The sibling duo of Diego Chara and Yimmi Chara each scored as part of a resounding 6-1 victory for the Portland Timbers over Real Salt Lake at Providence Park on Saturday evening.
It was a comprehensive performance from the home side, which was in control for most of the contest, save for a brief period when RSL's Damir Kreilach cut a 2-0 deficit in half late in the first half. That was before second-half strikes from the Chara brothers opened the floodgates and allowed Portland to comfortably take another big step toward securing an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs place.
Portland jumped on top courtesy of Felipe Mora's 11th goal of the season in the 27th minute. It was a ruthlessly executed counterattack spearheaded by Diego Chara, who won the ball at midfield and found Sebastian Blanco in stride with a perfect feed down the left flank. The Argentine attacker then left his subsequent cross on a platter for Mora in front of goal, allowing the Chilean to cash home a first-time finish.
Dairon Asprilla doubled that lead just nine minutes later, heading home a long free-kick feed from Dario Zuparic that was taken from deep in Portland's end. It was the Colombian's seventh goal of the season, adding to what was already an MLS career-high total.
The Timbers couldn't reach the 2-0 lead to halftime, though, as Kreliach pulled one back for the visitors in the 41st minute. The Croatian pounced on a loose ball after Bill Tuiloma couldn't clear a cross into the box, slotting home his team-leading 11th goal of the season.
That was as close as it would get, as Yimmi Chara restored the two-goal lead for Portland just after the second-half restart, set up again by a cross from Blanco. It was a gorgeous curling first-time finish from the 30-year-old winger, giving no chance to diving RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa.
Diego Chara then added his team's fourth at the back end of another vintage Timbers' counter in the 68th minute. Portland's legendary midfielder collected a feed from his brother down the right side and unleashed an unstoppable shot while on a full sprint that beat Ochoa at the far post.
Jaroslaw Niezgoda found a fifth for the Timbers in the 85th minute, lashing home a clinical finish from inside the area for the Polish forward's first MLS goal since returning from a torn ACL that he suffered last season. Cristhian Paredes capped off the onslaught in the 88th minute, scorching home a sixth at the end of another counter for what mercifully stood as the game's final goal.
Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The Timbers continued their recent red-hot run of form, as this victory brings Gio Savarese's group to 5-0-1 in their last six games. This was the most impressive of the bunch, as all the goals in this lopsided contest were highlight-reel strikes. Simply put, Portland are rolling at the moment and have the look of a team that no one in the Western Conference is going to want to face come playoff time. Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, remain in a full-on battle for the seventh and final playoff spot in the West.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Portland's first was one of the better team goals we've seen all season – the type of counterattack the Timbers have become known for during much their MLS era.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: This match was a reminder of why Diego Chara has an argument as the best defensive midfielder in MLS history. The 35-year-old was all over the place and got rewarded with both a goal and an assist.
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