February 19, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers tallied three second-half goals, including a pair of goals in a two-minute span, to earn a 3-0 win against Real Salt Lake in their final match of the 2022 preseason presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky at Providence Park on Saturday night. Cristhian Paredes recorded the first goal and just two minutes later Jaroslaw Niezgoda converted from the penalty spot, while Bill Tuiloma added the final goal deep in stoppage time on a free kick.
Tournament Recap
Portland concluded the tournament with five goals from five different players, posting a record of 2-1-0 in its three matches. Defensively, the Timbers registered two shutouts, including a 1-0 win against Minnesota United FC to open the tournament on Feb. 13. Aljaz Ivacic and David Bingham combined in the first game against Minnesota to earn the shutout, while Ivacic logged 90 minutes to earn the shutout in the final match against RSL.
Notes
In total, 26 players earned minutes during the preseason tournament for the Timbers. In addition, 22 of those players played in at least two matches during the tournament. Dairon Asprilla, Blake Bodily, Yimmi Chara, George Fochive, Diego Gutierrez, Santiago Moreno and Josecarlos Van Rankin each played in all three games. Yimmi Chara, Justin Rasmussen, Niezgoda, Paredes and Tuiloma all recorded goals for Portland in the tournament. Moreno and Van Rankin each added an assist.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Cristhian Paredes, 72nd minute: After receiving a pass from Santiago Moreno near the right edge of the box, Yimmi Chara fired a low hard cross to the near post that was parried away by RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath. Cristhian Paredes pounced on the loose ball and unleashed a powerful strike from the top of the six-yard box under the crossbar.
POR – Jaroslaw Niezgoda (penalty kick), 74th minute: Jaroslaw Niezgoda dribbled into the box and was taken down, earning Portland a penalty kick. Niezgoda stepped to the spot and converted.
POR – Bill Tuiloma, 90+2: Bill Tuiloma lined up a free kick from just outside the box and delivered a perfectly-placed shot into the top left corner of the goal.
Next Game
Up next, the Timbers will open the 2022 MLS regular season next weekend when they host the New England Revolution on Feb. 26 at Providence Park; kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific) on FOX.
2022 Preseason, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake (MLS Preseason)
Feb. 19, 2022 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 0 3 3
Real Salt Lake 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
POR: Paredes, 72
POR: Niezgoda (penalty kick), 74
POR: Tuiloma, 90+2
Misconduct Summary:
RSL: Ruiz (caution), 15
RSL: Meram (caution), 36
POR: D. Chara (caution), 37
RSL: Silva, (caution), 52
RSL: Holt, (caution), 55
Lineup:
POR: GK Ivacic, D Van Rankin, D McGraw, D Tuiloma, D Bravo, M D. Chara, M Paredes (Fochive, 84), M S. Moreno (Bodily, 84), M Y. Chara (Anor, 87), F Asprilla, F Niezgoda (Gutierrez, 87)
Attendance: 10,123
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