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| MLS is Back Tournament final: Portland Timbers 2-1 Orlando City – as it happened | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Minute-by-minute report: The Portland Timbers clinched the mid-season tournament with a narrow win in Florida | |
| The trophy aloft | |
| Congratulations are in order | |
| A few weeks ago, the Twitterati would’ve given good odds against MLS managing to pull off this tournament. But they did, and it was fun to watch. The Disney heat didn’t stop teams from unleashing the attack. | |
| Portland was a solid team throughout, and the Timbers played an intelligent final. They were willing to concede a lot of possession to Orlando but rarely let the Lions get a touch anywhere near the goal. And they don’t need many chances to score. | |
| Thanks for following along with us. If all goes well, maybe we’ll do this again in December to see another trophy awarded. | |
| The coaches shake hands. Maybe they’re not supposed to, but everyone in this bubble has been tested over and over, and they’re all negative. Just remember not to do that after tonight. | |
| Can’t believe I made a Quiet Riot reference and didn’t mention that Portland’s keeper, Steve Clark, shares a name with the late Def Leppard guitarist. No f-f-f-f-foolin’ | |
| The Timbers are deserving champions of this unusual tournament. | |
| 90 min +5: Portland using the space like Will Ferrell with a cowbell. The Timbers earn a corner, and this is almost done. | |
| 90 min +4: Ping, ping, ping, ping ... corner kick. | |
| Gallese runs up the field and almost gets his head to it. | |
| 90 min +3: Nani’s free kick is disappointing, but with a lot of bodies in a confined space, the ball can go many different places, and it lands at the feet of Kyle Smith. He blasts a short shot over the bar, and Portland’s lead is intact. | |
| 90 min +2: Nani tries to get past Duvall and can’t, but the Portland defender clips Nani’s shin, and that’s enough to get a whistle. Free kick. | |
| 90 min +1: Tuiloma replaces Valeri, and that should be it for subs. | |
| Can Orlando send this game to PKs? Probably not, but we’ll keep watching. | |
| 90 min: CHANCE as the free kick goes nowhere and Portland is off to the races. It gets to Valeri, whose shot forces another outstanding save from Gallese. That would have clinched it. | |
| Five minutes to go. | |
| 89 min: Giovanni Savarese sends in Felipe Moro to replace Blanco. | |
| Portland immediately concedes a free kick, and everyone lines up on the 18. | |
| The “highlight” of Ruan’s high boot ... | |
| 87 min: And that will be all for Ruan. Kyle Smith is his replacement. That’s five subs for Orlando. | |
| 85 min: Ruan raises his foot about six feet off the ground in attempt to play the ball. Unfortunate for Valeri that his head was there. Yellow to Ruan. | |
| 84 min: A reminder that the loser of this game collects $150,000. | |
| The winner gets $300,000 but has to play in the CONCACAF Champions League, so call it hazard pay. Referees in this region don’t always protect attackers. | |
| 81 min: Urso falls a little too easily with Chara on his back, and Orlando gets a free kick from 25. The ball is back-heeled to Jansson, who rips it and sees it deflected just wide. | |
| Best opportunity for Orlando since Walt Disney flew over Florida and said, “Let’s build it there.” | |
| 78 min: More subs for Orlando ... | |
| Santiago Patiño for Uri Rosell. | |
| Daryl Dike for Tesho Akindele. | |
| Dike’s sister, Courtney, is a Nigerian national team player. | |
| 76 min: Stop ... water time. | |
| (Or whatever they’re drinking.) | |
| 75 min: I neglected to mention that Portland’s Diego Chara picked up a yellow, not a rare occurrence. He might be lucky to escape another whistle as he pokes the ball away from behind. | 75 min: I neglected to mention that Portland’s Diego Chara picked up a yellow, not a rare occurrence. He might be lucky to escape another whistle as he pokes the ball away from behind. |
| 73 min: We have a scuffle, and it involves the frustrated Nani, who gets a yellow for barging into Jorge Villafaña and banging heads like a pair of Quiet Riot fans. | 73 min: We have a scuffle, and it involves the frustrated Nani, who gets a yellow for barging into Jorge Villafaña and banging heads like a pair of Quiet Riot fans. |
| Villafaña exaggerates a bit, adding to Nani’s exasperation. | Villafaña exaggerates a bit, adding to Nani’s exasperation. |
| 71 min: Orlando also brings on the subs. Benji Michel replaces Chris Mueller, who looks dejected on the bench despite some fine moments in this game and an outstanding tournament. Junior Urso replaces Mendez. | 71 min: Orlando also brings on the subs. Benji Michel replaces Chris Mueller, who looks dejected on the bench despite some fine moments in this game and an outstanding tournament. Junior Urso replaces Mendez. |
