Western Conference Finals
Sporting Kansas City 2, Portland Timbers 3
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Missouri
Down but not out after an early goal by SKC Daniel Salloi in the 20’ minute with an assist from Diego Rubio. After a slow first half lets us call these Timbers the comeback kids! With a total dominance by SKC in the first half and not allowing the visiting Timbers any liberties towards their goal.
Many of us in Rose City thought of seeing another display of dominance by the former Wizards. Still this night was to belong to these hardened Portland Boys. In spite of the Kansas side seeing a couple of goals annulled, that in the end could been the difference maker.
However, the half ended with six extra minutes and the locals in need of 45 minutes to seal the deal. Not today as one thing we are about to get familiar from Gio Savarese is his pep talks that made a world of difference. One that elevates his players spirits.
Still the momentum that these Portland Timbers playing the second leg in what they know as their house of horrors. Todays they exorcise it in Children’s Mercy Park with an all-around fight!
As the second, half became the game changer for the Portland Timbers. After that slow start, these Timbers started believing in themselves and these proved it in the second half. With Sebastian Blanco uplifting this squad confidence with his monster of a goal tying the score thanks to an opportune, assist from Jorge Villafaña.
As we can say, the second half became the difference maker and the game for the Rose City squad.
You bet after Seba goal, came Mr. Postseason and Timbers Talisman Diego Valeri sealing it with a second goal in the 61’ minute to put the score in favor at 2-1. This time Tim Melia was not in his best, after stopping several would be goals in Portland, now the tables turned against him with the three goals against at home. Were it hurts and counts the most after a first leg stalemate at zero goals.
Still these SKC is no walk in the park as the put on a fight and despite the visitors stepping up the pressure. The Portland defense put stood its ground but not until Gerso Fernandes, coming as a substitute, but show SKC manager Vermes right moves for his man tying the match.
As they, state this is not over until the end. Once again, the combination of Diego Chara who had a one of kind performance and with his assist in the ending minutes of the match, with nine minutes added to injury time. It was curtain time for Diego Valeri scoring his second goal of the night and his second goal that became the difference maker in the end.
His score in the 90+9 sealed the deal and with no time SKC to try to mount anther of its trademark attacks in search of the equalizer. The end came of this match and for the Portland Timbers netting their second Western Conference title and league finals since their inception to MLS.
In the end, hard work really pays off for Giovanni Savarese as results speak louder than words!
Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of Craig Mitchelldyer Photography 2018
Photos Credit and Property of © 2018 Major League Soccer
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