Undermanned Timbers Secure Draw with Colorado

The Portland Timbers returned to Providence Park for the first time in a month and gave the Timber fans a dramatic outing, drawing 2-2 with Colorado. The result supplements Portland’s unbeaten streak to four and Colorado’s to nine.

The match had a great flow to begin but around the 20th-minute things began to get physical, hard fouls and not-so-kind interactions ensued.

In the early moments of physically Bill Tuiloma, who was playing right-back tonight, picked up his first yellow card then in the 42nd minute he picked up his second yellow via a rash challenge. It was the earliest red card Portland has had to swallow this season but halftime gave an opportunity to defensively re-adjust with a key defender gone.

Portland subbed off Yimmi Chara for Jose Van Rankin for defensive solidity and the formation shifted to a 4-4-1 with Mora up top. Colorado was ever-present offensively for the opening 20 minutes of the second half and picked up a 1-0 lead when Jonathan Lewis tucked away a nice Rapid passing sequence.

Hopes didn’t wain with Felipe Mora scoring his 10th goal of the season in the 67th minute off a set-piece to tie it up.

The late madness began in the 87th minute when talented forward Michael Barrios put it a cross on the edge of the touchline which sailed over Steve Clark and directly in. The intent of the Barrios goal is up for question but using the outside of his boot caused curve towards the Timbers net. Barrios and Colorado simply had to defend for the final moments of the match but Sebastian Blanco had other plans for his undermanned squad.

Blanco was superb in his central attacking role providing the point-saving goal a minute into stoppage time. It was a game that truly showed the Portland star attacker is 100% back to his pre-injury form.

The Timbers stay put in fifth place in the Western Conference and face the sixth-placed side, LAFC, at Providence Park this Sunday.