Corners Send Timbers to MLS is Back Final

BAY LAKE – The Portland Timbers are through to the MLS is Back final following a 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night.

Portland will face the winner of Thursday’s other semifinal between Orlando City SC and Minnesota United FC in the championship game on Tuesday night. The winner of that match will earn a place in the CONCACAF Champions League for 2021.

It took just 13 minutes for the Timbers to open the scoring off of Diego Valeri’s corner. The ball was swung in for Jeremy Ebobisse to easily head home after his defender, Kai Wagner was flat-footed, just watching as the opener went in.

There would be a long break for the second goal, not coming until the 70^th minute, again off a Valeri corner. This time Dario Zuparic scored it, flicking home a header at the far post.

That second was when Philadelphia finally came to life. With five minutes to play Philly made it an anxious finish for Timbers fans, pulling a goal back. Jamiro Montiero hit a free-kick which Portland keeper Steve Clark saved only for Andrew Wooten to tap it home.

“It’s a great feeling. We came here with one goal and that’s to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament, and now we’re one game away. All the work that we’ve put in, and all the sacrifice that we’ve put in is all starting to pay off, and we’ve got 90 more minutes, and we’ve got a full team ready to step in.”

Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse

One minute later the Union thought it had an equalizer. Brenden Aaronson sent a through ball for Kacper Przybylko who put it past Clark, his goal denied, as he had strayed fractionally offside.

Portland made the most of its luck, with Philadelphia blowing a chance late in the first half to equalize. Sergio Santos had a chance from the penalty spot, but launched it well over the bar, like Roberto Baggio’s blown kick in the 1994 World Cup Final. Had that have scored this match would have gone to penalties, but Valeri’s corners proved enough.

(Photo courtesy: Jared Martinez, Matt Stith & Devin L’Amoreaux)