The first day of the Timbers Preseason Tournament saw the home team emerge victorious in a rivalry match played in front of 13,882 at Providence Park.
The Portland Timbers downed Cascadia foes Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 behind goals from Diego Valeri and Andy Polo, while Lucas Cavallini netted the momentary equalizer for the 'Caps.
It was the home side that opened the scoring on a 34th minute Valeri penalty kick that was awarded after new acquisition Felipe Mora was judged to have been taken down in the box.
But the Whitecaps response came just five minutes later via star striker Cavallini, who crashed the near post and used a diving header to power an Ali Adnan cross past the goalkeeper. Watch the goal below:
The go-ahead goal that turned out to be the game-winner came off the foot of the Timbers' Polo just seconds into the second half. It appeared as if the Peruvian international mishit a cross which drifted over the goalkeeper and into the far side netting.
The Timbers Preseason Tournament continues on Wednesday, February 19 with the New England Revolution and Vancouver Whitecaps going head to head, while the Timbers match up with Minnesota United.
Goals
- POR - Diego Valeri (PK) - 34th min
- VAN - Lucas Cavallini (Ali Adnan, Inbeom Hwang) - 39th min
- POR - Andy Polo (Diego Valeri) - 46th min
Lineups
Portland Timbers starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Steve Clark (45' Aljaz Ivacic) -- Jorge Moreira, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Jorge Villafaña (45' Marco Farfan) -- Cristhian Paredes, Diego Chara -- Yimmi Chara (45' Andy Polo), Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco -- Felipe Mora
Portland Timbers, 77th min (4-2-3-1, right to left): Aljaz Ivacic -- Pablo Bonilla, Chris Duvall, Julio Cascante, Marco Farfan -- Renzo Zambrano, Eryk Williamson -- Tomas Conechny, Andy Polo, Dairon Asprilla -- Jeremy Ebobisse
Vancouver Whitecaps starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Maxime Crepeau -- Jake Nerwinski, Jasser Khmiri (61' Andy Rose), Derek Cornelius, Ali Adnan -- Inbeom Hwang, Russell Teibert -- Cristian Dajome, Yordy Reyna, David Milinkovic -- Lucas Cavallini
Vancouver Whitecaps, 77th min (4-2-3-1, right to left): Maxime Crepeau -- Jake Nerwinski, Andy Rose, Derek Cornelius, Ali Adnan -- Inbeom Hwang (82' Cristian Gutierrez), Russell Teibert (82' Patrick Metcalfe) -- Theo Bair, Fredy Montero, Ryan Raposo -- Tosaint Ricketts
