CALGARY, Alberta
- The Portland Timbers ran their unbeaten streak on the road to six games, tying Calgary 1-1 on a late goal by Fadi Afash Sunday afternoon at McMahon Stadium.
The Timbers (15-7-1, 46pts) were the last remaining A-League team without a tie, gaining one point in the standings with Sunday’s draw.
Calgary (4-14-5, 17pts) has been much improved in recent matches, putting together a four-game unbeaten streak.
Portland can ensure a trip to the postseason with a win or a draw in its next match, as the magic number to clinch the playoffs is down to one point.
The Mustangs struck first in the 27th minute when Walter Otta made a run down the near side, beat the defense and crossed the ball inside the right post for a 1-0 Calgary lead.
A late substitution, Afash pulled the Timbers back a goal in the 72nd, slashing down towards the back post to knock in a feed from Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar to force overtime.
It was the second goal in as many games for Afash, who re-joined the Timbers last month after spending the 2002-03 campaigns with the club.
Alcaraz-Cuellar’s assist gives him eight on the year, tops in the A-League.
Portland’s best opportunity in the first half presented itself in the 25th, as Alcaraz-Cuellar’s attempt from close range missed wide of its mark.
Byron Alvarez fed a ball inside to Andrew Gregor earlier in the 20th, but his header missed wide as well.
Two 10-minute overtime periods presented few chances to win it for either side.
The Timbers and Mustangs meet again at PGE Park on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY:
Otta, 27’ (UA); Afash, 72’ (Alcaraz-Cuellar).
PENALTY SUMMARY:
POR Gregor, YC (45’); CAL Auvigne, YC (70’), Otta, YC (96’).
LINEUPS:
PORTLAND (15-7-1) J. Saunders GK, Morrison D, Thompson D, Wilkinson D, Henning D (Miranda), Alcaraz-Cuellar M, Winters M, Gregor M (Afash), Sagare M, Gordon F (Antoniuk), Alvarez F (Benedetti); CALGARY (4-14-5) Pfannenstiel GK, Sestito D, Pavicic D, Jesic D (Reyes), Auvigne D, Peszneneker M, Brusselers M, Mert M, Kolomiets-Raad M (Zuniga), Otta F, Holdt F.
