Fanendo Adi Leads Portland Past Colorado Rapids
Fanendo Adi led the Portland Timbers past Tim Howard and the Colorado Rapids in the club’s final home match of the 2016 regular season. The Timbers take on the Vancouver Whitecap on October 23rd as they seek to advance to the postseason for the third time in four years.
MLS Soccer News: In their final home game of the 2016 MLS regular season, the Portland Timbers edged the Colorado Rapids 1-0 at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Forward Fanendo Adi scored Portland’s lone goal, converting from the penalty spot in the first half to tally his 16th goal of the season.
With the result, the Timbers (12-13-8, 44 pts) are tied for sixth place in the Western Conference standings with one match remaining of the regular season. With a win at Vancouver in their final match of the season on Sunday, October 23rd, Portland will earn their third playoff berth in the last four campaigns.
Portland’s 12 wins at Providence Park in 2016 ranks as the second-most home victories in MLS this season, behind only the New York Red Bulls (13).
Outshooting Colorado 13-3 in the first half of play, Portland opened the game aggressively, creating countless chances to score in the early stages of the game. The Timbers produced their first opportunity in the opening minute of the match when midfielder Jack Jewsbury’s corner kick found defender Liam Ridgewell at the far post, with the defender hitting a header that went just high of the target. Jewsbury, who led all players with five chances created in the game, made his 351st career appearance in regular-season play. The midfielder featured in his final regular-season home game at Providence Park as he is set to retire at the conclusion of the 2016 MLS campaign.
Approaching halftime, the Timbers opened the scoring in the 35th minute when forward Fanendo Adi converted from the penalty spot, sending Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard the wrong direction while placing his effort in the right corner. Stemming from a foul on Timbers defender Vytas, the goal marked Adi’s 16th finish of the season, which ranks as the third-most this campaign.
Five minutes later, the Timbers were awarded a second penalty kick for another foul on Vytas who was brought down on the edge of the six-yard box. Howard saved Adi’s penalty this time around, saving his effort to the left corner.
Continuing to press forward, the Timbers came close to tallying their second goal in the 42nd minute when Valeri hit a strike from the edge of the box that went high of the target.
On the defensive end, Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson notched three saves in three shots faced, as the team recorded its sixth shutout of the regular season.
Portland will play two games in five days, first taking on Deportivo Saprissa in its final group-stage match in the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday, October 19th, beginning at 7 p.m. PT, before traveling to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Sunday, October 23rd.
Photo Credit: Portland Timbers
