What a difference a player can make.
Just this past Wednesday, the Portland Timbers went without "the Maestro," Diego Valeri, in their road match against the New England Revolution. The pressure from the home side proved too much, and in the end, they could only settle for a 1-1 tie as New England grabbed a late equalizer.
But four days later, the Timbers were back home hosting Toronto FC. And after going up a goal in the 17th minute, the Timbers soon found themselves again on even terms with their opponents, as former Timbers captain Will Johnson pulled the visitors level in the 40th minute. From there, Toronto in turn continued to pile on the pressure, looking for the game-winner.
But this time, the Timbers had Valeri back. And it was his birthday.
For Portland, the Maestro's return meant more than just another player on the field--it meant the return of his special brand of magic. So with the Timbers under siege late in the match, of course it was Valeri who created and scored the game-winning goal for his team.
On the ball 25 yards from goal during a rare Timbers foray downfield, Valeri tried to cut around Toronto captain Michael Bradley, only to be taken down to the turf by an errant tackle from the latter. With the foul awarded, Timbers winger Lucas Melano handed the ball to Valeri.
"He touched the ball and he said, 'Hey, you will score in this moment,'" Valeri told the press in the Timbers locker room after the match. He then paused and turned to Melano with a wide smile. "Thank you, Lucas."
Valeri converted the free kick, sending a curling, swerving ball just inside the post and just out of the reach of Toronto 'keeper Clint Irwin.
"It was my first time scoring a goal on my birthday," said Valeri. "I am really happy about that. It is special for me and for my family, of course. It is a gift. But the three points are much better."
Melano was not the only one at Providence Park to acknowledge Valeri's birthday, however. In the minutes after Valeri scored, the Timbers Army filled the north end of the stadium, chanting "Happy Birthday" to him from the stands.
