Portland Timbers rout over LA Galaxy delivers its pass into quarterfinals

Portland Timbers 4-0 Los Angeles Galaxy

The Portland Timbers are back in the quarterfinals round in the U.S. Open Cup with a spectacular win over the LA Galaxy in their Round of 16  match celebrated in Providence Park.

As the Tinsel Town squad started its rally early in the match with Efrain Alvarez and later Emmanuel Boateng with their shoots stopped by Timbers keeper Steve Clark.

The first goal of the match came with a header by Brian Fernandez that Galaxy midfielder Perry Kitchen got the home side ahead with an OG play in the 28' minute. Still this match was to see the likes of Brian Fernandez not wasting another opportunity and the man continued his scoring streak with the Timbers second goal in the 34' minute.

After a poor clearance by the Galaxy goalie the man does hesitated to score the second goal. Three minutes later with the Rose City side clear dominance the third goal came in the 37' minute via Sebastian Blanco eye catching shoot to seal away the match.

In the end the Portland Timbers defensive unit deliver a wondrous game and in spite some dangerous plays they persevere thanks to an opportune and experienced Steve Clark.

To conclude the Rose City squad delivered the final nail in the Galaxy coffin with a late goal by defender Jorge Moreira sealing the win and and next stage pass for his team.

With a combination between Brian Fernandez getting the assist in a well rehearsed play Moreira put the game away in the 82' minute. For second consecutive year the Portland Timbers will play in the USOC quarterfinals against San Jose or LAFC.

Goal
Perry Kitchen 28' OG, Brian Fernandez 34' PT, Sebastian Blanco 37' PT, Jorge Moreira 82' PT

Highlights

Brian Fernandez in five games the man is unstopable as the Timbers scorer
Steve Clark four saves the man did to net the Timbers first game with a clean sheet.
Portland Timbers defensive unit of Moreira, Dielna, Villafaña and Mabiala as starters delivered a wondrous match.

Man of the Match
Brian Fernandez and Steve Clark 


Next Match: (11) Portland Timbers (4,7, 2, 14 points) vs (4) Houston Dynamo (7, 3, 3, 24 points)
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon Saturday June 22, 2019 8:00 PM PST/ 11:00 PM EST

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Photos Credit and Property of Craig Mitchelldyer 2019

In the USOC Brian Fernandez on the double in a win over Seattle Sounders

Seattle Sounders 1-2 Portland Timbers











The Portland Timbers won on their fourth round match against the Seattle Sounder at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington thanks to Brian Fernandez double in a 2-1 victory.


As the Portland Timbers look like they have the Seattle Sounders in top competitions and today in this edition of the USOC the Rose City side raise to the occasion once again.

Once again teamwork became the essence of fine football for the visiting Timbers.

 Another chapter in one of Major League Soccer most celebrated of rivalries, the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders in the end both sides did not disappointed their followers with an amazing match.

For the Portland Timbers opening the score when a combination between Sebastian Blanco and Brian Fernandez opened the door for the Andean first of two goals in the night in the 6' minute.

In spite of Seattle numerous attempts their break came in the 44' minute when Victor Rodriguez free kick took a deflection and the local Sounders tying the game at one goal apiece.

In the second half the Portland timbers again a play started by a heavily watched Diego Valeri took a turn for the best when he passed to his left to a wide open Jeremy Ebobisse.

Then in a well placed pass to Brian Fernandez one again the man score his second goal of the night and second match he does since joining the Portland Timbers in the 50' minute.

Still this match was a challenging one for the Portland defense as the game official did not hesitated to award a PK in favor of Seattle after a clear Larry's Mabiala hand ball inside the area.

With Victor Rodriguez hitting the cross bar, this gave Portland a much needed relief in what could been the tying goal and later a shoot stooped by Timbers keeper Steve Clark who had a wondrous performance.

Today's win the Portland Timbers advance to the round of 16 and with a rival to be named  after Thursday's draw.