| 68 min: Portland does a hockey-style line change after the goal, with Polish attacker Jaroslaw Niezgoda replacing Ebobisse and Andy Polo coming in for Loria. | 68 min: Portland does a hockey-style line change after the goal, with Polish attacker Jaroslaw Niezgoda replacing Ebobisse and Andy Polo coming in for Loria. |
| Orlando has still had more than 60% of the possession, but Portland has put five shots on target to Orlando’s one. | Orlando has still had more than 60% of the possession, but Portland has put five shots on target to Orlando’s one. |
| Third time’s a charm. | Third time’s a charm. |
| Valeri’s corner lands at Eryk Williamson’s feet, 15 yards from goal. He rips a diagonal ball toward the center of the goal, and it pings off a leg or two before presenting Zuparic a golden opportunity at close range. | Valeri’s corner lands at Eryk Williamson’s feet, 15 yards from goal. He rips a diagonal ball toward the center of the goal, and it pings off a leg or two before presenting Zuparic a golden opportunity at close range. |
| Both Portland center backs have scored. | Both Portland center backs have scored. |
| 64 min: SAVE, the first significant goalkeeping in this game, as Gallese pushes Valeri’s low free kick around the post. | 64 min: SAVE, the first significant goalkeeping in this game, as Gallese pushes Valeri’s low free kick around the post. |
| AND ANOTHER as Portland works the ball in to Ebobisse, who stings Gallese’s hands. | AND ANOTHER as Portland works the ball in to Ebobisse, who stings Gallese’s hands. |
| 63 min: Oh my -- Moutinho makes a horrible misplay that would’ve let Loria run in one-on-one if the defender hadn’t rugby-tackled him. It’s a yellow card, and if not for the presence of another Orlando defender, that could’ve been a red for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. (The great abbreviation: DOGSO.) | 63 min: Oh my -- Moutinho makes a horrible misplay that would’ve let Loria run in one-on-one if the defender hadn’t rugby-tackled him. It’s a yellow card, and if not for the presence of another Orlando defender, that could’ve been a red for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. (The great abbreviation: DOGSO.) |
| Free kick 20 yards out, dead center. | Free kick 20 yards out, dead center. |
| 61 min: Whose idea was it to give Diego Valeri the ball with acres of space? To Orlando’s relief, his speculative ball forward is cleared. | 61 min: Whose idea was it to give Diego Valeri the ball with acres of space? To Orlando’s relief, his speculative ball forward is cleared. |
| 58 min: Portland tries a quick break with a good through ball to Loria, but Jansson slides to poke the ball out of play. | 58 min: Portland tries a quick break with a good through ball to Loria, but Jansson slides to poke the ball out of play. |
| The Timbers may not have a lot of possession, but they have quality. That’s why this is 1-1 and not 1-0 or worse. | The Timbers may not have a lot of possession, but they have quality. That’s why this is 1-1 and not 1-0 or worse. |
| 56 min: Mabiala, the Portland goal scorer, fulfills his first responsibility with a good block in his own area. | 56 min: Mabiala, the Portland goal scorer, fulfills his first responsibility with a good block in his own area. |
| Orlando has the ball ... | Orlando has the ball ... |
| 54 min: Mueller does some nice work to set up Nani, whose rushed one-timer will be landing at Epcot Center in a couple of minutes. | 54 min: Mueller does some nice work to set up Nani, whose rushed one-timer will be landing at Epcot Center in a couple of minutes. |
| (I was at Disney World around this time last year.) | (I was at Disney World around this time last year.) |
| Quick note on social justice, adding to something seen at halftime: | Quick note on social justice, adding to something seen at halftime: |
| 52 min: And once again, when Portland can get forward, the Timbers are dangerous. Blanco’s shot inside the box is blocked out of play for a corner. | 52 min: And once again, when Portland can get forward, the Timbers are dangerous. Blanco’s shot inside the box is blocked out of play for a corner. |
| Valeri’s first attempt from the corner is played out for another. The next one is cleared, and this time, Portland gains possession. | Valeri’s first attempt from the corner is played out for another. The next one is cleared, and this time, Portland gains possession. |
| Ebobisse hits the turf once again. ESPN’s Jon Champion hailed the grounds crew a few minutes ago -- maybe the Portland striker can give a detailed report. | Ebobisse hits the turf once again. ESPN’s Jon Champion hailed the grounds crew a few minutes ago -- maybe the Portland striker can give a detailed report. |
| 51 min: Orlando has the ball. | 51 min: Orlando has the ball. |
| Orlando still has the ball. | Orlando still has the ball. |
| Orlando still has the ball. | Orlando still has the ball. |
