Clean sheet. In a regular season match, if you are able to achieve the simplicity of a clean sheet, you’re guaranteed at least a point.
For the Portland Timbers on Saturday night, a reconstructed Starting XI banded together to achieve just that in a 0-0 draw against the Columbus Crew. With head coach John Spencer making alterations at on defense (adding Jack Jewsbury and Futty Danso), the midfield (starting Rodney Wallace on the left), and forward (returning Darlington Nagbe), the team was held together by the glue that is goalkeeper Troy Perkins.
Still recovering from a lacerated nose suffered in the loss to Montreal, Perkins played with a specially constructed match and helped direct a Timbers side to the second shutout at home in a row. While fellow nominees Danso, Nagbe, Hanyer Mosquera, and Diego Chara all contributed to the defensive stability, it was Perkins who pulled away with 64% of the vote.
He is your CenturyLink Man of the Match--his second award in as many matches.
Troy Perkins - 64%
Futty Danso - 21%
Darlington Nagbe - 10%
Hanyer Mosquera - 3%
Diego Chara - 2%
Congratulations to Troy! Be sure to visit www.portlandtimbers.com/motm after every match to make your vote.
WATCH: Perkins save keeps shutout alive