Goals

Brian Fernandez 6' PTFC, Victor Rodriguez 44' SSFC, Brian Fernandez 50' PTFC

Highlights

Brian Fernandez is well worth every dollar the Portland Timbers spent with another double

Steve Clark defending the Portland Timbers with 7 saves

Teamwork worked wonders for the Timbers

Renzo Zambrano second start and the lad future is looking promising


Man of the Match

Brian Fernandez

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Photos Credit and Property of Diego Diaz 2019

North Ireland still perfect with a late Paddy McNair winner

Belarus 0-1 North Ireland












You never forget your first time and today in Borisov Arena, the visiting North Ireland squad in its first perfect run in of four consecutive victories and Paddy McNair international goal.

For Michael O' Neill seeing a night of frustrations for his Norn Iron, in the end it was all laughs and celebration before their return in UEFA'S European Championship qualifiers in fall.


In the end an opportune Paddy McNair scoring his first international goal, this became the difference maker and keeping the positive momentum going for the Green and White Army.

So far this win for North Ireland puts them in first place in Group C with a three points lead over Germany and nine over the Netherlands with just two matches played.

As the Middlesbrough man opportune score came in the right time in the 86' minute after beating the likes of Belarussian defender Sergei Kisylak and its goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor.

With this win for manager Micheal O' Neill aware of the upcoming challenges he and his Norn Iron will close out in his last four matches against Germany and the Netherlands.


Still the merit of the Green and White Army over the weekend with wins over Estonia and today in Belarus, giving them a clear path of achieving their consecutive qualifier in this competition.

In this manager O' Neill brought three of its last week substitutes in the starting eleven in Jordan Jones, Josh Magennis and Conor Washington over Stuart Dallas, George Saville and Liam Boyce.

The starters turned substitutes for manager O' Neill used Stuart Dallas and George Saville later in the second half to try an uplift in the Norn Iron attack.

It will not come easy for the Norn Iron come September and October with matches against Germany at home and later away and the Netherlands away and later at home.

These two matches will be the difference for North Ireland as their qualification hangs on a thread in spite of its successful run by far but in these four matches the need to add points will be imperative to their qualification.


Goals
Paddy McNair 86' NI


Highlights
Paddy McNair first International goal as well the game winner

Michael O' Neill team running perfect with four consecutive wins.


North Ireland ends as  group leader with 12 points.


Next Matches
North Ireland vs Germany September 9, 2019 Windsor Stadium, Belfast
Netherlands vs North Ireland October 10, 2019 Stadion Feijenoord, Roterdam

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Photos Credit and Property of © Irish Football Association 2019

A win is a win at home for the Republic of Ireland over Gibraltar

Republic of Ireland 2-0 Republic of Gibraltar


A valuable result in Aviva Stadium today for Mick McCarthy side, after a late score by Robbie Brady that gave the Boys in Green a valuable victory over visiting minnows Gibraltar.

It took an OG play by Gibraltar Joseph Chipolina early in the 23' minutes  of the first half that these saw a full pressure from the Green Army that caused the misfortune for the visitors.

For the Green Army in this match it did not came easy for them after seeing a visiting Gibraltar defensive game putting a stop to the locals offensive momentum that lacked creativity.

As this Republic of Ireland team is far better to put this one away in a stunning fashion and with a goal rout, not happening. In the end what counts is the win and its three golden points.


Still the Switzerland squad has just played two games and the Danes three- somehow this gives McCarthy team a positive advantage, as this ten points somehow are a plus.

This gives the Republic of Ireland a clear lead in the top with five points over Denmark but these have to play Denmark and Switzerland at home and if this squad is in need to step up its game dramatically.

The idea to dominate big teams is imperative if these are to cruise with their pass to Europes top rated competiton in international football, as a boatload of work is to be performed in this Republic of Ireland squad.

In spite of the lack of creativity in the midfield and zelaous defending by the Green Army, still this squad does not lack fight and is not a quitter but in need of improvements in its midfield lacking creativity and a strong attack.

Still the break for the Green Army came when the referee awarded four extra minutes and with a minute left thats when Robbie Brady heroics seal the deal for the Republic of Ireland side.