| 48 min: Speaking of cards, Antonio Carlos gets caught flat-footed by Diego Valeri and sticks out a leg, a hip, a thigh and perhaps some pieces of the old Operation board game to impede his progress. Yellow card. | 48 min: Speaking of cards, Antonio Carlos gets caught flat-footed by Diego Valeri and sticks out a leg, a hip, a thigh and perhaps some pieces of the old Operation board game to impede his progress. Yellow card. |
| Valeri’s free kick goes straight to goalkeeper Gallese. | Valeri’s free kick goes straight to goalkeeper Gallese. |
| 46 min: Orlando possesses the ball for a while and runs into a green wall once again. | 46 min: Orlando possesses the ball for a while and runs into a green wall once again. |
| Michael Vraney asks: “Who gets a red first, Nani or Blanco? I’ve always had a soft spot for the creative petulant type.” | Michael Vraney asks: “Who gets a red first, Nani or Blanco? I’ve always had a soft spot for the creative petulant type.” |
| I’d still love to hear what prompted Blanco’s discussion with Orlando coach Oscar Pareja. | I’d still love to hear what prompted Blanco’s discussion with Orlando coach Oscar Pareja. |
| A contrast in goal scorers | A contrast in goal scorers |
| Orlando’s Mauricio Pereyra is an attacker from Uruguay, which has gone a few decades without winning the World Cup but is still a soccer nation of distinction. | Orlando’s Mauricio Pereyra is an attacker from Uruguay, which has gone a few decades without winning the World Cup but is still a soccer nation of distinction. |
| Portland’s Larrys Mabiala is a defender who was born in France but represents the Democratic Republic of Congo. | Portland’s Larrys Mabiala is a defender who was born in France but represents the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
| Mabiala can score, though. He had five goals in 2018, including a brace against rival Seattle. He also has experience in the Europa League with PSG and Karabükspor. | Mabiala can score, though. He had five goals in 2018, including a brace against rival Seattle. He also has experience in the Europa League with PSG and Karabükspor. |
| Pereyra also has Europa League experience with FC Krasnodar. | Pereyra also has Europa League experience with FC Krasnodar. |
| The winner of this game will be in the Champions League. CONCACAF’s, of course. Assuming it can be played before all the players are 40. | The winner of this game will be in the Champions League. CONCACAF’s, of course. Assuming it can be played before all the players are 40. |
| Second half underway ... | Second half underway ... |
| That Orlando equalizer ... | That Orlando equalizer ... |
| Neither goalkeeper has a save. Why? Because Portland has had very little possession, and Orlando has done little with theirs. | Neither goalkeeper has a save. Why? Because Portland has had very little possession, and Orlando has done little with theirs. |
| But it only takes one moment for a special player to have an impact, and Nani and Valeri have done just that, setting up one goal each direction. | But it only takes one moment for a special player to have an impact, and Nani and Valeri have done just that, setting up one goal each direction. |
| 45 min +4: A promising Orlando attack, with more incisive passes than we’ve seen for much of the half, ends with a pass that Chris Mueller can’t quite redirect on target. | 45 min +4: A promising Orlando attack, with more incisive passes than we’ve seen for much of the half, ends with a pass that Chris Mueller can’t quite redirect on target. |
| 45 min +2: Another free kick for Portland. Valeri again puts forth an inviting delivery, but no one is there to RSVP. | 45 min +2: Another free kick for Portland. Valeri again puts forth an inviting delivery, but no one is there to RSVP. |
| 45 min: A long Portland pass threads the needle, but Gallese is quick to slide out to the edge of the box and snare the ball. | 45 min: A long Portland pass threads the needle, but Gallese is quick to slide out to the edge of the box and snare the ball. |
| Four minutes of stoppage time forthcoming. | Four minutes of stoppage time forthcoming. |
| 43 min: Valeri tries the cheeky free kick under the wall, but it’s less impressive than a recently discovered tunnel at the U.S.-Mexico border. | 43 min: Valeri tries the cheeky free kick under the wall, but it’s less impressive than a recently discovered tunnel at the U.S.-Mexico border. |
| A couple more clumsy challenges, and now the Portland goal-scorer, Mabiala, goes into the book. | A couple more clumsy challenges, and now the Portland goal-scorer, Mabiala, goes into the book. |
| 42 min: Unintelligent challenge from Moutinho on Loria, and Portland has another free kick, this time 20 yards out. Too close for Valeri? | 42 min: Unintelligent challenge from Moutinho on Loria, and Portland has another free kick, this time 20 yards out. Too close for Valeri? |