 21 goals, scoreless for the first time during the 2010 campaign. Cronin recorded one save, coming early in the second half, to earn his first shutout since April 22.
Forward Bright Dike took a team-high four shots, midfielder Alex Nimo contributed three of his own and forward George Josten put a shot off the crossbar to pace the Timbers (3-3-4, 13pts), who out-shot the Aztex 11-5, including a pair of chances off the woodwork.
Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo turned in five saves and forward Maxwell Griffin provided a spark on offense for the Aztex (7-1-3, 24pts). Austin extends its unbeaten streak to eight games with the scoreless draw and remains in first place in the USL Conference.
The Timbers and Aztex played through a fast-paced first half. On the road for just the third time this season, Portland had the better share of scoring opportunities the opening stanza, with a 7-2 edge in shots.
Midfielder Ryan Pore set up the Timbers’ first quality chance in the 22nd minute. Following a corner kick, Pore sent in another cross into the box for defender Ross Smith. On his second touch, Smith put a shot on frame that was stopped by Gallardo with one of his four saves in the half.
Near the half hour mark, midfielder Alex Nimo had a pair of chances to put the Timbers on the board. With the ball at his feet just inside the box, Nimo sent a shot through traffic towards the far post that was deflected over the end line. On the ensuing corner kick, Nimo’s shot was saved by Gallardo.
Both clubs came out flying in the second half, as the Timbers and Aztex each had early opportunities to break the deadlock. Two minutes into the period, Griffin took advantage of a slow back pass by Portland to earn a breakaway. Cronin made a great kick save near the edge of the area to block Griffin’s shot; it was Cronin’s only save of the night.
Moments later Portland forward Mandjou Keita took a bouncing ball in the middle of the park and blasted a shot from 30 yards out. His shot dipped as it approached the goal, but inched just over the crossbar.
Near the hour mark, a long throw-in by defender Scot Thompson deep in the offensive third led to one of the Timbers best chances of the night. Thompson’s ball was knocked down by Austin, and it rolled back out the veteran defender. He then sent in a cross to Dike unmarked on the far post, and Dike’s driving header landed in the side netting.
In the 80th minute, forward George Josten put a shot from distance off the crossbar. The second-half sub found Gallardo off his line and unloaded a shot from 30 yards out. The ball popped up off the crossbar and Takayuki Suzuki was able to regain possession for Portland. He crossed the ball back into the box for Josten on the right post. With the ball in the air, Josten collided with Gallardo and Austin escaped a dangerous opportunity for Portland.
The Timbers backline held strong over the course of the match, particularly over the final 30 minutes of the contest. Defender Stephen Keel used a diving header on the defensive end of the field to thwart a cross into the box by Aztex midfielder Kevin Sakuda in the 64th minute. Portland held the Aztex’s Eddie Johnson and Jamie Watson, who rank second and third in the league in scoring, respectively, to a combined one shot in the contest.
The Timbers finish their two-game road trip on Saturday as they take on the Miami FC Blues at Lockhart Stadium; kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). A live broadcast will be available on Sportsradio 95.5 The Game, with a live video webcast available through
www.portlandtimbers.com/live
.
Notes:
Austin’s starting lineup featured former Timbers Leonard Griffin and Lawrence Olum … Thompson made his second start of the 2010 season Wednesday … The Timbers remain unbeaten in Austin with a record of 2-0-1 on the road against the Aztex … Defender Mamadou Danso returned to the field as a sub against Austin after missing the previous two games due to injury.
Lineups:
POR: GK Cronin, D Thompson, D Keel, D Smith, D Joy, M Nimo (Lopez, 69), M McManus, M Marcelin (Danso, 70), M Pore (Suzuki, 75), F Dike, F Keita (Josten, 59)
AUS: GK Gallardo, D Griffin, L., D Marshall, D Needham, M Worthen (Callahan, 59), M Olum, M Alvarez, M Sakuda (Allen, 86), F Johnson (Silva, 72), F Griffin, M., F Watson
Scoring Summary:
None
