On a memorable and rainy night in Oregon with Timbers Army singing the National Anthem, back and forth play, and lots of goals, the decision on who should be the Man of the Match was a tough one.
Designated Player Kris Boyd opened his MLS account with a superb header that is nominated for MLS Goal of the Week while rookie Andrew Jean-Baptiste made the most of his debut scoring a clutch game-tying goal. Jorge Perlaza also played well with threatening runs inside the box.
However, it was midfielder Kalif Alhassan who was your CenturyLink Man of the Match:
Kalif Alhassan - 79.5 %
Kris Boyd - 16.9%
Andrew Jean-Baptiste - 1.7%
Jorge Perlaza - 1.7%
Alhassan scored his first ever MLS goal, picked up an assist on Boyd's great goal, and had, in the words of Oregonian columnist John Canzano, "a pair of poems for feet."
Congratulations to Kalif and be sure to visit www.portlandtimbers.com/motm to vote for the next CenturyLink Man of the Match.
