Danny Mwanga scored his first goal in a Timbers uniform on his adopted hometown turf. Captain Jack Jewsbury had his first 2012 tally as well. Centerbacks Futty Danso and David Horst were near impregnable. Midfielder Darlington Nagbe was buzzing.
But it was outside midfielder Franck Songo’o who got things started with a simple and clever steal of the ball in the 29th minute. Pickpocketing the ball from San Jose’s Rafael Baca, Songo’o sped off like a rocket down the right flank. A give-and-go in the middle to Portland’s Eric Alexander brought Songo’o to the Earthquakes’ right corner where he then fed a perfect pass to a streaking Danny Mwanga at the top of the six. Mwanga ruthlessly punched it home for his aforementioned first strike of 2012.
Songo’o had energy, verve and tenacity on both sides of the ball. In a match filled with solid performances, he managed to garner 61% of the vote making him your CenturyLink Man of the Match--Songo'o's first in Portland.
Franck Songo'o - 61%
Danny Mwanga - 23%
Jack Jewsbury - 6%
David Horst - 5%
Futty Danso - 4%
Darlington Nagbe - 1%
WATCH: Songo'o's steal is near the beginning of this run of play leading to Mwanga's goal
