The Portland Timbers had their second straight 0-0 result Saturday night at Providence Park, this time against Real Salt Lake. Despite having a good number of decent chances, the Timbers never found the net.
The Timbers had a few good early chances on a header and a free kick, both by Bill Tuiloma, but neither chance really threatened the Real Salt Lake net. The first really good Timbers opportunity would be in the 38th minute when Cristhian Paredes hit a dipping blast from 30 yards out that was kept out by a nice save by Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath. Just before the end of the half, Tuiloma would hit a nice blast from 30 yards out that slipped just wide left. The teams were tied at 0-0 at the break.
In the 55th minute, Timbers midfielder Santiago Moreno would make a nice turn just outside the box, but his curling shot was saved easily by MacMath.
Despite having very few chances on the night, the visitors would feel unlucky to have not taken the lead in the 66th minute when Pablo Ruíz ran onto a loose ball in the Timbers box, then had an open look from 10 yards out that the Real Salt Lake midfielder would blast off the left post, and his rebound shot would be blocked by Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala. In the 76th minute the visitors had another great opportunity when Maikel Chang would get a one-timer chance from just a few yards out, but the shot would be stopped nicely by Timbers goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.
The Timbers would control most of the rest of the match, but the opportunities they had were not a serious threat, and the match would end up in a 0-0 draw. It’s the first time the Timbers have had consecutive 0-0 draws since they did so against the New York Red Bulls and Colorado Rapids in 2016.
Aljaž Ivačič would record two saves for the Timbers, while Zac MacMath would have five saves for the visitors.
MATCH RECAP | Portland Timbers battle to 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake | Timbers website
