PORTLAND, OR – Kei Kamara and Cristian Techera scored for Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9W-9L-6D) to snap the Portland Timbers’ (10W-4L-7D) 15-match undefeated streak in a classic Cascadia thriller on Saturday evening at Providence Park.
It was the second consecutive strong road result for the ‘Caps, who also earned a point at New York City FC last week. Kamara’s goal ties him with Jason Kreis for sixth all-time in MLS history with 108 regular season goals, while Techera’s tally came in his 100th MLS match, including playoffs.
Diego Valeri scored from the spot for the home side in Portland’s comeback effort, but his penalty kick miss in the first half proved costly for the Timbers.
Stefan Marinović made seven saves for Vancouver, who also received a strong defensive outing from Aly Ghazal.
The ‘Caps now ride their five-game unbeaten streak across all competitions to BMO Field versus Toronto FC on Wednesday, August 15. The two sides enter the decisive leg of the Canadian Championship Final Round tied 2-2 on aggregate. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. PT live on TSN1/4 and TSN Radio 1040.
The ‘Caps struck first in the 14th minute when Kamara steered home Kendall Waston’s long free kick from the Vancouver half. The header was Kamara 12th goal on the year including Canadian Championship play, as he has now scored in his last four appearances.
The Timbers had a chance to equalize when Waston was whistled for a late challenge on Valeri inside the box, but the PTFC captain could not capitalize on the ensuing penalty kick, shooting wide of the left post in the 41st minute.
The ‘Caps were quick to make the Timbers pay for the missed opportunity, doubling their advantage just two minutes later when Brek Shea’s cross from the right wing found Techera for a header through traffic for the 2-0 halftime lead. Shea has now assisted in consecutive MLS matches, after setting up the equalizer last week at NYCFC.
Portland cut into the lead in the 71st minute when they got their second penalty kick of the match, this time when Sebastián Blanco drew a call on Sean Franklin while threatening inside the 18-yard box. Valeri cashed in on the kick from the spot this time around to make it 2-1 with less than 20 minutes to play.
The Timbers pushed forward late, but the ‘Caps defence was equal to every chance to secure the tough-fought derby victory.
After Wednesday’s cup finale, Whitecaps FC are back home on Saturday, August 18 when they host New York Red Bulls at BC Place in MLS play. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. PT. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Stefan Marinović
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Attendance: 21,144
Scoring Summary
14’ – VAN – Kei Kamara (Kendall Waston)
43’ – VAN – Cristian Techera (Brek Shea)
71’ – POR – Diego Valeri (penalty kick)
Statistics
Possession: POR 69.2% – VAN 30.8%
Shots: POR 26 – VAN 13
Shots on Goal: POR 8 – VAN 5
Saves: POR 3 – VAN 7
Fouls: POR 10 – VAN 18
Offsides: POR 0 – VAN 1
Corners: POR 10 – VAN 4
Duels won: POR 48 – VAN 60
Tackles won: POR 7 – VAN 19
Cautions
45’+1 – VAN – Cristian Techera
50’ – VAN – Brek Shea
74’ – POR – David Guzmán
Portland Timbers
1.Jeff Attinella; 2.Alvas Powell, 33.Larrys Mabiala, 18.Julio Cascante, 16.Zarek Valentin (32.Marco Farfan 90’+1); 20.David Guzmán (14.Andrés Flores 79’), 21.Diego Chara, 10.Sebastián Blanco, 8.Diego Valeri ©; 27.Dairon Asprilla, 99.Samuel Armenteros (11.Andy Polo HT)
Substitutes not used
43.Kendall McIntosh, 13.Lawrence Olum, 22.Cristhian Paredes, 25.Bill Poni Tuiloma
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Stefan Marinović; 3.Sean Franklin, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 22.Aaron Maund, 46.Brett Levis (17.Marcel de Jong 65’); 13.Cristian Techera (28.Jake Nerwinski 61’), 8.Felipe, 66.Aly Ghazal, 20.Brek Shea; 23.Kei Kamara (19.Erik Hurtado 72’), 11.Nicolás Mezquida
Substitutes not used
12.Brian Rowe, 9.Anthony Blondell, 24.David Norman, 29.Yordy Reyna
