Club

PRESEASON MATCH RECAP | Phoenix Rising FC 1, Portland Timbers 0

Jorge Villafana, Tucson, 2.20.19

TUCSON, Ariz.– Playing their fifth match of the 2019 preseason campaign, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky, the Portland Timbers continued play in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup, falling 1-0 to Phoenix Rising FC at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday night. 


Notes
Defender Jorge Moreira, who was signed earlier in the day from Superliga Argentina side River Plate, played his first preseason match as a member of the Timbers on Wednesday, logging 45 minutes of action in the second half. Forward Foster Langsdorf, defender Modou Jadama and midfielder Eryk Williamson each made their first appearances in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup. A total of 26 different players saw the field in the penultimate game in Tucson for the Timbers, who are now 3-1-1 this preseason, including a 1-1-1 record in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup.


Key plays
In their first attacking chance of the match, Timbers midfielder Renzo Zambrano’s shot from distance was fired over the crossbar in the 11th minute. Seven minutes later, midfielder Diego Valeri played a lofted a ball from the right wing to forward Jeremy Ebobisse, but his low shot from inside the box was saved by onrushing Phoenix goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski.


In the 29th minute, Valeri picked out midfielder Dairon Asprilla at the center of the box, firing his shot into the arms of Woszczynski. Three minutes later, Asprilla was first to a loose ball just outside the 18-yard box, but his half-volleyed shot missed over the crossbar. 


Starting the second half on the front foot, midfielder Sebastián Blanco carried down the right flank and cut the ball back into the center of the box to midfielder Andy Polo, who let the ball run past him and curled a left-footed shot that struck the far post in the 53rd minute.


Continuing to search for a goal, midfielder Marvin Loría played a scooped pass to forward Foster Langsdorf in the center of the penalty area, but his shot was dragged wide of the post in the 78th minute. Four minutes later, midfielder Eryk Williamson laid the ball off to Cristhian Paredes on the edge of the box, forcing Woszczynski into a save.


Phoenix Rising FC took a 1-0 lead late in the match when forward Adam Jahn cut in from the left wing and fired his shot into the top corner of the net in the 87th minute.


In stoppage time, Polo’s low shot from a tight angle inside the penalty area was saved by Woszczynski. 


Next game
In their final game of the Mobile Mini Sun Cup, the Timbers will face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, Feb. 23; kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Pacific) with a live stream available at www.timbers.com. To purchase tickets to the Mobile Mini Sun Cup, click here.


Portland Timbers vs. Phoenix Rising FC (MLS Preseason) 
Feb. 20, 2019 – Kino Sports Complex (Tucson, Ariz.)


Goals by Half                1          2          F
Portland Timbers           0          0          0
Phoenix Rising FC         0          1          1


Scoring Summary:
PHX: Jahn (Flemmings), 87


Discipline Summary:
POR: Dielna (caution, 70)
PHX: Dia (caution, 71)
POR: Blanco (ejection, 90)
PHX: Mala (ejection, 90)


Lineups:
First Half:
POR: GK Clark, D Farfan (Valentin, 26), D Mabiala, D Jadama, D Villafaña, M Guzmán (Flores, 38), M Zambrano (Chara, 38), M Asprilla, M Valeri, M Conechny, F Ebobisse (Melano, 38)


Second Half:
POR: GK Attinella, D Moreira, D Cascante, D Dielna, D Valentin (Miller, 76), M Chara (Paredes, 76), M Flores (Williamson, 76), M Polo, M Blanco, M Loría, F Melano (Langsdorf, 76)


Indicates Timbers guest player/trialist

PHX: GK Woszczynski, D Brewer Jr., D Farrell (Mala, 63), D Batista (Cochran, 63), D Dia, M Musa, M Lambert (Vega, 63), M Aguinaga (Fernandez, 76), F Asante, F Flemings, F Jahn


*Indicates guest player/trialist