Giovanni Savarese, Dairon Asprilla, and Santiago Moreno named to MLS Team of the Matchday

Juan David Mosquera listed to the bench.

Portland Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese, midfielder Santiago Moreno and forward Dairon Asprilla have been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for matchday 8, the league announced today. Additionally, Portland defender Juan David Mosquera was listed to the bench. Savarese led the Timbers to a 4-1 win over Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders FC on April 15.

Savarese improved his regular season record over Seattle to 9-5-1, toting the most wins against the Sounders of any MLS head coach since he took the Portland helm in 2018. With the victory, Savarese extended Portland’s unbeaten streak against Seattle to four straight matches dating back to Aug. 29, 2021, outscoring them 11-2 in that stretch. Under Savarese, the Timbers became the first of the two clubs in the Portland vs. Seattle rivalry that has won four straight matches against the other in the MLS era. This season, Savarese became the winningest coach in the club’s MLS era with his 69th win on Feb. 27 against Sporting Kansas City.

Asprilla, 30, scored his first goal of the 2023 campaign. It also marked the 28th of his MLS career with Portland, moving him into sole possession of fourth-most goals in club history, trailing only Diego Valeri (86), Fanendo Adi (54) and Sebastián Blanco (40). Asprilla has contributed to six goals in his last five appearances at Providence Park, dating back to the 2022 season (5 goals, 1 assist). The 2022 Cascadia Cup golden boot winner, Asprilla has scored a goal in each of Portland’s last three matches against the Sounders, recording three goals and an assist in that span.

Moreno, 22, tallied his first two assists of the season in the match, marking the 13th and 14th of his MLS career. In 2023, Moreno has started in seven of his eight appearances, registering 594 minutes. Moreno is one of six players on the team to have played in every match this season so far.

Mosquera, 20, notched a goal and an assist in the match and leads the team in goals (2), assists (2) and points (6) this season. Mosquera has started in all his seven appearances this season.

Next up, The Timbers will travel to face FC Cincinnati on April 22 to play at TQL Stadium for the first time in club history. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific) and will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app in English and Spanish as well as local radio broadcasts, 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).