In a first half that saw the Portland Timbers dominate Toronto FC in possession, shots, passes and pass accuracy, their hard work was finally rewarded in the 46th minute. Just into stoppage time, a long free kick from the left sailed into the TFC 18-yard box. Darlington Nagbe headed it back to the top of the arc where midfielder Kalif Alhassan chested it down and then hit it on the volley into the back of the net. It was a goal of skill and poetry.
Rolling into the second half, the Timbers continued to press but found Toronto making a few inroads in attack. Subbing in Diego Valeri for Kalif Alhassan, the Argentine made his mark pressuring the Reds' backline. The forced turnover fell to Valeri who then slid it to his right for a sprinting Rodney Wallace. Wallace took a touch before nutmegging TFC goalkeeper Joe Bendik. 2-0, Portland.
By the 87th minute, the Timbers were flying. Jose Valencia, in his first start of the 2013 season, performed some great hold up play in the Toronto 18-yard box. Patiently waiting, he spied Will Johnson wide open to his left who went in unhindered and made it 3-0.
Finally, late into second half stoppage time, Valencia played a nice cross across the six to find an unmarked Valeri for the easy tap-in. 4-0 for Portland and full time.
