Portland Timbers win MLS is Back Tournament

BAY LAKE – The Portland Timbers have won the MLS is Back tournament with a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC at Disney World on Tuesday night.

With the win, Portland has qualified for the 2020-21 CONCACAF Champions League, taking the first spot for Major League Soccer.

The Timbers opened the scoring in the 27^th minute after a well-executed set-piece move. Diego Valeri swung the ball in, finding Larrys Mabiala who was able to head it home from close range, directing it down to make it too difficult for the keeper.

READ MORE: Corners Send Timbers to MLS is Back Final

Twelve minutes later and the tournament hosts had it back on level terms. Nani continued his excellent form sending it into the box before a mess of bodies held the ball up. That allowed Mauricio Pereyra, the intended target, to regather and put it away.

PTFC got back in front in the 66^th minute with a first club goal for Dario Zuparic. Valeri’s corner went deep, allowing Jeremy Ebobisse to gather it and find Zuparic, who was open, allowing him to score with a tap-in.

The Timbers started the stronger side, but some strong defending from the Lions kept the match scoreless until the 27^th.

After conceding the Orlando offense seemed to come to life and pushed hard to find an equalizer, starting to see more of the ball and didn’t take long to get back on level terms.

READ MORE: Orlando City Downs LAFC on Penalties

As the second half started, it quickly fell into the same pattern as the first. Portland came out controlling things for the early stages but couldn’t make that possession count until after the hour mark.

There’s still a chance that Orlando could qualify for the Champions League. The standard MLS routes are open again, but should the season not complete, MLS is Back might be used, and being the runner up would send the Lions through.

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