June 20, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release
, Ore. – The Portland Timbers came out on top with a 2-1 win against Sporting Kansas City tonight at Providence Park. Trailing 1-0 in the first half, Dairon Asprilla and Marvin Loría provided a pair of unanswered goals to help secure the win. Several Timbers made their return to the roster following injuries, including Sebastián Blanco.
Unbeaten Streak vs. SKC
The Timbers extended their unbeaten streak against SKC to five across all matches, dating back to November 25, 2018. In those five matches, they hold a record of 3-0-2, with a goal differential of 9-5. Three of the five matches have been played at Providence Park, with the other two being at Children’s Mercy Park. The streak began in the 2018 MLS Western Conference Final, with the Timbers tying the first leg 0-0 and clinching a spot in MLS Cup with a 3-2 win in the second leg. The two sides face off one more time this season, on August 18 at Children’s Mercy Park.
Goal Scorers
Asprilla scored his second goal of the 2021 campaign, and his 15th career goal across all competitions. This is his second consecutive match scoring against Sporting KC, the first coming in a 2-2 draw (Sept. 29, 2019). Loría also scored his second goal of the 2021 campaign, and his fifth career goal across all competitions.
Returns to the Roster
Four Timbers made their return to the field tonight after being on the injury list. Headlining the list, Blanco made his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury on September 6, 2020, coming off the bench in the 80th minute. Diego Chara made his first appearance and start since May 9. Larrys Mabiala made his first appearance since May 9, coming off the bench in the 69th minute. Steve Clark made his first appearance and start since exiting the match due to injury on April 18.
Goal-Scoring Plays
SKC – Jaylin Lindsey, 28th minute: A deflected cross made its way across the six-yard box to the feet of Lindsey, who finished it in the top right netting of the goal.
POR – Dairon Asprilla, 36th minute: Josecarlos Van Rankin sent in a free kick from the right wing, swinging it across the top of the eighteen-yard box. After several deflections, Asprilla got off a quick one-time shot, driving it low into the bottom left corner of the goal.
POR – Marvin Loría, 45+1 minute: The Timbers’ backline built the play from their defensive half, carrying it into the attacking third. Loría got onto the ball just inside the eighteen-yard box, taking several touches and running the ball into the back of the net.
Notes
Marvin Loría tallied his second goal of the season and fifth career goal across all competitions.
Dairon Asprilla scored his second goal of the season and 15th career goal across all competitions.
Sebastián Blanco made his first appearance since exiting the match due to an ACL tear on Sept. 6, 2020.
Steve Clark made his first start and appearance since April 18.
Diego Chara made his first start and appearance since May 9.
Larrys Mabiala made his first appearance since May 9.
Aljaz Ivacic was available as a sub for the first time of the 2021 season after undergoing surgery on April 1.
George Fochive was available on the bench for the first time since signing with the club on June 8.
Portland extended its unbeaten streak against Kansas City across all competitions to five.
Claudio Bravo is the only player to start all eight regular season matches, and all 11 matches across all competitions for the Timbers in 2021.
Portland has scored 16 goals in 16 regular-season matches against Sporting Kansas City with 14 different players scoring a goal for the Timbers, including two goals each from Dairon Asprilla and Diego Valeri..
Diego Valeri is sitting on 99 all-time career goals.
Providence Park opened capacity to 80%, the most fans at a Timbers match since March 8, 2020.
Next Game
The Timbers face a quick turnaround and travel to play Houston Dynamo on June 23 at BBVA Stadium. The match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific) and features a local broadcast on ROOT SPORTS with radio broadcasts on 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Portland Timbers (4-4-0, 12pts) vs. Sporting Kansas City (5-2-2, 17pts)
June 19, 2021 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Sporting Kansas City 1 0 1
Portland Timbers 2 0 2
Scoring Summary:
SKC: Lindsey, 28
POR: Asprilla, 36
POR: Loría, 45+1
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Zuparic (caution), 38
SKC: Fontas (caution), 69
SKC: Espinoza (caution), 74
SKC: Sanchez (caution), 83
POR: Zambrano (caution), 87
Lineups:
POR: GK Clark, D Van Rankin, D Tuiloma, D Zuparic, D Bravo, M D. Chara, M Williamson, M Loria (Mabiala, 69), M Asprilla (Zambrano, 58), M Valeri © (Blanco, 80), F Ebobisse
Substitutes Not Used: GK Sulte, GK Ivacic, D Bonilla, D McGraw, M Bodily, M Fochive
TOTAL SHOTS: 7 (Asprilla, Bravo 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (three players tied, 1); FOULS: 6 (Williamson, 2); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 2
SKC: GK Melia, D Lindsey, D Sanchez, D Fontas, D Martins, M Busio, M Espinoza (Shelton, 80), M Hernandez, F Russell©, F Pulido, Daniel Salloi
Substitutes Not Used: GK Pulskamp, D Dia, D Puncec, D Rad, M Duke, M Barber, F Harris
TOTAL SHOTS: 19 (Pulido, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Russell, 2); FOULS: 10 (Pulido, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 1
Referee: Alan Kelly
Assistant Referees: Chris Elliot, Ryan Graves
Fourth Official: Lukas Szpala
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
Weather: Mostly sunny, 75 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
