Timeliness. It's an essential skill on being a defender. When to challenge, when to stay back, when to be in the right place at the right time.
On Saturday night, the entire Portland Timbers team displayed some timely stops and blocks. Gifted a Sporting Kansas City own goal four minutes from halftime, Portland managed to display a determined front in holding on to the 1-0 win. Breaking their own four game losing streak while simultaneously ending KC's seven game unbeaten run, the match was choppy. But in the end, all that mattered was the win.
Helping lead the charge was Timbers centerback Hanyer Mosquera. Whether it was helping clear balls off the line, an expert tackle, or helping bolster a unified defensive front, the Colombian was solid throughout. While fellow countrymen Diego Chara and Jorge Perlaza as well as midfielder Lovel Palmer all performed admirably, it was Mosquera who picked up the 64% of the vote. He is your CenturyLink Man of the Match for Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City.
Hanyer Mosquera - 64%
Diego Chara - 20%
Lovel Palmer - 19%
Jorge Perlaza - 7%
Congratulations to Hanyer on his second MOTM award this season. Be sure to visit www.portlandtimbers.com/motm to vote for future CenturyLink Man of the Match recipients.
