Minnesota Counter Attack Goals Too Much for Timbers on MLS Opening Weekend
The first 50 minutes went by without any scoring, and then Portland and Minnesota combined for four goals in the final 40 minutes.
Minnesota United used counter attacks to score at least two of their goals, and it could be argued they scored all three on counters.
The Loons Kevin Molino put the first goal on the board in the 51st minute.
Fortunately for Portland, the Timbers responded with a Diego Valeri penalty kick in the 56th minute.
The game remained tied at 1-1 for about 20 minutes when Luis Amarilla found the back of the net on a header for Minnesota, 2-1.
Then, less than three minutes later, the Loons got a second goal from Molino, 3-1 Minnesota.
The Timbers tried their best to get closer and get a ball in the net, but even with three minutes of stoppage time, they couldn’t find another goal.
As for the first half, it seemed both teams were feeling out the other side. The Timbers made some runs, Minnesota made a few as well.
Portland outshot the Loons 8-2 in the opening 45 minutes, but we still had a 0-0 halftime score.
Overall, the Timbers finished with 14 shots (three on goal), while Minnesota finished with 10 shots (four on goal).
Cristhian Paredes (43′), Diego Valeri (61′) and Diego Chara received yellow cards for the Timbers.
Next up, the Timbers host Nashville SC on March 8. Coverage starts on 750 The Game with the pregame show at 3 p.m. and kickoff at 4 p.m.
