The Portland Timbers ended their 2021 MLS regular season with a 3-0 win over Austin FC, the first time they had beaten the MLS expansion team this year after losing twice on the road. Cristhian Paredes, Jarosław Niezgoda, and Sebastián Blanco all scored for the Timbers, while Steve Clark would get the shutout in goal.
The Timbers looked sharp right from the opening whistle, and nearly scored in the 5th minute when Diego Chará‘s cross found it’s way to his brother Yimmi Chará, but his shot was blocked by a sliding Austin defender. Then in the 17th minute, Santiago Moreno took advantage of sloppy handling by an Austin FC defender, then crossed a pass to Sebastián Blanco, who one-touched a pass to an open Cristhian Paredes at the far post, who one-timed easily into an open net past goalkeeper Brad Stuver, and the Timbers had a 1-0 lead.
Austin would have a great chance to equalize in the 35th minute Sebastian Berhalter lofted a nice pass into the run of Diego Fagúndezv, who had an open header from just a few yards out, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Steve Clark.
Then in the 45th minute, another defensive mistake by Austin would result in a Timbers goal, as Yimmi Chará made a steal from Zan Kolmanic and then crossed the ball to an open Jarosław Niezgoda, who chested in the shot from just a few yards out, and suddenly the Timbers had a 2-0 lead that they held at the break.
The Timbers opened the second half with a number of good chances that would pay off in the 53rd minute when Blanco found Niezgoda on a deep run. The striker attempted to chip the Austin keeper in an attempt that appeared it was going to fail, but Blanco continued his run and met the chip just a yard or two off the line and converted the chance into a goal, and the Timbers had widened their lead to 3-0.
In the 78th minute, Yimmi Chará hit the crossbar with his open attempt to chip the Austin keeper before the ball was cleared, but the Timbers would hold onto the 3-0 lead for the victory, and enter the playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Conference, and the 5th seed in all of Major League Soccer, and will play their first-round playoff match at home in two weeks against Minnesota United.
Steve Clark had four saves for the Timbers in earning the shutout, while Brad Stuver had six saves in the loss.
RECAP | Portland Timbers blank Austin FC in 3-0 shutout win | Timbers website
HIGHLIGHTS | Portland Timbers beat Austin FC 3-0 | Timbers website
