KELOWNA, B.C.
– Steve Klein scored two goals and Joey Gjertsen added a goal and an assist as the Vancouver Whitecaps blanked the Portland Timbers 4-0 before 2,440 Saturday night at the Apple Bowl.
The Timbers next face the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday, July 12, in an important U.S. Open Cup match at PGE Park.
The Timbers (5-7-4, 19 pts) were outscored 8-2 in losses to Seattle and Vancouver over the weekend and are now winless in their last five matches.
Portland goalkeeper Josh Saunders was tested all night, making two saves while facing 15 Vancouver shots.
After a number of failed chances early, the Whitecaps (7-3-5, 26 pts) broke out with three goals in a five-minute span during the first half.
In the 34th, Martin Nash, the brother of NBA star Steve Nash, sent a cross into the box and connected with former Timber Jeff Clarke. Clarke’s header goal was his first on the year.
In the 36th, the Whitecaps doubled their tally when Gjertsen’s pass found an open Klein, who placed his strike past the outstretched Saunders.
The Whitecaps struck a third time in the 39th minute when Gjertsen finished off a pass from Ian Fuller.
The lone bright spot for the Timbers in the second half came in the form of Fadi Afash, a second-half substitute in the 74th, who got off two shots in his first two minutes in.
The Whitecaps finished the scoring when Klein broke through the Timbers’ backline in the 82nd minute and put away his second goal of the game, giving him six on the campaign.
If the Timbers win Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup match, they will face the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, Aug. 3, at PGE Park.
SCORING SUMMARY:
VAN Clarke, 34’ (Nash); Klein 36’ (Gjertsen); Gjertsen 39’ (Fuller); Klein 82’ (UA).
