SANDY, Utah – The Portland Timbers faced a veritable onslaught from Real Salt Lake, but weathered the storm and stole the full three points late.
Portland got the win over RSL thanks to a stoppage-time header from none other than former RSL stalwart Nat Borchers, who scored the game-winning goal in the 95th minute and refused to celebrate out of respect to his former club.
It was the final corner kick of the night and it came only a few minutes after Borchers saw his 86th-minute corner kick header clearead off the line. But in stoppage time Borchers wouldn't miss, nodding down a Diego Valeri corner kick at the penalty spot and sending the ball bouncing into the opposite corner of the net.
RSL had multiple chances to open the scoring and take a lead over the visiting Timbers in the first half. The home team out-possessed, outshot and outworked Portland for the entirety of the first half, but had nothing on the scoreboard to show for it.
Three great chances fell to the foot of RSL forward Sebastian Jaime: one from six yards out, another from 12 yards out, and finally the last one from the top of the penalty area. He was unable to keep any of them on target.
The best, and most spectacular, opportunity came in the 31st minute when midfielder Luke Mulholland blasted a screaming side volley from about 25 yards away from the goal. It seemed destined for the upper left corner of the net, but Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey stretched full out and blocked the shot away.
Salt Lake continued to whiff on chances in front of the Timbers net and almost paid for their lack of finishing in the 71st minute. A bad giveaway by RSL defender Jamison Olave sprung another counterattack for the Timbers and this time they got a shot on frame. Substitute forward Maximiliano Urruti sent a cross into Valeri, who appeared to direct the ball with his hip toward goal. RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando clapped his hands above his head and saved the point-blank effort.
RSL will welcome in the Sounders in a week’s time (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE) and the Timbers will head home to face the Dynamo on Friday (11 pm ET, UniMas).
