Portland Timbers Edge Columbus Crew 3-2 in Goal Thrilling Battle

The Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew, two former MLS cup finalists, battled each other on Saturday July 15, 2023 at Providence Park, Portland, Oregon. It was a night presided by former international and Timbers midfielder maestro Diego Valeri, the festive and vibrant energy translated to the home team, far from a desired season, but reinforced by key players coming back from injury.

Columbus didn’t come to Portland to just be an appendix to Portland’s celebration and had in the Argentinian born and Armenia international Lucas Zelarayán, an ambitious attacking mid, who twice kept the Crew in the game. The former Club Atlético Belgrano attacking mid, brought Columbus from a 2-0 deficit, two stunning goals, one in the first half stoppage time time, and then in the 68th minute, equalizing with a wonderful strike from outside of the box.

Portland Timbers winger Dairon Asprilla, the other match top rated player, had advanced the Timbers in minute 28 and then doubled the advantage in minute 30. Both teams displayed a very physical, team disciplined football, in a very disputed, but very attractive game. One of the better ones disputed by the men’s franchise this season at Providence Park.

The last 25 minutes, with the score equal at 2 goals each, Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese, started to bring in Portland’s top swords, striker Felipe Mora, and midfielders Yimmi Chara and Sebastián Blanco, all slowly coming into form from injuries. This tested talents showed some of the best team play seen this season by the locals. Portland looked better, and in minute 80, a very well combined play involving four Timbers players, landed a ball in the box, when Yimmi Chara’s tight skills laid a pass leftwards to a solitary Sebastián Blanco, virtually playing as a winger. Seba’s strike beat Columbus keeper Patrick Shulte and earned Portland a much needer three points in the race for the 2023 postseason.