2 – 2
“Rafael Navarro scores within the opening minute straight from kickoff to give St. Louis an immediate lead.”
Pivotal“Kristoffer Velde levels the score for Portland after a blocked shot moments earlier signaled his growing threat.”
Pivotal“Rafael Navarro restores St. Louis's lead shortly after the restart, completing his brace and putting Portland on the back foot again.”
Pivotal“Kristoffer Velde completes his brace in stoppage time, assisted by Cole Bassett, to snatch a dramatic late equalizer for Portland.”
Pivotal
Portland Timbers
St. Louis City
Outstanding performance
St. Louis City•AttackerRafael Navarro punished Portland twice on the counter, first inside the opening minute and again just after the break, giving St. Louis City a lead that looked out of step with the run of play. Portland dominated territory and chances throughout, out-shooting their visitors 16-10 and controlling 66% of match dominance, but wastefulness in front of goal and Navarro's clinical edge kept them chasing the game. Kristoffer Velde was the difference-maker, canceling out Navarro's opener before the break and then popping up in the 89th minute, assisted by Cole Bassett, to snatch a point St. Louis's disciplined defending had almost preserved. For Portland, the result continues a pattern of strong underlying performances undone by moments of individual quality against them, while St. Louis will rue failing to hold onto a lead built on two sharp, efficient strikes despite being significantly outworked defensively, evidenced by their 21 fouls and 25 tackles.
How entertaining was this match?
On comes Gage Guerra, off goes Vincent Janssen.
Damion Downs is on, and Rafael Navarro Leal is off.
Kristoffer VeldeKristoffer Velde scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Cole Bassett
Goal! Kristoffer Velde scores to make it 2-2, assisted by Cole Bassett.
Omir Fernandez replaces Julio Ortiz.
On Ian Smith, off Eric Miller.
Carlo Holse is substituted for Alexandru Irinel Matan.
Mykhi Joyner replaces Rafael Lucas Cardoso dos Santos.
Corner awarded.
Julio Ortiz takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Antony Alves Santos takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Rafael NavarroYellow CardRafael Navarro Leal receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Rafael Lucas Cardoso dos Santos is on, and Ariel Lassiter is off.
On comes Ronald Hernandez, off goes Eric Miller.
On comes Simon Becher, off goes Jeong Sang Bin.
Fallou Fall is on, and Dante Polvara is off.
Corner awarded.
Kristoffer Velde's right-footed shot is blocked.
Ariel Lassiter takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Offside.
Eric Miller receives a yellow card.
Offside.
Jeong Sang Bin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Chris Durkin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Rafael Navarro Leal takes a shot with his right foot, but it is blocked.
Rafael NavarroShot - Rafael Navarro Leal Head Shot Goal
assist: Alexandru Mățan
Goal! Rafael Navarro Leal scores, making it 1-2.
Lukas MacNaughton is on, and Jaziel Orozco Landeros is off.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
Corner awarded.
Cole Bassett takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Tomas TotlandYellow CardTomas Totland receives a yellow card.
Cole Bassett attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Vincent Janssen takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Kristoffer Velde takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Cole Bassett takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jaziel OrozcoYellow CardYellow card shown to Jaziel Orozco Landeros.
Kristoffer VeldeKristoffer Velde scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal! Kristoffer Velde scores, making it 1-1.
Dante PolvaraYellow CardYellow card shown to Dante Polvara.
Kristoffer Velde takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Kristoffer Velde takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Yellow card.
Diego Ferney Chara Zamora comes on for David Pereira Da Costa.
Ariel Lassiter takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Tomas Totland takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Rafael Navarro Leal takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jeong Sang Bin's right-footed shot is saved.
Dante Polvara attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Rafael NavarroShot on goal! Rafael Navarro Leal takes a left-footed shot.
Goal! Rafael Navarro Leal scores to make it 1-0.
Kick-off! The referee is Fotis Bazakos.
Portland ride the high of a wild 5-4 win over Minnesota into a home date with St. Louis City, who arrive unbeaten in 13 straight MLS matches. Both sides sit in the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture, making this a statement-game opportunity at Providence Park.