Goals
Joseph Cipolina OG 23' GI, Robbie Brady 93' RI


Highlights
Robbie Brady winner on injury time

Scott Hogan first competitve start

David McGoldrick first goal in the national team but given as OG to Gibraltar

Four points in two matches in the weekend is not bad result.

Mick McCarthy standing behind his players


Next matches
Republic of Ireland vs Switzerland September 5, 2019 Aviva Stadium
Republic of Georgia vs Republic of Ireland October 12, 2019 Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena

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Photos Credit and Property of © Football Association of Ireland © 2001 - 2017

Valuable the point earned in Copenhagen by the Boys in Green

Denmark 1-1 Republic of Ireland

A valuable point for the Green Army in Danish lands and the memories of that elimination by the Danes are still fresh in the minds of many of the Green Army side veterans.


For manager Mick McCarthy sending a very defensive prone 4-5-1 formation to counter on the Danes attack, with a stunner of a goal by the locals Pierre- Emile Hojberg in the 76' minute.

Still the boys in Green can fight back and via Shane Duffy equalizing in the 85' minute his goal could not come in a better moment and in the end both sides settled for the spoiler and for McCarthy side still undefeated and leading the pack.

As manager Mick McCarthy looking forward to see a continuance of his side ride with perfection with a game against Republic of Gibraltar at Aviva Stadium on June 10th.

So far leading the pack in Group D The Green Army is seeded at the top with seven points and looking forward to extend its lead and ready for its upcoming matches against Switzerland and later Denmark at home.

If this match was an all around contest you bet as both sides were looking forward to net the impossible and for the Danes looking for three points but in the end these have to look for wins in other contests.

In the end for the Republic of Ireland this result in spite of the draw, the tactics and full press on the Danes left us a new chapter in the Green Army goals being meet slowly but surely in seeking  a spot in the next EURO 2020.













Goals

Pierre- Emile Hojberg 76' DEN, Shane Duffy 85 RI

Highlights

Shane Duffy equalizer

Mick McCarthy tactics uplifting the Green Army game and confidence
 

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The Norn Iron still undefeated with a win over Estonia

Estonia 1- 2 North Ireland

For Michael O' Neill North Ireland, he had all he right moves in this EURO qualifiers match celebrated in Tallinn, colossus Coq Arena, maintain its undefeated status staging a second half comeback.

With second half substitutions by manager O' Neill, these paid off!

In the first half seeing how an inspired and fighting  Blueshirts side going ahead in the scoreboard with an early score by Konstantin Vassiljev in the 25' minute with a perfect free kick for the 1-0.

In spite of the first goal that uplifted the momentum for the Blueshirts, the Green and White Army had its opportunities as well a grand break in the 38' minute when the game official disallowed a goal for the locals.

In the end the Norn Iron almost got a close play at goal but no go, in the end of the first half the locals had the upper advantage with a goal in favor and going into intermission with the lead.

As the Norn Iron players getting an earful from their Boss, the second half was to become a challenge for the both sides one to maintain its lead the other to look for the right moment.

However the moves in the second half before kick off by North Ireland when Conor Washington came as a substitute for Liam Boyce and the game still to play 45 minutes.

As the Norn Iron creating a cuple of opportunities, still the likes of Estonia's captain Vassiljev denied of an opportunity of goal by a savior of a woodwork, a relief for NI Keeper Bailey Peackock- Farrell.
 
In the 78' minute its when the game started to go in favor of the Norn Iron, when Conor Washington shoot is defelcted and taken by Josh Magennis to tie the game at 1-1 apiece.

Still there was more to come for the Boys from the Northern part from the Emerald Isle with anoter score from who else but Josh Magennis in the 80' thanks to another substitute Jordan Jones.

In the final minutes the Norn Iron defensive game got a boost and for their goalkeeper Bailey Peackock- Farrell made a game saving stop against Sergei Zenjov's shoot, and persevering for their third consecutive win.

The Norn Iron still is undefeated.

Goals
Konstantin Vassiljev 25' EST,  Conor Washington 78' NI, Josh Magennis 80'NI

Highlights

Manager Michael O' Neill substitutions paid off in the end.
Josh Magennis and Conor Washington goals.

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