One goal, two assists, one man
Kristoffer Velde took the game by the scruff of the neck. The Norwegian scored his fifth goal of the season and set up two more as Portland beat San Diego FC 3-1 tonight.
The first half was his show. In the 29th minute, Velde won the ball deep in his own half, sparked a break down the left, carried it diagonally through midfield and linked up with Cole Bassett. He got the return and drilled a 25-yard effort into the left side netting.
Gabriel Pirani levelled in first-half stoppage time with a low strike from the edge of the box. It was the Brazilian’s first goal since his move last month.
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Cifuentes gets his first home win
Six minutes after the break, Velde put Portland back in front. A pass through the gap for Jimer Fory, a low cross, and Ariel Lassiter volleyed home. 2-1.
The third arrived in the 68th minute. Velde drew defenders over to the left, slipped into the box and laid it back for David Da Costa. One touch to set himself to the right, then a curling right-foot shot from around 20 yards. CJ dos Santos was left rooted.
Marti Cifuentes picked up his first MLS home win on the Timbers bench. James Pantemis made five saves behind him.
Portland stay in the playoff hunt
The Timbers move up to 27 points (8-9-3) and sit ninth, the last play-off spot in the Western Conference. They have lost just one of their past six league games.
San Diego (6-8-6, 24 points) missed the chance to post back-to-back league wins for the first time since their three-win start to the season. Anders Dreyer, the club’s top assister and second-top scorer, was serving a suspension after a red card. His absence was obvious.
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