The Portland Timbers returned from the international break and returned to their recent winning ways, winning their third match in the last four with a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City. Dairon Asprilla and Marvin Loría were the Timbers goal scorers, with Jaylin Lindsey tallying the lone goal for the visitors.
The Timbers would have a great early chance in the 3rd minute when Diego Valeri found Dairon Asprilla on the sprint down the left side with a great pass, but his shot would be just wide from close-range.
Sporting Kansas City would take the lead in the 28th minute when a shot deflected across the box to an open Jaylin Lindsey, who buried his shot nicely in the top right corner of the goal, and the visitors had a 1-0 lead.
The home side would tie things up in the 36th minute when a Valeri free kick ended up at the foot of Asprilla, whose first shot from just inside the top of the box was blocked, but the ball feel back to his feel and a quick follow-up shot was low and into the bottom left corner of the net, and the score was now level at 1-1.
Just into first half stoppage time, the Timbers would take the lead when Valeri’s clever pass found Marvin Loría inside the box, who tried to play a pass with Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia charging off his line, but the ball fortunately bounced off a retreating Lindsey and right back to Loría, who had an easy finish, and the Timbers had a 2-1 lead that they held at the half.
Early in the second half, Kansas City had a great chance to level the score when Johnny Russell had a good look from the top of the box, but his low shot was kept out by a spectacular kick save from Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark.
In second half stoppage time, Alan Pulido had a great chance to get the late leveling goal for the visitors, but his shot was into the netting on the side of the goal, and the Timbers would hold on for a 2-1 victory.
Steve Clark would have two saves for the Timbers, while Tim Melia recorded one save for Kansas City.
I apologize for no photos as I was not able to get photo credentials for the fourth time this season. I hope that trend will change soon.
MATCH RECAP | Portland Timbers 2, Sporting Kansas City 1 | Timbers website
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | Portland Timbers 2, Sporting Kansas City 1 | June 19, 2021 | Timbers website
